Though we are only at the beginning of our breeding, we set some important goals. Above all other the following three criteria should be decisive for our breeding activities, in exactly this order:
1. Health
Our highest goal is the health and thus the quality of life
of the dogs bred by us. All the dogs used for breeding must
be healthy and in outstanding physical condition and free
from hereditary diseases.
That means for us they should be free from OCD/ED (shoulders
and elbows) as well as free from hip dysplasia - hip scores
grade A or adequate (only in exceptional cases and if all
other conditions match our requirements grade B), a "normal"
thyroid profile and under no circumstances strong allergy
appearances.
2. Nature/Personality
Just as importantly as the health we consider the preservation
of the ridgeback typical nature - balanced with high stress
resistance, friendly to reservedly opposite strangers without
any signs of shyness or aggressiveness, calm in the house
and lively outside.
Already when raising the puppies we pay attention to the
important socialization with all conceivable environmental
attractions, in order to prepare the puppies optimally for
the "real life".
3. Beauty
... as is well known lies in the eye of the beholder and the breed standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback covers a large range of form, color and size. We like the Ridgeback elegantly and harmoniously built with flowing sound movements, muscular, agile and persistent, never heavy or massive.
Health and nature we consider much more important than pure breeding on beauty!
You can have the most beautiful and typeful dog, being ill he causes concerns to the humans, has pain and probably only a short life span. Or maybe he is so aggressive or fearful that the quality of life of dog and humans is strongly impaired, too.
Of course we are pleased about exhibition successes of our dogs and the offspring, but it is by now means the most important thing in our breeding!
We also have strong but not insurmountable demands to our
prospective puppy homes.
Our pups must be considered a full member of the family
and be promoted according to their dispositions in their
new home.