Hound Association

Judge Results: Philomena Nash (Mutoko)

The Hound Association (Premier Open Show)

Sunday, 20 July 2025

Basenji

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Breed Results: Basenji (Day 1)

I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at their Premier Show. Thanks also to all the exhibitors who entered the show, I was truly humbled by the great entry and thoroughly enjoyed my judging. I have not mentioned bites within my critiques as these were all correct, neither have I mentioned the pliancy of skin which was also correct within my placings.

BOB 21 - Ch/nld Ch Mawali Going Four Gold (Mr Gj & Mr N Williams & Wright)

RBOB 8 - M Wami's Fired Up Ready to Go to Mawali (Imp Swe) (Mrs S Dunsdon)

BP 8 - M Wami's Fired Up Ready to Go to Mawali (Imp Swe) (Mrs S Dunsdon)

5. Basenji - Junior

Entries: 5 Absentees: 2

1ST 8 - M Wami's Fired Up Ready to Go to Mawali (Imp Swe) (Mrs S Dunsdon)

 6 month old, Red and White male. An adorable puppy who commands your attention. He has an attractive well proportioned head, with a slight stop and profuse wrinkle, with correct ear set and shape, coupled with a captivating dark almond eye completes a beautiful head piece. His neck is of good length and he presents a pleasing square outline with a lovely high set tightly curled tail and an excellent shelf. He has good front and rear angulation, front pasterns need to strengthen which will come with maturity I’m sure, his hocks are well let down. On the move he was very collected for one so young, a lovely straight forward swinging stride. Pleased to award him BP and RBOB and later watch him gain a shortlist in a strong puppy group.

2ND 14 - Here We Go Again at Swanwite (Mrs I Legget)

6 month old, Tri-Colour bitch. Another nice balanced puppy, with an attractive head. Flat skull of medium width with the correct amount of stop. Nice hooded ears of correct size and sufficient wrinkle. Good length to her neck with nice crest. She presents a nice outline, though on the day carrying a little extra weight. Nice level topline and tail set with adequate shelf. Her front and rear angulation are good and she has lovely low set hocks. Her feet need to tighten which should improve with age and correct exercise. Movement on the day was a little erratic, but she is just a baby. A promising puppy.

3RD 16 - Jessella Matilda Meleys (Miss J E Palubicki)

6. Basenji - Post Graduate

Entries: 1 Absentees: 0

1ST 15 - Jessella Lady Margot (Miss J E Palubicki)

4 ½ year old, Red and White bitch. Pleasing shape and outline overall. Nice flat skull, with sufficient wrinkle. Would prefer a smaller ear with more tapering towards the nose. Her eye is a little rounder than I would like and lighter in colour. She has a strong neck with sufficient crest. Her front and rear angulation is adequate though on the move she tended to short step in her stride, though I feel she wasn’t very settled on the day.

7. Basenji - Open Dog

Entries: 5 Absentees: 1

1ST 21 - Ch/nld Ch Mawali Going Four Gold (Mr Gj & Mr N Williams & Wright)

 4 year old, Red and White male. Presents a balanced shape and outline. In lovely condition with good muscle tone. A masculine head with a flat skull of medium width and just the right amount of stop and plenty of wrinkle. He has nice neat hooded ears, and a lovely dark almond eye. He has a lovely strong neck with adequate crest. A strong level topline with correct tail set which is tightly curled, coupled with a good shelf. He has a lovely depth to his chest and his elbows tucked neatly against his brisket. Front and rear angulation is good and his hocks are well let down. On the move he is straight forward and has a lovely swinging stride. Pleased to award him BOB.

 2ND 19 - Ch Woodella True Song (Miss J E Palubicki)

11 ½ year old, Tri-Coloured male. A compact dog who is balanced throughout. A masculine head with lovely markings and adequate wrinkle and just the right amount of stop. Ears could be more hooded and a little smaller for perfection. He has a kind dark almond eye. A nice strong neck and a level topline with a good tail set, would prefer more curve of the buttock. He has a nice laid back shoulder and moderate hind angulation. More depth and infill to chest would be preferable. His movement today was not as free as I would like, though considering his age he moved well. Would be happy to award him Best Veteran.

