Thank you to the Northern Cascades Saluki Fanciers for inviting me to judge. Thank you to all the exhibitors for your entry and allowing me the chance to evaluate your salukis. I acknowledge the energy and effort, not to mention the resources, that are invested into showing your salukis. Thankfully, clubs like NCSF makes it a worthwhile and fun venture to participate in our sport. The exhibits from Canada and California receive special recognition for their extra effort in showing up to our beautiful state of Washington!

I really, really like judging dogs, especially salukis. I have salukis and study them constantly. I look at salukis on social media more than I would like to admit. I read saluki literature and have volumes of saluki and sighthound magazines that I continue to read, some date back to the 1970’s. My eyes look initially for “type” and saluki type for me is outline. An outline is a topline with a long neck, over smooth shoulders, with a slight rise over the loin. And an underline that rises from a deep chest to the waist. A saluki outline is composed of smooth curves and should be recognizable from across the ring. I really appreciate gently sloping pasterns and a level sternum before the rise to the loin. From the standard, the saluki type that my judging filter requires, are chest to the elbows, slight rise over the loins and low hocks and thick second thighs. The exhibitors may have picked up on my squeezing their dogs thighs which I do to determine muscle condition. Evaluating movement in a breed where movement isn’t mentioned in our standard would imply that a sound (no lameness) would be correct. As I evaluate movement, I’m looking for a sustainable movement that is progressively foreward and purposeful. We all know of salukis that are very adept runners who don’t seem to want to move in a straight line, and in my opinion, that’s acceptable – I just want to see a moment of intentional movement that convinces me that the dog is aware of itself and where it places its feet. When those features that define type are seemingly equal, I rely on those classic features to make a decision. I think that salukis should give an impression of being able it to kill gazelle or other quarry. Salukis need muscle to be canine athletes and muscle body condition was awarded in my overall placements.

Judging critiques are a way to make judges accountable. This is a valuable tool for exhibitors, breeders, judges, as well for AKC Executive Field Representatives. The show judge has to ensure that the judging in their ring proceeds effectively, each dog being judged and treated equally and with respect and using the same procedure throughout the judging. That said, any good judge will also pay attention to the impression of health and welfare of the dog. To that end, the body condition impression does and did play a role in my overall impression. Body condition for me is the balance between being too thin and too heavy. I like making a 360-degree assessment when assessing the whole impression of grace and symmetry. And, I like to see sexual dimorphism with dogs looking like males, and bitches, like females.

Temperament is another subjective assessment. The saluki has to stand enough for the judge to put hands-on for the exam. So, dogs that are too shy, will typically get overlooked, as there are dogs that will stand. If a dog of perfect type is shy and shows no sign of adjusting to the moment inside the ring, that’s still a pass for that day. Sweepstakes should be fun for the exhibitor and saluki, and I like giving each the time it might take to relax and allow for the physical examination. That said, there’s no excuse for showing up in the ring with an untrained saluki that is not in good, hard muscle body condition. I would rather judge a dirty, muscled, athletic saluki than a clean, soft muscled pet saluki, right?

I had no classes larger than 4 dogs, so everyone got a ribbon! In my mind, everybody wins because they receive the love and admiration of their saluki. The judge’s opinion on the day is only one person’s opinion.

Sweeps, Salukis – Puppy Dogs 6 Mos. & Under 9 Mos.
1/OSSW = KRIMZYN MOON SHADOW FOR MASTERPIECE, Black smooth: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Excellent slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Very good return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In excellent body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of dog vs bitch at this young age. Very athletic muscle condition and overall impression of soundness, grace, symmetry and potential for great speed!

2 = KUSHIEL’S FREESPIRIT MIDNIGHT MASQUERADE, Black and tan, feathered: Very good overall impression of a smooth outline and type. Very good rise over the loin. Good slope to pasterns. Very good skull moderately wide between the ears. Very good back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Excellent deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Very good feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. Very good return of upper arm. Sound when moving. Overall impression of this young saluki as being immature and typically less-muscled and lean body condition at this young age.

3 = KARANFIL GEMINIO, Black and tan, feathered: Very good overall impression of a smooth outline and type. Very good rise over the loin. Good slope to pasterns. Very good skull moderately wide between the ears. Very good back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Excellent deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Very good feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. Very good return of upper arm. Sound when moving. Overall impression of this young saluki as being immature and typically less-muscled and lean body condition at this young age.

