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DENMARK 1997
3rd World Afghan Congress Report #4
Rene Fairlie (UK) Page2

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

Day 2. Ulf opened proceedings after our ample breakfast session. A wonder we could stay awake for the day's work. Sue Virgo of the Yorkshire AHC was first on the rostrum to report on the first Congess which was their brainchild, in particular Hazel Arris, Sue Metcalfe, herself and husband Mike. It brought in 150 delegates from 19 countries including Mrs.Yasimoto from Japan. They had started the Visitors Book, which she thanked David Frei and Ulf for carrying on and making the whole theme grow with San Diego and now Copenhagen. David recalled San Diego with its attendance of 500 from 23 countries. He mentioned the liberal sponorship of Pedigree, praised the greater co-operation in a shrinking world and finally said he still had souvenirs to sell It was a thrill for us all to see and hear again the video "Afghan Joy" made by Chris Terrell and George Bell.

Next on our agenda, the matter of One World Standard, addressed by Birgitha Runmarker. At present the FCI, KC and Australia are the same with America slightly different. A committee to look into it was mooted but not deemed feasible. She put on screen photos of Mrs.Amps' early imports and compared them with current British and American stock showing trends to date.

We broke off here for coffee and were all shepherded outside for group photos and video shots (for posterity?) luckily between showers. Thus refreshed, back to hear our own Susan Rhodes with the query "Who are we breeding for'?" Fashion? Judges? The Breed Standard? Should we be going back to Zardin? To back her views we saw films of the late Eileen Snelling' s famous Khorrossan champions of the 40s and 50s, tops in their time, but that in later years, still in the same bloodlines she failed to breed any further big winners. Was this all a change in fashion? A much appreciated talk with lots to think about. Upon which note we knocked off again for another first class buffet lunch. The inner man, or should I say person was more than taken care of.

When reconvened for the final afternoon, first to speak was Roberto Posa of Italy, his subject general trends in the breed, such as hedonism, extroversion, grooming, style and presentation and the greater attention to details of discipline in the ring. He covered past over angulation and extension of hind quarters, then a focus on heads for more elegance, the lessening of the round, light eye problem and called for all to abhor exaggeration. Technically he saw computer link ups as a big help in the sharing of mutual knowledge.

We were given quite a different opinion by the veteran Swedish breeder, Christine Jernberg asking "What has happened to our Aristocratic Afghans?". She spoke in Swedish through an interpreter which perforce didn't allow we Brits to follow her full gist, unfortunately. She now saw so many faults in construction and deplored the loss of arrogance of ten years ago. Altogether the challenge had led to her ceasing any more breeding. Wish we could have understood her better as her words brought a standing ovation from those who did.

Something different now caused very polarised opinions when Lotte Jorgansen and Kirsten Nielsen gave a Trimming, Grooming and Handling Demo. What a lovely model they had with their black bitch who stood so patiently for them. Her saddle, sides of head and neck, then tail, were all completely smoothed to enhance her houndy lines and this found favour with all bar we Brits. Zita Fogarty spoke up for us, asking what about the clause in the standard that says the coat should be allowed to develop naturally"? Through all the arguments I had the impression of a real division of thought and felt most everyone regarded our side as pretty old hat and many of our hounds likewise. My own view is it can all go too far, creating a race of show puppets rather than the original Afghans of their native land. Look what America did to the English Cocker - now there are two different breeds altogether.

Rene Fairlie July 97
Copyright(c) 1997
AHDBIE

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DENMARK CONGRESS 97
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