GOTHIKA HISTORY

Gothika Afghans officially came into existence in Oct 2004 when the KC granted the affix to us. Prior to this, Jan had had afghans for over 30 years now, getting her first in 1974. "Begaville Sebastian" was bred by Leslie Smith from Khonistan lines, and Jan showed him extensively until he was around 15 years old. She also showed a Sebastian grand-daughter for some time.

  Sebastian won well at Open show level but was rarely campaigned at Championship Shows. He qualified for Crufts winning 2nd in a large puppy class at SKC in 1975 under Peggy Riley, and had a long career a Veteran in all competitions. He died aged 16 after a full and happy show career where he won many BIS and BOB's at open show level. He gave Jan a good insight into both the breed and showing.

Later on, she moved into Lhasa Ahpso's as her daughter wanted to show, and needed something smaller to learn with. Jan showed and bred the Lhasa's for around 10 years, before the lure of the Afghan brought her back to her first love, and she purchased a black masked gold dog from Allan Brooks and Stuart Smith of the Bondor kennel. As they filled out the paperwork, Allan asked "What would you like to call him" ? After a moments thought, Jan replied "Back With Avengeance" and thus Solomon was named. In reflection it seems to have been quite a good choice, as Solomon went on to achieve more than any other dog Jan had previously exhibited in completing the Shcm award in 2003, winning a RCC in 2004, and then in continuing the Bondor lines by siring 3 litters in 2005.

Jan and I got together in dec 2000 upon my return from London, and eventually the showing bug got to me too. This led initially to the acquisition of Suki or "Drishaun D'Jemima" and then to the affix "Gothika". Suki became the first Afghan to campaign under our affix in 2004. Since then she has of course been joined at Gothika by Seven, "Bichoux back to the future by Gothika" & Secret, "Birkhall Vengeance is mine by Gothika" both whom are Solomon offspring from his past litters.

In 2007 a new addition to the family came along in the shape of "Drishaun Def Leppard at Gothika" or Stig as he is known. Stig was joined in 2008, much to everyone's suprise, by "Cubanba What Dreams May Come To Gothika" or Bong to give him his full name !!

We decided on "Gothika" after constant ribbing from the late Ian Hodgson (Khonistan), who always seemed to turn up to shows on hot days, and make jokes about us "Goths" being "out in the sun" etc. When we received the affix certificate from the KC, we took it as a joke to show him at the NEAHS champ show, not knowing that this would be the last time we would see him.

Jan also judges at Open Show level, and we are both committee members of the North East Afghan Hound Society. We enjoy exhibiting and travel all over the country with our dogs. We both have a passion for the typical Afghan, although like to see good examples of our breed from all over the world.

Jan Twentyman & Richard Thompson

Gothika 2008