The Kalahari Philosophy:

It’s very important to me to try and breed to all points of the standard, to attempt to be true to the original hunting dog and not to just breed for a show ring winner.  I think breed type encompasses ALL aspects of the Standard not just what suits one's individual preferences. 

A Ridgeback is a dog of moderation, but it’s breed type should still be easily recognized in outline and structure. The Ridgeback should exhibit moderation in all things and it must fit within our standard for height and weight to be able to fulfill the original purpose of the breed. 

I also love a beautiful headpiece, one that sparkles with intelligence, as all those faces are looking at me all day. A nice topline, depth to the brisket, well filled between the front legs, correctly proportioned: slightly longer than tall, a 1:1 length of leg to depth of chest, good substance, great feet and a long, well defined ridge are always on my wish list. 

I like my dogs to move with an effortless grace, but never with the theatrical overextension so common in many breeds today. 

My first introduction to the breed began with the comment –“ A Ridgeback is a Hound with a Working Dog temperament”. This is the temperament I want in my dogs – loyalty, a good watch dog, but a dog with the sense to know the difference between friend and foe, who follows my lead and a dog that wants to please it’s owner. I try and breed a biddable dog, I do not subscribe to the notion that RRs are simply sighthounds and therefore flighty, stubborn and with an independence streak a mile wide. 

I think having diversity within the breed, among the breeders and judges makes any breed stronger.Unfortunately, people with little experience in breeding and showing always think their breed should be stamped out of cookie cutters, and the pattern should be a dog that looks like theirs.
(  I guess it does make it easy to choose dogs.<VBG>) 

It’s important to remember that breed standards were written to describe the ideal in a particular breed.  They are based not only upon the presumption of normalcy as a starting point, but also with the expectation that the reader has more than basic knowledge of canine anatomy and locomotion – and learning these things takes a life time of study, thought and experience. (I’m still learning more each day and hope I never stop challenging my beliefs about what the Rhodesian Ridgeback should be.)

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