Slovenský Klub Chovateľov Ridgebackov

A Lifelong Journey with Hounds

My love affair with Rhodesian Ridgebacks began in 1989, when I joined the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Ireland. By 1991, I was serving on the Club Committee — a position I’ve proudly held ever since. Today, I’m a Life Member of The Irish Kennel Club Ltd(a full member of the FCI) , and the proud “human” to fifteen Rhodesian Ridgebacks over the years.

Six of my dogs have achieved Irish Championship titles. Among them:

• Nelson (Ch Bwaga of Kilsinroe) – Best Veteran Dog at Crufts 1999.
• His son Sabi (Ch & Intl Ch Sofala Sabiki at Sikulubani) – Top Puppy in Breed at Crufts 1999, and in 2003 became the first male Rhodesian Ridgeback in Ireland and Britain to earn the International Championship title.
• Tonka (Ch & Intl Sikulubani Tonka~Tau Jnr. Ch) – Ireland’s second International Champion and the first Ridgeback awarded the Belgian Kennel Club’s Stud Book Breeding Diploma.

I bred my first litter in 2000, producing a remarkable trio of homebred champions:

• GB Ch. Sikulubani Sebakwe to Tukela
• Ir Ch Sikulubani Sharifa
• Ch Sikulubani Zakiya – Best Veteran at the Rhodesian Ridgeback World Congress, Ireland 2008.

In 2014, Thandi (Am. Ch Sikulubani Nthanda for Assegai) gained her AKC title at just 17 months old.

I also serve as webmaster for the Club’s official website and have been deeply involved in education, running weekly ringcraft classes for over four years at the Irish Kennel Club Showgrounds.

Judging Career

Over the years, I have judged extensively across breeds and at numerous prestigious shows:

• ELSA Club Show, Germany – June 2025
• SRRS Sweden Breed Championship Show – 2019
• Hound Association Ireland Championship Show - Dalmatians, Basset hound and Beagles – 2011
• Sligo & District(Open show) –Dachshunds, Bassets, Beagles, Dalmatians, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Afgan, Borzoi, Ir.Wolfhounds, Whippets followed by Groups 4,6,10-2009
• All Ireland Bull Breeds Championship Show –Rhodesian ridgebacks– 2006
• Plus many other appointments from 2004 onwards, across hounds, gundogs, terriers, and minority breeds.

Unfortunately, my 2015 appointment to judge at the New South Wales Championship Show in Sydney was cancelled at the last moment due to a passport clerical error — a twist worthy of a judge’s frown!

Qualifications & Seminars

I have attended and organised a wide range of breed and judging seminars, including:

• Breed-specific seminars for Irish Wolfhounds, Basset Hounds, and Afghan Hounds.
• Practical judging experience and lectures on conformation, movement, feeding, and nutrition organized by Irish kennel club.
• Stewarding training under F.C.I. rules at Championship Shows.
• Breed seminars with both the Southern Rhodesian Ridgeback Association (UK) and the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of GB.

I was also co-organiser for the Irish Kennel Club’s Judging Seminar for Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

In short: From showing to breeding, judging to teaching, my life with dogs — especially Rhodesian Ridgebacks — has been one of passion, achievement, and a little bit of adventure.