Bakhmul
De Bakhmhul is een autochtone (= aboriginal) Afghaanse windhond die behoort tot een oude groep van oosterse windhonden. Bakhmull heeft zich ontwikkeld in bergachtige gebieden in Midden-en Centraal-Azië, en het oude Penjab, noordelijke India. Hij is gebruikt voor de jacht op wilde geiten, wilde grote katten, wolven, vossen en hazen. Dit deed het alleen, of in paren, maar zelden of nooit met meerdere honden.
Sinds de jaren 80 is de kennel "Blue Dale el Bark" (Moskou) bezig om dit oude ras weer opnieuw te ontwikkelen en vermeerderen. U kunt contact opnemen met Natalia Gherasiova: 121352 Moscow, Slavyanski blv. 7-1-149, email: radobark@gmail.com
Om een goed beeld van de hond te krijgen, plaats ik hier de standaard zolas deze vaststaat bij de Russian Federation of Hunting Dogs' Owners (RFOS-RKF) (ook samengesteld en vertaald door Natalia Gherasiova.
Breed standard for "BAKHMULL" adopted 13.01.1997 by RFOS
(The Russian Federation of Hunting Dogs' Owners (RFOS-RKF)
Author and translator Natalia Gherasiova, president and
executive of the national club "Bakhmull", the kennel
and club of oriental sighthounds" Blue Dale el Bark"
since 1992.
General appearance and temperament
Bakhmull is upstanding, having majestic carriage, well boned and well muscled but not massive (mass 25- 35 kg), speedy, manoeuvring, showing great jumping power, capable of great endurance, having good sight, both upper and lowers scent. Bakhmull is a good guard and yields to training if treated with care and respect. Graceful and powerful, well balanced in conformation and mind, of perfect symmetry, beautiful and noble, aggressive to beasts and generous to people, especially to children, intelligent and affectionate, even disposition, joyous, calm at home but alert reckless in field. Bitches are shy and feminine, their main mission is to reproduce offspring. Females' exterior is not so bright as that of males. Bakhmulls, especially dogs, carry themselves with dignity, have qualities of a leader and try to dominate over other dogs, demanding much respect for themselves. Bakhmulls serve people to their utmost.
Faults: any trace of coarseness, aggressiveness to people, cowardice to beasts, croup up and front low, too stocky or high on legs, extreme light, lean bone structure, insufficiently developed muscles, lean and robust constitution, not protective color- black, brindle, dark red color.
Color
Protective, always light color,
fawn of various shades : lighter or
darker, golden( but never red or dark red), ivory or
white with silvery or golden shade, pure white, rarely
light grey; long silky velvet angora coat coupled with a
fawn , rarely grey "saddle" of smooth, short, coarse
close hair. White short smooth close hair on the
muzzle and on the front parts of fore and hindquarters
. Even if the hound is of fawn or dark fawn
color, the color of the muzzle, round eyes and lips, on
the neck underneath and on the brisket, round the
pasterns and the metatartus (from the hind paws up to
the hocks) , under the sternum and the belly, sometimes
the end of the tail are of white color independent of
light fawn or dark fawn color is the hound.(There is a
special word in Russian for lighter color on the inside
parts of the body and legs, the muzzle of an animal,
underneath the lower jaw). Light color
with bakhmulls is a MUST,
because it is protective ( khaki) color that matches
sandstone and limestone of the mountain ranges and semi
cold deserts in the primary motherland of bakhmulls.
Faults: black, black and white, black and
tanned, red , dark red, brindle (these colors except
black and tanned are typical of taigans - another
breed).
Coat
Long, silky-velvet, angora like,
straight hair coupled with darker "saddle" covered with
smooth short coarse close hair of protective fawn, ivory
or white color with a darker fawn "saddle" which gives
an impression of a fawn dog (yellowish, golden) as a
whole. Short white close set hair on the front parts of
fore and hindquarters and the muzzle . Head is
surmounted with long silky velvet hair, coming back and
down from the scull along the ears. Almost the whole
body except the upper part of neck, where the "saddle"
begins, the "belt" on the upper part of the tail, the
front parts of four legs and muzzle covered with long
white velvet coat: shoulders, especially elbows,
forelegs behind, chest and brisket, ribs, thighs and
especially second thighs around ("bridges"). Tail has longer, rather scarce, coarser hair.
Toes of fore and hindlegs as well as pads are covered
with soft long hair. Disposition of coat shows natural
adaptation to severe (heat or cold) weather with great
fluctuations of temperature. Short hair on front parts
of four legs (metatarsal and metacarpal bones) manifest
aerodynamic abilities for fast racing and high speed
(parts of body covered with short hair to diminish the
resistance of wind). Profound protection of paws from
rocky tough ground are provided with long dense hair of
paws. Protective fawn color makes the hounds less
visible for animals and is another evidence of its
ancient origin. Such remarkable coat, its disposition ,
color and texture (which varies and under close view
consists of six kinds: ears, body, front parts of legs
and muzzle, underneath tail, pads, "saddle").
