Page 214 - Showsight March 2013

Being a territorial breed, he will bark
at every dog that approaches HIS terri-
tory and note that his territory includes
everywhere his eyes can see. Your dinner
is no longer safe, unless you lock him out
of the dining room during meals—and
your microwave has become your bread
box. Also, you must follow the rule that all
defosting of meat is done in the refrigera-
tor. And if allowed to sleep in your bed,
be warned that the cute little puppy would
one day become an 85-lb. bed hog.
The Ridgeback is strong-willed, sensi-
tive and independent. This stems from his
ability to hunt independently of human
direction; a trait that was very valuable in
his native land.
By now you are probably wondering
why anybody would want to live with a
Ridgeback. If you admire the beauty of
the breed, and appreciate an independent
spirit, the Ridgeback may be for you. Some
people mistake the Ridgeback’s headstrong
independence for a lack of intelligence; he
is, indeed, a very clever dog who is sensitive
to his owner’s moods and emotions
The Ridgeback is a “People Dog” and
it wants to be at his owner’s side. He is
often called a “VELCRO® dog”—an
affectionate dog that needs the human
companionship of his owner, yet is quite
aloof with strangers. He responds to posi-
tive training methods. Harsh treatment
does not work with this breed. This is a
Hound and he possesses many of the typi-
cal Hound characteristics.
The Ridgeback has a quiet, gentle tem-
perament, rarely barking. He enjoys spend-
ing the day with his owner, lounging in
front of the fire or curled up in the corner.
However, when alerted and in action, he
can quickly become a graceful and power-
ful hunter or guard dog. As a guard dog, he
is very protective of his family, and every
bit as intimidating as dogs that are known
to be fierce watchdogs.
He tends to bond with one person, how-
ever will extend his affection to other lov-
ing and caring family members who treat
him well. He will be devoted to his own
family and friends, but aloof and dignified
with strangers—although temperaments
can range from quiet to clownish. Early,
positive socialization is an important part
of developing a healthy and stable tem-
perament.
He is a dog for all reasons. He can suc-
cessfully chase the lure and excel at Obe-
dience Trials. During Obedience training,
the Ridgeback can become bored with
constant repetition, and tends to tune out
when he has had enough. Exercises must
be kept short, fresh and interesting, and
should always be ended on a high note.
Many patient owners have been rewarded
with advanced obedience titles, dispelling
the myth that a Hound will not do obedi-
ence. The breed also does well in Agility,
and if conformation is where your interest
lies, an owner can still handle his own dog
to a championship in the Ridgeback Ring.
He has an innate love for children—
if they have been taught how to behave
around dogs.
Another plus is there is minimal
grooming for the Ridgeback. These dogs
have dirt resistant coat and frequent bath-
ing is unnecessary. Using a hound brush
on them regularly should keep them clean
and odor free.
But watch out, they are like eating pota-
to chips. You can’t stop with just one.
BIO
I have been involved with Rhodesian
Ridgebacks since 1966. Since then I have
bred more than 100 champions, 9 of these
dogs have ranked in the top ten ratings,
and 5 of these held the #1 position. I have
produced all-breed Best In Show Rhode-
sian Ridgebacks—this is a World Record.
Four more were sired by KWETU dogs.
The 2002 National Specialty Winner was
sired by a KWETU dog as was the OCRRC
Specialty won by a KWETU bred dog. My
dogs and bitches have been top producers
and I am proud to share in the success of
other breeders by providing them with
breeding foundations.
My kennel name of KWETU depicts
our atmosphere. My dogs are house pets...
we do not have kennels. KWETU a Swa-
hili name meaning “Our Home”. We still
remain a small, but serious, “ hobby ken-
nel” devoted to a search for excellence.
I am currently licensed by the AKC to
judge 14 breeds, including, of course, Rho-
desian Ridgebacks. This will be my second
time judging a National Specialty in the
US. I have judged Rhodesian Ridgebacks
at Specialty Shows in Australia (twice in
ten years), New Zealand, Sweden, Eng-
land, Denmark, Holland, Israel, Italy,
Germany, Canada, and at the Rhodesian
Ridgeback Club of the US, Inc. Nation-
al Specialty Show in Ocala, Florida in
1994, and again in 2004 at the Ridgeback
World Congress in Texas, elected to do so
by my peers, a Regional Specialty fort the
OCRRC in California and a satellite show
connected with the RRCUS National Spe-
cialty in 2003. In 2009, I was invited to
judge for the second time in Germany and
in Israel.
I am a past National Director of Res-
cue for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of
the US, Inc. I am an listed as an Official
Mentor of the RRCUS, inc.
My club affiliations include:
• Member (and past director , vice
president and president) of the
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the
US. Inc.
• Honorary member of the Rhode-
sian Ridgeback Club of Western
Australia
• Honorary member of FDRI Ridge-
back Club, Germany
• Past president of the Carolina
Kennel Club
• Past Director of the Nashville Ken-
nel Club
• Past Associate Editor of the Ridge-
back Quarterly
• Past Colmunist of the Ridgeback
Quarterly
• Contributor Ridgeback Register
214 • ShowSight Magazine, March 2013