05/08/2026
🐹❄️ Meet Your Judge | 2026 Winter Champs Guinea Pig Show - Timaru 🐹❄️
Drew Russell | Shuri Cavies | Australia: I really appreciate this opportunity to once again judge in New Zealand and thank the Otago Cavy Club for the invite. I am looking forward to once again judging your cavies.
I have been involved in the cavy fancy since the 90’s, I became a member of the CCV, registered a stud prefix - Rustec, and began showing in 1995, quickly moving from Pet Shows to the Main Breeds with Black and Chocolate Himalayans, Dutch and Whites.
One of the most memorable moments occurred in April 1996 when I was told that a Black Himalayan Sow, Rustec Smurfette, I had bred and sold won BIS, this would not be the only Black Himalayan I bred to win a BIS. Around the same time, I also bred a Chocolate Dutch Sow, Rustec Harmony, who would go on to win multiple BIS/RIS and be my first home bred Champion.
Unfortunately, due to study commitments I wound up my stud around 2002 and took a 10-year break from the fancy.
In 2011 I made the decision to return to the fancy and settled on Lemon Agouti, Slate and DE Whites as my main breeds all of which I continue to breed and develop. Also registering a new stud, SHURI, with my mother.
I have been lucky enough to do well with each of these breeds at National level achieving Reserve Intermediate in Show with a Lemon Boar (2013), Reserve Adult in Show with a Slate Sow (2015) and twice achieving 3rd BIS with a Crested DE White Sow (2018 & 2024). My favourite memory being 2018 when my Intermediate Crested DE White Sows were awarded BIG and RIG out of over 165 crested exhibits.
At this year’s National Show held last month we did quite well with our main breeds, winning both BOB and ROB. We also went on to win Best and Reserve Ticked In Show with a Silver Agouti Boar, Shuri Silver Bluff, and a young Lemon Agouti Boar, Shuri Dancing The Night Away. While also winning Reserve Adult Crested (DE White) and Reserve Juvenile Self (Slate).
Closer to home after achieving several Reserve in Shows at the Victorian State Championships we were fortunate enough to win BIS with a lovely Silver Agouti Sow, Shuri Odessa last year.
On top of this result, we had some success at the CCV Eurofest Shows held in October under Scottish Judge Campbell Mitchell and Swedish Judge Minna Thome being awarded BIS in both shows, with a Lemon Agouti Sow and Silver Agouti Baby respectively. While also taking out RIS (Crested Black) and 4th BIS (Slate) under Campbell.
Over the years I have kept almost all breeds except Golden, Red and several of the longhair varieties. While also dabbling with a few side projects that have turned up in my caviary, including a couple of accidents that occurred while I was in New Zealand last year.
In 2014 I started my judges training, but also decided to make a career change and return to study. After several start/stop moments, I finally completed my judges training in 2024 and became a fully qualified judge in 2025, a whole 30 years after I first became involved in the fancy. Now having judged across several states in Australia.
On a personal level outside of working as a Chiropractor I like to stay fit, get out on hikes, and explore where possible while also enjoying other hobbies. Food is one of my biggest weaknesses and I will try almost anything. I have a habit of getting myself into trouble regularly due to that adventurous side.
