Welsh Kennel Club

The Welsh Kennel Club Championship Show

Date: 21st August 2026 | Breed: Afghan Hounds | Judge: Elizabeth Williams

I received a very warm welcome from the officers and committee for my first time awarding CCs in the breed. I thank my stewards for keeping the ring flowing, and I am immensely grateful to all the exhibitors who came out to see me with their beautiful hounds, especially as most had a very long distance to travel.

I was so pleased with my entry and highly encouraged by the top quality and condition of the exhibits. It made my job harder, and I had to nitpick small points in some classes to find my winners. The only issue that became noticeable was a few hounds with a little knotting in their coats. However, they were clean, and overall the presentation was 100%. I found a few classes had different types, both of equal merit, and I placed them accordingly. Throughout the day, I was heavily focused on movement and the correct angles that allow a gait to be free-flowing with plenty of drive and reach. Thank you all.

Dog Classes

Class 1: Veteran Dog

No entries.

Class 2: Minor Puppy Dog (1 Entry)

1st: Elkington's Affietar Picture This. Super dark brindle boy, just six months old. He stood alone in Minor Puppy, Puppy, and Novice, but nevertheless was highly deserving of his three first places at this show. Very well-angled front and rear, nicely bodied, with great "monkey whiskers" hiding a super little head and a very cheeky face. Lovely long neck, super chest, and a good fall-away. Handled beautifully. It was a pleasure to award him Best Puppy Dog and Best Puppy in Breed.

Class 3: Puppy Dog (1 Entry)

1st: Elkington's Affietar Picture This. (See Class 2)

Class 4: Junior Dog (1 Entry)

1st: Kirk-Vickers & Mottershaw's Istani Robert De Niro With Elagance. A well-boned black masked red with a lovely chiseled head. Deep chest and a good bend of stifle. Moved with good drive and extension, completed by a nicely set ring tail. Good coat with a nice saddle.

Class 5: Yearling Dog (6 Entries, 1 Absent)

1st: Moore's Cloudside Black Hawk. A striking black and tan youngster. Long neck, good shoulder placement, and a deep chest. Good length of loin and a nice turn of stifle. Features a very well-set ring tail on a nicely sloped croup. Moved well. This young boy has deservedly done well in the ring for his age; for me today, he just needed a little bit more maturity.

2nd: Bellringer's Cloudside Ebony Prince At Johda JW. Another super boy from this kennel. Lovely masculine head, beautiful long ears, a deep chest, and well-boned. A little shorter-coupled than the winner. Nice fall-away and a good bend of stifle. Beautifully groomed coat in very good condition. Moved well.

3rd: Sitana Silver Surfer At Zalmeerah.

Class 6: Novice Dog (1 Entry)

1st: Elkington's Affietar Picture This. (See Class 2)

Class 7: Graduate Dog (4 Entries, 0 Absent)

1st: Mr & Mrs Lancashire & Miss C O'Donnell's Drishaun Autumnal King JW. This outstanding red male caught my attention and caught my heart the moment he stepped into the ring. Strong and well-muscled, yet balanced in every sense. Super coat pattern with a deep red saddle. Muscled to perfection with a masculine, well-chiselled head and a super spring of rib. He holds his perfect topline superbly on the move and moves with excellent reach. Head and ring tail were held at the optimum angle to produce a fantastic profile gait. He left me no choice but to award him the Reserve Dog CC. I am sure plenty more will come, and the top spot is not far off, as he pushed very hard for it here today.

2nd: Kidd's Cloudside Prince of Light JW. Striking grizzle colour on this young man. Nice, pleasing head with a good eye. Beautiful coat in great condition, long ears, good deep chest, and spring of rib. Adequate return of upper arm and a good bend of stifle. Large "dinner plate" feet. I just preferred the movement of the winner today.

3rd: Reed's Way Up Portofino (Imp Ita).

