Our encounter with Afghan Hounds dates back to the 1980s when I was still a teenager. At the time, there was a man in our city well-known for his great passion for animals, who frequently visited local pubs. One evening, he showed up with a blonde, elegant, and magnetic Afghan Hound female. The little dog stayed with us for about a month, enough time to leave an indelible memory. When her owner came to take her back, we felt a mix of sadness and gratitude for having had the chance to meet her. Although the encounter was brief, it left a profound mark, which would later influence my future bond with Afghan Hounds. In 2008, after years of reflection and an ever-growing desire to deepen our connection with this breed, we decided to welcome an Afghan Hound into our family: Xendra Xendrella del Gran Pamir, affectionately called “Jonie”.
Our choice was not random but the result of reading a book about Afghan Hounds written by Cinzia Aymaretti Camia, owner of the Gran Pamir kennel. This book opened the doors to a deep friendship and a shared passion for this breed. Afghan Hounds are extraordinary dogs but not without challenges: they require dedication, time, and constant commitment, both for grooming their coat and for excelling in activities such as coursing and beauty contests. With “Jonie”, we embarked on a journey that brought us immense satisfaction and success, including significant achievements in coursing, such as participating in the European Championships in the Netherlands and Germany.
We also achieved numerous results in national and international competitions in countries like France, Switzerland, and Italy, demonstrating the excellence of our commitment and our dogs. In coursing—a discipline requiring speed, endurance, and a predatory instinct—we participated in two European Championships, in the Netherlands and Germany. These experiences allowed us to compete internationally, exposing us to various canine realities across Europe. We competed in France, Switzerland, Austria, Germany, and Italy, achieving significant results and creating valuable connections with other enthusiasts. This journey taught us a great deal, not only in sports but also on a human level, deepening our love for this unique breed.
Collaboration with the Gran Pamir kennel was another fundamental pillar of our journey. Through this partnership, we had the opportunity to expand our knowledge, contributing to the birth of three litters in our home. These puppies grew up with us, receiving constant care and attention. Many of them became Beauty Champions, showcasing the excellence of their genetic lineage. From Joni’s litter with “Shining”, we decided to keep a beautiful puppy, “Elly”, who became an International Beauty Champion.
In 2019, we bred her with an Australian multi-champion, “Rymer” Suliman Poetic Justice”. This litter produced three puppies: a blonde male, “Balù”, who later became a Croatian Beauty Champion, and two females, “Chloe”, who became an International Beauty Champion, and “Daisy”, who we mated in 2024 with another Australian champion, “Kodak” Gengala Sharper Image.
Our “Jonie” was awarded the prestigious title of ENCI Champion Producer, having given birth to seven champions in two litters: one in 2012 with the multi-beauty champion Shiningcloud del Gran Pamir, owned by Paola Pieri, and the other in 2013 with the multi-beauty and coursing champion Kharasahn Great Gig In The Sky, bred and owned by Tiziana Azzolini of the Kharasahnsky kennel.
Special thanks go to Paola and Tiziana for giving us this opportunity through their outstanding dogs. This recognition is a source of great pride for us and testifies to the quality of our work. After years of dedication, experiences, and successes, we decided to take a further step by founding our own kennel.
For now, it is an amateur venture, but our goal is to formalize it with the arrival of the next litter. In the meantime, we are working to promote the name SHADAR – breeder: Olga Palenga, which represents not only our commitment but also our story and vision for the future.
SHADAR is the symbol of our love and dedication to Afghan Hounds, a breed that has given us so much and to which we hope to give back through our work and passion. Looking ahead, we are determined to continue on this path, refining our skills, expanding our network, and contributing to the improvement and promotion of the breed. Every day, we strive to honor the beauty, elegance, and history of Afghan Hounds, aware that this passion is not just a hobby but a mission that deeply ties us to these extraordinary companions.