Judgereport / Dommer rapport

  Judgereport from 19. Internationale RassehundeZuchschau, Oldenburg, Germany 28. April 2007.

I would like to thank the club for inviting me to judge Rhodesian Ridgeback at this show.

I was taken well care of by represents from the club.

When I’m judging if possible I would like to give open critiques for those dogs that I place. Even if this show was held inside I hope that the audience could hear my reasons for placing the dogs.

The male classes were quite nice in total, the junior class was the class with biggest difference between the dogs but overall I was quite satisfied with the males this day. With the females they were rather different in type and quality. Some was very big and from that still needs a lot of time to develop. A female RR is normally fully matured and developed when she is between 3-5 years old so there is a need to be careful to place a junior/intermediate specimen of 66-68 cm size. 

The major problem among ridgebacks is a straight front, no harmony in angulations front & rear and too large in size, short movements and no hock action. This is a common problem throughout the world of ridgebacks.

There was one male from puppy class that looked very promising and should have a nice future if he keeps on developing the way he has.

In junior class there was only one male - Malozi Jamboni – which I gave excellent. He moved quite nice but still needs a lot to develop.

In intermediate class the competition was a bit harder. My nr 1 was Meranga Grande Boma which in turn got CAC, CACIB and BOB. A very nice, strong, outgoing dog with excellent movements. I gave res.CACIB to the male from champion class Glenaffric Ulanyo of Zuritamu.

The female classes were as mentioned earlier a lot different in type and quality. The females I rewarded came both from open class. Zimazaa Baada ya Kaskasi got CAC & CACIB and Dhima Kiwanja Daika got res CACIB. The females from the younger classes still needed a lot to mature and settle in body throughout.

I saw a lot of dogs with good shoulder layback and strong topline. The heads was also very nice constructed with good length of muzzle. These qualities you must try to preserve and strengthen in your breeding. Some of your dogs had too broad head with short muzzle, which is a common problem in several countries.

Many of your dogs need better harmony in angulations (equal angulations front and rear), which in turn will give better movements also. With the correct turn of stifle behind the dog will be moving with long good steps (covering the ground as we say) otherwise the dog will be moving with short steps and just kicking up behind.

I whish the club and the owners good luck in the future.

Best regards
John Sigve Berg
Judge
Norway