Faults:
mooth short coat instead
of long silky coat on the body, ears, elbows, round the
second thighs and underneath the tail. Absence of
natural "saddle" which starts from the neck, continues
on the back and ends on the upper part of the tail as a
belt. . No short coat on the front parts of legs.
Head
The head of bakhmull is a distinguished part
of the body which says about its ancient origin . It is
well defined, aristocratic, elegant, neither narrow nor
broad, with a slight stop, prominent occipital bone,
powerful jaws, always scissors bite (never level bite),
a full complete of big white teeth. The length of the
muzzle from the tip of the nose to the middle of the
eyes is equal to the length from the eyes to the
occiput. Head is surmounted by a topknot falling back
and by sides. The head must be held
proudly.
Muzzle (Foreface)
Foreface straight or a bit arched, full, showing strength of jaws, especially the lower one.
Faults: any trace of plainness or coarseness, too broad or too narrow scull, unequal length of muzzle and scull, "duck" like foreface, weak jaws (especially the lower one), too long muzzle, level bite.
Eyes
"Gazelle
like", large, brown or dark brown, slanting upwards,
which show oriental origin, of almond shape. Eye
rims (eyelids) always outlined black, emphasizing oriental origin. Arched protruded
eyebrows give an impression of triangular eyes. The
expression of the eyes is considerate, tranquil,
intelligent. Intelligence and courtesy, which can be
seen by eyes, are innate abilities of a bakhmull and
testify to the ancient origin of the breed.
Faults:
not slanting, small,
close set, round, bulged, yellowish (must always be
brown), not of almond or triangle shape, not outlined
black eye rims.
Nose
Large and movable when scenting,
black as well as lips and eye rims.
In case with snow white bakhmulls liver
color is permissible but not desirable.
Faults:
pink or liver color, not big nostrils,
small.
Ears
Long, set on the level with the outer
corners of the eyes or higher (not lower as bakhmull is
a hunting hound), may raise a little when the hound is
on the alert; covered with long silky hair, might be
trimmed black at the ends especially with puppies. The
leather of ear may almost reach the corner of the lips.
Faults:
too long or too short, not covered with long silky hair, set very low.
Mouth (Teeth)
Teeth pearl
white, large, full formula of 42 teeth, prominent and
threatening, that is typical of all oriental breeds of
(sight)hounds. (Note: availability of all 42 large teeth
is quite a problem for "civilized" modern dogs and is a
must for aboriginal breeds of hunting dogs). "Scissors"
bite is correct. "Level" bite is not permissible.
Faults:
overshot, undershot, inherited lack of even
one tooth (but not as a result of trauma), level bite,
small teeth.
Neck
Long, strong, muscular, elegantly
arched or straight, running naturally to high powerful
withers. "Saddle" of short hair and darker color begins
with the neck of a mature hound.
Faults:
short, loaded, "sheep"-neck, "swan"-neck.
Chest
Broad, deep, ribs almost reaching the
elbows, narrowing down, ribs rather barrel like. Girth
of the chest for males: 77-83 cm and for females: 74-78
cm.
Faults:
narrow or too open wide the chest.
Withers
Powerful and prominent, well
boned, wide apart at a distance of 7 cm. ( 2.3
in.)
HEIGHT: dogs 68- 73
cm. (27- 28.5 in.), bitches 65- 70 cm .(25.5- 27.5 in.)
Bakhmull is a fine upstanding hound, the height in
withers is 3- 4 cm higher than in croup ( which is not
typical of taigan or taza). WEIGHT
: dogs 29- 36 kg. , bitches 23-
30 kg. Height for dogs 75 cm. and for bitches 72 cm.
permissible but not desirable. The distance between the
top of withers and the pit in the backbone ( a
diaphragmatic vertebra) must
be 16- 22 cm. Both overmuscled and undermuscled hound is
not a good chaser for long distances.
Faults:
not prominent, weakly
boned, set close, not falling down at an angle to the
pit of the backbone. The distance between the top of the
withers and the pit is less than 15 cm.
Back
Level, long and
broad, well muscled, strong with a little
pit, made by a diaphragmatic vertebra.
Bakhmull may be square or oblong (index of
extension is 100-103, even 105) but never
rectangular. The top line of bakhmull differs
substantially from that of the Russian
psovaya borzaya, whose back is
arched.
Faults:
shortened in the length of body, too high
on legs, absence of the pit, not well muscled.
Loin
Straight or a bit arched , broad
and long, well muscled, springy , showing great
strength, playing a very important role when racing.
Faults:
roached, wheel, narrow, weak.
Croup
Powerful and wide, not long and note very
slope. The distance between prominent hip bones is
not less than 8 cm. (8 - 10.5 cm. = 3.2 - 4 in.)
Faults:
very slope, not
powerful, too long, narrow.
Belly
Tucked up not
so much curved as in case with Russian
psovaya borzaya.
Faults:
flabby, too curved.
Skin
Supple and elastic.
Faults:
coarse, rough,not elastic.
