Bondor Judging

"I have judged the breed many times both at home and abroad, including the world record entry of 580 at the AHA in 1976, when my co-judge in the day was Margaret Niblock. To date i have given CC's over 30 times giving my first tickets in 1969, and judged Crufts in 1980. I have been invited to judge overseas 18 times. My great appreciation goes to the clubs and exhibitors for their generosity in financing my trips overseas."

"My Best Of Breed at Crufts in 1980,
Ch Balkasha Barabbas"

South African AHA

BIS in Russia

Dublin

BIS Ch Alkorahn Tarragon

Best Bitch Raushan Wanton Affair

Aust bred BOS in show Ch Piehelo Aphrodite

Best Open In Show Ch Shaaltarah Sirocco

BOS Open In Show Ch Ghurian Tygs Jamuna

BPIS Calahora Candy Floss

Queensland Afghan Hound Association,
9th Specialty Show - 1980

Dog CC & BIS Khorramad Firefox & Res CC Hashtana Red Alert

BIS Khorramad Firefox

Afghan Hound Club Of Wales 1984

Judging in Moscow in the 90's

SWKA 1984

Tokyo Royal Afghan Hound Club

"I have also given several lectures on the breed throughout the world. The WAHC put on a lecture with myself and Christian Gardiner of "Gardwright" fame. I was also a keynote speaker at the World Congress of 1996 "

"Mr Brooks stated he was “very concerned” that faults that were bred out years ago are “rapidly rapidly coming back in!” and that “judging exams have not helped”. He went on to say that we “have to conform to a standard. Best dogs should not have serious faults and must have some excellence of breed type. Cant keep having so much variance in the line up 1-4 where not one bugger looks like the other”. Mr Brooks is well known for his sometimes controversial view - so he set the tone clearly from the outset. He also found it useful to “borrow” Dr Ann’s “bone” and use it as a pointer to his own slides. Mr Brooks continued “In the last 10 years, unless you are a face, you haven’t a cats chance of making up a dog. The first thing you see (“God given”) is to understand balance!. The picture fits together, no exageration. Height ranges between 25-29 inches - “give or take an inch or two” (then staring at the audience). Head must be balanced with body. In this country we have a slight stop. Eyes do not stand out like searchlights. Return of upper arm most important - underneath the body. If its short you dont get reach/ground cover. No flag tails, no striaght tails, no double tails - should just reach the hock. I am appaled at Afghan “”rat tails”” sparsley covered!. In the 60’s the tail had 6-10 inches of feathering, it was treasured! An Afghan does not have to be charged around! The Afghan’s tail comes up when it is excited - not going to do that with todays judges!. Hocks should be slightly under and in. Should be short and flexible on the front pasterns (then gesticulation of flexible wrist) - perhaps thats why there’s so many gays in our breed. . Strippers (ed note, dog strippers as opposed to the er em other ones) - this is artificial, it is the people who own stripped dogs that are artificial!"

Text taken from notes of Allan Brooks talk at the World Congress 1996