Set monitor to 1024x 756 for best viewing ( Dosen't this Photo remind you of a Giacometti Sculpting?)
An Essay on Afghan Gait
Set monitor to 1024x 756 for best viewing ( Dosen't
this Photo remind you of a Giacometti Sculpting?)
Assembling
the appropriate combination of words to adequately define the Afghan Hound trot
is both challenging and difficult. This is compounded by the uniqueness of this
breed's structural evolution and the contradictions to conventional canine structure
and locomotion.
In
order to denote the diverse and considerable differences in the structure of
the Afghan.
I
will use the Saluki; a desert dog and close relation. The Saluki standard
employs the word "Moderate or Moderation" no less than 8 times, (UK
Standard). Being a desert dog, nature has evolved this breed around efficiency
of gait and speed, with moderate angles and lengths of limb. The Term "efficiency
of gait" could be described "the maximum distance traversed with the
minimum effort and expenditure of energy", in other words the fore and
aft limbs working in perfect harmony with each other and the assemblies using
equal reach and drive with little or no excess or superfluous exaggerations
of gait. (Currently many show ring Salukis are bred to a level of exaggeration
which would do most Afghans proud.)
The Afghan Standard, unlike the Saluki Standard, requires skeletal structures
which are "long, angular and with great length", (a square hound with
long angular limbs). It doesn't define body length. If we return to the original
imports and reference them against current Afghan Hounds from Afghanistan and
we analyse and measure the balance, we find those dogs have changed little from
the original Bell Murray dogs of 85 odd years ago. From this we conclude the
Afghan should be square. (as long as is high).
The
UK Standard defines gait "as smooth and springy with a style of high order".
The FCI uses the same words. The American standard follows "When running
free, the Afghan Hound moves at a gallop, showing great elasticity and spring
in this smooth, powerful stride. When on a loose lead the Afghan can trot at
a fast pace; stepping along, he has the appearance of placing the hind feet
directly in the foot prints of the front feet, both thrown straight ahead. Moving
with head and tail high, the whole appearance of the Afghan Hound is one of
great style and beauty." The Canadian Standard maintains "When
running free, the Afghan Hound moves at a gallop, showing great elasticity and
spring in his smooth, powerful stride". As we can see little has been captured
in words to adequately give explanation to the Afghan Trot and variations therein..
The key to understanding the Afghan trot is in appreciating the apparent paradox
nature has created. It's like the proverbial bumble bee, whom we are told defies
the laws of aerodynamics and shouldn't be able to fly, as the story goes, some
one forgot to tell the bumble bee. A similar analogy can be drawn with the Afghan,
here we have a hound, a creature living in the most inhospitable surrounds,
where survival is at a premium, and nature takes it time to evolve an animal
full of exaggeration and bordering upon the extreme then endows this hound with
so many unique qualities and features, as to make this hybrid canine a virtual
contradiction in terms.
The
orthodox trot, is a natural gait, and employed by conformation judges as the
most appropriate gait to measure overall balance of each exhibit, so why is
the Afghan different? Evolution naturally evolves a high degree of efficiency
on the form and function of each breed. In the case of the Afghan, Its evolutionary
path has demanded that it have an exceptional degree of agility with the ability
to traverse adverse forms of rough terrain at high speed to provide for its
survival, these unique characteristics are abundantly clear when compared with
the Saluki. The Afghan feet are unusually large, the pasterns are long and sloping,
the humurus is long and well tucked under, the scapular is not as well laid
and has a greater degree of pivotal latitude, the whole forequarter assembly
is designed for high speed shock absorption, more so than any other breed. The
whole hindquarter is equally unique, the pelvic girdle is steep with the pins
bones prominent, the tail set is flat and set on low, the limbs have great length,
and with good angulation, the hock is set on low, and designed to complement
the forequarter. The Afghans structure is different, and the trot more exaggerated
due to its inherent terrain covering capacity. Even when the Afghan is galloping
the lift from the pastern and humurus in conjunction with the more centrally
located centre of gravity, is appreciably greater when compared to other galloping
hounds.
