Southern Rhodesian Ridgeback Association

It seems a long time ago when I was asked to judge at this show and so I had been looking forward to it for a very long time. I had fantastic stewards in Daisy and Phoebe Toublic who kept all the paperwork and rosettes from continually blowing off the table due to the wind! The sunshine was very welcome as it did feel a little cold and I tried to ensure the dogs had plenty of movement opportunities to keep warm. Temperaments were very good across the entry, minus one exception with a growl. Teeth were also good, but quite a few dirty canines. I enjoyed judging the whole range of colours of the breed and did not have a preference to light or dark wheaten however my main winners ended up being of the darker shade. I place construction and movement top on the priority list so the odd uneven crown didn’t affect my final placings. All ridges were of good length. Thank you to everyone for accepting my judgements with good grace.

PUPPY DOG 

1 Kinabula‘s Captain Pugwash

Loved the proportions on this dog, he was very accurate out and back on the move excellent straight forelegs and bone with a fair length of neck. His tail was set on correctly and was long and tapering. He had great balance on the move.

2 Kinabula Master of Joy

Light wheaten and is litter brother to 1. His ears need to settle, well muscled for one so young, has great width in the rear and in great condition, strong in the loin, a nice pup who moved positively, but just a little bum high at this stage. I’m sure these pups will change places in future.

JUNIOR DOG

1 Diamondridge Deliverance for Kemgordoni

Really nice type, classic head of balanced proportions, a little playful but lively, excellent reach and drive, he possesses substantial bone, he has a super neck shoulder and level topline with great length of rib, one with a lot of promise for the future.

2 Sofala Jack of All Trades, a little reserved but very smooth mover holding his tail low on the move, slightly less bone than ideal but great feet and strong and slightly sloping pasterns, another with an excellent expression. Just needs to strengthen in rear but really positive movement.

3 Voorlooper Raadi Mosi.

NOVICE DOG

1 Kinabula Captain Pugwash

1st in PD

2 Voorlooper Raadi Mosi

Nice head, defined crown and ridge, sometimes carrying his tail a little over in a curl, just enough bone but could be heavier, good ribbing, medium length of loin.

3 Oostblik Rivier Tay

POST GRADUATE DOG

1 Gabisa Hob Nob With The Baron. Such a good mover with style and accuracy but just carrying a little bit too much weight on his shoulder and back so is a little soft in topline on the move. Light wheaten in colour with eye colour matching coat, very accurate out and back. His tail was carried in a pleasing manner.

2 Dabola Lola

This rich red dog was very alert and lively, bone was correct. He was up on his toes in very fit condition with a sleek glossy coat. His topline was firm in the stand and on the move, not quite the reach of one.

3 Bikquest Helios Sunreacher

LIMIT DOG

1 Sofala’s Raffaello JW (AI)

Rich red in colour with such a healthy glow through his coat, he had everything I was looking for, handsome upstanding and with typical bone, lovely nature. What a great mover, so sound free and active, well muscled. Hope he continues to do well. Reserve best dog.

2 Kiromol Knight of the Realm JW, pale wheaten, in great condition, excellent bone and feet, really lively on the move with free and forward reaching movement using his tail up nicely as he corners.

3 Kinabula’s Making Magick for Faahac JW.

OPEN DOG

1 Ch Diamondridge Dreadnought JW, absolutely stunning dog, everything was so moderate. His movement is so powerful, lowering his head slightly and driving from his well angulated rear quarters. Head is balanced, of good size, with an intelligent expression, great length of neck which is free from throatiness and laid back shoulder, firm topline and tail set on correctly neither too high or low. His movement is economical with good forward reach and drive from behind not surprised to see he carries his title. Best dog and best in show.

2 Amahle Red Hot Zephyr at Voortrekker

Close between two and three, this one pipped three on movement where he was more positive in the rear, very compact feet, underline a little straight, could have better shoulders. 

3 Nuthouse Roger The Dodger.

VETERAN DOG

1 Sofala Lightening Strike

Upstanding dog and a smooth mover, amazing level topline in both standing and moving, such accuracy in all directions, quality head with flat skull and good shape to muzzle, moderate all through and a very good mover.

2 Ch Kiromol Heaven Can Wait (ai)

Pleasing head active and free mover quality exhibit could be cleaner in neck excellent topline, elbows sit close to the body, his chest is deep and capacious, great bend of stifle and well let down hocks.

3 Diamondridge Keep It Dark for Kemgordoni.

SPECIAL VETERAN DOG BITCH (10 YEARS OVER)

1 Ch Kiromol Midsummer Spirit JW

11 & 1/2 years old with a lovely head and a keen expression, she’s not as fluid on the move, but she’s very accurate to and fro and holds a super topline and has that breed typical slightly sloping croup, great depth of chest, nice bone.

