The style and beauty of a floating trot, as an Afghan Hound gaits around the show ring. The drive and passion demonstrated as he chases a lure down the track or across an open field. The love and devotion that she displays for her owner while taking leisurely strolls or simply curled up alongside on the sofa. Beauty, brains, heart… this is the tagline that I use on the social media sites I have created to celebrate my hounds. I do so because I wish to highlight the joy of sharing my life with well-rounded canine companions. By this, I mean ones that are true to the Breed Standard—both in terms of their physical conformation as well as their temperament—and still retain the instincts to do the job for which their ancestors were bred. Living with a well-rounded Afghan Hound means embracing the full essence of the breed; graceful in the ring, spirited in the field, and deeply devoted at home, while enjoying the many opportunities the AKC (American Kennel Club) offers us to enrich that bond through shared experiences.
My journey with Afghan Hounds began in December 1989, when “Khayyam” joined our family as a beloved pet. I had loved the beauty and grace of Afghan Hounds ever since I was a child, and I was thrilled to finally have one of my very own! I doted over my new puppy, read every book on the breed that I could get my hands on, and it wasn’t long before I wanted to go out and explore doing things with her. I enrolled us in Obedience classes, and as we trained together, my curiosity about AKC events began to deepen. Eager to explore further, I stepped into the show ring for the first time. Although Khayyam didn’t possess the conformation necessary to earn a title, we proudly brought home a few ribbons. By then, I was completely captivated by the breed and wrapped up with the spirit of friendly competition. We soon welcomed two more Afghan Hounds as potential show prospects.
Eager to deepen my knowledge, I became an active member of both the Dog Obedience Club of Lee County and the Greater Fort Myers Dog Club. Alongside showing my dogs, I served in various roles within these organizations, including Obedience Chair, Show Chair, and various seats on the Board, gaining invaluable experience in the dog fancy. In 1997, I had the honor of participating in the birth of a new club, as I became one of the charter members of the Suncoast Afghan Hound Club of Florida.
During this period, we also opened our hearts and home to several Afghan Hounds that came to us as rescues. Among them, “Jasmine” and “Zephyr” had the special opportunity to step into the show ring, not as competitors but as honored participants in the Greater Fort Myers Dog Club’s Parade of Rescue Dogs. It was a joyful experience for both dogs and their humans, celebrating the resilience of these animals and the love they found in their new, forever homes.
By the 2010s, I stepped away from the show ring and club life. Our dogs were growing older, and we’ve never believed in rehoming a senior dog just to make space for a new puppy. Ours is a forever home, and we cherish our seniors for the deep love and joy they’ve brought into our lives. Our multi-Group winning “Merlyn” (CH Aloof Llacue’s Enchanter) had passed on, his daughter “Sheba” (Llacue’s Aloof Qadim Desert Moon) had retired from competition, and our beloved rescues, Jasmine and Zephyr, were showing signs of age. Though we had become more home-centered, the love and companionship of these hounds continued to fill our hearts.
But the passage of time couldn’t be denied, and one by one they began to cross that Rainbow Bridge – first Sheba, and then Zephyr. Jasmine and Zephyr had been a bonded sister/brother pair, and Jasmine made her grief known, crying plaintively at night. We knew that it was time to bring a new puppy into our family, and we knew that the breed for us remained the Afghan Hound. After much searching to find the right one for us, we found our “Khalil” (Zardin Desert Sky Of Qadim CAA FCAT CGC FITS). Jasmine had a new companion, and our family embarked upon a new adventure.
Similar to what I had done with our first Afghan Hound, I enrolled Khalil in puppy training classes. I wanted to make certain that our new little one received opportunities for socialization and the acquiring of good manners right from the start. Around that time, I discovered that the AKC had introduced the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) title. Per the AKC, the program emphasizes “that all dogs can be good dogs, and all owners can be great owners, all it takes is a little bit of training, lots of love, and of course, plenty of praise along the way… Canine Good Citizen is a 10-skill test that teaches good manners to dogs and responsible dog ownership to their owners.” I thought: What a fun way to socialize my new puppy and teach him good manners, all while working toward a tangible goal! So, that’s exactly what we set out to do. Khalil thrived in the classes, and we both enjoyed turning training into a playful, rewarding experience. Working together in this way only deepened the bond we were building. Khalil earned his CGC title before his first birthday, and I was especially proud that he was the first in his cohort to achieve it.