Sweeps, Salukis – Puppy Dogs 12 Mos. & Under 18 Mos.
1 = SNOWYNDE KISSED BY AN ARISTOCRAT, Black and silver, feathered, grizzle: Overall impression of a less than smooth topline, with a dip line topline just behind the point of the shoulders. Excellent rise over the loin. Excellent slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Excellent deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In very good muscled, body condition. The return of upper arm was minimal in this exhibit and the shoulders are too straight. Sound when moving. Overall impression of a mature male at this still young age.

Sweeps, Salukis – Puppy Dogs 18 Mos. & Under 24 Mos.
1 = EL UBAIDS VIVALDI’S MASTERPIECE, Cream, feathered: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Very good slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In very good muscled, body condition. Very good return of upper arm. Sound when moving. Overall impression of dog vs bitch at this young age.

2 = AL SAYAD ISIS FREQUENCY, Golden, smooth: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Very good slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Excellent deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In very good muscled, body condition. Very good return of upper arm. Sound when moving. Temperament was shy and this exhibit was a challenge to examine which determined placement.

Sweeps, Salukis – Puppy Bitches 6 Mos. & Under 9 Mos.
1 = KRIMZYN LOVE YOU TO THE MOON, Fawn, smooth: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Excellent slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Excellent neck, long, and well muscled. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Very good return of upper arm. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In very good muscled, body condition. Sound when moving.

Sweeps, Salukis – Puppy Bitches 9 Mos. & Under 12 Mos.
1 = SCIMITAR’S DON’T STOP BELIEVIN’, Red, feathered: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Very good slope to pasterns. Very good skull moderately wide between the ears. Excellent neck, long. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent return of upper arm. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Excellent deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In very good muscled, body condition. Sound when moving.

Sweeps, Salukis – Puppy Bitches 12 Mos. & Under 18 Mos.
1/BISWJR = VINDHEIM HYZYL KUM MAHA CALLISTA, Cream, smooth: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Excellent slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Excellent return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In excellent body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being a bitch vs dog. Very athletic muscle condition and overall impression of soundness, grace, symmetry and potential for great speed and endurance!

2 = SANTANA SIRIANNI COME MONDAY: Black and tan, smooth: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Excellent slope to pasterns. Very good skull moderately wide between the ears. Good return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In excellent body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being a bitch vs dog.

3 = VINDHEIM KYZYL KUM MAHA ALIYAH: Cream, feathered: Good overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Straight pasterns. Very good skull moderately wide between the ears. Good return of upper arm. Slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In thin body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being being a bitch vs dog.

4 = TIGRIS VIOLETTE VALENTINA PASSION: Cream, feathered: Good overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Excellent rise over the loin. Straight pasterns. Very good skull moderately wide between the ears. No return of upper arm, straight shoulders. Excellent rise over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest with level sterum before rise to loin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In good body condition. Sound when moving.

Sweeps, Salukis – Puppy Bitches 18 Mos. & Under 24 Mos.
1 = AL SAYAD ISIS JAMILA AL MAAS PARFAIT 7 SEAS, Smooth grizzle: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type; slight dip to topline behind shoulders. Excellent slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Good return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In excellent body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being a bitch vs dog. Very athletic muscle condition and overall impression of soundness.

2 = KUSHIEL’S FREESPIRIT REIGN OF FIRE, Cream, feathered: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Good slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Good return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In excellent body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being a bitch vs dog.

Salukis – Veteran Sweepstakes Dogs 10 Yrs. & Older
1/OSVS = GCH KYZYL KUM TEMUJIN JC, Parti-colored, smooth: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Good slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Excellent return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Excellent deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In good body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being a dog vs bitch. Overall impression of soundness. Beautiful length and muscled neck!

Salukis – Veteran Sweepstakes Bitches 7 Yrs. & Under 10 Yrs.
1/BVSW =DC FREESPIRITS ALMOST MIDNIGHT AT KUSHIEL, Black-tri, feathered. Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Good slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Good return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In good body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being a bitch vs dog. Overall impression of soundness.

Salukis – Veteran Sweepstakes Bitches 7 Yrs. & Under 10 Yrs.
1 = CH HILLSIDE’S ALABAMA OF LIGHTSPEED, Cream, feathered: Excellent overall impression of a smooth outline and classic type. Good slope to pasterns. Excellent skull moderately wide between the ears. Good return of upper arm. Excellent back fairly broad, with muscles slightly arched over loin. Excellent hocks low to the ground. Very good deep chest, with level sternum before rise to the groin. Excellent feet of moderate length, toes long and well arched. In good body condition. Sound when moving. Overall impression of being a bitch vs dog. Overall impression of soundness.