OUR BREEDING PHILOSOPHY
We are not in the 'business" of breeding dogs every year to supplement our income. Breeding a litter is a tremendous responsibility, requiring lots of time and energy to plan, whelp and rear the pups.
FORM
In advance of a breeding, we spend a lot of time researching the background of potential stud dogs. We not only evaluate whether the stud dog conforms with the AKC standard for Rhodesian Ridgebacks, but whether he also has the strengths where our girl is weak and vice versa. We only breed to improve the quality of our dogs. While all breeders should be well-versed in understanding the proper conformation and movement of a Ridgeback, an independent measure -- albeit subjective -- is showing the dog to its AKC Conformation Championship at AKC dog shows. The dogs we use for breeding are either major pointed or AKC Champions.
FUNCTION
As we know, beauty isn't everything. Of equal importance is researching whether both potential parents are matched in temperament and health so they can function as intended. We are members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) which has a Code of Ethics for minimum health testing prior to breeding. We adhere to the Code of Ethics on testing for both hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as other health clearances as they become available. We use an independent organization, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), that verifies the health testing performed on each particular dog starting at two years old.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
We provide a lifetime of support for all of our puppy owners. It is our desire that you have a Ridgeback that will bring joy to your lives and become an inseparable member of your family. All puppies are placed in approved homes that best meet the needs of both the pup and their new owners.
FORM
In advance of a breeding, we spend a lot of time researching the background of potential stud dogs. We not only evaluate whether the stud dog conforms with the AKC standard for Rhodesian Ridgebacks, but whether he also has the strengths where our girl is weak and vice versa. We only breed to improve the quality of our dogs. While all breeders should be well-versed in understanding the proper conformation and movement of a Ridgeback, an independent measure -- albeit subjective -- is showing the dog to its AKC Conformation Championship at AKC dog shows. The dogs we use for breeding are either major pointed or AKC Champions.
FUNCTION
As we know, beauty isn't everything. Of equal importance is researching whether both potential parents are matched in temperament and health so they can function as intended. We are members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) which has a Code of Ethics for minimum health testing prior to breeding. We adhere to the Code of Ethics on testing for both hip and elbow dysplasia, as well as other health clearances as they become available. We use an independent organization, Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA), that verifies the health testing performed on each particular dog starting at two years old.
OUR COMMITMENT TO YOU
We provide a lifetime of support for all of our puppy owners. It is our desire that you have a Ridgeback that will bring joy to your lives and become an inseparable member of your family. All puppies are placed in approved homes that best meet the needs of both the pup and their new owners.
How we raise our puppies
At 3 days the Mom and pups visit the Vet for checkups and pups get dew claws removed. We then begin a stimulation program developed by the U.S. Military which promotes a lengthy working life by introducing a few seconds of controlled stress (holding the pup off the ground, touching each toe, etc.). This continues until day 14, when the stimulation is for 5 seconds for each exercise. Adult dogs who received this stimulation experienced faster recovery from stress, improved immune system and heart function, and greatly improved social skills.
Around 10 days eyes and ears begin to open. We turn on a muted TV to expose the pups to varied lighting, and begin to play classical music at a low level, using the highs and lows to stimulate the brain. We eventually play a series of puppy habitation CD's that have a variety of household and outside noises.
Around 4 weeks they are moved to a playpen with kennels that gives them more space to play and explore. We expose them to toys, tunnels, climbing surfaces and different types of flooring. Crate and potty training begins. After 4 weeks of again we start to let people come for a visit. We aim for 100 visitors before they go home to help socialize the pups and try and get them individual time with people.
Around 7 weeks we give the Volhard Aptitude Test to each pup which gives us clues to which home they would fit best in. Once we have gotten the test results back we will match puppies with new homes. We do our best to give each new family the right puppy for them. Until they go home, the pups start to get split into different kennels and fed individually to prepare them for life without brothers and sisters. Each pup will be crate trained and 90% potty trained when you pick them up.
Our pups go home Micro-chipped and vaccinated, with AKC papers and a new collar. We send home food, toys and a lifetime of love and support so the transition to their forever home is as smooth as possible.
Around 10 days eyes and ears begin to open. We turn on a muted TV to expose the pups to varied lighting, and begin to play classical music at a low level, using the highs and lows to stimulate the brain. We eventually play a series of puppy habitation CD's that have a variety of household and outside noises.
Around 4 weeks they are moved to a playpen with kennels that gives them more space to play and explore. We expose them to toys, tunnels, climbing surfaces and different types of flooring. Crate and potty training begins. After 4 weeks of again we start to let people come for a visit. We aim for 100 visitors before they go home to help socialize the pups and try and get them individual time with people.
Around 7 weeks we give the Volhard Aptitude Test to each pup which gives us clues to which home they would fit best in. Once we have gotten the test results back we will match puppies with new homes. We do our best to give each new family the right puppy for them. Until they go home, the pups start to get split into different kennels and fed individually to prepare them for life without brothers and sisters. Each pup will be crate trained and 90% potty trained when you pick them up.
Our pups go home Micro-chipped and vaccinated, with AKC papers and a new collar. We send home food, toys and a lifetime of love and support so the transition to their forever home is as smooth as possible.
Getting a puppy from us
We have what we call a "call list" and not a "waiting list". We open up our call list once we confirm pregnancy. The first step in getting a puppy from us is to contact us and ask us to send you a puppy survey. Once we get a completed survey your name will go into our call list and we will reach out to you to talk more about you, us and puppies. After the puppies are born and we see what we have we will than reach out to people and start making plans for people to visit.. Typically puppies are placed in their new homes after 8 weeks of age.
We are anticipating a litter in the early spring of 2024. Please watch our website for updates.
We are anticipating a litter in the early spring of 2024. Please watch our website for updates.