Class 8: Post Graduate Dog (3 Entries, 1 Absent)

1st: Bellringer's Cloudside Prince of Thieves. Shaded masked gold dog with a super coat. Nice head and eye, good neck, and a level topline. Fall-away and tail-set are of good proportions. Lovely return of stifle matched by a well-angled return of the upper arm. Immaculately groomed and presented very well. Moved with ease, he just needs to mature into his stride.

2nd: Gilbert's Altside See You Jimmy Affietar (AI) (IKC) TAF. Lovely blue boy with excellent substance and body. Super rear angles that would really drive, but today his mind was focused on playing! However, he is still young and has plenty of time to settle. Shows a lovely bond with his handler.

Class 9: Limit Dog (8 Entries, 1 Absent)

A lovely class with top-quality boys. All pressed hard for the cards, and I am sure they will swap places many times. My lineup was presented and groomed to perfection.

1st: Gilchrist & Maclennan's Khawari Purple Reign. A wonderful domino, just my cup of tea. I loved everything about him. Beautiful pigmentation, lovely dark eyes of a nice shape, and a silky topknot. Long neck, beautiful long ears, well-laid shoulders, and a level topline. Good fall-away and tail-set. Deep chest, great spring of rib, and a nice tuck-up. Nice big feet, correct return of upper arm, and a good bend of stifle. Gorgeous coat, beautifully presented. Good fore and aft movement, creating a wonderful outline on the move with plenty of spring, gait, and drive. I strongly considered him for the Reserve today.

2nd: Butt's Rhajikhan Phoenix Rising. Big brindle boy. Super masculine head with an amazing beard. Long neck, well-laid shoulders. Shorter-coupled than the winner. Nicely set ring tail and huge feet. Moved with ease.

3rd: Gray's Walkin On Water. What an expression!!

Class 10: Open Dog (9 Entries, 1 Absent)

1st: Millwood, Ferguson & Race's Ch/Aust Ch Tahkira Affogato. This is the first time I have had the pleasure of meeting this black boy. His silhouette is very striking the moment he walks into the ring. He is a hound of good body and substance, showing great attitude and showmanship. His conformation is all in the right place. His movement is powerful and graceful, and his coat is in immaculate condition. Beautiful long ears and a silky topknot finished off the picture. Expertly handled and presented—a fine-tuned team. I can see why he has been awarded so many top honours, and I, for one, could not deny him the Dog CC and Best of Breed today.

2nd: Thompson's Drishaun Rock Me Baby Gothika. A shaded masked pale gold of equal proportions that gave the winner a good run for his money. Beautiful, long, silky coat which was again groomed to perfection. Excellent bone and condition coupled with spot on conformation. He was a strong contender for the top cards in the final lineup.

3rd: Semple & Beck's Ayoubkhan Stargazer. I have to say I also loved this boy, and he pushed 1st and 2nd really hard.

Mixed Classes

Class 11: Special Beginners Dog/Bitch (1 Entry, 1 Absent)

1st: Reaney's Istani Miss Jackson At Andazraq’s. Shaded masked red girl. Very pretty face and expression with a lovely Eastern look. Well-constructed, with a good front and rear for a youngster. Slightly unsettled on the move, but with time all this will come together. I am sure she is going to mature into a beautiful girl that many judges will appreciate.

Bitch Classes

Class 12: Veteran Bitch (4 Entries, 4 Present)

Four super girls in this class, all of whom appeared younger than their years and clearly still enjoy giving it everything in the ring.

1st: Rhodes, Shaverneva & Garrad's Shadowfax Threepenny Opera JW. Domino lady with lovely dark pigmentation, still showing great spring and drive. Well-muscled, with a level topline held nicely on the move and great reach at the front. Topped off with a lovely ring tail. A pleasure to award her Best Veteran in Breed, and it was wonderful to hear she was later shortlisted in the Group.

2nd: L. O’Donnell's Ch Drishaun Faith Is Like A Lilly For Javidan JW. Brindle girl who is always one of my favourites. Super conformation, coat, and outline. Very well-muscled throughout. She was just pipped at the post by her tail carriage today.

