Midlands & Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club

Critique for Midland and Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club

 Championship Show

Held at Oakridgre Arena, Collingham, Newark

20th April 2025

Firstly, I would like to give my thanks to the M&NRRC Committee for inviting me to judge at their Championship Show, my first ever club appointment and celebrating my 50th year in the breed. Secondly thanks to the two stewards who so expertly fulfilled their duties making my task easier and finally thank you to the exhibitors for your entry which I was very pleased with, especially being Easter weekend. Pleased to find the general quality of our breed is in a good place, there were a few off-set crowns but on the whole ridges were well defined and correct. The RKC Breed Standard does define the colour, which is acceptable in our breed, I did find that there were one or two trying to push those boundaries. Temperaments were excellent throughout although one or two youngsters were a bit reserved, that will improve with experience.

Minor Puppy Dog (2:0)

1st Hurn Mrs N. Kwanza EL Faiyum at Matikiridge (Imp NLD). Nine-month-old red wheaten male, lovely head and good expression with a nice dark eye, good topline and nicely angled hind quarters, movement needs to settle. 2nd Furnell Miss N F. Misingi Hares and Graces. 8-month-old slightly nervous liver nosed male, well boned throughout but feet could be tighter, work on movement and socialise him more I’m sure this will improve his confidence.

Puppy Dog (2:0)

1st Pearce. Mr S & Mrs A R, Kinyemi Song of Serengeti Sepiwi Sekayi fo Msingi (Imp DNK). Nine-month-old masculine red wheaten male. There is a lot to like about him, large round dark eyes, good width of skull and excellent depth of muzzle, good reach of neck, strong bone, straight forelegs and tight feet. Excellent depth of chest, good topline, moved with ease around the ring. 2nd Catharell. Mrs C L & Miss M L. Kinabalu’s Making Magick for Faahac. 10-month-old and another with a lot to like, nice profile and shape, good head and dark round eyes, long neck leading into well placed shoulders and level topline with good rear angulation and moved well.

Junior Dog (5:1)

1st Catharell. Mrs C L & Miss M L. Kinabalu’s Making Magick for Faahac. As PD. 2nd Jolly. Mrs N. Priorpark William Wallace for Clanbruachan. Good head and eye, nice front with plenty of bone, well angulated shoulders with good depth of forechest and strong hind quarters, movement not as good as 1st

Yearling Dog (3:1)

1st Zhao. Mr A. Vkloof Duke Lambo Galardo JW. A dark red masculine dog of good height and substance, handsome head, and dark round eye Clean through the neck and into well laid shoulder. Deep brisket and well ribbed back and used his quarters well on the move. 2nd Jolly. Mrs N. Priorpark William Wallace for Clanbruachan. As JD.

 Novice Dog (1:0}

1st Darnwell, Miss J. Rubiltra Gunna B Victorious. Stood alone today a light Wheaten male with a head of correct proportions and well-placed ears. Neck of good length and strength. Angulation balanced front and rear. Ribs well set back. Lovely topline and tail set which he held on the move.

Post Graduate Dog (2:0)

1st Thomas-Bassett. Mrs T. Fiadma's Stiggens. When he entered the ring. I was impressed by his pleasing outline and liked his size and type. He has a good head and a dark eye. Good in neck and clean over shoulders, he has a well made front and firm topline with good muscle tone, moved with drive. and it was a pleasure to watch him use the ring. 2nd Mulholland, Cunningham & Cunningham. Mr P, Mrs J & Mr G. Walamadengie Heart Throb. Very nice breed type, head well balanced, nice eye and expression, clean neck, straight legs with good bone, with knuckled feet, body strong and well muscled, excellent quarters, didn’t move as well as one but these two could easily swap place on another day.

