My name is Snežana Kuralt and I come from Slovenia. I grew up in a small town called Senovo in Southern Slovenia. After finishing my education, I became a graphic designer and landscape architect. For 12 years, I worked in a Landscape and GIS Company where I held the position of head of marketing, public relations, and project manager for the education department. However, I now work as a freelance graphic designer and brand developer. Most of my work revolves around animals, which has led me to self-educate in animal anatomy. This knowledge has also helped me evaluate exhibitions.

I have had a passion for animals, particularly dogs since I was a child. I grew up with dogs and cats around me, and always knew that I would continue my love for them into adulthood. My interest in cynology became serious when I got my first Rhodesian Ridgeback named Cubo. However, my fascination with this breed began years before when I spotted an impressive Ridgeback walking with an old lady in the park. Over the years, I have had two Ridgebacks, Cubo and Cana, who have both passed away. Currently, I have a beautiful female named STARR (Just A Flirt Of Luanda) who unexpectedly came into my life.

Since I have a love for Ridgebacks, I decided to get involved with people who share the same breed. I was one of the founding members of the Club of Rhodesian Ridgeback Slovenia and held the position of Vice President. I was also in charge of organizing our first special Rhodesian Ridgebacks show in Slovenia, which had over 50 participants. Despite not being rated CAC, we were honored to have Mr. Hans Mueller as our judge for the show.

Afterward, I began my training as a cynology judge and obtained my judge’s license for Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Posavski Gonič (Posavatz Hound), Istarski Ostrodlaki Gonič (Istrian Wire-Haired Scent Hound), and Istarski Kratkodlaki Gonič (Istrian Short-Haired Scent Hound) in January 2011. In 2015, I received confirmation as an International Judge, and I am currently working on expanding my judging activity to the 6th FCI group.

For me, judging is about having a feel for harmony, type, and general soundness, as well as constantly educating myself. I focus on finding a dog’s qualities rather than its disadvantages. In my evaluations, I try to emphasize a dog’s excellent and good qualities and discuss the missing aspects with the owners. It’s essential for every breeder and lover of the breed to look at their dogs objectively. Though our dogs may be our best friends and family members, the breeding process is delicate. Only by acknowledging our dogs’ faults can we determine their importance in developing future generations. While there’s no such thing as a perfect dog, we can always choose the perfect mating partner!

I have had the privilege of judging several specialty, club, national, and international dog shows in different countries such as Slovenia, Slovakia, Denmark, the Czech Republic (multiple times), the Netherlands, and Germany (multiple times), Switzerland, and Croatia. I was also invited to judge a show in Slovenia for EDS 2020, but it was postponed due to Covid. My next appointment is scheduled for March 2024 in Austria, and I am also delighted to have been invited to judge in Sweden in September 2024.

I hope to see you in the ring!