Introduction

This history about Kennel Al-Dahná is based upon two breeder profile stories of Kennel Al-Dahná from the Norwegian Sighthound Magazine "Mynden"; respectively the summer issue of 1993, and the summer/autumn issue of 2003. The history goes all the way back to 1962, with my first dog, 1965 with my first Afghan hound, and 1971 as a registered breeder of Afghan hounds with a registered kennel. Nearly 6 years passed before we started with breeding our own dogs. Those years were used to learn as much as possible about the Afghan hound, the afghan hound anatomy, characteristics, the then current pedigrees and lines, and to find dogs in those lines that we would like to use and work with. There are only a few breeders today that understands the importance of this.

Kennel Al-Dahná's history really follows the breeding bitches we have had over the years, since they are the carriers of the lines I work with. Generally one can say that whenever I have had the need for new material or new lines I have gotten/used/bought stud dogs from outside.

My first dog

My fist dog, a Collie dog, arrived at our house in 1962. That day a new life started for me, a life in wellies, spent on top of the dining table. I was deadly afraid of dogs. Nobody cared - luckily enough. The puppy we got did not have a nice temper and the rest of my family discovered this after a while. It was returned to the breeder and after several such returns it had to be put down. When it disappeared from the house I was ecstatic - no more dogs here, but there I was sorely wrong. A new puppy was acquired; N S Obedience CH Scott II. He was an unbelievably gentle dog and after a short while the wellies came off and I started having a normal life again. Scott actually taught me to love dogs, and from then on it has only continued.

My first meeting with an Afghan Hound

As responsible dog owners we, my sister Grete and I, were also going to attend an obedience course, and signed on to a course arranged by the Collie Club. That became an interesting experience. The lady running the course had two dogs of her own; a collie and another weird creature that few people knew about at that time - an Afghan Hound. We had never seen anything remotely like it before, it had a temper that quite clearly showed who was in command - Hera (the creature) or formally Nordkrokens Hera. The "Lady" was a Black & Tan. As time went by we became close friends with the whole family. We were often visiting Edith & Arne Nygård, and really got to see an Afghan live it all out. The collie could be talked to, but not Hera. She was very gentle, but somewhat peculiar. She didn't need food, at least not every day, and if any was to be had, then it had to be very interesting. Anything not found on the floor could be eaten, as it was not dog-food. So this very determined lady had to steal her own food. Edith got very good at finding new "hiding" places, but I got very shocked the day I found the stove open and Hera's food inside. From this place Hera got to "steal" her own food. Apparently having an Afghan was like that.

My first afghan

All the strange things about this breed fascinated me a lot, so when Mossen Enger of Nordkroken's Kennel, had a new litter, we got our first afghan. This was in the autumn of 1965. All available literature had been poured through, we were very well prepared, and good "hiding" places for food had been found. The puppy's name was Nordkroken's Bino, a Black & Tan dog after Int Nord CH Amanulla Khan el Miharaja and N CH Sorayas Akela. Bino was, by the way, the brother of Unni & Jan Tefke's (Kennel Unjan, a Norwegian breeder) first dog, N S CH Nordkrokens Kim, and the father (sire) of Kari L. Svendsens (Poppyfield Afghans another Norwegian breeder) first afghan Skahera's Sulla

Bino was a real devil that seemed to have decided that we were going to have our job cut out for us. He was not going to sleep, at least not at night, that was the time for "pedal to metal". It wasn't as fun for us, as it was for him, but everything works.

Then there was the thing called "grooming". That was completely out of the question. The coat was on his body, and it belonged to him alone, and nobody else. So it was only to equip oneself with wrist-protectors (he was lightening quick with his 42 white), a meat bone for Bino, and the brush. Afghans are very devious and nobody could avoid hearing that we were "mistreating" him, so he bit what he could, howled what he was good for, and afghans are very good at that. This happened over and over again, until he realised we wouldn't give up, then he capitulated. After that it was a dream to keep an afghan, and I can't think of any more wonderful breed.

