Ladies Kennel Association

I would like to thank the committee of LKA for the invitation to judge at their 2024 show, and to my fantastic stewards Trish and Bill Grey who kept the ring running smoothly, after a long wait. This was an appointment I was very much looking forward to as there are some exciting young dogs in the ring at the moment, and I was absolutely thrilled with my numerically strong, quality entry.  

There were a few things that gave me concern, the standard asks for “brisket long and deep” there were a fair number of short ribcages. When describing the rear quarters the standard states “stifle moderately bent with well-developed first and second thigh” most salukis were acceptable in first thigh, but second thigh was sadly lacking in quite a few. Toplines were probably the most concerning, the standard asks for “back fairly broad, muscles slightly arched over the loin, but never roached back” those of us who have been around for a while, and were mentored by likes of Jeanna Jaques, who in turn was mentored by Hope Waters, who was a contemporary of Brig. Gen. Lance and his wife Mrs G Lance, Tim Teillers and Kay Perkins know that the pin bones should be level with the wither and for preference slightly higher; this topline is synonymous with the saluki and gives it its unique outline, sadly there were a fair few salukis today who had toplines sloping the wrong way with pin bones lower than the withers, which is not breed typical.   

Puppy Dog (3, 2) 

1st Dunne’s Bogdan La’iqa Najiha (Ger) 

An impressive young man of eight months who is very mature for his age. He has a balanced outline; his head is masculine with good eye shape and well-set ears, strong neck, good shoulder angulation, long ribcage, which still needs to drop, and strong quarters, his feet need to tighten which hopefully will come with maturity. He has a good topline with a slight arch and pin bones level with his withers. He moved with a true light lifting action. Presented in fit muscular condition. Best Puppy, he should have an exciting future. 

Junior Dog (3, 1) 

1st Hudson’s Mala’s Amal Johari Dayim Mahatma Glenoak (Imp Deu) 

Statuesque cream boy who is fining down as he is maturing. His head is well balanced with good foreface and strong underjaw. He has dark well shaped eyes and good ear set. Long, strong neck, well laid shoulders and long upper arm. He is well off for bone and has strong knuckled feet of good length. His ribcage is well carried back and he has sufficient length of loin, long gently angled croup and good width to first and second thigh. His topline has the desired slight arch over the loin, with pin bones and withers level. He is a handful on the move, but when concentrating displayed a tidy, light balanced action which augers well for the future. 

2nd Dunne’s Bogdan La’iqa Najiha (Ger) 

Post Grad Dog (4, 0) 

1st Hudson’s Mala’s Amal Johari Dayim Mahatma Glenoak (Imp Deu)  

2nd Hamilton, Hamilton, Garrett & Oakey’s Caryna Oberon 

Well-presented black and cream boy. As a youngster he was on the heavier side but has become more refined as he has matured. He has a masculine head with good ear set and eye shape, long neck flowing smoothly into well laid-back shoulders, just enough return of upper arm and front fill. His feet are well knuckled, but I would like his toes to be longer. He has a well-shaped, deep ribcage and strong loin with good width to his quarters. For me, he is a little steep in croup, with his pin bones being lower than his withers, and this affects his rear movement, giving him a rather stilted rear action; he lacked the effortless, balanced profile movement of the winner, but was tidy moving away and back. 

3rd Stenson’s Qulaib Koah Al Djiibaajah (Imp Deu) 

Limit Dog (5, 2) 

1st Pyatt & Cotterill’s Wazifi Alsasha Abda RCC 

Black fringed red who was presented in immaculate condition. Very attractive head with good ear set and dark intelligent eyes, well filled foreface and good under jaw. Long well-muscled neck, good layback of shoulder and adequate return of upper arm, bladed bone and strong, well feathered feet. Deep ribcage, strong loin and gently sloping, rounded croup. He has well angulated quarters with width through first and second thigh. Lovely topline with his pin bones being slightly higher than his withers. He moved in profile with a light balanced action and was true in front with parallel hocks moving away.  

2nd Ham’s Ravensett Ashkan 

Gold dog who presents a nice outline, not as masculine as the winner or as mature. His head and expression are appealing. He has good lay back of shoulder and return of upper arm but is rather narrow in front and needs more fill in. Good bone but would like his feet to be more padded and his toes to be more arched. Shorter ribcage than the winner and longer in loin. Good croup angulation and width to first thigh. Profile action was light and lifting, but not as positive in front as the winner. 

3rd Harrison’s Khamsin Phoenix at Charrioak  

Open Dog (6, 2) 

1st Chippendale’s Flytesfield Hyddwn CC & BOB 

A black fringed fawn dog whom I have admired for some time. He has grown into an impressive male who exudes breed type and a quality reminiscent of the 1980s and 90s. Classic saluki head with excellent eye shape, strong foreface and underjaw. Long well-muscled neck, good shoulder angulation and excellent return of upper arm with a well filled front, bladed bone and slight slope to his pasterns. Deep ribcage, which for perfection, could be slightly longer and a broad powerful loin, he has a good underline and the most beautiful topline with a slight arch over the loin and pin bones marginally higher than his withers. Long, gently angled croup with excellent depth through first and second thigh, short powerful hocks. His outstanding conformation came together on the move to produce the most beautiful, light balanced profile action and he was foot perfect coming and going. Hopefully, his 3rd CC will not be too far away. 

