Redditch & District Canine Society

Reddich & District Canine Society – Open Show

Saturday 24th January 2026

Judge: Andria Kerr (Buhera)

Firstly, thank you to the committee for inviting me to judge. I had a really warm welcome on arrival, which is always appreciated. The Royal Kennel Club building is one of my favourite venues with a lovely atmosphere.

I must admit my heart sank slightly at the thought of judging Rhodesian Ridgebacks outside in January and I know the exhibits would not have been pleased. Thankfully common sense prevailed and we were moved indoors. The ring wasn’t huge, but it was workable and allowed me to assess movement fairly.

Thank you to the committee for promoting the breed and giving me a lovely entry of 25 Ridgebacks. My biggest thanks go to the exhibitors for bringing such quality hounds, and for taking my decisions in the good spirit they were given. You are a credit to the breed. And thank you to my two stewards who kept everything moving without fuss.

I haven’t made individual comments on ridges, crowns, mouths or temperament as, in the main, they were acceptable. Where they weren’t, it was taken into account in my placings.

Class 33 – Puppy (3,1)

1st – Storeys’ Kiromol Ain’t Misbehaving

An 8-month-old light wheaten puppy enjoying every second of her day – happy, cheeky and full of beans. Despite her name, she behaved herself… mostly!

She has a lovely head with correct proportions and a pretty expression, helped by a round eye with just a touch of mischief. Good length of neck flowing cleanly into a well put together front. Prosternum clearly visible, well laid shoulders and plenty of bone for her age. The white tipping to her toes is entirely correct for the breed. Pasterns have the slight flex required, and she stands on very good feet.

She has good depth of brisket for a baby and is well ribbed back with a nice spring. A gentle rise over the loin into well made hind quarters with good width of thigh. Hocks well let down.

There’s very little not to like about this youngster. She made her handler work but when she settled she moved out freely and covered the ground well. Pleased to award her Best Puppy in Breed, and I was delighted to see her go on to win a strong Puppy Group with a Group 1. One I’ll watch with interest.

2nd – Akers’ Carlincox Laters Taters

Another quality baby, just four weeks younger than my winner and pushing her hard.

Good head and expression, carried on a nice length of neck leading into a balanced front assembly. I would just like a little more flex in the pasterns to finish the picture.

Well off for bone, standing on neat feet. Good length of ribbing and developing nicely through the body with pleasing depth of brisket for her age. She has lovely width of thigh behind, which will stand her in good stead as she matures.

Today I preferred the overall outline and movement of my winner, but this is a promising youngster with a bright future.

Class 34 – Junior (4,0)

1st – Cypriens’ Jocerik Ella Angan

A very pretty 14-month-old going through that slightly leggy teenage stage, but importantly everything is where it should be.

Lovely head and feminine expression. Adequate length of neck into a well made front with good breadth of chest. Good flex to her pasterns and standing on correct feet.

She has good depth of brisket and a pleasing spring of rib, giving her a balanced shape for her age. Lovely width of thigh behind. I would however prefer a tad more rear angulation. A youngster who should come into her own with time.

2nd – Lloyd Jones’ Africaneer Sundown

An up-to-size 17-month-old male, still maturing and with plenty to like.

Beautiful head with correct planes and just the right amount of stop. Round eye giving a masculine yet kind expression. Good length of neck into a sound front assembly.

Brisket just shy of elbow at the moment, but he has time on his side and he should drop into himself. Well ribbed back and carrying good width of thigh. Hocks well let down.

I don’t think he gave his best on the move today, and the smaller ring didn’t help him. Nevertheless, a quality boy who will benefit from maturity and a bit more ring space.

Class 35 – Post Graduate (6,1)

1st – Hurns’ Kwanza El Faiyum at Matikiridge (Imp NLD) JW

An 18-month-old male I judged as a puppy and liked very much then. I still do.

Lovely head with good proportions and a pleasing expression. Good length of neck flowing into a well-constructed front. His angulation fore and aft is moderate and balanced – not overdone, just enough – which gives him a harmonious outline.

Good spring of rib and depth of brisket for his age. Well off for bone and presenting a strong but balanced picture.

Moved out with purpose, covering the ground confidently and holding his shape. A quality young male deserving of his placing. Pleased to award him Reserve Best of Breed.

2nd – Geeves – Kiromol Knight of the Realm JW

Light wheaten male rising two years old. Nice head with a kind eye that matches his colour and gives him a soft expression. I would just like a bit more strength of underjaw.

Adequate length of neck into a very good front with good width and a clearly visible prosternum. Good return of upper arm.

Deep brisket, well sprung ribs and good width of thigh behind. Today he didn’t move with the same drive as my winner, which decided it, but he has plenty going for him.

Class 36 – Open (12,5)

A cracking class with quality throughout and not enough red cards to hand out. A difficult decision.

1st – Pearces’ Ch Kinyemi Song of Serengeti Sepiwi Sekayi for Msingi (Imp Dnk)

Now 18 months old and maturing beautifully.

Superb masculine head with correct planes and real presence. His expression borders on arrogant but is softened by a confident yet kind eye. Dark shading to the muzzle adds to the picture. Lovely reach of neck into a strong, well made front with clear prosternum and good width of chest. Slight spring to the pasterns and correct, compact feet.

Good depth of brisket and balanced angulation front and rear. Strong quarters with hocks well let down. He moved true coming and going and held his topline on the move. Watching him again in the Group, he simply oozed quality and breed type.

Delighted to award him Best of Breed and equally pleased to see him take Hound Group 2.

2nd – Barnes’ Diamondridge Dreadnought JW

Two and a half year old male who was unlucky to meet my winner on the day. What a boy.

Lovely head with correct planes and good depth of muzzle. If I’m splitting hairs, I’d just prefer his ear set a tad higher. Nice round eye. Good length of neck into a beautiful front with width and a prominent prosternum.

Deep brisket, well ribbed back and good body length. Strong, muscular hindquarters with good width of thigh and hocks well let down. Moved true both ways and pushed hard for his place.

Today I preferred the overall finish of my winner, but I’ve no doubt these two will swap places more than once in their careers.

Andria Kerr

Buhera