3RD 12 - Woodella Hot Rod VW (Miss Jardine)

RES 20 - Mawali New Kid On The Block (Ms C & Dr D Vescan)

8. Basenji - Open Bitch

Entries: 4 Absentees: 0

1ST 9 - Ch Mawali New York New York (Mrs S Dunsdon)

2 ½ year old, Red and White bitch. A nicely balanced bitch that presents a lovely picture, shown in beautiful condition. A nice head of pleasing shape with neat hooded ears and a flat skull with plenty of wrinkle. She has a nice dark almond eye which completes her expression. She has a nice neck and a firm topline which she holds on the move. Her tail set is correct and she has a nice shelf. Her front and rear assembly are so balanced with her hindquarters well defined, forelegs are straight and she has lovely low set hocks. She moved out well with a nice straight forward gait and swinging stride.

2ND 7 - Ch Akmar Napatan Gold for Westlawn JW (Miss A A Clinton)

3 ½ year old, Tri-Coloured bitch. A longer cast bitch though still high on leg compared to her length, so presents a balanced picture. Presented in lovely condition. She has a flat skull of medium width coupled with nicely hooded ears and just the right amount of stop and wrinkle, with a pleasing expression. Good strong neck which is nicely crested. Nice topline and tail set with adequate shelf. She has good depth to her chest and her elbows are tucked neatly against her brisket. Lovely front and rear angulation and she has nice compact feet. On the move today she wasn’t as clean in front, though her side profile showed a lovely swinging stride.

3RD 11 - Ch Tadrose North Star (Miss Jardine)

RES 18 - Nganga's Princess Snow-White (Imp Swe) (Miss J E Palubicki)

Breed Results: Rhodesian Ridgeback (Day 1)

I would like to thank the society for inviting me to judge at their Premier Show. Thanks also to all the exhibitors who entered the show, I was truly humbled by the great entry and thoroughly enjoyed my judging. We are blessed with some truly beautiful hounds, and I was honestly spoilt for choice. I have not mentioned ridges within my critique as they were all good. Bites within my placings were correct so were not commented on. We have an endurance hound so I was looking for a dog that fitted the standard and had the ability to cover the ground effortlessly with a free and active gait who could work all day. Temperaments overall were superb. A quality entry of hounds.

BOB 453 - Ch Hespa Masseto of Africaner JW ShCEx OSW (Mr J & Mrs C Mackfall)

RBOB 474 - Chioke for Zeri by Ridgelove JW (Imp Svk) (Miss M & Mr H Strauja & Price)

BP 448 - Kwanza El Faiyum at Matikiridge (Imp Nld) (Mrs N Hurn)

115. Rhodesian Ridgeback - Puppy

Entries: 6 Absentees: 0

1ST 448 - Kwanza El Faiyum at Matikiridge (Imp Nld) (Mrs N Hurn)

12 month old, Red wheaten upstanding male. Masculine head, nice flat skull with a reasonably well defined stop. Dark eye and good ear set which frame his face. A nice neck which flows to a beautifully angled shoulder and return of upper arm. Well off for bone, with tight elbows. Good width of chest for his age, and nicely balanced height to length ratio with a nice spring of rib and length of loin. Medium length of croup with a good tail set. Rear angles are adequate with hocks well let down. Moved well though a little erratic at times, which I’m sure will come together with age. When collected he held his topline on the move. A bright future I’m sure.

2ND 433 - Jocerik Ella Angan (Miss J R Cyprien)

7 month old, Red wheaten bitch showing a lot of promise. Standing a little bum high today, but a beautifully balanced puppy overall. Lovely feminine head with a flat skull and correct ear carriage coupled with a lovely dark round eye. She has a fabulous front assembly and nice strong straight forelegs. Feet need to tighten and her pasterns need to strengthen which I’m sure will come with maturity. Her chest needs to deepen, which I would expect to come with age. Lovely height to length ratio and a good topline, nice length to croup and tail set good. A lovely turn of stifle with well let down hocks. Moved out well.

