Southern Rhodesian Ridgeback Association

Southern Rhodesian Ridgeback Association

Breed Open Show 19th October 2024

I would like to thank the SRRA committee for giving me the honour of judging today and all the exhibitors for allowing me the opportunity to go over their dogs. As the journey down to the venue was challenging with such bad weather, I was relieved and thankful to see that the committee had ordered good weather for the show itself, allowing both dogs and owners to enjoy their day. I would like to say thank you to our steward Adam Hawkins for keeping the ring running smoothly, it makes a huge difference and really is appreciated.

I was pleased to see that all temperaments were ok, ridges acceptable and bites good. One or two of the youngsters who are at the beginning of their show careers took a little while to settle, but with careful sympathetic handling they soon settled and enjoyed their day. The veteran classes were especially pleasing to judge and serve as a great reminder of how health and longevity should be a key aim in our breeding plans. A huge credit is due to their breeders and owners.

We do seem to have a few traits creeping in, one of which I have noticed is upright forequarters, restricting that easy free and active movement that we look for. Overall though I was pleased to find that the quality was good and there were some truly outstanding exhibits who you cannot help but admire.

Minor puppy Dog (2,1)

1st Geeves, Kiromol Knight Of The Realm 6 months old boy who was so together for his age and presented a very balanced profile. Well angulated front and rear, with good bone throughout. Deep chest, strong loins and correct tailset. He was a little unsettled on the stand at first but soon grew in confidence and he really excelled on the move, as he covered the ground with ease. BPD

Puppy Dog (1,0)

1st Demain’s, Kazembe Counter Strike, 9 months old red wheaten boy with pleasing masculine head, strong neck into well-muscled shoulder. Deep, well filled chest and well bodied throughout. Good rear angulation with correct turn of stifle, well let down hocks and tight feet. Enjoyed his day and still a young boy with plenty of time to settle.

Junior Dog (3,0)

1st Barnes, Diamondridge Dreadnought JW 15 months-old red wheaten male with so much to like about him. Head of good length, with clean well-fitting lips and correct flat skull of good breadth. Strong clean neck into well laid-back shoulders, deep chest, and well-set back ribs. Forelegs strong with good bone. Well angulated hindquarters with good clean muscle, which allowed him to move around the ring with reach and drive. I look forward to watching this young male as he continues to mature.

2nd Raymond’s, Sofala Raffaello, 16 months old male shown in excellent condition. Pleasing clean masculine head with correct round eyes, good width of flat skull and correct ear carriage aiding his kind but alert expression. Balanced angulation front and rear with good muscle throughout. Good chest with moderately well sprung ribs. Loins a little longer than first but strong with no drop in topline. Moved soundly from all angles and covered the ring with ease.

3rd Hicks, Nuthouse Mastermind

Novice Dog (2,2)

Post Graduate Dog (4,1)

1st Jeffrey’s, Negasi Thorn At Rexgrove Head of good type with clean muzzle of good length carried high on long neck. Correct width of flat skull with medium, high set ears carried close to his head. Good depth of chest, ribs well set back. Moved soundly once settled.

2nd Lloyd Jones, Kijivu’s Kabuki Masculine head of good proportions and kind expression. Strong neck into well laid-back shoulders. Forelegs straight and strong in bone with elbows close to body. Deep chest and strong loin. Well angulated rear. Moved ok

3rd Geeves, Gabisa Hob Nob With The Baron

Limit Dog (6,3)

1st Kirby & Mansfield’s Shingwidsi Tsholo Light. Masculine male but not overdone in any way and presenting a very balanced profile. Head of good proportions, neck clean, strong and of correct length. Well laid-back shoulders and good topline and tailset. Forelegs straight, good depth of brisket, and strong loins. Hindquarters well-muscled with good turn of stifle and well let down hocks allowing him to move around the ring with drive. RBD

2nd Hicks, Nuthouse Roger The Dodger Another lovely boy. Head of good proportions with good length of muzzle, correctly defined stop and good width to skull. Medium sized ears placed high on head and really adding to his kind expression. Balanced angulation front and rear with good muscle throughout. Moved well.

