Will you please write an in-depth piece about Seistan Afghans from your start to the present day?

 

 Absolutely, I would be happy to share my story and I thank you for your interest in my passion.  I'm an extremely small kennel in retrospect to many others more proliferate in the show ring.  My goal has always been to create a look I can call my own in the least number of litters possible.  In order to achieve this, I have to consistently do my homework and research every aspect of our breed and the lines I'm working with.  This is the part of breeding I absolutely love to do.  

 

 I've produced a relatively small number of Afghan Hounds in my 35 years in the breed and I can still count the number of litters I've produced on both hands.  My last four litters have produced only 6 puppies.  Three of those litters have been attempts with frozen semen from deceased stud dogs.  I love using the grand old boys because of their known prepotency, and more information on them is openly available.  People will always talk about the dogs long gone.  I'm sure the reason for this is because they pose no direct threat in the ring any longer.

 

Think about what I said with the words, "openly available". I went out there and found fellow breeders I could partner with and trust with their breeding facts.  I asked to see all their dogs in their kennels, all health certificates and talked to them about what I was looking for.  Believe me, open book breeders are hard to come by but they are out there. You won't get the whole truth from many breeders who are trying to avoid being the topic over internet chat lines, or at dog shows or by phone.  How about never being able to defend your stock because you aren't a member on the chat lines, or not at the show, or on a conference call?   Better yet, how about being negatively chatted about for a made-up, non-existent fault on your dog and never being able to educate those making the accusations?  My advice to all:  find the open book breeders in Afghan Hounds, apply their knowledge to your breeding program and don't waste your time listening to idle gossip.

 

 

My admiration for this breed started as a young girl going to her first local dog show.  I can still remember huge, wooden doors opening up to an old fairground arena and seeing this beautiful creature being groomed on a table.  The dog happened to be Ch. Wildenau's Bonvivant; interestingly enough all my stock has gone back to him since then.  His movement coupled with his aloof attitude, expression and glamorous coat was enough to start my love affair with this breed.

 

My first litter came after many years of reading all literature written on the Afghan Hound and memorizing the standard word for word.  I poured over the endless photographs, magazines and books while having and raising my daughters to school age.   I went out and bought my foundation bitch, Ch. Atavi Seradrift ( Ch. Persia's Sandrift x Can. Ch. Palregan's Fancy Blue ) after my children began school.

 

I bred Seradrift twice to two males who happen to be father ( Ch. Jorogz' Heartbreaker ) and son ( Ch. Gazon's Cheatin' Heart ).  Those two litters produced many champions, lure-coursing champions, the second AKC dual champion in the breed, ASFA field champions ranked in the top ten, the first frozen semen litter with multiple champions in the USA and the famous MBIS UK and Am. Ch. Seistan's Hearts Afire to Freecloud F. Ch. SC.

 

I took my beautiful Killer/Sera daughter, Jasmine ( SBIS, Mult. Grp. Winning Ch. Seistan's From The Heart F.Ch. JC ) to Chevy ( MBIS/MSBIS It./Am., Ch. Gazon Say What You Mean. ). This resulted in a litter of a lifetime with 5 champions in 4 countries.  They are:  MSBIS UK Ch. Fabelhaft With All M'Heart to Khamis ( Fable ); MSBIS/MBIS Aust. Grand Ch. Seistan's Heart T'Beat ( Packer ); SBIS Grp.Winning Am. Ch. Seistan's Need I Say More ( Alec ); SBIS Mult. Grp. Winning Am. Ch. Seistan's Mr. Black N' Tanman ( Coltan ); and SBOS Can.,Am., Ch. Fabelhaft Say That Ya Luv Me ( Jetta ).

 

This is the time I thought I should look for another brood bitch to complement my pedigree and I found it with my import, BIS/SBIS Can., Am., Ch. Aviva Skyhi T'Seistan JC.  Skyler brought in a line to Vanti through her dam side and brought Packer back to me.  I went to Australia and was awestruck over the overall depth of quality Ros Bacich ( Aviva ) had in her kennel.  This was exactly what I was looking for and our partnership/friendship began to swing into high gear.  You see, Ros talks to me openly on all the aspects of her dogs and breeding program, sharing all her ideas and thoughts with me.       

 

This is roughly the same time I began my friendship and partnership with Lynn Faro ( Woodholme ).  While we were campaigning Skyler, I knew I needed to breed Jasmine one more time before she grew too old.  Through Lynn's guidance and support, we brought to the USA, from Aviva, a young stud dog to complement Jasmine for her last litter.  Ros sent a dvd of the young Kiwi and we were hooked.  Aust. Grand., Am.,Can., MBIS/MSBIS Ch. Aviva T'All Black JC ( Kiwi ) is a campaign to be remembered.  We will always be indebted to Ros for her hard work and dedication to him and to our breed.  Jasmine and Kiwi produced Am/Can Ch. Seistan's T'All Girls Rule and Mult. BIF Dual/Can. Ch. Seistan's Kiwiana F.Ch. SC.