The
Afghan trot is equally unique due to the need to effectively coordinate its
over abundance of angularity and lengths. Nature has evolved a style of gait
which has been coined the "Reconnaissance Trot". The head is carried
high as the hound rises to the trot, there is the impression of a smooth springy
gait or a floating gait, with effortless reach and drive. What leaves a lasting
impression is the cadence of this gait when performed by a well balanced
Afghan. The cadence (symmetry) is where the trot is of moderate speed and the
reach and drive finalise each stride simultaneously and there appears to be
a momentary pause before the outreached limbs gather for the next stride. At
this point of the stride the dog is at its highest elevation, the elevation
now recedes as the legs gather up for the next stride. Note how the elevation
has a smooth springy impression and how the limbs are straight at the fullest
extension (no bend at the elbow). Also note the squareness of the dog and his
ground covering capacity relative to his length. The other important point is
the centre of gravity, notice how on this hound the thoracic cavity and topline
is propelled up by the strength of the pasterns before the rear quarters propel
the hound, allowing the rear legs to pass the fore legs foot prints, and perform
the classic flying trot, this requires truly remarkable coordination.
These graphics are of 9 year old Afghan NZ Ch Eros of Juwain **
The flying trot requires exacting coordination. This is like all
movement is governed by the cerebellum.
The
cerebellum (a small organ located at the base of the skull) is responsible for
controlling the myriad of several hundreds of muscles*, required to either contract
or relax simultaneously in a precise sequence of events in order to maintain
efficient gait and also provides the ability to negotiate and traverse all forms
of rough terrain. Little is known of this most complex and amazing organ and
the importance its inheritablitly has to play, other than to say nature has
adapted the cerebellum to suit the Afghans extravagances, rendering a unique
style of trot in the process.
In
Afghans, the trot velocity increases to a point where symmetry fails and the
gait begins to falter. Crabbing or side stepping occurs unless the hound has
been endowed with virtuous coordination with which only a small percentage of
Afghans are blessed. These Afghans are able to perpetrate "the flying trot".
( This gait is generally the reserve of the GSD*** longer body to height
ratio).
Symmetry of gait this where one measures the angles of furthest extension. To establish symmetry, draw a plumb line from the foot through the hock, the knee to the acetabulum, and a complementary line be drawn from the front foot through the pastern the elbow and through the midline of the scapula. These two angles from the horizontal plain should be equal and a momentary straight column. These angles will indicate the degree of symmetry.
Integral to the ability to gait in these renowned manners, are several factors which if deficient will greatly impact upon the hounds performance: Temperament, intelligence, health, fitness and balance. Together these factors make for a memorable gaiting Afghan Hound and a joy to behold. These aspects are essays within themselves and better served by others.
The
Afghan Hound is a natural breed evolving through symbiotic circumstance with
Bedouins and Afghanistani tribes in middle Asia and surrounding countries. I
believe we have a cultural obligation to maintain the preservation of this magnificent
hound. One only has to consider any man made breed to appreciate their impoverished
genetic disposition.
I hope that the photo's posted will obviate many discussions on structure and
anatomy, for they challenge many of the conventions of popular understanding.
These photos are the property of Mr. Wahab Kamal from the Wardak providence,
about 70 miles SW of Kabul. They are of his hounds and others in his surrounds.
Consider them carefully they are working Hounds and they should make many conscientious
breeders and enthusiasts reconsider their perceptions.
Imagine
the impact of importing 3 Afghan Hounds to revitalise, the western Afghan Hounds?
potentially coming to some reciprocal arrangements. ??
Oscar
Wilde noted "Nothing succeeds like excess" I wonder if he ever saw
an Afghan?
The
Global Archival Collection
In
1997 a project was commenced to convert Australian Afghan pedigrees into a digital
format on CD Roms by the Afghan Hound Club of Victoria (for sale at the
2000 Sydney Afghan World Congress). After the presentation, it was resolved
to extend this project globally, this is now well underway. Some may have heard
of "The Afghan Global Database".
This project includes Australian, Irish, UK, USA, SA and the Netherlands working
together to document champions of their respective countries and collectively
building a global pedigree history of the breed. As with any new conceptual
technology teething problems needed to be overcome and now they have.
The
original CD Rom concept was a three tier project. Photographic pedigree histories,
movement clips and a slide show depicting kennel type. The pedigree concept
is now in its 3rd edition with over 16000 Afghans included and an essential
compendium to any serious breeder. Champions from each of these countries and
there progenators are automatically updated annualy with "Crufts"
being the anniversay republication date. The movement component contains 8 preeminent
video clips of Afghans from Australia, NZ, USA and Sweden. My hope is to Inspire
anyone with film or digital clips of exceptional Afghans gaiting to make them
available for inclusion, for all to appreciate. The movement video utility allows
one to call up from 1 to 4 video clips and have them play together (a bit like
a cyber dog show covering 4 decades) one is able to slow, reverse, or impede
from 1 to 24 frames per second each of the clips, so a comprehensive appreciation
of each hounds gait can be undertaken. This utility is an excellent educational
tool to study gait.