3RD 454 - Africaner Zavanna Breeze (Mr J & Mrs C & Miss E Mackfall & Mackfall & Mcintosh)

RES 452 - Nuthouse Shall We Dance (Ms M E & Miss M G & Miss F E Lo Nigro & Rice & Rice)

VHC 473 - Diamondridge Dragonstone (Mrs R & Mr G Spratling)

116. Rhodesian Ridgeback - Yearling

Entries: 14 Absentees: 4

1ST 474 - Chioke for Zeri by Ridgelove JW (Imp Svk) (Miss M & Mr H Strauja & Price)

18 month old, Red wheaten standard size male. This male demands your attention, he is so beautifully balanced and handled to perfection, shown in fantastic hard condition with a gleaming coat. Head of correct proportions with nice flat skull and reasonably well defined stop. Correct ear shape and lovely dark round eye which give him a super expression. Really good depth of muzzle. Nice neck leading to correct shoulder placement and return of upper arm, clean across the withers, his forelegs are perfectly straight with good strength and his elbows tucked closely to the body. Lovely strong topline which he holds on the move, leading to a nice length to his croup and correct tail set. Nice deep chest and his ribs are moderately well sprung. Loin is strong and of correct length. Lovely rear angles with well let down hocks. On the move he is so easy on the eye, straight forward showing reach and drive. A truly lovely young boy. Delighted to award him RBOB.

 2ND 457 - Priorpark Pride and Joy to Nzuri JW (Mrs L & Miss S & Mr J & Miss H Mills & Mills & Mills & Parsons)

18 month old, Red wheaten bitch shown in beautiful condition. She is correctly proportioned and balanced throughout. Such a pretty head and expression, ears are perfectly set and correct for size. She has lovely round dark sparkling eyes. An elegant neck which leads to her correct shoulder placement and return of upper arm. Another who is clean across the withers. Her forelegs are perfectly straight with correct pasterns and compact feet. Lovely depth of chest with elbows close to body. Good strong topline which is held on the move, strong in loin with a nice length to croup and correct tail set. She is well angulated behind with good muscle tone and turn of stifle, her hocks are strong and well let down. On the move she has a lovely long easy stride.

3RD 461 - Kinyemi Song of Serengeti Sepiwi Sekayi for Msingi (Imp Dnk) (Mr S J & Mrs A R Pearce)

RES 427 - Priorpark River Tanjil of Rudgesridge (Mrs T & Mr J Blyth)

VHC 428 - Kinabula's Making Magick for Faahac (Mrs C L & Miss M L Catharell)

117. Rhodesian Ridgeback - Post Graduate

Entries: 13 Absentees: 6

1ST 451 - Priorpark Pure Theatre at Buhera (Mrs A Kerr)

20 month old, Wheaten bitch, up for size, but so beautifully balanced. She has a superb head, correctly proportioned with a flat skull and reasonably well defined stop. Perfectly set ears and shape. Correct length of muzzle which has adequate depth. Lovely dark round eyes which finish off her exquisite expression. Lovely reach of neck with good front assembly and straight fore legs with ample bone. Feet could be tighter and pasterns need to strengthen which I’m sure will come with maturity. Lovely strong topline which she held on the move. Her loin is strong and her croup is of correct length leading to a good tail set. Her chest needs to deepen but it is capacious and her ribs are moderately sprung and well ribbed back, her elbows need to tighten which should develop with age. Her hindquarters are lovely, her muscle is clean and she has a good turn of stifle with nice strong well let down hocks. On the move she has a straightforward free and easy effortless gait. A lovely bitch with a bright future.

 2ND 444 - Nuthouse Going for Gold JW (Mr J & Mrs S Hicks)

 2 year old, Red wheaten bitch of standard size. Lovely height to length ratio and balanced throughout. She has a pleasing head with nice dark round eye with a kind expression and good ear set. Nice neck, well laid back shoulders and correct return of upper arm. Her forelegs are straight with ample bone for her size. Her topline is level and her loin strong with correct length to her croup and perfect tail set. She has lovely clean muscles behind with good width, a sufficient turn of stifle and lovely strong well let down hocks. She stands on nice compact feet. On the move she is free and effortless with reach and drive.