The first bitches

The first bitch arrived in 1968, Bletchingley Karim (Kissy), that I collected myself in England. She was after Aust CH Bletchingley Bogeyman and Manjuari's Charma. I was going to collect a golden dog, but returned with a Black & Tan bitch. If we were to start breeding, then a bitch would be somewhat more useful. That was how Kissy came to us. This was not a bad choice, since she gave a lot of good offspring. The dog I originally went to England to collect was not an option after all, as he had a inhertiable tail break.

In 1970 Mossen Enger was expecting another litter, this time on the Danish import Int Nord CH El Kamas Razhiana that was mated with Int Nord CH Tuohi-Tikan Nuoli. When the puppies were 2 days old we selected Int Nord CH Nordkrokens Gentiana (Tiana), we were never in doubt, we wanted her! She later became Int Nord CH, Norwegian Sighthound of the year 1974, and no. 5 in Bamsestatuetten (Norwegian price for best dog through one year - all groups). In addition she made Best in Group and 4th BIS on an International Show in Finland. At that time there were a lot more afghans participating in the shows, 50-80 was quite normal.

Kissy and Tiana became the foundation bitches of Kennel Al-Dahná. We have kept and developed the lines represented by these two bitches, and only pulled in other lines when we have felt they could provide some useful trait or ability.

Kennel Al-Dahná

As one got more into the scene and more active in exhibitions, it became interesting to see if we could actually breed some useful dogs ourselves. And, when the first litter arrived in 1971, including a dog exported to Canada, we (My sister Grete and I) had to get a properly registered kennel, and kennel name. The name should preferably be from the areas around Afghanistan. And, it should be easy to pronounce. Kennel Al-Dahná was born.

To try to breed what I thought was special about Afghan Hounds, together with the possibility of improving the tempers, became very important to me. The tempers in those days can not be compared to those of today. It wasn't all that nice.

As previously said, we got the first litter in 1971. It was after Kissy and Int Nord CH Jawahars Dante. One of the puppies was exported to Canada. In this litter there was on champion, namely N CH Al-Dahná's Asman and several got cert. The dog that was exported to Canada was Al-Dahná's Amuldin.

Litter number 2 was on Tiana. She was mated to N CH White Mansion Black William (William).

This litter produced two champions; N CH Al-Dahná's Bibi-Ji and N Fin Ch Al-Dahná's Banjana (Banja). One dog, Al-Dahná's Bagamoyo - (Olav), was exported to Italia. He was called Olav in honor of the then Norwegian King Olav.

Kissy

Kissy was an unbelievably inventive bitch. Dried fish (these days a very expensive and somewhat smelly Norwegian delicacy) she hid behind books in the bookshelf, under pillows in sofas and chairs, or under wires!. Hot-dogs in a wrap (kind of soft thin potato bread) was her favourite snack. It was eaten like a banana, the wrap was peeled off and the hot-dog eaten! If she had misbehaved, or got a talk to, she immediately went to the nearest corner in the apartment and sat there with her head turned toward the corner and back toward the room. Grumpy as hell! She sat there for a long while until she thought WE had had enough punishment!.

Kissy was next mated to Int Nord CH Panameric of Stormhill (Riki). This was her last litter, when she for the second time whelped 14 pups, it was the end of it.

From this litter I used Al-Dahná's Cardano and Al-Dahná's Chai-Khana in my breeding.

The D-Litter

The first "home-made" Al-Dahná litter came when Al-Dahná's Cardano was mated with Banja. From this litter I got N CH Al-Dahná's Djazinga

Tiana

The next litter came when Tiana was mated with Int Nord CH Kahalas Nightfall (Falla), an American import to Sweden.

From this litter the golden bitch Al-Dahná's El-Qahira became N CH and several got certs. Most of these Afghans were just ordinary family pets and not often shown in the ring. Even so they were all beautifully groomed! When I think about the big coats these dogs had I am amazed at how the owners managed to keep the coats in such a beautiful condition. This probably says everything about the puppy buyers I have been so lucky to have had, and also a lot about the dogs amazing temper. Apart from that, Al-Dahná's Emudjini became the sire of 5 litters (3 for myself and 1 each for Margrethe Petracin Sjo and Unni Hjelle & Øyvind Sætre). From my litters came two champions; N CH Al-Dahná's Girishk and N CH Al-Dahná's Khorramshar, and the breeding bitch Al-Dahná's Kaiwa Khuranda (Kaiwa).