The
Kennel slide show is building, and has probably the largest collection of early
progenitors of this breed, The purpose of this utility is to be able to
look up an Australian or English kennel etc, and have an instant snapshot of
that kennels type and development, In this day where AI is ever more frequent,
an ability to evaluate kennels and individual dogs globally is important, this
is also a powerful tool to assist when seeking new hybrid vigor to complement
ones lines.
I appeal to anyone who has any photos or collections of interest to make them
available for inclusion for all to appreciate. These will be acknowledged in
the database as your collection. This archival project has far to go, if you
have information and are able to assist please advise.
The
Afghan Global Database is powered by Pedigree Plus, a program written by Alex
Ip. There is a once off license fee payable upon purchase of your first
Afghan database with all subsequent undates at a cost by breed councils. Pedigree
Plus also has a stand alone pedigree program offering many tools and utilities,
this program is independent of the Afghan viewer database and for sale on a
modular basis. The original concept was developed by Australian Afghan Breeders.
: Brian Collins, Ian Cookesley, Ern Lewin, Alan Rogers and Terrence Wilcox.
The original concept was basically providing a high tech means of archival retreivals.
The next generation of tools designed by Alex Ip provides are for generational
scoring, this introduces a totally new approach to contemporary breeding technologies.
Photos provided by Mr Wahab Kamal of Afghanistan
* I have inquired with Chiropractors and other paramedical professionals as
to how many muscles a dog or a human is likely to have. No one to date has been
able to provide the tally let alone the sum total of bones, Some feel the dog
will have somewhere in the region of 368 bones, each bone has at least two muscles
attached, some have many more , this provides an idea how complex the cerebellum
is in how it manipulates all of these muscles to accommodate normal gait. If
anyone is able to advise on this I will correct the essay accordingly.
** NZ Ch. Eros of Juwain is predominately early Australian lines which
were originally imported from the UK. He is heavily line bred. Eros was a youthful
nine and a half year old dog when this video was taken, Eros had a wonderful
zest for life. A pure joy to behold. These lines are now rare in
Australia.
Credit for the video is being sourced and will be acknowledged when available.
*** The GSD flying trot is when the dogs velocity achieves sufficient
momentum that the rear leg steps past the front foot print during each stride,
(it is also defined as the only trot where all feet are momentarily off the
ground) the Afghan flying trot employs the same basic actions with the pastern
flicking backwards and up, moving the front foot out of the way of the oncoming
rear foot at an accelerated rate. Flowing foot coat and speed hinders viewing
what is really happening. The rear foot print relative location to the
front foot print is determined by the degree of balance and coordination of
each individual hound, show ring Afghans are normally traversing the in a circle
accordingly there would be a natural inclination for the rear end to drift slightly.
A full explanation of what is happening during the Afghan flying trot is not
well documented or fully understood, this will not be defined until two actions
are undertaken. 1: someone records this form of gait with a high speed digital
video. 2 : Afghans with exceptional coordination and balance be employed to
measure these actions. There is little value using all so rans to measure virtue
or measure the full potential of Afghan coordination. In Australia we have one
and sometimes two such gifted Afghans present each decade, now we are in the
new millennium I am awaiting for the first to trot into the ring?
All photos are the property of Mr Wahab Kamal from the Wardak providence about
70 miles SW of Kabul.
I appreciate many will have problems when I noted there was a symbiotic relationship
with bedouins etc. and Afghan hound. Afghanistan of yesteryear was made up of
many cultures some hostile to canines, others not, some who cherish their relationships
with "canine familaris". There are many breeds some ferral in and
around the countries of afghanistan, displaying many of the Afghan phenotipic
characteristics to varying degrees. If one examines primitive peoples of the
world, each of these societies developed relationships with local canine breeds.
I stand by my statement that nature has produced a truly remarkable species
in the Afghan Hound. The Afghan Hound breed is a survivor and employs humanity
and likewise...
Terrence
Wilcox Alaqadar Afghans
Cherish the Differences "Mendel"
Any person wishing to copy or use the
Photographs of the native Afghans Hounds are required
to seek permission from "solari@prodigy.net" as they are fully protected
by copyright
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