2nd Dunne’s Ir Ch Saffurah Moondust 

Elegant cream boy with good pigment. He has well shaped, dark eyes, good ear set and a long neck. Sufficient angulation in his shoulder and upper arm, moderately filled front and acceptable feet. Deep ribcage, good underline and topline and moderately angled croup, just enough depth through quarters. He moved well with a light, balanced profile action. 

3rd Ward’s Caryna Manatena at Backtor 

Veteran (4) 

1st Lewis’ Knightellington E-Isora 

I have judged this beautiful lady before and loved her then, my opinion has not changed. She has the most beautifully balanced outline. Classic head with strong foreface and under jaw, good eye shape. Long well-muscled neck, smooth shoulders and good front fill. Her topline and underline are as desired, as is her rear angulation and depth through the quarters. Sadly, she is a reluctant show girl and never gives of her best, she really would much prefer to be running across the fields doing her own thing. 

2nd Garrett & Oakey’s Ch Glenoak Lunah from Caryna 

Black and cream girl who was in good condition. Attractive head, good ear set and dark eyes. Her neck is strong, she has good return upper arm and a well filled front, well carried back ribcage, she is longer in the loin than the winner and has a lot of rear angulation. She moved tidily in front but was moving wide in the rear, her profile action was balanced. In the lineup she kept sinking onto her knees which made her topline look flat. 

3rd Woolmer’s Al Nafiseh Flowering Sage 

Puppy Bitch (3, 1) 

1st Bryla’s Ravensett La Duquesa 

Just six months and at the fluffy puppy stage. She has a feminine head, dark kind oval eyes giving her an appealing expression. Her ear set could be higher and her foreface and under jaw stronger. Long neck, adequate layback of shoulder and long upper arm. Her ribcage is longer than her sister’s but still need to drop and spring, short loin and gently sloping croup. She looks to have good depth to first thigh and short hocks. Rather narrow all through at the moment, which hopefully will improve as she matures. Movement was difficult to assess as she was enjoying her time in the ring. 

2nd Hodge’s Ravensett Casares 

Litter sister to the first and many of the same remarks apply. She has a shorter ribcage than her sister, a longer loin and her quarters are more angulated. Like her sister movement was difficult to assess as she was rather over awed. It will be interesting to see how they both develop. 

Post Grad Bitch (3, 1) 

1st Davies’ Zafaraniyeh Dashte Margo 

Feminine, elegant black and tan girl who was presented in fit condition. Pretty head, dark well shaped eyes, ear set is not too low, foreface and under jaw could be stronger. Long well-muscled neck, moderate layback of shoulder and return of upper arm, front is filling nicely for her age. Deep ribcage which could be slightly longer, broad well-muscled loin with the desired arch, giving her a lovely topline, good croup and depth through first thigh. She was a little erratic on the move, and in profile was lifting her front feet too high. However, when asked to move again she steadied and moved more collectedly. 

2nd Hodge’s Ravensett Estera 

Another feminine bitch. She too has a pretty head and expression, her neck is long, and she has good shoulder and upper arm angulation, deep ribcage and strong loin, good depth through first thigh, her feet could be stronger. She needs to fill out as she is rather narrow in front, which affected her front movement, moving away she was tidy, and side action was light and lifting. 

Limit Bitch (3,1) 

1st Everton’s Savuka Rashiqah with Kasra 

Black fringed red bitch who presents a balanced outline when standing. Attractive head with good underjaw and dark eyes with a gentle expression. Her strong neck leads smoothly into moderately angled shoulders, long upper arm and a well filled front. Deep chest with moderate spring of rib. Her loin is well muscled with a slight rise and she has a gently sloping croup with good depth through her first thigh. Profile action was balanced, and she is sound in front and moves away with parallel hocks. 

2nd Cirden & Atkinson’s Caryna Nadyenka for Gemgwynad 

Black and silver bitch built on a bigger frame who was beautifully presented. She has a balanced head, flat skull and good eye shape and ear set. Long neck, smooth shoulders and good front. Her ribcage is deep, but for preference could be carried back a little more. She has a strong, broad loin, but her croup is steep which results with her pin bones being lower than her withers which restricts her hind action. 

Open Bitch (5) 

1st Ayrton’s Chisobee Faa Ig Farraar of Allievo CC 

This bitch, like the dog CC winner, has the most beautiful breed type. She has a smooth flowing, curvaceous outline: your hands just glide over her. Classic head with a far-seeing expression, good ear set, foreface and under jaw. Long, powerful neck, good layback to shoulder and moderate return of upper arm. Front and feet just right. Deep long ribcage, her loin is strong with the desired gentle arch, giving her an almost perfect topline with her pin bones being slightly higher than her withers. She used her moderately angled, strong quarters and hocks to advantage on the move, and moved around the ring with a light, lifting, effortless and balanced action.  

2nd Garrat & Oakey’s Ch Caryna Remeny RCC 

Another beautiful bitch in gleaming condition who really appealed. She has a regal expression, good foreface and under jaw. Long neck, which is almost too long, good shoulder assembly, smooth shoulders and a well filled front. She has good depth to her chest however, her loin is strong and she has a long, but slightly steep croup. She moved well but did not have the effortless lift or freedom in profile action of the winner. 

3rd Woolmer & Velickaite’s Al Nafiseh Ivory Pearl