Tiana was mated with William once again. From this litter one dog, Al-Dahná's Fargus, was exported to Switzerland, two became champions, Fin N S Nord CH Al-Dahná's Fakahatchee, white with black mask and the all-black N S CH Al-Dahná's Fadiq. Fadiq was twice BIS and Sighthound of the year 1978. From this litter I also got the breeding bitch Al-Dahná's Fuji-Wara (Fuji). This was the last litter when Grete was a part-owner in the kennel. From now on I ran the kennel on my own.

About this time we imported Dic Mars Majestic Blue (Dickie), a blue brindle domino dog, from the US. Unfortunately he was "ruined" during the quarantine period, so he was never shown in Norway. But he became the sire of 2 of my litter; the H and I-litters.

Tiana was later mated with Dickie. She was checked thoroughly by a vet several times and confirmed 100% "empty". When day 66 came and Tiana was as she always used to be - in great condition, and with no sign of puppies, I had to accept that the vet was correct. We went to bed for the night. Tiana and other dogs in their room and we in our bedroom. The night passed quietly, until I heard some strange noises from the dogs room early in the morning. Checking I got a shock. The "Boss" (Tiana) had ordered the others into their beds and she herself was proud and pleased on the middle of the floor with a huge puppy!! He was all of 650 grams!! Think about it - Tiana was empty. That it went well was amazing - in a situation where she needed my support she had managed completely on her own. My conscience was at rock bottom. The puppy was Al-Dahná's Heavenly Hilyak, a blue brindle with a black mask. He became a large powerful and kind dog.

Fuji

Fuji was also mated to Dickie. In this litter there were only three puppies, 2 bitches and a dog. One bitch, Al-Dahná's Ischia, was exported to Denmark. The dog, Al-Dahná's Ischl (Henki), became N CH.

Fujis second litter, the L-litter, was with Al-Dahná's Emudjini.

Banja

Banja was mated to Int Nord CH Fargils David Copperfield (a golden dog), and from this litter I kept Al-Dahná's Jipijapa (Jipi). She became Int Nord N S Fin CH.

Jipi

Jipi would not live to be an old dog, at the most 7 weeks according to the vet. She was born with a congenital megaesophagus near the stomach. Jipi just didn't bother about this and died at ripe old age of 13 years and 4 months. She lived a completely normal dog life, but she was a very special dog that became something very special for us. To me a genuine Afghan Hound will always be all-black, nothing will ever surpass that, nor will any be comparable to Jipi. She had everything that an Afghan should have, intelligence - spirit - style - superbly mischievous, completely delightful. She lay beside Bent-Ove's bed (my son) from the first day he came home and made sure that nobody harmed her "brother" (many people thought she would be jealous, but Jipi was too smart for that) and there she stayed the rest of her life. When Jipi became ill, and we realised that there wasn't a long time left, I asked Bent-Ove to leave the house. He would not do so. He wanted to come along to the vet. Before we left Jipi had to check that everything was OK in the house. The other dogs and the cat were around her. Then she relaxed. Jipi was like that. I asked Bent-Ove once again to leave, but he wouldn't. Jipi had helped and supported him for years, now she needed him, and he would be there for her. Then I had to leave the room! This was my absolutely worst day as a dog-owner and breeder.

Int Nord CH Al-Dahná's Jipijapa was without doubt the best known of the Al-Dahná dogs in Norway at that time. She won everything she took part in, both in Norway and abroad. I believe that Jipi still is the only Norwegian bred all-black International Nordic Champion Afghan. She became Sighthound of the year several times, and later on Veteran of the Year a few times. One of the highlights was when she became BIS at an open-show for Afghan out of 94 shown dogs. Jipi was cheerful and happy, we could "stow" her into the car with all the rest - never a complaint. She knew that a show was coming up, and that was a life she loved! When she got the show-lead on she did the rest herself! Jipi also entered the big ring at Store Stockholm, and to go through the entrance and being followed by the spotlight around the ring is an indescribable feeling!! I will never forget this. Jipi was a dog and an epoch that will never be forgotten!