3RD 450 - Priorpark William Wallace for Clanbruachan JW (Mrs N Jolly)

RES 480 - Fiadma's Stiggens at Skyleridge (Mrs T Thomas-Bassett)

VHC 437 - Rottzridge Celtic Legend at Kotamury (Mr A & Miss G Green & Thomson)

118. Rhodesian Ridgeback - Open Dog

Entries: 13 Absentees: 6

1ST 453 - Ch Hespa Masseto of Africaner JW ShCEx OSW (Mr J & Mrs C Mackfall)

4 year old, Red wheaten handsome upstanding male. This boy just oozes quality and soundness, from head to toe my eye just flows over him and he excels on the move. One of few who has true effortless movement with a ground covering gait, real reach and drive and without doubt a hound that could go all day and never tire. Shown in beautiful hard condition with a gleaming coat. Stunning masculine head with correct proportions, flat skull and reasonably well defined stop, he has correct sized ears carried close to his head. The most beautiful kind dark round eye completes his exquisite expression. His muzzle is of correct length with depth and strength. His neck is strong and of good length, and he has excellent front assembly. His forelegs are perfectly straight and heavy in bone, lovely compact feet with correct pastern. His chest is deep and capacious, perfectly proportioned for his size and his elbows are close to the body. His topline is level and is held on the move. Loin is strong and of the correct length for his size, and tail is nicely set. His hindquarters are well muscled and defined with a good turn of stile and length of second thigh. Hocks are strong and well let down for his size. An absolute beauty. Such a worthy champion, delighted to award him BOB and watch him place 4th Best in Show.

2ND 424 - Ch Delianza What’s Your Motive JW (Mrs K L Barker)

2 year old, Red wheaten male. There is so much to like about this boy, shown in great condition and beautifully balanced. Lovely masculine head, correctly proportioned with a flat skull. Nice ear size and placement. Lovely round dark eye, powerful muzzle of correct length and depth and lovely close fitting lips. Neck of adequate length for his size, with an excellent lay of shoulder and return of upper arm. Straight forelegs with compact feet. A good level topline held on the move, his loin is strong and muscular. Correct length to his croup with an excellent tail set. His chest is deep and well ribbed back, elbows held close to the body. He excels in his rear angulation, his muscles are clean and well defined with a good bend of stifle and length to his second thigh. His hocks are strong and well let down. On the move he shows lovely reach and drive and is free and active. A very worthy champion.

3RD 447 - Ch Kxoxo I'm Old Fashioned for Colkeririn JW (Imp Fin) (Mrs K Hodge)

RES 445 - Nuthouse Mastermind (Mr J & Mrs S Hicks)

VHC 434 - Priorpark Problem Solved (Mrs K & Mr G & Miss H Dawson & Dawson & Parsons)

119. Rhodesian Ridgeback - Open Bitch

Entries: 11 Absentees: 5

1ST 470 - Jimanns Hell On Heels (Mrs J & Mr I Ritchie)

 2 ½ year old, Red wheaten bitch. Beautifully balanced with substance and strong bone. A pretty head with correct proportions and flat skull with reasonably well defined stop. Nice length of muzzle with good depth and clean fitting lips. Correctly shaped ears carried close to her head with lovely dark round eyes. A lovely neck, though perhaps a little long this doesn’t detract from her overall beauty. She has a good fore chest and front assembly with perfectly straight legs and her elbows are carried nicely to her body. Lovely chest which has ample depth and spring and is well ribbed back. She has a level topline which is held on the move. Her loin is strong and of correct length. Her croup is also correct and her tail set is good. She has excellent hind quarters with nice clean muscle, and length of second thigh. Her hocks are strong and well let down. Lovely compact well arched toes. On the move she is so pleasing to watch, effortless, free and active. A really lovely bitch with a bright future.

2ND 446 - Nuthouse Queen of Clubs JW (Mr J & Mrs S Hicks)

7 ½ year old, Red wheaten standard size bitch in fabulous condition who is not showing her age. A very nice moderate balanced bitch with a pretty head and expression. Lovely flat skull with correct ear placement and shape. Her stop is reasonably well defined and she has good depth to her muzzle with clean fitting lips. Nice round dark eye. Lovely neck with good angulation front and rear. A good depth of chest with elbows close to the body. She has a strong level topline which she held on the move where she showed reach and drive. Her hocks are strong and well let down. A lovely bitch who I would have had great pleasure of awarding Best Veteran.

3RD 479 - Bonfirebeau Red Skye at Skyleridge (Mrs T Thomas-Bassett)

RES 463 - Affrhoda Athiyyah (Mrs H Pritchard Jones)

VHC 459 - Rubicon Red Marvelous Pepper Pots (Imp Mne) (Mrs K Morais)