Rhodesian Ridgebacks
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
The Specialists Choice!
Duke has now won 3 BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW under American, French and German breed specialists. He has also been awarded a Reserve Dop under a South African and Zimbabwean specialists and a UK specialist awarded him a Puppy In Specialty Show when young. So Duke is certainly the specialists choice.
We 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 (over 200 both days). He backed this up with a BOB and class in group at Dalwood 2 weeks later.
Duke has sired several litters and we expect he will have several more. He has produced some wonderful young progeny who have also placed well at Specialty level. At the NSW Specialty Show, his progeny won BABY IN SHOW, OPPOSITE MINOR IN SHOW and others received placings in the same classes.
Duke has been hip and elbow scored and eyes certified 'normal' by Dr Jeff Smith. He will soon be DNA profiled.
Frozen semen is available to approved bitches and what great semen he has. Under the Camelot system, the vet obtained 9 pellets of very good quality!
VEGAS - Ozrhode Try And Keep Up - recently joining us in December 2010. Bred
by Steve & Sue from Ozrhode Kennels in Victoria, we were thrilled for the
opportunity for Vegas to join us. A daughter of Duke, we were captivated by
her baby pics, and then when we saw her in October at the Specialty, we were
taken by her in the flesh. And she hasn't disappointed us in the show ring either,
with some fantastic results in a short time. The race is now on between Vegas
and her litter sister, Emba. Vegas is a big mover with a fantastic ridge - a real
chip off the block.
IN RESIDENCE ARE:
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%. A daughter of the legendary
Roxy, Zani has many of her traits. Now 8, Zani has been desexed and spends
her days lying around the house.
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
our first, much loved and remembered male. Khan
was 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. He had a successful show career spanning 10 years - winning
Reserve Dog in Specialty when aged 10!
GINA - Ch Ridgesetter Showstoppa - an RR National RUBIS winner and Reserve RR Specialty
winner, Gina was consistently awarded for her sound movement and excellent ridge. She
had character (disliked the showgring) but she taught us all we know about dog
determination, character and 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 like his sister, Gina, not a lover
of dog shows. Although we showed Ali, he didn't live with us but shared his home with
a Chihuahua.
JAKE - Ch Ridgesetter Touch Ofgold - an RR 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. A son of
renowned liver, Kodi, Jake's fame was the consistency of his progeny.
COCO - Ch Ridgesetter Finale - an extremely strong, sound mover,
daughter of Gina with a soft, gentle nature. Due to a allergy condition,
we decided not to mate Coco.
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. Unfortunately, Sarah never produced a
litter.
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 the following RR's over the years:
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.
SABRINA - Ch Ridgesetter Magic Spell - our wild child. Sabrina was an
exceptionally active youngster spending her days running with the whippets.
She rarely stood still but her gait and attitude are amazing. In February
2010, she produced 13 puppies from Duke. She proved an amazing mum
rearing the pups without too much help. We hope to have another litter from
Sabrina in 2011.
 BISS / RUBISS Aust Grand Ch Ridgesetter Dzhani "Zani" View More Details |
 BIS BISS Grd Ch Elangeni Dream Run "Duke" View More Details |
 Ozrhode Try And Keep Up "Vegas" View More Details |
 Ch Ridgesetter Magic Spell "Sabrina" View More Details |