AKC Gazette Articles

August 2006

“What’s Not in the Standard”

The last three columns have looked at the origins of the standard, and the intent behind certain phrases and terminology that have been the subject of much debate. It seems fitting to conclude with a discussion of three points that are widely discussed by breed fanciers – but which do not appear in the standard.

Parallel Planes – the concept that horizontal lines of the muzzle and skull should be parallel to each other, broken only by the “stop, not pronounced.” The only thing in the standard pertaining to this geometry says that the skull is “moderately wide between the ears, not domed” (my emphasis). So it is pretty clear that as long as the skull is not bulging upwards, as do those of the brachycephalic breeds, the planes of the muzzle and skull don’t have to be parallel.

Underline - other than stating that the chest should be “deep and moderately narrow”, there is no mention of what the underline should look like. The deep chest is one end of the underline but the opposite end is not mentioned. Extremes of underline would be a straight line on the diagonal or a horizontal line somewhat parallel to the ground. But we know from observing ringside that there is a rise from the point of the deep chest to the belly, and the general perception is that the underline should be a curve that defines the deep chest and comparatively narrow waist.

Gait – There is no mention or description of gait in the Saluki standard. Certainly “reach and drive” are not called for. The only clues we have about gait appear in the General Appearance section: ”the whole appearance of this breed should give an impression of grace and symmetry and of great speed and endurance coupled with strength and activity to enable it to kill gazelle or other quarry over deep sand or rocky mountains.”

To interpret this, the key words grace, symmetry, speed, endurance, strength, and activity must be our guide. If those are desirable, then the Saluki gait should reflect those characteristics – or at least the ability to employ them at need, so we look at muscle condition and fitness as external indicators of potential speed and strength. When trotting around the ring, we expect to see an athlete’s movement in the Saluki – balanced, agile, easy, and efficient, combined with the sense that the hound’s inner resources have yet to be called upon. A graceful and efficient gait is one where there is no wasted movement such as paddling, hackneyed, mincing, weaving, or crossing.

So, even though it is not described, there are guides in the standard for us to use in evaluating a Saluki’s gait. Clearly, the kind of speed, endurance, and strength needed to catch live game cannot be demonstrated in a show ring – but then neither can desire or hunting savvy – and that is another story.

Brian Patrick Duggan
P.O. Box 998
Delhi, CA 95315

kyzylkum@jps.net