Teamwork Beyond the Conformation Ring
BY BETSIE CZESCHIN
You know who we are — the people in the obedience ring in full-on show clothes , the people in group with the armband that starts with R , and the one running in late , flushed and sweaty , from the outside agility rings . It takes a lot to get your dog ready for the ring , and it seems insane to risk your dog ’ s focus and grooming ; yet there are those who are motivated to excel in both conformation and performance events . They are drawn , overwhelmingly , to letting their dog pursue its breed purpose . In spite of the costs , the time and the occasional new knee , they have come to value how performance strengthens their teamwork with their dog .
EDDIE AND SELMA KOMINEK
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AFGHAN HOUNDS LURE COURSING
Eddie and Selma Kominek , breeders of multiple conformation and coursing champion Afghans , “ got into lure coursing almost by accident ” when at a conformation show . Eddie says , “ While seeing an Afghan Hound gait in the show ring can be a beautiful experience , seeing them run flat out was a revelation . These hounds should be true athletes , as they are cunning mountain hounds from an ancient land . We have this responsibility to the breed .” They moved to a farm where they can hold coursing events on their land ; for them “ a dream come true .” They continue to compete in conformation and their breeding program seeks to produce beautiful and athletic hounds .
Many of these events require the dog to work independently and the owner to read the dog . The human part of the team has to let the dog lead . Eddie says , “ coursing is mostly the hound ’ s purview , with the owner looking on . Your hound either wants to course or it does not .”
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