... SIBLINGS&FRIENDS ...

As we wait for the puppies, I would like to share some stories about rhodesian ridgebacks we know and love in Latvia and abroad...

The journey of a dog to human's life and heart cannot be precisely retold, but it is thought that all of the dogs came from the same ancestors, and later each breed attained its own qualities, personality and temperament. Character of a dog is not only defined by heredity, but also by training, life experiences and individual qualities. (Lorenco)

Every dog has a very special and unique personality.

One has to treat them in a way that would be pleasant to both you and the dog. ( Ieva)

Since the ancient times dogs have been true partners for humans. It is with their faithfulness and unconditional love that they have earned their rightful place as the full members of the family. That is exactly what we value our Rhodesian Ridgebacks for.

RRs are intelligent, but also can be stubborn. A ridgeback will first think and only then act on it unlike some other breeds. A ridgeback analyzes in a humanlike manner. Ridgebacks love children, and they get along well with other pets if they grew up together and are used to each other.

INGA & MOKA

Ridgebacks are exceptionally smart, and they clearly distinguish between their family members and strangers. Ridgebacks are aloof around strangers, and are very careful in new environment. That should never be confused with aggressiveness as a ridgeback should never show fear or anger. Puppies should be well socialized from the early days, and they should be introduced to the widest variety of shapes, forms, noises, people, and animals possible. That kind of training will ensure that a puppy will grow up to have a wonderful temperament and will become a valuable member of the community. There is no need to train ridgebacks to guard as that skill is innate to the breed.

MAIRA&NARDO; JANA& NOLDORS; MARINA& SINDY; IEVA&MOKA

Regardless of the breed, it is always better to start training your pup sooner than later as the younger they are, the more open-minded they are to any type of training. Socializing puppies with other puppies and adult dogs from the young days is imperative because it ensures that puppies learn to communicate with other members of their canine family.

Sometimes new owners delay social training and do not train a dog until he/she is one year old. By then the dog’s behavioral patterns have already formed, and it is no longer training, but a corrective-training. It is by far a much harder type of training, it demands much more time and oftentimes yields less results than training a young susceptive pup with an open mind. Puppies, just like children, are born with different temperaments and personalities. It is important to recognize it from the wee days and to train a puppy accordingly. It is an owner’s responsibility and the most important task to set boundaries for their pup from the very first day when the puppy arrives at his/her new homes. If a puppy grows up knowing that he has no boundaries and is allowed to do anything they please, training such a pup will be extremely hard. Giving a ridgeback no boundaries is telling him that he is the boss. That is a very dangerous road to an uncontrollable dog.

MOKA& IEVA

Ridgebacks require regular exercise and plenty of play time in order for them to feel content. A quick walk on a leash, which might be satisfactory for other breeds, is not enough for a ridgeback.

OPĀLS & OPPILAA & OTELLO

Unfortunately, everyone has a different understanding of the conditions that they have to offer their dog. Some people buy dogs just because they are fashionable. Others buy a puppy because their children asked for one, and they do not realize how quickly that puppy will grow up into a big dog and will demand time, means, and dedication. Buying a puppy is a huge responsibility. It should never be taken lightly.

GRANTS (OTELLO) & ELĪZA

GRANTS & DACE

A dog becomes a dog that you help him become, thinks Dace (an owner of Otello – our puppy from Moka’s first litter). Grant is one truly intelligent and a wonderful family member, who happily participates in our family conversations. However, when asked by Dace, he steps aside and waits quietly.

OPPILAA MOKA

VALENTĪNA & OPPILAA MOKA

Valentina (the owner of our baby Oppilaa Moka): baby Moka is a wonderful member of our family, a great hunting companion for my husband, best buddy for my son, and a dearest friend for me. We trust Moka with everything! Moka is simply a dream come trye.

ANDA & DŽESPERS ( OPĀLS)

Anda considers Opal to be her trustful friend. Jasper is an active and a loving company dog. At home he has his own “lion” – Karo (a big cuddly Leonberger). Jasper and Karo share their honorary duties of guarding their house and their family.

ELĪNA & MOKA

Elina (maintenance associate of children camps): Moka is simply the sweetest girl, always friendly, happy, and active.

MĀRA & MOKA

Mara (a friend of our family, who met Moka 3-4 times): Moka is gorgeous and incredibly intelligent. She loves the attention and loves the cuddles, but she understands that I have to work, so Moka makes sure not to be too annoying with her love and tenderness. She is an ideal dog for a family.

JANA & DORIKS

Moka’s brother Dorik lives with his owner Iana in Estonia. Dorik has fathered many puppies. His pretty, healthy and well loved babies can be seen in the Netherlands, Germany, Finland and Norway.

Iana about Dortik: Our family adores him. Everyone dreams of having such an amazing dog. Intelligent, attentive, thankful, faithful and with a fantastic temperament. He loves children. We often head to Tallin’s downtown, where we meet and play with 10 friends of ours!