The Canine Good Citizen program is part of AKC’s Family Dog Program. There are several different activities that fall under this heading, including Therapy, Fetch, and Trick Dogs. One that appealed to me was the Fit Dog program. I had been looking for ways to get more physical activity, and this program seemed like a great way to do so. According to the AKC: “Now more than ever, fitness is important for both dogs and people. The most commonly recommended exercise to improve fitness is walking. Walking is considered a safe activity that improves muscular strength, circulation, memory, weight loss, increases energy, helps with sleep, and reduces stress. The American Heart Association recommends walking a minimum of 150 minutes per week. Participation in the AKC FIT DOG program will bring health benefits to both you and your dog.” And so, we began using a tracking app to log our morning walks, and participated in community fun run/walks. Over time, Khalil added the fitness tile to his name, and is currently at the Silver level (FITS).
The Family Dog activities weren’t the only ones that the AKC had introduced during our hiatus. We also discovered the Coursing Ability Test (CAT), in which a dog chases an artificial lure over an open field. In addition, we learned about Fast CAT—a timed 100-yard dash run on a closed, straight track. As sighthounds, Afghan Hounds are naturally drawn to the thrill of the chase, and I saw this as another wonderful opportunity to strengthen my bond with Khalil by allowing him to engage in an activity that tapped into his innate instincts. He grasped the concept almost immediately, and participating in these events has brought us immense joy—spending time outdoors, connecting with fellow dog lovers, and watching my cherished hound do exactly what he was bred to do.
As I was exploring these new AKC activities, the show ring began to call to me once again. Despite his CGC training, Khalil started out in competition as a silly little puppy, excited at the sights and smells, always wanting to play. The atmosphere of a dog show is so different from that of a training classroom! But I decided to keep showing him, believing that he was a worthy example of the breed and would settle down as he matured. It took a bit of time, but he grew into his role as a show dog, blossomed into a handsome hound, and began gaining points.
During this period, our beloved Jasmine was showing signs of age, and we knew our time with her was growing short. Before she passed, we welcomed “Sandy” (CH Aristo’s Desert Sands Of Qadim CA DCAT CGC FITB) into our lives. We introduced her to the same activities we were enjoying with Khalil, and she quickly proved herself to be both capable and eager. Like Khalil, she earned her CGC title before her first birthday and was the first in her class to do so. She joined us on long walks and earned her FITB (Bronze level) title along the way. They both enjoy going on casual outings with us, from outdoor seating at restaurants (which we call “doggies dining al fresco”) to strolling along the riverwalk area in our local downtown, or visiting as puppy class alums with their trainer, Miss Stephanie, a.k.a. “the Treat Lady.” We love going out with them and sharing their beauty and sweet temperaments with the general public. Many people comment to us that they’ve never seen an Afghan Hound in person before, and so we consider them to be ambassadors for their breed.
As with Khalil, Sandy embarked upon a career in the Breed ring. On February 16, 2025, Sandy became an AKC champion, winning Best of Breed over four specials and earning a Group 4 placement. She retired from the show ring ranked No. 6 Afghan Hound All-Breed. But among all her accomplishments, it is the coursing field which lights the fire in her heart. When the huntmaster calls “Tally ho!” nothing delights her more than the chase. She was a beautiful mover in the show ring, but she truly embodies her ancestors when presented with the lure. I can’t help but cheer as I watch her run with purpose and passion; a graceful, majestic hunter fulfilling her birthright as a true athlete.
At the end of the day, we return home from our adventures, whether from the show ring, the coursing field, the Fast CAT track, or just a walk through the neighborhood. As we settle in on the sofa, we’re often showered with kisses. Beauty, brains, heart—this is the joy of sharing life with a truly well-rounded dog. Within our breed lies the legacy of purposeful selection, traits carefully cultivated by those who came before us. To love a purpose-bred dog is to honor every aspect of who they are. They offer elegance to the eye, enthusiasm in their work, and a deep, soul-nourishing companionship at home.
As we strive to preserve and refine our breeds, may we always remember to value the complete picture—not just the outward appearance, but the function and spirit alike. In so doing, we truly honor the history and heritage of these noble animals.
