Southern Rhodesian Ridgeback Association

Southern Rhodesian Ridgeback Association – 5th May 2024

It was an honour to be invited a few years ago to judge the 2024 SRRA Club Championship show. A Club Championship show is always an honour, and this is my second so to officiate at the club on which I am a committee member was particularly special so thank you for all your entries. I have to say that in my opinion, the variation in type has become incredibly vast. That said, I was more than happy with my winners and my Best in Show and Reserve Best in Show were two exceptional Ridgebacks. Two slightly different “stamps” but both fitting the Standard perfectly. The Veterans could definitely show some of the young guns what a Rhodesian Ridgeback was meant for and I had some crackers to judge. I have judged all the veterans as younger exhibits previously and it was lovely to see them in their autumn years. A Ridgeback is a late maturing hound and should be able to hold his own later in life. Thank you for bringing these wonderful oldies under me again.

Minor Puppy Dog (1 entry)

1. Jeffrey’s Sigurd Auksinis Feniksas. 7 months well boned showing balanced proportions nose to tail. Lovely head type with moderate stop and with dark round eye. Handler was in a bit of a pickle and his movement was a bit erratic, understandable for one so young, but I could see he has it all there and should mature nicely. Very handsome young boy.

Puppy Dog (4 entries 1 absent)

1. Raymond’s Sofala Raffaello (AI)

Just shy of 11 months. Gentle expression on head of good proportions and correct ear set. Level topline. Good depth of brisket. Slightly long in loin, but held himself well and didn’t drop his topline on the move. Steady and true fore and aft. Best Puppy Dog.

2. Hicks’ Nuthouse Mastermind. I judged this liver nose boy at 7 months old. Today at 10 months his profile movement still shows reach in front but I would prefer more width going away, this could come with maturity. He has a good head shape and good depth to his muzzle. His amber eye correctly corresponds with his coat pigment. Standing on tight feet and enough bone for his size. Nicely handled.

3. Zhao’s Vkloof Duke Lambo Galardo

Junior Dog (6 entries 2 absent)

1. Raymond’s Sofala Rafaello (AI)

2. Darnell’s Rubiltra Gunna B Victorious. 14 months old. Really handsome head with good ear and dark eye. Would like more infill in front. Just enough bone for size. Held his topline well on the move which was true out and back and with an easy stride in profile.

3. Walker’s Amahle Bold Venture

Graduate Dog (5 entries 1 absent)

1. Millward’s Amahle Hot Like Fire This boy has great conformation. He has excellent length of upper arm with a well placed shoulder of corresponding length. He has very good infill in front, correct strong oval bone and excellent feet. His head has good level planes with flat skull. His movement was fluid, with straight forward front action and great drive behind. Good turn of stifle and low set hock. Slightly overweight but not enough to impinge his movement. Reminded me of many Ridgebacks from years gone by.

2. Lilly’s Umhlanda Ubhuti Omkhulu. This boy’s front is much better than his rear. His head is hound like with a kind expression. He has good bone and feet. Ribcage down to elbow. Enough substance for his frame, he stood on tight feet. He moved out true but his croup is far too steep.

3. Hicks’ Nuthouse Mastermind

Post Graduate Dog (3 entries 0 absent)

1. Mitchelson’s Amahle Red Hot Zephyr at Voortrekker Litter brother to 1st in Graduate dog and most of those comments apply here also. Cleaner in coat colour (just a cosmetic note here), this boy presents a lovely outline with great front assembly and corresponding rear angles. Typical head with masculine expression. Clean cheeks, good length of neck. Level topline. Low set hocks and good width to second thigh. Can move really well but gives his handler a hard time! Worthy winner with excellent breed type and size.

2. Jeffery’s Negasi Thorin at Rexgrove. I judged this boy as a young puppy. He’s grown to top of the Standard at just over two years old. He has a lovely head type with good muzzle depth and width, kind dark eye and good ear carriage. Today he was standing bum high in the line up but this was not the case on the move. He moved ok but didn’t go overboard with his enthusiasm today! A very nice type of Ridgeback nevertheless.