Limit Dog (9:1)

1st Murphy, Murphy, Cox & Cox, Mr A, Mrs A, Mr C nicely & Mrs L. Carlincox Mash It Up JW. Judged this dog as a puppy and he has matured nicely, good head with a nice eye, decent depth of chest and strong bone, nice tight feet and he moved around the ring with purpose. 2nd Henshall. Mr GP & Mrs V J. Suhuba Dream Star Sulli. Dark red wheaten boy with much to like, pleasing outline and well-balanced head with a dark eye. good depth chest and quality bone throughout, ribs moderate and strong loin. Moved with drive.

Open Dog (10:4)

1st Davies. Miss K J. Gunthwaites Fancy Man JW. This boy caught my eye when he entered the ring and didn’t disappoint, head well balanced, nice eye and kind expression, clean neck, good bone throughout, body strong with excellent quarters and well muscled, moved with drive around the ring. Pleased to award him the DCC. 2nd Webster. Mrs N & Mr A. Kazembe Crescendo.. Another nice male that showed well, a pleasing outline with a balanced masculine head, well laid shoulders and level topline, good depth of chest and well angled hindquarters. Another that moved with drive. Pleased to award him the RDC.

Champion Dog (4:0)

1st Mackfall. Mr J & Mrs C. Ch Hespa Masseto of Africaner JW ShCEx OSW. Liked this dark red wheaten dog a lot, lovely masculine head with good length of neck and nice depth of chest. Level topline and quality bone throughout. Moved with plenty of drive, 2nd Muir. Mr & Mrs S. Ch Jimanns Ace of Spades. A pleasing outline with balanced head and dark eye, correct shoulder placement and a super firm top line, which he held on the move. A good length of rib and loin, well off for bone and moved with reach and drive.

Veteran Dog (5:0)

1st Davies. Miss K J. Ch Gunthwaite Papa Dont Preach. I have judged this dog before and today he didn’t disappoint, very nice dog of just the right size & balance, so masculine in outlook, his head is typical with a lovely expression, good reach of neck and a level topline, good bone throughout and excellent quarters, moved round the ring with plenty of drive. 2nd Ashman. Mr N & Mrs M. Ch Patemeliann Red Tarka at Kitaarka JW. Another nice dog. Good depth of chest, straight legs with good bone, nice feet, body strong with excellent quarters well muscled and straight legs with good bone, nice feet, body strong with excellent quarters well muscled held his topline well on the move. A lot to like about this boy, just felt that movement was not as good as 1st today.

.Special Veteran Dog/Bitch (1:0)

1st Taylor. Mrs E. Tokwe Truly Scrumptious. This 121/2 -year-old light wheaten bitch of classic type and with a lovely feminine expression, she still has a firm topline, and good quarters. It was a delight to watch her on the move.

Minor Puppy Bitch (3:0)

1st Mackfall, Mackfall & Mcintosh. Mr j, Mrs C & Miss E. Africaner Zavanna Breeze. Beautiful light wheaten 71/2-month-old puppy, with lovely head and kind expression. Good bone and substance. Straight forelegs standing on tight feet. strong topline and moved well for one so young. Pleased to award her BP. 2nd Craven. Mrs G Africaner Pasadena. Litter sister and remarkably similar in type to 1st, did not settle or move as well but still incredibly young.

Puppy Bitch (5:0)

1st Mackfall, Mackfall & Mcintosh. Mr j, Mrs C & Miss E. Africaner Zavanna Breeze. As MPB. 2nd Bates. MrsJ M & Mr D H. Gunthwaites Red Hot Rose. 10-month-old red wheaten puppy, nice feminine head with good expression and dark eye, Good front and shoulder with plenty of bone and very tight feet, nice depth of body for age and super length of loin and giving her a good length of stride on the move.

Junior Bitch (12:2)

1st Webster. Mrs N & Mr A. Kazembe Checkmate. An eye-catching bitch of lovely shape, with a typical head and kind expression, quality bone throughout, firm topline and good rear angulation. Moved effortlessly around the ring. 2nd Cox, Cox & Musgrave. Mr C. Mrs L. & Mrs V. Carlincox Don’t Knock It. Another bitch of quality and these two could easily have swapped places, feminine head with dark eye and correct earset. Elegant neck with excellent shoulder placement. Balanced proportions with good quality bone throughout, level topline and good rear angulation. moved with drive.