Another show that I remember very well is the one where my son, Bent-Ove, came along for his first foreign show. The show was at Ransæter in Sweden, in 1982. Bent-Ove was 5 weeks old. We were going to this show to try to get a cert for Jipi. We got the cert, and Jipi became a Swedish Champion. It was an unbelievably hot experience with 42 centigrades in the car, somewhat too high for both dog and baby!!

The shows with Jipi and Tiana were always an experience, they loved this life and showed it very obviously. One never forgets that.

Kaiwa

Kaiwa was mated with Henki, and in this litter I got only two dogs: S CH Al-Dahná's Majestic Mazariq (brindle w/mask), thas was exported to Sweden, and N CH Al-Dahná's Madiq Marashi (black/brindle), in addition to the breeding bitch Al-Dahná's Montaya, and 4 other bitches.

The picture above is from an open-show held on Nøtterøy by Tønsberg, Norway, and the judge was Christer Mättic from the Swedish kennel Jildirim. Christer has this picture of Madiq and Jipi with him wherever he travels. That is something that make a breeder very proud. N CH Al-Dahná's Natasha, from the N-Litter, had her debut at the same show, 4,5 months old, with her handler Liv Røyneland. Madiq won BIS, Jipi BIS2 and Natasha BIS puppy. A glorious achievement by three super dogs.

The N-Litter, from a mating of Heavenly Hilyak and Kaiwa, shouldn't really have happened. Heavenly Hilyak had been examined by the vet several times and found 100% sterile. This mating was an unbelievable cold affair, I had to try to get these two dogs inside from the dog-yard at 26 centigrades below zero. The mating resulted in 6 bitches. Not a bad job by a sterile dog. One of these puppies was Natasha.

Montaya

The O-Litter was after Sonate's Spring Song (Sonny) (imp Fin) and Montaya. Sonny had a very interesting pedigree. He was after Int Nord CH Choice Wild West (Wessu), one of Finland's top winners of all time. Wessu was after an El Khyrias D-litter dogs. In this litter I got 8 puppies, 3 dogs and 5 bitches of which I later used Al-Dahná's Ophelia in the breeding.

Montaya was later mated with the English import N S CH Karnak Sandbury (Sandy). The result was 6 puppies, 1 dog and 5 bitches. Al-Dahná's Pavarotti became a Norwegian Champion.

In the Q-Litter, after N CH Perlima's Cæsar and Ophelia, we got Al-Dahná's Quintana de la Vilde (Vilde) that became the mother of several Champions and cert winners from two litters. This was the first litter after Bent-Ove was brought in as a partner in the kennel.

Vilde

Vilde was first mated with S NZ IT AUST N F DK NORD INT CH and ENCI CH 2000 Kingsleah Blue Star (Svinto), W Win 2000, Nord Win 2000, Nord Win 2002, Brus 2003, and it was a very good litter. From it came among others S N D NORD CH Al-Dahná's Raimona (Mona), who was exported to Sweden, N CH Al-Dahná's Reqitha Sunshineflower (Reqitha), Al-Dahná's Rakhsha (Sasha) with 3 certs and 2 BIR, and Al-Dahná's Raskoh Ramsey (Raskoh). Raskoh is a very friendly, spectacular dog with a good coat and typical beautiful afghan movements. Unfortunately, Raskoh's owner doesn't have the opportunity to travel a lot due to have two small children, so the last cert (for a champion title) is still lacking.

In Vildes second litter, this time with our French import Rimbaud De Darjeeling (Rambo), we got Al-Dahná's Tarantino (Tino) who has become a Norwegian Champion, and his brother Al-Dahná's Tirone (Tommy) and sister Al-Dahná's Tabatha with 3 certs each.

