He was born in Reykjavik, Iceland. He came to the USA at 9 months of age. He was trained at home, never went to a handling class, and was exclusively owner handled by a virtual unknown only 20 years of age. He won Major Reserve at his very first show. Three times, he won Best Puppy and remained undefeated. He won Puppy Group 1 the first and only day that we stayed to compete. His first weekend out, he came home with 4 AKC points over professional competition. (Two of those points were a broken major.)
His only issue at his first shows as a puppy was not wanting to come OUT of the show ring. He had to be carried out twice--kicking and screaming. He went to 3 show circuits, being shown only 10 times total. At the end of the Summer, he had accumulated 8 AKC points. He won BOB Owner Handled and Group 2 Owner Handled.(Group 1 was predetermined and other competitors were given the option to withdraw.) He finished 2013 as the #14 Owner-Handled Afghan Hound in the USA. He was both the youngest and highest ranked class dog. He was never sponsored, nor heavily campaigned. Neither he, nor his owner handler had any credentials but themselves.
His photos have been featured in National Publication and multiple times by the AKC. He is a constant joy and a true showman. Many centuries have come and gone since the Afghan Hound breed was founded; yet always remembered will be . . . That ONE SOLITARY SUMMER. Special Thanks to Judges: Philippe Gallardo, J. Randall Tincher, Attila Czegledi, Karen J. Rockwell, Allen L. Odom, Dana P. Cline & Patricia W. Laurans
IS CH Anuschka's Shadow Dancer "Thor" x Kingsleah Golden Topaz "April"
Declan is EXCLUSIVELY Owner Handled by Kaitlin Jeanette Smith Angelsun~Continuing the Tradition of Excellence
Four Generation Pedigree CERF Eyes: Normal Thyroid: Normal
Looking forward to the future . . . Watch for Declan back in the Show Ring ~ Spring 2014
19 Months
"Once social change begins, it cannot be reversed. You cannot un-educate the person who has learned to read. You cannot humiliate the person who feels pride. You cannot oppress the people who are not afraid anymore." Cesar Chavez
#BloodMoonEclipse April 2014 ~ 20 Months
Declan ~ Glitnir Austri 21 months old