Yearling Bitch (7:0)

1st Parsons. Miss H. Priorpark Proof in Pudding JW. A beautiful light wheaten bitch, nice feminine head on a good reach of neck and well proportioned throughout, firm and level topline with strong hind quarters, moved freely around the ring and with drive. 2nd Hicks. Mr J & Mrs S. Nuthouse Going for Gold JW. A well-balanced bitch with a pleasing head and nice dark eye, correct shoulders, good width of chest and strong bone throughout, well muscled hind quarters, beaten on movement today.

Novice Bitch (8:2)

1st Cox, Cox & Musgrave. Mr C, Mrs L & Mrs V. Carlincox Don’t Knock It. As JB 2nd Nolan. Mrs H. Priorpark Pucker Up for Rumialana. A quality liver nose girl. Typical head with harmonising eyes, nice reach of neck and depth of chest, angulation particularly good, and is well balanced overall and covered the ground with ease.

Post Graduate Bitch (8:3)

1st Thomas-Bassett. Mrs T. Bonfirebeau Red Skye. Beautiful head and expression with good dark round eye. Strong clean neck onto well placed shoulders and level topline. Well developed forechest. Good strong hindquarters, moving round the ring was a pleasure to watch. 2nd Manning. Mrs F M & Mr A C. Fiadma’s Rumella. Red wheaten bitch of quality and excellent breed type, good feminine head and lovely dark eye. Nice outline and topline, good bone and substance. Moved with drive.

Limit Bitch (13:3)

1st Nash. Mrs P. Mutoko's Parkers Glory JW. Red wheaten and well-balanced female. nice proportions, good length of neck and correct topline. Nice depth of chest, well angulated in front and rear, moved well. 2nd Thomas-Bassett. Mrs T. Bonfirebeau Red Skye. As PGB

Open Bitch (6:2)

1st Catharell & Lawless. Mrs C L & Miss G. Kinabula's Ment to Be for Faahac. This liver nose girl really stood out as she entered the ring and didn’t disappoint. Lovely balanced feminine head with harmonising eyes, good length of neck into well laid shoulders, nice tight elbows, with a good underline & topline, moved around the ring with purpose and drive. Delighted to award her with the BCC and BIS. 2nd Parsons. Miss H. Priorpark Proud As Punch JW. Super body shape on this stunning bitch, well muscled and clean in outline. Nice feminine head and nice dark eyes, elegant reach of neck, quality bone throughout and her chest is deep, with a strong topline and rear quarters are well defined, beautifully presented and handled but she didn’t move as good as 1st today. Pleased to award her RBCC which I understand as made her up. (subject to RKC confirmation)

Champion Bitch (3:0)

1st Parsons. Miss H. Ch Priorpark Poetry in Motion JW. A beautiful liver nosed bitch with pleasing feminine head and harmonising eyes, nice reach of neck and quality bone throughout and nice tight feet, firm topline which was carried well as she powered around the ring. 2nd Cox. Mrs L A. Ch Carlincox Pure Gold JW ShCEx OSW. Dark Red Wheaten bitch of quality and excellent breed type, good feminine head. Pleasing outline and topline, good bone and substance. Moved with drive.

Veteran Bitch (4:1)

1st Hicks. Mr J & Mrs S. Nuthouse Queen of Clubs JW. a typical hound from this kennel, lovely outline, pleasing head and expression, quality bone, good depth of chest and correct topline. Moved with drive. 2nd Nash. Mrs P. Mutoko's Blaze of Glory. A red wheaten bitch with a excellent head with intelligent expression, dark eye, good strong neck, she is so well balanced, excellent hindquarters, didn’t move as well as 1st

Judge.

David Seaman (Sansilver)