 

Lately, I've been breeding to frozen semen and taking my line back generations to stamp certain traits important to my future.  Those traits include leg, long necks, good shoulders, forechest, strong toplines, good croups/tail sets, movement and those small eyes.  I recently bred Skyler to Chevy and was able to produce two puppies which included Am. Ch. Seistan's Behind The Veil.  She finished quickly and I immediately took her out of the ring to attempt a litter I had in the planning for a decade. 

 

I have now brought you up to date with the arrival of Ch. Seistan's T' Devil Wears Prada out of Ch. Jorogz' Tar Devil and Ch. Seistan's Behind The Veil.  Ch. Jorogz' Tar Devil is the sire of top producing Ch. Jorogz' Heartbreaker who in turn is the son of the great all-time top producer, Ch. Mecca's Falstaff.   "Prada" is a single puppy litter, which was in itself a real challenge to raise properly; she is spoiled!  She was becoming so spoiled, Lynn decided to rip her out of my arms at 6 months of age to send her to camp Bobbi Kinley-Blewett to begin a puppy campaign.  Lynn felt Prada needed a break from her adoring mother.  The rest is history when she immediately gained her championship at 7 months and 6 days of age with an 82% rate of winning the points, shown entirely from the 6-9 puppy bitch class.    Her incredible soundness, structure, movement and attitude left no questions in the judges' eyes.  We are working diligently to deliver this kind of quality to our breed.  

 

Marilyn Thompson

Seistan Afghan Hounds

 

 

 

1: Which Afghan dog not bred by yourself has impressed you the most and why? 

 

MBIS, MSBIS Am.,IT.,Ch. Gazon Say What You Mean. 

There is but one word that describes this global top producer named Chevy:  Movement.   When he was shown to the world at the USA Nationals in San Diego, you could hear a pin drop when he gaited around the ring.  The effortless, balanced reach and drive took everyone's breath away including mine.  I had the pleasure of looking him in his eyes when Deb and I bred him to Jasmine.  He had a magnificent expression and he told you, " I am the king of dogs."  I cannot live without a Chevy son in my kennel. 

Jym and Debbie Webb, hats off to your brilliant breeding program.

 

 

 

2: Which Afghan bitch not bred by yourself has impressed you the most and why?

 

I absolutely love bitches and prefer them to males, hands down.  I love arrogant bitches.  I would never be able to answer this question listing only one bitch.  I've admired so many through the years.

 

MBIS/MSBIS Aust. Ch. Aviva Venezia for her front assembly and balanced proportions.  This bitch had it all.

SBIS Am. Ch. Jorogz' Juliana, a complete puppy package who stole my heart with her expression and movement.  I was so envious of her owners. 

MBIS/MSBIS Am.,Can. Ch. Paladin Fancy Pants Trinity.  James Dalton and the stunning CC:  what an extraordinary team together.  They consistently put on an eye catching show and both were perfectly timed together.  I miss them both.  

AHCA Breeder's Cup Winner, Ch. Fabelhaft Paladin Baby Doll.  Katie was the perfectly balanced puppy with type, details and impeccable movement.  I'm proud to say, I found her first. 

This is my short list, since I could go on forever.   

 

 

3: Which Afghan Hound do you consider has fit the breed standard the closest?

 

Aust. Grand, Am., Can., MBIS,MSBIS, Ch. Aviva T' All Black JC.  If you ever get the chance to go over this male with your hands while reading the standard, word for word, you'll agree.  His proportions and symmetry are unmatched.

 

4: What do you look for when choosing a puppy? 

 

This is a complex question depending on the pedigree of the litter and what I am looking for at the time.  Never do I look at only one puppy in a litter unless it's a single puppy litter.  I must see the entire litter, pets and all.   I base my decisions on my own personal breeding program and what the litter could contribute to it.  I first research the pedigree out to the last known generation.  When I say research, it means taking the time to look for all information regarding each dog and/or the littermates.  Find the photos, study the shape of the dog and ask, "Is this what I am looking for?"  I'll take the time to write e-mails, write letters, and take a look for myself at their kennel and chat on the phone for details concerning structure and health details in the pedigree.  I've been known to drive breeders mad with my list of questions but asking questions will provide answers.  This takes a great deal of time to do and I'm dedicated enough to do it before breeding a litter or choosing a puppy.       

 

5: How and when do you start training a puppy for the show ring? 