ZOOM & NAOMI

Natalia (who owns Moka’s sister Naomi) says about her dog: Our Naomi is intelligent, well behaved, and a social dog. She loves to take long walks on the sea coast with her already grown up kids and Zuma (Jack Russel). Naomi, just like her puppies, loves children and gets along well with other pets in our home.

(http://www.rhodesian-rdgeback.lv)

NEILA & ŠARUNE

Nuo tada mano gyvenimas sukasi apie ridžbekus. NEILA jie tapo išties didele gyvenimo dalimi. (www.auksinis-feniksas.com)

Since the day I brought home Neile, my life evolves around ridgebacks. They have become the biggest part of my life.

JANA & NASH NARIN SINBEST ( RIŽIKS)

IGORS & RIŽIKS & JANA

JANA & RIŽIKS

ISIS for me has been and will always be the most amazing dog I’ve ever owned! Our meeting was unplanned but truly meant to be! ISIS has taught me what a real ridgeback is like – faithful, intelligent, athletic, loving to her family and attentive while working. ISIS has done exceptionally well in conformation, performance and is a canine good citizen!
ISIS loves children – my hyperactive daughter was not even 6 y.o. when ISIS entered our home. It was love at first sight. Isis never ran out of tenderness and love for GABBY – together they get up and together they go to sleep. They share everything right to the very last morsel of a treat!
Isis gets along with other dogs very well, and shares her home with another ridgeback – DODO. Her motherly instinct is amazing, and she loves taking care of us all. We are very lucky to have imported this stunning girl from so far away! And it’s delightful to see how wonderful ISIS’ relatives are!

 (http://www.dykumos-deives.com)

VIKA & CHIO CHIO SAN & KERRI 

KERRI & CHIO

VIKA & CHIO CHIO SAN

At home we simply call her Chio. Out Chio is a calm and smart girl. She can be stubborn, but then again, what ridgeback without their own opinion? When we brought her home, she immediately immersed herself in family matters and liked to stay close to us at all times, following us everythere one step behind. To this day she enjoys keeping tab on all of us, and enjoys herding her family members in order to make sure that no one gets lost. Everywhere she goes, she makes many new canine friends. She loves horses too! (http://www.pharaoh.lv)

KENZO & GARIJS

Iveta owns two ridgebacks, which she imported from Russia – Gary (Russia&Netherlands) and Kenzo (Britain&Italy). She says: these handsome guys are wonderful, and get along with each other very well! They are the best babysitters and guards of my children – a 2 y.o.girl and a 5 y.o. son. http://www.rhodesian.lv)

SVETLANA & AMARULLA

Svetlana, the owner of Amarula (Russia&Netherlands) calls Ama her intelligent and sweet daughter. She is just like a human – says Svetlana – Ama accompanies me everywhere I go: shopping, car rides, or for a playdate with her best buddy – staff. Terrier Daido. )( www.ridgeback-ama.lv ),

ROGER & NATASHA

My sweet red couple – this is how Natasha calls her troublemakers and sweethearts. Roger is owned by the most amazing owner! Natasha has put hours upon hours in training Roger, and to this date he is the only ridgeback in Latvia, who has achieved the most amazing results in agility and not only! Roger is one handsome and a friendly guy, who gets along with everyone. He is very lucky to live in such an active family for that sport is what he enjoys so much!

NATĀLIJA & JUMABA 

Natalia owns two imported ridgebacks – Zhumba (Russia&Finland) and Palik (Italy&France). Natalia says: they are the best family friends, gentle, happy, and friendly. I think they have a prolonged childhood syndrome, cause they are very playful and even child-like joyful. They love their cats and their housemate dachshund Vincent. (www.ridgeback-jumba.narod.ru)

We are thankful to Marina (breeder of Moka) and Sindy (SAR&SAR) for our beloved Moka!

WORLD WINNER-2010

If to look at our conformation rings of today, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are well noticed and valued by many. It is also accurate to say that most of the ridgebacks showing in our region are those bred in Russian or from Russian bloodlines.

MOKA

Currently Moka is the top winning ridgeback in Latvia. In October 2009 Moka was recognized as the best and the prettiest RR in Latvia (out of 30 strong competitors) by Eva Greg (the president of KUSA, creator of the RR standard). A bitch from the second breeding of Moka’s dam Sindy – Ama Amarula – has also been recognized by Eva Greg as an excellent specimen of the breed. It is offspring of Sindy who are currently enjoying great success and are raising the bar in conformation ring in Latvia and even abroad.

You can find more information about shows on these sites: www.dogs.lv ; www.suni.lv; www.ventspilsdog.lv

If you would like to learn more about Rhodesian Ridgebacks, get information about RR breeders in Latvia and beyond, or if you’d like to be considered as a future puppy owner from our Moka, please call Biruta +37122493043 or Eva +37126223290, or send us an e-mail at: keridana@yahoo.com

If somebody told you that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are aggressive (i.e. the standard calls for it) think again before you believe them. Maybe it is their dogs that are aggressive, and probably the season lies somewhere else but the standard.

Best of luck in your search of finding your future canine friend!