3. Lilly’s Umhlanda Ubhuti Omkhulu

Mid Limit Dog (4 entries 0 absent)

1. Murphy’s Carlincox Mash it Up Excellent stamp of Ridgeback. He is all male with a good head piece showing correct proportions – flat skull, clean cheek and deep and powerful muzzle. He has a clean neck into very well laid back shoulder, upper arm of good length to match. Deep brisket, firm topline. Moved very true fore and aft and good reach in profile. Standing on strong, correct bone and great tight feet. Very good rear angles to compliment his excellent front.

2. Shaw’s Negasi Radagast JW. My notes say “slightly finer all through” but this is not a negative comment. This male has everything required for a functional Ridgeback and shows a very pleasing outline. He has excellent front and rear, good bone and feet. I loved his head type; clean, parallel planes with good dimensions to muzzle. These two could easily change places show to show and both are great adverts for the breed.

3. Painter’s Suhuba Dream On

Limit Dog (12 entries 2absent)

1. Davies’ Gunthwaites Fancy Man JW. This male came into the ring demanding my attention. Nothing overdone nor over excessive showmanship, everything moderate as it should be. Standing on excellent bone and feet, this boy has a masculine head with good round and dark eye. His length of upper arm to scapula ratio is textbook correct. Excellent infill of forechest. Brisket down to elbows which are correctly placed under his withers. Ribs held well back and his topline is held strong and level on the move. Very good angles to his rear quarters and a low set hock ensured his movement was powerful without excessive wasted energy. His front movement was as the Standard calls for, straight forward, free and active. He could no doubt do his job all day and some. Congratulations to his handler and breeders, a dog to be proud of. Dog CC and Best in Show.

2. Henshall’s Suhuba Dream Star Sulli. I gave this boy a CAC last year and he was unlucky to meet 1st today. He is well balanced and has an attractive but masculine head. Good depth to his brisket and well ribbed back with correct slight rise over the loin. Level topline on the move. An easy mover and true coming and going. Nothing overdone on this balanced boy. Nicely handled and a lovely temperament.

3. Doughty’s Saimon’s Praide Victorious Brabus with Rubiltra (imp Rus)

Open Dog (7 entries 2 absent)

1. Mackfall’s Ch Hespa Masseto of Africaner (AI) JW Love this boy’s free and easy movement. Top of the Standard, his presentation is all male. He has a very typical head with good level planes and correct ear. I would like a little more angle to his upper arm to be very picky. Great feet which almost appeared to have springs as his movement was so light! Well ribbed, well muscled loin and very good rear quarters. Expertly handled and in lovely condition. Very worthy Champion. RCC.

2. Moore’s Ch Royalridge Glory Days. Another I have judged previously and he has since earned his well deserved title. An honest hound with a super outline, firm topline and well ribbed. Very good front assembly. Well off for bone and good feet. Well muscled and in good condition, moved out soundly.

3. Ashman’s Ch Patemeliann Red Tarka at Kitaarka JW

Veteran Dog (2 entries 0 absent)

1. Davies’ Ch Gunthwaite Papa Don’t Preach

Absolutely super condition. Not overdone anywhere, a good honest Ridgeback with an attractive head piece, dark round eye and good ear placement. Super length of neck into good shoulder. I awarded him the CC last time I judged and I can still see why. One who I am sure will look and perform beautifully in his veteran classes going forward, I’m sure he still has much to give.

2. Little’s Ch Sofala Joe The Lion. A very well put together Ridgeback but carrying a tad too much weight today and this affected his movement somewhat. He has a lovely head type and such a gentle expression. Another worthy Champion nevertheless with super conformation.

Baby Puppy Dog or Bitch (4 entries 0 absent)

What a delight to judge this class! The youngsters all had a blast and I really do not worry about young puppies not standing still or completely correctly. Puppies must be puppies, not statues and must enjoy their day out. A Ridgeback can soon become very bored and this will eventually show in their character and outlook on the day’s work at a show. It’s easy to see what they’re made of!