3rd Mitchelson’s Amahle Red Hot Zephr At Voortrekker

Open Dog (6,3)

1st Storey& Piehl’s Ch Kiromol Heaven Can Wait (A.I.). 5-year-old male who is so beautifully balanced and really draws the eye. Head of correct proportions with strong lower jaw, good width to skull and high set, medium sized ears. Neck, strong and of good length, flowing into well laid shoulders, correct topline and tailset. Good return of upper arm and depth of brisket. Ribs moderately sprung and well set back, with good strength to loins. Well-muscled hindquarters, with good width of second thigh, correct turn of stifle and hocks well let down. Good strong bone throughout standing on compact feet with well arched toes. His free and active movement allowed him to move around the ring with ease. BD and BIS

2nd Hurn’s CH Diamondridge Dark Delight of Matikiridge 5 year all masculine dog shown in excellent condition. Head of good proportions giving intelligent alert expression. Neck clean, strong and of good length flowing into well laid-back shoulders. Deep brisket, with good return of upper arm and well filled chest. Ribs well set back, with good strength of loin. Hindquarters with correct turn of stifle, well let down hock and muscled second thigh. Correct topline and tailset, which he held on the move.

3rd House’s Diamondridge Keep It Dark For Kemgordoni

Veteran Dog (1,0)

1st House’s Diamondridge Distant Storm For Kemgordoni Lovely to see this well bodied male of nearly 9 years old in such great condition. Pleasing head of good proportions creating such a calm and gentle expression. Deep, well filled chest, with good spring of rib and strong loin. Balanced angulations front and rear. It was a pleasure to see this boy striding out so well as he moved around the ring.

Baby Puppy Dog/Bitch (2,2)

Minor Puppy Bitch (5,1)

1st Raymond’s Sofala’s Every Lil Thing 6 months old light wheaten Bitch who was so together for her age and presented a very balanced profile. Feminine head of good proportions. Long neck free from coarseness into well laid-back shoulders and correct topline. Brisket to elbows, good return of upper arm with elbows close to body. Ribs well set back, with correct length to strong loins. Hindquarters, well angulated, with good muscle for age and no signs od weakness. Moves around the ring with great purpose and balance for one so young. BPB & BPIS

2nd Salmon’s Lobengula Giah 7 months old red wheaten bitch. Another very promising young girl who shared many of the qualities of the 1st. On the stand she was a little bum high, which is to be expected at this age, but cost her the class today. She did relax and drop into herself on the move and it was a pleasure to see her cover the ring with ease. I look forward to seeing her as she matures.

3rd Raymond’s Sofala Angel Band

Res Bristow’s Kiromol Margarita Time

Puppy Bitch (4,1)

1st Raymond’s Sofala Every Lil Thing 1st in Minor Puppy Bitch

2nd Salmon’s Lobengula Giah 2nd in Minor Puppy Bitch

3rd Raymond’s Sofala Angel Band

Junior Bitch (5,0)

1st Larkin’s, Asharaa’s Hey There Georgy Girl 14 months old feminine bitch is already showing so much promise. Good length and width of head with dark round eyes and medium sized high set ears aiding her expression. Long neck flowing into correct shoulder, good topline and tailset. Balanced angulation front and rear, compact feet with well arched toes. Body well ribbed back and moderately sprung. Would prefer just a little more cover but this is to be expected at her age and didn’t detract from her qualities. Very sound on the move from all angles. RBB

2nd Hicks, Nuthouse Going For Gold JW 17 months old red wheaten bitch with loyal expression and head of good size and proportions. Correct dark eyes, flat skull and high set ear of correct size and shape. Pleasing front with good chest and correctly angulated front assembly and matching hindquarters. Just a little tucked under herself at the rear today maybe due to the weather on the day but she relaxed and stretched out showing what she can do on the move.