3rd: Tromp's Ch/Int/Lux/Nld Ch Popov’s Sazerac At Sarakhan (Imp Nld) JW Bel VCh.

Class 13: Minor Puppy Bitch (3 Entries, 3 Present)

Three lovely litter sisters in this class who all show great promise and have a fantastic future ahead of them.

1st: Gilberts Affietar Sunday Girl. Dark brindle with a nice feminine head and a super long neck. Well-bodied and balanced, featuring good rear angles with nice strong hocks and a nice deep chest. Moved very steadily and stood her ground well on the stack.

2nd: Gilchrist's Affietar The Tide Is High At Khawari. Shaded masked gold of equal attributes to her sister. Good head with a nice dark eye and shape. Fore and aft angles are well-balanced, finished with a ring tail. I just preferred the movement of her sister today, but she will soon come together with age.

3rd: Link's Affietar Heart Of Glass.

Class 14: Puppy Bitch (4 Entries, 4 Present)

1st: Gilbert's Affietar Maria. Shaded masked gold. A lovely, houndy girl with a great head and expression, and a super long neck. Well-balanced fore and aft angles. Another girl from this quality litter who moves soundly, is well-balanced, and is well-boned. Another one with an exciting future.

2nd: McLoughlin's Unstoppable Colours Of The Wind Of Zantescwtch (Imp Swe). Striking black and cream. Slightly more mature looking, with a lovely balanced head and expression, long neck, level topline, and pleasing angles. She moved well and pressed the winner hard. A little more weight in the loin would help hold her topline. 

3rd: Webb's Medallion Lady Dementer.

Class 15: Junior Bitch (4 Entries, 4 Present)

1st: Millward, Millward & Race's Aust Ch Tahkira Violetta To Alouann (AI) (Imp Aust). A new girl to the shores of the UK, and I believe this was her first show. What can I say? A beautiful girl with a lovely head and a very Eastern expression. Beautiful long beard, silky topknot, and a long neck leading into well-laid-back shoulders. Good return of upper arm and excellent spring of rib. Nice fall-away. Great clearance from elbow to floor at the front, paired with a great bend of stifle to the rear. She glided around the ring with an effortless stride, showing plenty of reach and drive. Tail and head were carried at the correct angles, with a beautiful ring tail. A very houndy yet substantial girl of a beautiful deep colour. It was my absolute pleasure to award her the Reserve Bitch CC today; there was no way I could overlook her. I am sure she has an amazing future ahead.

2nd: Kirk-Vickers & Hughes' Istani Liza Minnelli With Finkime. Shaded masked cream girl, just entering into maturity from puppy to junior. Lovely long neck, good topline, nice fall-away, and an excellent ring tail. Great return of upper arm, deep chest, and a wonderful bend of stifle. Nice big feet. A very pleasing, well-chiselled head. She showed substance and drive on the move. I am certain this young lady is going to mature into a wonderful adult female and will have many wins under her belt.

3rd: Meakes' Affyneeta Pure Elygance At Cadmore.

Class 16: Yearling Bitch (4 Entries, 4 Present)

1st: Hughes, Hughes, Forrester & Nisbet's Gezencol Finix Love Me Do. Black and tan. Shorter-coupled than a lot seen here today. Great coat and a lovely long neck. Good return of upper arm and a lovely bend of stifle. Well-bodied, in great coat, and groomed to perfection. Very well presented, she moved with ease.

2nd: Gunn & Cannon's Golddragon Bubble Bounce Into Zushkhan JW (Imp Esp). A houndy shaded masked girl with a long neck and a lovely saddle. Good topline, good bone, and a lovely ring tail and tail-set. Covered her ground with ease, showing a lovely stride with good reach and rear drive.

3rd: Dare's Sitana The Eternal At Lakarnadream JW.

