Judge Profile

Jessica is an ANKC/FCI approved Gundog, Hound and Working Dog Judge and is working towards her Championship Licences for Terriers and the Utility groups.

She has owned a number of breeds throughout the years, including Dachshund, German Shepherd and Australian Kelpies, but her introduction to the world of Dog Showing began with the purchase of her first Rhodesian Ridgeback in 1994. She took this dog through to his Grand Championship Title with him achieving the award of National Dog of the Year in 1999.

Jessica, together with her husband Sean, did not begin the Amakhosi Kennels until 1999. Jessica was more interested in learning about the breed and conformation, before she began a breeding program.

Jessica has bred dogs which have gone on to win many accolades both within Australia and overseas. She is still the only Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder to have bred, owned and shown a bitch who in one year (2005), won The RRCQ Inc Championship Show, the Qld Hound Club Championship Show, Best of Breed at the Brisbane Royal, culminating in winning the Qld Hound of the Year Competition. This bitch was also the number one Rhodesian Ridgeback in Australia until the birth of her first litter in September of 2005, and was also the first Amakhosi Grand Champion.

Jessica has since owned and bred a number of top winning Rhodesian Ridgebacks. These dogs have achieved Multiple Best in Show (Specialties and All Breeds), Multiple Best in Group, Multiple Class in Group/ Show, Multiple Best Gaited/Head/ Foot/Brace awards over the years. A dog from her kennels is currently being campaigned in Europe, and has achieved Multiple International Championship Titles. This dog also achieved a Championship Best in Show, and multiple Best in Group and Class in Show/ Group awards whilst still in Australia. He has also competed at Crufts. This dog’s litter sister, campaigned by Jessica, was awarded Runner Up Best in Show Specialty at the RRCQ Inc. Championship Show under Breed Specialist Judge Mr Jan Coppens (Denmark). She was also awarded Best Headed Bitch and Best Gaited Bitch at this show.

Jessica’s first judging appointment was the Queensland Hound Club Open Show in 2007. Jessica was also given the honour of being selected as one of the three judges chosen, to judge the 2007 Qld Hound of the Year competition.

Other Specialties Jessica has been invited to judge, have been:
* The Working Dog Club of Western Australia Championship Specialty 2017
* The RR Club of Western Australia Championship Specialty 2017
* The RR Club of South Australia Championship Specialty 2017
• The Auckland Hound Club Championship Specialty Show 2011,
• The NSW Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Championship Specialty Show 2011,
• The Boston Terrier Club of Qld Open Specialty 2011
• The Poodle Club of Qld Open Specialty 2011
• The Queensland English Springer Spaniel Open Specialty 2010.
• The Queensland Beagle Open Specialty 2009.

She has judged Gundogs, Hounds and Working Dogs in New South Wales, Victoria, South Australia and her home State of Queensland.

Jessica has moved out of breeding and showing Rhodesian Ridgebacks and is focusing more on her Australian Kelpies. Her foray into Australian Kelpies has produced three very successful litters. Offspring from these litters have achieved Multiple Best in Show (Specialty and All Breeds), Class in Show, Best in Group and Class in Group awards. She already has 3 champions from these litters with another one nearly titled, and one close to his Grand Champion Title. Her third litter in 2016, has also produced 3 dogs which have been successful in the show ring, with all 3 achieving Class in Show awards.
Jessica is also enjoying competing in herding with her Kelpies, with one of her home bred girls already achieving her Started A Course Herding Title.

Jessica strived to maintain the structure and function of the Rhodesian Ridgeback in her breeding program and seeks to find this in the dogs she judges. They must be able to move freely, with the ability to cover the ground while maintaining the elegance and balance expected of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. She is also working on the same principles with the Australian Kelpie, form and function, and aims to achieve this in her breeding program.

Judging Appointments (Australia and NZ Only)

Appointments are based on shows entered in our system since 2012. Please inform us of any errors.