Hound Association Of Scotland

Thank you to the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland for inviting me to judge the Special Classes at their Open Show on April 13th 2024, held in conjunction with HAS, and apologise for the delay in my critique.

CLASS A SPECIAL AWARD JUNIOR DOG OR BITCH

1. HICK’S NUTHOUSE MASTERMIND: Liver dog of good proportions throughout. Clean skull with good dentition. Muscular neck flowing into well-laid shoulders. Balanced fore and aft. Well muscled. Moved with drive. Will watch his progress with interest.

2. GREEN & THOMSON ROTTZRIDGE CELTIC LEGEND AT KOTAMURY: Unlucky to meet 1 and many of the same comments apply. Rich red male with a pleasing expression and dark eye. Good head and correct bite. Clean neck. Good ridge and crowns. Held his top line on the move. Solid sound movement. His brisket needs to drop and I’m sure this will as he matures. He’s not the finished article and I’m sure these 2 will change places frequently.

3. ROSSINI’S KENSESQUI TOUCH OF LOVE

SPECIAL AWARD POST GRADUATE DOG OR BITCH

I’ve had the privilege of watching these two siblings grow up and admired both of them for a while. They are the Ying and Yang of masculinity and femininity

1. SHAW’S NEGASI RADAGAST JW A good honest hound who catches your eye with his upstanding presence. Smashing head, eye, expression and great ear carriage. Clean neck which flows into well-angulated shoulders. Deep chest with plenty of heart room. Good bone and tight feet. Strong topline and correct tail set. Moved with purpose and at one with his handler

2. JOLLY’S NEGASI ELBERITH FOR CLANBRUACHAN JW 1 and 2 could have so easily changed place – such was the difficulty of this class. Much the same remarks apply. She is slightly longer cast but in a bitch that’s not a bad thing and she was still beautifully balanced. Feminine expression with soft dark eye. Pleasing head and correct bite. Well laid shoulders, and correct rear angles with well let down hocks. Good ridge and crowns.

3. BLACK, BLACK & MCKINLAY’S ASHAARA DARK SIDE OF THE MOON AT GILEEJA

SPECIAL AWARD OPEN DOG OR BITCH

1. STAINES’ SONSTRAAL BREAKING DAWN: My first remark was WOW! She caught my eye as soon as she entered the ring and did not disappoint me. Light wheaten bitch with just so much to like – Her head and expression are fabulous. Strong yet feminine throughout. Good shoulders, topline and rear with good second thigh and low hocks. Deep chest with good spring of rib. Great feet and perfect footfall. Covered the ground with ease.

2. MUIR’S JIMAANS ACE OF SPADES. Handsome male with so much to like. Lovely head with expressive ears. Powerful neck and strong topline, correct ridge & crowns, good angles fore and aft. Moved out well and definitely a big ring boy. I think he needed more room to really get into his stride He flows from his front to his rear with a lovely outline. You have to get your hands on this boy to appreciate him.

3. REID’S IF I CAN DREAM ENERGY OF AFRICA FOR SAADANI (IMP CZE)

Judge: Gillian Fewster