1. Shaw’s Negasi Goldberry. Just 5 months, this rangy young bitch has a very bright future ahead of her, I would hope. She has very good angulation, excellent quality bone and feet and has good substance. Sweet expression, on a lovely classic head type. A glorious wheaten coat. She has a very scopey gait which will tighten and will be an absolute joy to watch in years to come I am sure. Congratulations.

2. Priorpark Pearl of Wisdom for Rumalana. 5 ½ months red wheaten. More compact and a smaller stamp. Sweet head and expression. Good infill of forechest. Enough bone for her size, tight feet. Moved out steady and true coming and going.

3. Kerr’s Priorpark Pure Theatre for Buhera

Minor Puppy Bitch (3 entries 0 absent)

1. Pearce’s Msingi Dream a Dream. Lovely head type with flat skull, dark eye and good ear. Nice length of neck. She has a good return of upper arm and well laid shoulder. A bit bum high at the moment, understandably for her age. She moved out precisely and with confidence on tight feet. Very happy nature on this girl, shows promise. Best Puppy in Show

2. Parker’s Ashaara’s She’s Magic for Azuli. Smaller all through. Dark round eye giving a keen expression. Balanced and on tight feet, moved straight back and forth. Well handled.

3. Kenwrick’s Thomasridge Faraway Tree

Puppy Bitch (4 entries 1 absent)

1. Pearce’s Msingi Dream a Dream

2. Hicks’ Nuthouse Going For Gold. At 10 months she seems very mature for her age. Balanced front to rear and on good feet. Head in good proportion. Good in front. Low set hocks. Well schooled and moved steady.

3. Parker’s Ashaara’s She’s Magic For Azuli

Junior Bitch (7 entries 3 absent)

1. Maidment’s Amahle Behave Yourself. Attractive head type and very feminine but still to break. This girl was nicely balanced with good front infill, excellent return of upper arm and good lay of shoulder. Enthusiastic mover and held her topline well. Would prefer a slightly gentler tuck up. Her rear angles are very good and she has a low set hock. Handled very nicely.

2. Greeve’s Penholder Sweet Lady. Very attractive head type with lovely dark eye, correct amount of stop, good depth to muzzle. Nice level topline, slight rise over the loin. Good rear quarters, low hock. Moved out soundly. Handled nicely.

3. Maddox’s Fiadma’s Mojito at Purplepride

Graduate Bitch (9 entries 1 absent)

1. Salmon’s Lobengula Pearl. Lovely stamp. Good head piece with level planes and correct ear and dark eye. Good length of neck, good lay of shoulder, well filled in front. Well sprung rib. Moved very nicely all round.

2. Walker’s Markeliz Tea Time Two. Very attractive type to my eye. Good muzzle depth, enough stop and flat skull. Nice angles front and back, deep chest. Long striding movement in profile and true coming and going. Handled well.

3. Pratt’s Carlincox Cream of Society

Post Graduate Bitch (4 entries 0 absent)

1. Simpson’s Gunthwaites Golden Girl At Renescent. This bitch demanded to be looked at! A substantial, richly pigmented liver with excellent bone and feet. Quite a ‘strong’ head but very good proportions occiput to stop, stop to nose. Good depth and width to muzzle. Very good upper arm to shoulder ratio. Strong back and well sprung rib. Good turn of stifle and low set hock. Very powerful on the move. My guess is she is a slow maturer, probably at least another year and she will tighten up all through. Will be interested to see her in twelve months or so!

2. Catley’s Royalridge Aurora. A smaller frame all through but still a nice type giving a pleasant outline. Well matched front to rear angles. Sweet expression on clean head. Moved effortlessly and nicely handled.