A "borrowed" litter

Between Vildes two litters I had a "borrowed" litter when I borrowed the bitch S CH Kingsleah Stardust (Jasmin) and mated her with Kingsleah Made In France (Francis). This happened because I got a very good offer from Gunilla Holmgren, the owner of Kennel Kingsleah, that made it possible for me to do this. From this litter I got, among others, Al-Dahná's Shatila (Agapi), and Al-Dahná's Shahib (Shahib).

Reqitha

Reqitha has, for the time being, had one of last Al-Dahná litters when she was mated with Shahib. From this litter are N CH Al-Dahná's Uriah Heep (Hippi), who has performed very well in the ring, and his brother Al-Dahná's Up to Date (Sesto), who has also done well for himself in ring.

Sasha

March 6th 2008 started something which was supposed to have been a really exciting and fantastic time, the insemination of Al-Dahná's Rakhsha (Sasha). Sasha and Harvey (Alouann Fame N Fortune) were unbelievably similar to each other and the expectations for the litter were large to say it mildly. Sasha was fit and healthy. She was happy and content, but grew very large with the puppies (as one can see on the pictures in the news archive). Even so, she managed to jump up on the dining table, as that was her sleeping place. Not bad with 12 puppies.

The whelping started on May 6th, and was completely without problems, a very easy whelping. Then after a couple of days the nightmare started, as can be read on the page about "a trip to hell".

To lose 11 pups and then to lose Sasha, the breeding bitch, is the worst thing I have experienced as a breeder. Sasha was to me a very special dog. She did a lot of strange things that were irritating at times, like pushing down all the flowerpots from the windowsills. She didn't want them there, as that was her places. From there she could keep a watchful eye on things, both inside and outside. The tables were good sleeping places. If there was any space left we could always borrow that space, but always on her terms. This was, as one can understand, very irritating, but I do miss it very much. As a breeder one get "used to" the fact that dogs go on, but every now and then there comes along a dog that makes a special impression on you, and that you never forget, and will always miss. Sasha was such a dog, and I miss her and her irritating ways tremendously. Sasha never quarrelled with other dogs, but she stole everything that could be taken. The space left by her is vast. The only good thing about this whole episode is Sasha's daughter Victoria, the only surviving pup out of 12, and very precious to us. She is becoming more and more like Sasha and thereby slowly filling her space in her own way. She is a very easy pup to take along everywhere.

Good puppy buyers

I'd like to take this opportunity to thank earlier, current and future puppy buyers, because without them this kennel history wouldn't have been possible to write.

Some of my inspirations as a breeder

For me temper is everything, together with healthy dogs, and I hope to be able to keep this in the years to come. What I would like to keep and what I look for is breeding animals with correct movement, body and a good temper. Dogs that I keep in my mind are Int Nord CH Tuohi-Tikan Kekäle, Int Nord CH Oriental's Guess-Who and Kennel El Khyrias D-litter. These are lines we should have been a lot better to take care of. These dogs had movements that were absolutely incredible, and I still remember them today with fondness.

Other ideals I have had are the old El-Kama's dogs, with style, elegance and superb movements. Int Nord CH El-Kama's Wladimir and Int Nord CH El Kamas Wadia were beautiful.

Development

What we have lost from earlier times are the characteristic afghan movements! But what we have gained, which is very good, are dogs with a far better temper. With regards to movements it looks like the modern afghan should trot like a German Shepard and look like a large poodle. I find this quite sad. What really makes this breed very special are the movements, light and springy. I find it quite interesting to follow the size of the afghan. It goes up and down like waves. When I started with afghans, the height was around 68 cm, then it went all the way up to 80 cm, before it went down to 68-70 cm again. Today it looks like it is creeping up again. What really worries me, in addition to the lost movements, is taping of the tail. In fairly short order it will be very difficult for a breeder to know if he/she is getting an afghan tail or a "Labrador tail".

"A breeder solves his problems better when he does not lose sight of the fact that his task is to preserve more than to improve"
(Jackson Sanford)