SASC Morning Specialty ~ Lompoc, CA ~ July 30th, 2021

Judge Christy Nelson’s Critique

WHAT A DELIGHTFUL DAY !!!

Thank you so much for the pleasure of judging your unique breed.

The location, Lompoc, bring back so many memories. The weather was wonderful, the ring large, the footing a challenge for the exhibitors but the well built Salukis had no problem.

Salukis are a difficult breed to judge due to their unique structure, which your short standard doesn’t help. I was pleasantly surprised by the over all high quality of the entry. 80% of the dogs were sounds down and backend side gait was very impressive in most. Please to see such high quality overall, I applied the breeders.

Started off with 2 wonderful junior handlers - Romillly Malmstrom and Emerson Jaquish. Both gals were a pleasure to meet and judge. Your beed is lucky to have 2 wonderful young ladies. Romilly and Emerson keep working, learning and enjoying your sport.

And then into a high quality 6-9 puppy dog class. All 3 boys were very handsome and deserving of winning. My eventual winner, Mossier RFR Live Wire, lived up to his name. He gave his handler (co-owner) a very difficult time but eventually, with some creating ring procedure, I was able to see what a handsome your Saluki he was. Such athletic balance. I gave him the class and when he came back in for winners, shown by his breeder, he was bit more manageable and he was my Winners Dog. Can’t wait to see him in a year or 2.

9-12 puppy dog was again packed with high quality Salukis. My eventual winner, Isibaa’s Memories Are Made of This, was immature but very handsome and when he wanted to he floated around the ring. He pushed for another ribbon but the quality was stiff.

12-18 dog, a single entry, Kazper Alexander Mazada of Sundown, was an off white boy who gave his inexperienced handler a hard time. I was able to get both relaxed so we see how athletic built he was he was rewarded with Reserve WD.

BBE 1st was Karanfil Nox, American Bred 1st was Issibaa’s Lek Leka and Open Dog 1st Jamora Bahia Star Chaser completed my quality packed sinner dog line up. I tried narrowing my choices with down and back and around bit that didn’t help much. Very nice to see so many nice males.

Now into bitches who were pleasing high quality girlie beauties. 6-9 1st was Sadik Vahevala who floated into the ring. Once she settled in and relaxed she showed me how pretty and balanced her young body was and she earned another ribbon, Reserve WB.

1st in 9-12 was Issibaa’s Magical Minx who walked in and said I’m cute and spunky. I cleared my head and judged her for body and balance and rewarded her with Winners Bitch.

12-18 1st Sundara’s Akilah Rose, rose to the challenge of this nice class to win it.

BBE was won by Karanfil Felix Felicias who came in with obvious experience and shone in this quality class.

Open was won by Non Serviam Fuel Lepores RFR JC. She was a smooth, balanced well moving gal.

7-10 Vet dog was GCHP Impala Ladies Love Outlaws - He charged into the ring leading his handler like he owned the ring !! Balance, athletic, smooth, sound are the adjectives to describe him. He did not look, act or move like a veteran. I knew after giving him his ribbon that he would be the dog to beat for BOB. There wasn’t another dog in the quality loaded specials class to match him that day. He carried his handler to Best in Specialty.

GCH Srinagar Reesha JC was the grand veteran girl from 7-10 vet who was lovely.

Best of Winners was my energy packed, elegant, smooth moving Winners Dog.

B.O.S. was a very feminine, smooth, balanced bitch, CH. Qirmizi Quintana Zamora.

Award of Merits - Ranesaw Elo The Sun Will Shine on You, GCH. Timaru Baccarat at Catnap and CH. Issibaa’s Llickety Split all were very deserving of their awards in this high powered specials class. Just didn’t have enough ribbons to give out !!

Again, I applaud the breeders of doing such a good job maintaining the Saluki.

Thank you one and all for showing under me.

Christy Nelson