3. Greeves’ Penholder Sweet Lady

Mid Limit Bitch (2 entries 0 absent)

1. Kapma-Sanuders’ Oostblik Skyn Avior. Tall girl but all in proportion. Loved her scopey, easy movement. Such a lovely, feminine expression on a head type that’s so familiar to my eye. Clean cheeks, excellent muzzle proportions. Very good neck, return of upper arm and shoulder lay. Correct infill in front. Strong level back, slight rise over the loin. Movement was effortless and clean.

2. Negasi Elberith For Clanbruachan. Well balanced outline on this Red Wheaten bitch of 2 years. Nice head proportions, bone in keeping with her size, tight feet. Level topline kept on the move, correct tail set. Moved well.

Limit Bitch (7 entries 1 absent)

1. Craven & Rowbottom’s Hespa Ornellaia. Another very substantial liver nose bitch whose conformation is extremely well put together. Her head is in good proportions although I would like slightly more depth to her muzzle. Well off for correct oval bone, correct slight spring to pastern, very good tight feet. Loved her outline which showed very good front assembly, elbows held correctly under withers. Deep brisket, well ribbed and strong back. Correct length of loin, good tail set. Movement was excellent.

2. Mansfield & Kirby’s Shingwidsi Tshedisa Light. Correctly proportioned and showing a lovely balanced outline. Enough bone for her size, good feet. Dark round eye on head of good proportions. Strong neck into good lay of shoulder. Level topline held on the move which she did effortlessly and true fore and aft.

3. Pearce’s Msingi Sabriel

Open Bitch (4 entries 1 absent)

1. Cox & Musgrave’s Carlincox Jersey Royal JW. An outstanding example of correct conformation with nothing overdone. This 23 month old bitch has the most beautiful outline and shows symmetry all through. Exceptional front assembly showing perfect return of upper arm to lay of shoulder. Elbows sit correctly under the withers. She has an attractive head showing definite femininity and with level planes – flat skull, correct length from occiput to stop and stop to nose. Muzzle of good width and depth. A clean and well crested neck. Her topline is strong and level and her ribbing and underline match this. Correct slight rise over her strong and muscled loin, correct tail insert. Her movement shows reach, drive and power with minimum effort. Excellent rear quarters showing good width to first and second thigh and a low set hock. A plumb line would show no excessive angulation behind. Everything in the right place and shown well, she moved so well to gain a richly deserved CC and Res Best In Show. Congratulations.

2. Bates’ Ch Gunthwaites Ayr of Elegance JW. Such a difficult decision between these two, as both have such outstanding merit. Most of my notes on 1 above are so similar, it was really splitting a dreadfully fine hair here. A top drawer bitch showing complete symmetry in her outline with great presence. This Red Wheaten girl has quality bone and stands on excellent feet. Feminine head with gentle expression and beautiful dark round eye. Great length of neck into excellent front assembly. Level topline held on the move, good ribbing held well back. Correct rear quarters and tail set. She moves extremely well coming and going and in profile. As always from this kennel, an outstanding example of the breed and shown to quiet perfection. I just preferred the head on 1. Litter sister to my Best in Show. A very worthy Champion and honoured to have judged her. Pleased to award RCC.

Veteran Bitch (4 entries 0 absent)

1. Mansfield & Kirby’s Ch Shingwidsi Tshadi Rose. Lovely type showing no exaggeration, at 8 ½ and showing some attractive frosting, this bitch stood over plenty of ground moved very soundly with grace. She has excellent front, stands on good quality bone and has excellent feet. Great lay of shoulder and strong neck. Correct croup and tail insert. A quality bitch who will no doubt continue to show soundly for some years to come, given her conformation.

2. Ch Diamondridge Distant Drum at Lobengula. A substantially built red wheaten bitch with attractive head, dark eye and good length of neck. Although she had a rather motherly undercarriage today, she showed a good outline front to rear. She moved with power from good rear quarters. Very true coming and going.

3. Henshall’s Sanbona A’Frican Soul Daaci at Suhuba (Imp Deu)

Liz Storey

Judge