Class 17: Novice Bitch (2 Entries, 0 Absent)

1st: Kirk-Vickers & Hughes' Istani Liza Minnelli With Finkime. (See Class 15)

2nd: Reaney's Istani Miss Jackson At Andazraq’s. (See Class 11)

Class 18: Graduate Bitch

No entries.

Class 19: Post Graduate Bitch (7 Entries, 0 Absent)

A strong class with lovely exhibits, though some did take a while to settle on the move for me.

1st: Lancashire & C. O’Donnell's Drishaun Consider It Done JW. Another very eye-catching black and tan girl. Lovely head and expression, good neck, and a nice level topline. Lovely deep chest, good return of upper arm, sweeping stifle, and very well-muscled. Beautiful long coat, groomed to perfection and in wonderful condition. A tip-top girl who moved with ease and purpose. There is so much to like about her, and I know she is one day going to take the top awards wherever she goes. She pushed really hard for the Reserve CC today and so nearly took it. I really liked this girl.

2nd: Bloor's Pretty Infinity A Touch Of Freedom At Pashtari (Imp Deu). A super black girl with great angles. Well-bodied, with a long neck and a lovely head and expression. In great coat. Once she settled, she moved really well, though it took a bit of time to get there.

3rd: Gosling's Ayoubkhan Magnolia At Kabella.

Class 20: Limit Bitch (5 Entries, 1 Absent)

1st: Lancashire & C. O’Donnell's Drishaun What Baby Wants JW. A super outline to this red girl. Strong in head with a good topknot and lovely long ears. Level topline, great depth of chest, and a wonderful bend of stifle. Beautiful long, silky coat that was groomed to perfection. She stood beautifully, and I was pleased to award her the class.

2nd: Rhodes, Shaverneva & Garrad's Alaqadar Ariodante Of Shadowfax (AI) (Imp Aus). A black girl whom I have had the pleasure of meeting before. She is a lovely package with a good head and a long neck. Lovely, correct layout. Good bend of stifle and a nice ring tail. Today, I just preferred the reach of the class winner.

3rd: Humphreys' Ayoubkhan Porcelain Dove.

Class 21: Open Bitch (5 Entries, 2 Absent)

1st: Gilbert's Ch/Ir Ch Altside Hot As Hell At Affietar. Brindle domino girl. Super head, long neck, level topline. Correct fall-away and tail-set. Sweeping stifle, great return of upper arm, and great, huge feet. In excellent body condition. Moved with great extension and drive; her head and tail carriage were at the optimum level, and she truly commanded the eye. Immaculately groomed and presented with a profuse coat. Even after having a litter just six months ago, she is in excellent condition. She is another hound with a wonderful rapport with her owner-handler. A pleasure to be able to award her the Bitch CC and Reserve Best of Breed.

2nd: Hall's Ch Saxonmill Magic Mirror. A solid black girl who is not too long in loin. Level topline, good return of upper arm, and sweeping stifles. Moved with ease. This girl has a profuse coat that was beautifully groomed. She pressed hard in the challenge.

3rd: Stevenson's Int/Ir Ch Golddragon Bacchante Exotic Illusions (Imp Esp).

Major Winners Summary

• Dog CC: Ch/Aust Ch Tahkira Affogato

• Reserve Dog CC: Drishaun Autumnal King JW

• Bitch CC: Ch/Ir Ch Altside Hot As Hell At Affietar

• Reserve Bitch CC: Aust Ch Tahkira Violetta To Alouann (AI) (Imp Aust)

• Best of Breed: Ch/Aust Ch Tahkira Affogato

• Reserve Best of Breed: Ch/Ir Ch Altside Hot As Hell At Affietar

• Best Puppy in Breed: Affietar Picture This

• Best Veteran in Breed: Shadowfax Threepenny Opera JW

My heartfelt thanks once again to the Welsh Kennel Club committee for making my day so memorable, and to the sporting exhibitors for accepting my decisions so graciously.

Elizabeth Williams