The now well established Afghan Hound World Congress´s was the vision of a few key architects in the early 1990´s. It sprang from the UK quarantine restrictions being scheduled to ease up. I was in the Uk with Hazel Arris and the Virgos and we thought it was time to begin some openness and education on the international registries around the world. The decision was to have it in the UK, and each country with an active national club was contacted on if there was interest to participate.  Many came right on board.  The programs and sessions read like a “Who´s Who” in the Afghan Hound breed.

Hazel and Sue Virgo did all the prep work sorting out a venue and activities. I think we had nearly 200 attendees for far and wide. The social aspect remains almost as important as the educational functions. I am still close to many I first met at that first congress.

With the new advances  made in the use, and success of frozen semen…many breeders were incorporating lines that were never seen or used before in different countries.  The congress brought new and old breeders together to share ideas and maybe a few predictions of how to proceed with this new found bloodlines. Many not having first hand knowledge of their past foundation.

The concept remains very valuable to an entry level breeder to experience some of the breeds most successful kennels history coming directly from the source.

Michael Canalizo, USA