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DENMARK 1997
3rd World Afghan Congress Report #4
Rene Fairlie (UK) Page1

COPENHAGEN 1997
REFLECTIONS OF THE THIRD WORLD CONGRESS OF
AFGHAN HOUND CLUBS

June 19th and 20th saw 216 breed devotees foregathered at the prestigious Marienlyst hotel, Elsinore, within a short walk of Hamlet' s Castle for this third event. We numbered several from each of the Scandinavian countries, Germany, U.S.A., Australia, England, Scotland and Ireland, but Italy, France, Estonia, Latvia, Greece and Israel were all represented. Twenty four countries in all, so truly an international gathering.

Opening at 2pm on Day 1, Ulf Jorgansen of Boxadon fame took the Chair to give us all a warm welcomel, The programme for the two days had a wide spectrum of expert speakers and first to be introduced was Uwe Fischer of Germany, president of the FCI judges panel. His plea to give one's hounds a natural, happy life through lure coursing etc in spite of their now being purely show animals had my hearty approval. Birgitha Runmarker, for Sweden, told us their club had 430 members with around 150 puppies registered p.a. whereas Helena Lannoner for Finland gave 66 members and 100 reg. p.a. with frequent top entries at shows. Ulf told us that 30 years ago Denmark had one Sighthound club, their A.H.C. was founded in '72 and now has 200 or so members with about 50 reg. p.a.

We moved on to a Panel Discussion, Birgitha Runmarker, Paul Lepiane, USA, and Espen Engh of Norway taking part. They touched on natural and artificial Afghans. So says my notes - but can't think where the latter comes into it! Greece raised a point about temperaments and then we went on to Dr. Jens Jacobsen of Denmark on the requirements for Optimum Diet and Nutrition, chiefly in praise of the ideal balance of the different Eukanuba products.

Came a comic delight next with legal eagles (?) David Frei and Mark Cocozza, impressively wigged and gowned to prosecute and defend two cases. No.1 - I'he World Needs More Pets. David pursued the theme, calling several witnesses, while Mark opposed, saying that Stud Dog owners were quite right not to accept any and every bitch to their dogs. We the jury found for Mark by a large majority and David's case was lost. Case No.2 concerned a certain Mr.X accused of taping puppies' tails to improve rings. More witnesses called and general talk here re ethics, health risks, faking, trimming etc. On a show of hands few would admit to trimming, even fewer to tail taping. Mr.X was found guilty for his sins.

Serious stuff again, the Panel resumed on the thorny subject of the education of judges and their skills in general. Uwe Fischer's comments were most pertinent.

Really good judges have an eye for a dog and it cannot be taught if not already there. Only around 20% of judges have this . There followed many views from the floor on methods of learning, priorities of total balance, skeletal and muscular needs, heads, coats and so on. We could have gone on for hours, but Espen Engh summed up nicely by pointing out the advantages of World Congresses, enjoyed by few breeds, where our knowledge could be pooled. This brought close of official play for the first day. The evening was devoted to a sumptuous Buffet Dinner and Dance to follow and Nutritional Needs were more than met, believe me. Lovely to chat, too, to so many worldwide buffs before eventual bed.

Rene Fairlie July 97
Copyright(c) 1997
AHDBIE

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