Forequaters
Withers (scapula) sloping, powerful, well
muscled but not loaded. Scapula together with sternum
(shoulder) create a 110 degree angle. Forelegs are
straight and upright, set in parallel, wide front.
Elbows are prominent and strictly look back, not inside
or outside. Front pasterns (metacarpus) are strong and
rather long, springy and a bit oblique to the ground.
Faults:
straight shoulder (over 120 degrees) is a great fault, pigeon-toed, toeing in or out.
Hindquaters
Parallel, of good length, powerful, well
muscled, well bent, showing good angulation, stifles and
hocks well developed. Hip bones rather prominent and
wide apart. First thigh (upper) and second thigh (lower)
are equal in length and well muscled. Hind pasterns
(metatarsal bones) are shorter than thighs, but rather
long, vertically set, springy, hocks apart.
Faults:
short upper thigh, lack of good angulation of
joints, hocks close set - so called "cow hocks".
Tail
Long, not
reaching the hock 4- 5 cm , thick at the basement,
tapering to the end, curved in one full ring or
half a ring , feathered well with long coarser
not very abundant straight hair on the underside. The
ring at the end (like that of taigan) is not desirable
because when raised it makes two rings. It is set rather
high at the basement on the croup or in the middle but
not low. When standing on the alert, the tail is always
high in a ring over the croup, when at rest it is
downcast in a ring. In action during galloping the tail
is held on the level or higher the line of the back,
curving in different directions and plays the role of a
helm. Bitches are shy by nature and can often be seen
with the tail between the legs at shows, which must not
be considered a fault unlike dogs.
Faults:
straight (not a ring), "setter" like
tail, lack of feathering of straight coarser hair
underneath the tail, bent right or left of the tail,
short tail, very thin tail, tail downcast without a
ring, a small ring at the end of the ring like taigan
tail impossible to unbent, because when raised over
croup it makes two rings instead of one - so called
"overwinded" tail.
Feet (Paws)
Fore feet strong and
large both in length and breadth, toes arched, pads
thick and strong. Hind feet oval, more narrow than the
fore feet. Feet and pads are covered with long soft
thick hair, both upper and lower sides, protecting the
hound from hazards of firm soil. Claws are big.
Faults:
open wide toes, weak paws.
Movements
Gait is easy and springy. Searching for a
prey bakhmull walks or jogtrots. After seeing a beast it
starts galloping very fast with a whole body, moving
with head and tail high, covering long distances,
overcoming obstacles on the way, steeplechasing,
changing the direction of movement all of a sudden with
a great skill, jumping over hindrances up to 2.5 metres
high. When galloping Bakhmull makes a ball of the
body, providing a great power of push shove, bringing
hind legs forward and up while the forelegs are between
the hind legs far back. Bakhmull's race reminds that of
a cheetah. Unlike other breeds of sighthounds (except
taigan) bakhmulls are able to chase a quarry in woods
without a risk to hurt themselves badly. Owing to great
ability for swinging at a high speed, bakhmull can hunt
a hare solo and can manage without assistance of another
hound. They usually hunt in pairs.
Behaviour
Combination of two polar qualities:
might and elegance in appearance and
behaviour are typical of bakhmulls. A great sense of
dignity, love for freedom and independency, nobility
implanted in a genetic memory and developed within
thousands of years during the evolution of nature,
willingness to teach its kids and protect them until
they grow up and start protecting aging weaker ones
against attacks of other dogs, love for smaller dogs of
other breeds, but dominating large breeds, especially
those reminding wolves; love and desire to protect human
babies, affection and kindness to people, striving for
guarding people, their dwellings and children; inborn
intelligence and cleanliness, zeal for an animal and
tolerance to people, harmony in constitution and harmony
in mind, stable strong psyche and a great range of
feelings. Bakhmulls are joyful by nature and can enjoy
life, racing, swimming, hunting and just long walk
infine weather. They are grateful to owners for giving
them such fun and manifest it this or that way.
Bakhmulls are communicative but some can be aloof and
distrustful to strangers. Bakhmull never attacks people,
unless there is a serious reason, such as a threat to
the master, baby or so. Within their own family
bakhmulls strictly observe subordination and yield to
escape conflicts. They observe subordination and mutual
respect. No matter younger or older a bakhmull will
never step over another sleeping bakhmull. He will stop
and ask for giving him the way to pass a narrow passage
by means of telepathy. It may take quite long unless the
first one awakes and gives the way. Respect and
subordination for them is an instinct. Bakhmull is very
polite to people and never asks for food or walks. He is
tolerant and importunate. He does not impose on people
with his own desires. Some people might envy Bakhmull's
courtesy, courtesy and high inborn culture of behaviour.
Bakhmull is a good , courageous warrior and can serve
people to the utmost. He approaches a prey with an open
mouth, producing threatening sounds, warning that he is
very close and ready for the last decisive battle.
Bakhmull can be missing the master very deeply if feels
that he was betrayed and left, but he is able to forgive
the master as well.
But there are "closed" pages in Bakhmull's temper and behaviour which seem to
be unreadable. Bakhmull takes a decision by himself and
when he considers it necessary.