Novice Bitch (2,1)

1st Hall’s Kenzduo Daffodil, Feminine bitch who was at one with her handler. Pleasing expression, aided by lovely dark eye and head of good proportions. Long clean neck into correct topline, with slightly arched loin. Moved ok

Post Graduate Bitch (7,2)

1st Saunders, Kiromol The Dutchess of Bruet (AI) Red wheaten girl with well-proportioned feminine head, with dark eye and long powerful muzzle and jaw. Strong neck of good length into well placed shoulders. Deep chest and correct spring of ribs. Strong hindquarters with plenty of muscle, good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. A little unsettled at first on the stand but soon settled and on the move, she really showed her quality.

2nd Kampa-Saunders, Oostblik Skyn Avior another balanced girl. More up to size than 1st but this doesn’t take away from her qualities. Strong muzzle and underjaw, correct stop and clean cheeks. Good width to well filled chest, with ribs carried well back. Good angulation front and rear and well-muscled throughout. Moved well from all angles and pushed the 1st close today.

3rd Taylor’s Tokwe Truly Your Song

Res Healey’s, Kiromol Reckon I’m Hot

VHC Fairey’s Bossington Kangmani

Limit Bitch (3,1)

1st Storey & Piehl’s, Kiromol Tip Toe and Go (AI) Wheaten bitch shown in excellent condition. Feminine expression, head of good proportions and free from any coarseness. Neck of good length, well laidback shoulders and good return of upper arm. Level topline with slight rise to loin and correct tailset. Good angulation to hindquarters allowing her to move around the ring with drive.

2nd Kampa-Saunders, Oostblik Skyn Avior 2nd in Post Graduate

Open Bitch (7,3)

1st Barnes, CH Diamondridge Kazembe Golden Age JW 2-year-old red wheaten bitch who really took my eye when she entered the ring and was shown in excellent condition. Beautifully proportioned head with correct dark round eyes. She presents a very balanced profile with nothing in exaggeration. Well laid-back shoulders, correct fill to chest and good return of upper arm. Good length to body and correct topline. Hindquarters well-muscled with good turn of stifle and well let down hocks. It was a pleasure to see her move around the ring with reach and drive at one with her handler. BB & RBIS

2nd Taylor’s, Tokwe Truly A Blessing bitch of 5 years and another with lots to like about her. Plenty of bone and substance but not overdone and keeping her feminine qualities. Nice head with good proportions, strong neck level topline and correct tailset. Brisket to elbows, well ribbed back strong loins, and well-muscled rear with plenty of second thigh. Standing on tight feet. Moved well with free flowing action.

3rd Kirby & Mansfield’s, CH Shingwidsi Tshedisa Light

Res Storey & Piehl’s, Kiromol Mandolin Wind

Veteran Bitch (3,1)

It was a great pleasure and honour to have the opportunity to go over these 2 beautiful girls, both of whom, at 9 years of age, where still shown in fabulous condition, and are still fit for function. I have no doubt that both girls could continue to strut their stuff in the ring with ease for years to come and are a huge credit to their owners/breeder’s hard work and commitment.

1st Kirby & Mansfield’s, CH Shingwidsi Tshadi Rose Nearly 10 years old bitch with apart from the distinguished frosting on her face, she disguised her years so well, and was in great hard condition. Feminine and balanced throughout with just enough of everything she needs. Good angulation front and rear, deep well filled chest, strong loins, and good muscle throughout. Despite her years she moved around the ring with ease and was a pleasure to watch. BVB & BVIS

2nd Storey & Piehl’s, CH Kiromol Midsummer Spirit JW 9-year-old bitch who shared many of the same qualities as 1st today and could very easily swap places on another day. Another girl with so much to admire. Beautiful feminine head held on strong neck flowing into correct topline and slight rise over strong loin. Lovely front and rear angulation, plenty of bone and good muscle throughout. Moved effortlessly around the ring, covering the ground with reach and drive. 

David R Simpson - Renescent