BABY PUPPY DOG OR BITCH

1 Carlincox Pulls No Punches. This one was well named! Just shy of six months old and giving his owner a hard time however he is a very promising prospect for the show ring. He shows quality all through with a well-proportioned head, good body structure and there were glimpses of very good trotting movement. Great bone, straight forelegs. Superb ridge and crown, strong straight hocks.

PUPPY BITCH

1 Amahle Just Be Awesome. She topped a class of nice female puppies. This one must have a very good future. She’s pure quality. She has a degree of athleticism combined with strength with attractive rich red colour a super head and expression very accurate out and back. She has an attractive crown and ridge. She has more growing to do I think even at 11 months old but I think she has a very promising future. She got better and better as the day went on. Reserve best bitch and Best Puppy in Show.

2 Salome’s Charm Truly Arte Cassari at Tokwe (IMP)

Another pretty girl of a lighter wheaten colour, she was perfectly schooled and completely in unison with her very good handler, a little finer through the head. She had a great underline and stood square on firm compact round feet. She had a very friendly temperament and was a pleasure to judge.

JUNIOR BITCH

1 Oostblik Rivier Annan

Good strength to head, nice eye placement and medium sized ears, excellent length of neck and level topline and slightly sloping croup, well knuckled toes and heavy bone, splash of white on the chest, tail carriage was pleasing and she showed clean free movement.

2 Nyasharose Lets Dance

Third in puppy bitch. Dark mask with an attentive look, high set ears and very alert, friendly temperament with strong slightly sloping pasterns and compact round feet, a little bit bum high at this stage and needs to fill up in her chest.

NOVICE BITCH

1 N Lets Dance. 2nd in previous class.

POST GRADUATE BITCH

1 Sofala Angel Band. Such a sound girl, light wheaten with a splash of white on her chest and on all four toes, gorgeous head, smooth mover in all directions she has a very dignified look and robust in stature. I liked her depth of chest and tuck up and her ribs extended well back. Put down in excellent condition.

2 Kiromol Reckon I’m Hot.

Rich red girl with a dark mask and round eyes with a good stop, could have more a little more depth to her muzzle but really liked her effortless sound movement and straight forelegs, handled well.

3 Rovigo Argenta 

LIMIT BITCH

1 Kiromol Ain’t Misbehavin (AI)

Light wheaten with the most free and active movement, super shape, for preference her ears were rather large but she did possess a very intelligent look, excellent straight forelegs and well angulated in rear. She moved really well with drive from her short and strong hocks.

2 Lobengula Giah

She’s a super quality bitch with a heavier set all through, quality crown and long ridge reaching to haunches, excellent quarters, strong body all through, lovely nature she moved out in all directions very well. Think was full of beans today which just cost her the class win.

3 Roviga Argenta

OPEN BITCH

1 Lobengula Pearl

This rich red with dark mask impressed me because she’s so moderate and nothing is exaggerated and retains the femininity I was looking for. She moves with sufficient reach and drive and holds a great shape in outline and on the move. Her head is balanced and is really pleasing for shape and with intelligent expression. I can see her working all day and night without tiring, quality bitch who surely must gain her champion title in the future. Best bitch and Reserve Best in Show.

2 Amahle Behave Yourself

Light wheaten who is upstanding and has lots of quality attributes about her. Her head is feminine and has a strong muzzle, with a good stop, fair length of neck, great depth of chest, strong powerful loins and well angulated rear, just comes a fraction wide towards which cost her the class but a very nice girl.

3 Ch Diamondridge Kzaembe Golden Age JW

VETERAN BITCH

It was a pleasure to judge this class with three nice girls who all came with lovely temperaments and were a credit to their owners. Nice to hear the ringside applause as they went round.

1 Ch Carlincox Pure Gold JW

Quality bitch in hard condition and only showing her age with a few grey hairs on her dark mask. She has a super head with high set ears, flat skull and excellent pigmentation on nose and eye rims. She excels in her front shoulder assembly with great body condition, firm topline and well bent stifles and strong hocks. She moved round the ring with great poise and drive from behind. She looked like she could go on all day. Not surprised to see she holds her Champion title. Best Veteran in Show.

2 Kiromol Mandolin Wind

Very pale wheaten, eight years old, she is so moderate and nothing is exaggerated, her crown starts quite a way behind her withers but it extends to her haunches. She’s well off for bone and substance. Her head is feminine with amber coloured eyes to match her lighter coat colour.