 

I start training my puppies at 6 weeks of age after their first vaccination.  I start taking them to handling classes and introducing them to the sights and sounds of dog shows.  I place their crate, with them in it, in the middle of the floor while they watch the other dogs perform around them. I do this for a solid 4 weeks.  After that, they begin formal show training with stacking done on a table and gaiting on the floor.  I take my puppies everywhere I go, daily.  My dogs love trips to the coffee houses, doing errands, rides in the car and walks in the parks.  I also teach every puppy to swim since we live in an area with ocean, lakes and rivers.  I never quit socializing and making them feel special until they leave for handlers to begin their show careers. 

 

 

6: What is your bathing and grooming routine ?  How do you prepare a dog for the ring?

 

This is where my grooming differs from most.  Since I use professional handlers, my job is to grow coat, maintain a healthy weight and good muscle tone.  I've been told by all my handlers, I do this part extremely well.   I start with good nutrition, free exercise, some sunshine and lots of rain.  I live in a fabulous climate full of moisture and moderate temperatures year around.  Rain and cool temperatures are added benefits to maintain healthy coats.  I also bath every 5-7 days, no matter if I have to stay up all night with the blow dryers going.  I'm known for doing that, too.  Since I don't have to prepare my Afghans for the show ring, I can get by with maintenance bathing starting with a good shampoo to get out the dirt and a good leave-on conditioner to hold in moisture.    I give my handlers the right to prepare my dogs any way they see fit for the ring.  When I bring in someone else's dog to be campaigned, that owner/breeder has the right to say how they want their dog to be groomed by our handlers.

 

 

7: What do you look for when judging an Afghan ? 

 

We all have an image in our minds of what the Afghan Hound should look like from our standard.  I start by looking for balance.  I bring them all in and take a good amount of time  giving them all a solid look.  I'm looking for the dog whose proportions fit properly to the standard.  Movement will always be the prime factor in my final decision.  I want soundness but I want spring with balanced extension front and rear.   Of course, I would never leave out type and details to finish my decisions.  I judge dogs with a positive attitude and look for those positive attributes that make the breed an Afghan Hound.  I have to mention, the one detail I look for first is eyes:  I want eyes that are small, almond shaped and almost black in color. I absolutely love expression and if an Afghan stares through me, it sends my heart fluttering.  Everyone knows that when I smile while I'm judging, I've found a good one.   

 

8: What advice would you give anyone considering judging the Afghan? 

 

You have an extremely important job to do and take it seriously.  Don't buy in to the talk you hear over chat lines or from friends.  Wait until you have the dog or dogs in front of you, base your decision on your eyes, hands and knowledge of the breed.  Remember when you judge, plenty of exhibitors are watching your every move.  For example, don't run your hands down the shoulders of each dog, only to put up the worst shoulder placement on the day. You have your license and you passed the test, so use your brain and make the correct decision.  Our breed deserves good judges that care enough to pass the points on to the dog that fits the closest to our written standard.    

 

 

9: Do you think the breed has changed for the better or worse,  and what are the reasons for this?

 

We are witnessing a drastic decline in popularity in our breed with lower entries at the shows in the USA.  It's competition that drives us to breed better dogs.  When we see the point schedule in the USA in Montana, for example, set at 5 dogs and 5 bitches for a 3 point major, you have to ask yourself if this is for the betterment of the breed.  We can thank modern technology for at least preserving some of the great dogs of the past to increase our gene pool.  I believe the best quality Afghan Hounds, at this time, are in Australia and Europe.  The breeders in Australia and Europe have done a beautiful job taking the best from the USA and using it to their advantage.  I nearly came unglued when I went to the Australian National and witnessed for myself the true quality some of the breeders are producing.  The advertisement photos you see are a true representation of what they are producing.   

 

10 :What has been the best advice you have been given? and by whom? 

 

I've gotten plenty of advice over the years and have used the good advice to stay focused on my breeding program.  The bad advice, I've learned to ignore and not implement.  However, here is my chance to give advice to everyone in this dog show game.  Dog shows are dog shows, there are 52 weeks a year full of dog shows to attend.  One day chicken and the next feathers.  

 

11: What has your greatest moment in Afghans?

 

I think you want me to answer this question with an exciting win that sticks out before all others like a Best in Show win at a prestigious show.  However, as important and exciting as that may be,  my greatest moment so far has been planning a litter for over a decade and succeeding in having a puppy.  After 2 negative pregnancy tests, negative palpation attempts, a horrible vaginal infection and everything that goes into a frozen semen litter, the vet came out and announced the puppy is alive, healthy and beautiful;  I fell to pieces.  A pedigree I built with so much anticipation, research and heartache finally became a reality.  It doesn't get any better than this.

    

12: What are your future ambitions for Seistan Afghan Hounds ? 

 

I'm filled with fun and exciting plans for the future.  I've been mapping and researching  my breeding program for the next three generations and I'm satisfied with my decisions.  I believe you will see something extraordinary coming from my kennel in short order.  If I told you all the details of my plans, they wouldn't be special any longer.  I will continue to stay a bit of a mystery to everyone; it's all part of the fun.