In early 1975, we wanted a bigger dog so Toni went to the RSPCA Yagoona.  The shortlist was a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a Great Dane and ended up with Tara, the RR.  It was obvious she hadn't had the best start in life and hadn't been well looked after.  We almost lost her to health problems in the first week but she recovered and became a devoted family dog but never really wanted to be around men, but we were still hooked on the breed.  Shortly after, Khan (Ch Chamwari Valhalla) was purchased from Peter Carr of Chamwari Kennels as a birthday gift for John.  We consider ourselves very lucky in Khan being our introduction to showing as he was a 'great dog' - he had a very successful show career and many acknowledged his excellent head for which he won many property classes; John hunted feral pig with him; he was a keen dog on the racetrack; but above all, he was a magnificent devoted, loyal, wonderful companion and family dog.  He had some good wins under many of the great breed specialists of the time - most notably Best Dog at a Ribbon Show with Margaret Cook (Lowthian) who was one of the main founders of the breed in the USA.

Along with an 'acceptable' ridge, we like sound movement on our dogs and consider it an important requirement of the breed.  At specialties, we always aim to win or be considered in the finals of any Best Gait class.

Current dogs campaigned are:

 DUKE - Grand Ch Elangeni Dream Run 
our young male already a multi  BIS Specialty and All Breeds winner!  We are especially proud of his multiple Best Gait awards and the many compliments he receives.  Duke finished No. 2 in the 2009 Dogzonline BOB pointscore.  Considering our judging appointments, overseas trip, family commitments, we are extremely proud of his his placing.  In 2010 Duke although shown sparingly, has and is the dog to beat.  Only beaten for BOB on 2 occasions in 2010 and winning the breed in good competition with strong numbers he is routinely rewarded by overseas judges.  At Junior & Sydney KC shows, he won the breed from strong entries, was cut for group on the Friday and won Runner Up Best In Group both Saturday and Sunday with very large hound group entries.  He backed this up with a BOB and class in group at Dalwood 2 weeks later. 

We enjoy showing RR's, which in Australia, aren't a high profile winning breed, and especially so in the developmental years.  Even so, we consider we've owned, bred or co-owned some great dogs including:

     KHAN - Ch Chamwari Valhalla - a multi class in Specialty winner, who did very well
     at all breeds level in the 1970's.  He was a great dog, had an excellent ridge and was
     renowned and rewarded for his beautiful head.

     GINA - Ch Ridgesetter Showstoppa - a national RUBIS winner, reserve specialty winner,
     noted for her sound movement and excellent ridge.  She had character and taught us
     all we know about showing. 

     ALI - Ch Ridgesetter Showtime - a BIG winner who proved himself as a sire.  He was
     a soft and gentle dog with a fabulous conformation but not a lover of dog shows..

     JAKE - Ch Ridgesetter Touch Ofgold - a National Reserve Dog winner and 
     multiple specialty class winner and sire of many champions.  He had the best
     character and disposition which he passed on to his many progeny.

     COCO - Ch Ridgesetter Finale - an extremely strong, sound mover,
     daughter of Gina with a soft, gentle nature.

     SARAH - Ch Lowehund Double Dare - a specialty BIS winner, multiple
     national class winner and a daughter of the wonderful Roxy.  A girl
     with character and attitude.

     ZANI - Grand Ch Ridgesetter Dzhani - Specialty BIS, multiple BIG winner,
     who has won Sydney Royal Best of Breed 3 times.  Zani is a fabulous
     mover and all who visit us love her soft, gentle personality.  She loves big
     competition and has always given us 100%.  Zani is now 8 and not shown
     much although many think we should bring her back out in the ring.

We consider success in the breed not necessarily breeding a dog, but being able to select the right dog from a litter, decide who to breed with whom and how you raise and train a dog.  We have been lucky to have been associated with some great RR's over the years and are grateful to the breeders and owners who have allowed us to co-own and exhibit RR's over the years, such as:

     ROXY  - Ch Nkazimlo Thandi - a multi specialty BIS winner, co-owned
     with Gary & Karen Sippl.  A special girl who amassed many CC's which would have
     made her a grand champion many times over.  Loved and admited by many,
     Roxy was a once in a lifetime girl.  She is our benchmark.

     BANYON - Grand Ch Kargnieulan Im Too Win - a multi specialty and all breeds
     BIS winner co-owned with Karlie Nieuwenhuis.  A son of Jake, with his light,
     effortless movement, he was awarded many Best Gait awards.  

     BREEZE - Ch Lowehund Demi Moore - a gorgeous girl who held her own in 
     the ring co-owned with Gary & Karen Sippl.   Proving type follows type, Breeze
     is a daughter of Roxy and dam to Zani.  Sadly, Breeze passed to the Rainbow
     Bridge in late 2009.

SABRINA - Ridgesetter Magic Spell
Almost a champion - just needing those last few point, Sabrina is our young wild girl who thinks she's a whippet.  A specialty class winner, Sabrina is a daughter of Zani and inherited her dam's great movement.  Her first litter to Duke was early 2010 when she produced 13 lovely puppies.  A sister to the gorgeous Berri (Ch Ridgesetter Magic Berri) who resides in Queensland with Jan Hutcheson.

BISS / RUBISS Aust Grand Ch Ridgesetter Dzhani "Zani" View More Details

BIS BISS Grd Ch Elangeni Dream Run "Duke" View More Details

Ridgesetter Magic Spell "Sabrina" View More Details

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