Hound Association Of Scotland

Hound Association of Scotland Open Show – 16th October 2022 Rhodesian Ridgebacks Thank you to the committee for my invitation and warm hospitality to judge Rhodesian Ridgebacks at your recent show. Thank you also to my two stewards, Lisa and Maghan for ensuring the smooth running of the ring. Thank you to all the exhibitors for your support and acceptance of my placings- I thoroughly enjoyed my day and was honoured to judge a lovely entry of quality hounds. All the dogs had good ridges, correct bite and all had great temperaments. I would like to see some attention paid to nails as a few dogs would benefit from a trim this however did not affect my placings. Puppy Dog/Bitch 5 (0 abs) This was a lovely puppy class with quality youngsters who I’m sure have a bright future ahead. My principal winners really caught my eye and did not disappoint me. 1st Jolly’s Negasi Elberith For Clanbruachan 9mth wheaten bitch who really stood out for me in this lovely class of quality youngsters. She moved out with purpose and drive and settled well despite the small ring. I loved her head and kind expression, round, dark eyes, correct ear set with a nice length of neck leading to a nice front assembly, good bone with lovely tight feet. Lovely shape with nice turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Good tailset and well muscled 1st and 2nd thigh for her age. I look forward to seeing her develop. Awarded Best Puppy. 2nd Willunat’s Gambia Sirius-Canis Maior At Clauwill (Imp Pol) Another quality youngster and a real baby of the class at just 7mths but she held her own against the more mature dogs. Lovely light wheaten bitch with a beautiful, feminine expression and shape, good reach of neck into well angulated shoulders, good bone and tight, well knuckled feet. Good rear angulation. Took time to settle but to be expected at this age, a raw puppy she looked to enjoy her time in the ring and moved out well. Very close decision but I preferred the movement of my winner today. Post Graduate Dog/Bitch 5 (2 abs) 1st Black, Black & McKinlay’s Asharaa Stars In Your Eyes At Gileeja 12mth red wheaten bitch with a feminine head and nice expression, dark, round eyes with good ear placement and well defined stop. Followed into a nice, shapely long neck and front. Good lay of shoulder, well ribbed with good depth of body with good bone and nice, tight feet. Good turn of stifle and hocks well let down. Shown in good body condition and very well handled. Moved effortlessly and made the most of the ring to show her elegant yet purposeful gait and maintained a level topline on the move. 2nd Field’s Jelany Red Florencia 2 year old bitch, black mask and shading with round, kind eyes. Heavier set than my winner. Good front with a deep chest. Good bone leading to nice tight knuckled feet. Good rear angulation with well muscled and defined 1st and 2nd thigh. Once settled she moved out well with good drive. 3rd Nelson’s Zougani Zante A lovely young male with a handsome head and expression. Unfortunately the flooring didn’t suit him today to show him at his best. Open Dog 2 (0 abs) 1st Willunat’s Shavano’s Quality of Life By Oliver JW (Imp Nor) 4 year old handsome and upstanding male who oozed presence in the ring. Handsome head. Good reach of neck into well angulated shoulders with good depth and infill to chest. Good length of body, well ribbed, strong loin and correct tail set leading to a strong rear. Good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. Well defined 1st and 2nd thigh. On the move he was effortless yet powerful with excellent reach and drive covering the ground, maintaining a level topline. Very well schooled and expertly handled. Delighted to award Best of Breed. 2nd Mulholland’s Walamadengie Red Red Wine 4 year old red wheaten male who had a lovely, kind, expression and masculine head. Dark, round eyes. Good infill and depth to chest, well angled front and rear. Good bone and lovely, tight feet. Heavier set dog than my winner. I would like to see him leaner in order to show off his lovely front, neck and shape. He didn’t move out as well as my winner today. Open Bitch 6 (1 abs) A lovely class of quality bitches who all possessed many good qualities. 1st Muncie & Crossan’s Callmn’s Queen Bee Of Mahanovemi 23mth red wheaten with a beautiful, feminine head, with an elegant and long neck leading into well angled shoulders with good infill and depth to chest. Good bone and nice, tight feet. Good spring of rib with a good, strong topline. Good turn of stifle into well let down hocks, well muscled and defined 1st and 2nd thigh. On the move she was elegant yet had purpose with good reach and drive and maintained a nice, level topline. A lovely shaped bitch in profile and on the move. Shown in excellent condition and very well handled. Pleased to award Reserve Best of Breed 2nd Black, Black & McKinlay’s Rottzridge Perihelion At Gileeja 3 year old, another red wheaten bitch also shown in excellent condition and handled well. Very pretty head with good proportions. Good reach of neck flowing into good lay of shoulder, good depth and infill of chest. Lovely, straight bone standing on nicely knuckled, tight feet. Well sprung ribs, strong loin. Well muscled and angled rear with good 1st and 2nd thigh. Moved steady with purpose and drive, maintaining her lovely topline and shape and really made the most of the ring. Moved straight coming and going. My two principle winners both possessed very similar qualities and were shown in excellent condition so it was a very close decision but I just preferred the head and eye on my winner today. Claire Muir