Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppies | Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy Breeders
Our last litter of Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppies for this year was born April 12th, 2008, all of which have found great homes. Our next breeding is being planned for this winter, and early Spring 2009 puppies will be available.
If you are willing to allow your puppy to be shown, you will receive priority of consideration for a puppy from any litter. Frankly, many people want a "Family Companion" Ridgeback, and no difficulty is had finding homes for them. What is special is when someone cares enough about the breed to recognize the importance of continuing the legacy of proper type, health and temperament. The way we make quality Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies available is by getting unbiased opinions as to whether or not a particular dog should be bred. This is done in the show ring. The reason you have quality dogs as family companions is because there was someone that cared enough to go the extra mile to insure soundness in the breed.
Showing is not that big of a deal. It just requires that you allow someone to do it for you, if you don't want to do it yourself. Such a situation is what I call a "show home". Would you be willing to allow your dog to be in a dog show once or twice a month? Please consider this possibility when thinking about a puppy from this kennel.
Both the Sire and Dam of this upcoming litter have won several conformation shows. The Sire of this litter is a National AKC Champion. The Dam is shown below, and she is well on her way to stardom. The particulars to the breeding are stated later on this page.
Heres Misty taking Best of Winners
And here is a photo of Misty's last litter:
And another:
I presently have openings for qualified homes for my Spring 2009 litter. You can contact me by email if you feel that you have the "right stuff" to be owned by one of these very particular puppies.
Please feel free to browse this site - The articles on this site are here to help you in your search for a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy - sub standard breeding practices abound, placing the future of this wonderful breed in jeopardy. Sadly, the internet has become a selling medium for the uninitiated. If you want advice on a particular person selling these dogs, feel free to contact me. (But please read this web site first, as a great many of your questions can be answered here.)
I have familiarity with many Ridgeback publications and frankly, there aren't many good ones out there. About the finest book you can find on this breed is called "The Rhodesian Ridgeback Today" by Stig Carlson. The author is well aquainted with the breed and he writes well.
If after you are done looking at the site and you think you have found someone that wants you to get one of their Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies, you can call or e-mail me. I will be glad to help you make a sound decision... If you are having doubts - pay attention to your instincts. They are usually right!
Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeders
As Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeders, we are conscious of the importance of protecting this outstanding breed. The breeding program at Rhapsody Rhodesian Ridgebacks is designed to produce sound and versatile dogs that are loving family members with the ability to work or compete in the field or to be presented conformationally, if desired. We have also developed relationships with other Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders who share our philosophy of excellence.
The process of whelping a litter of puppies is not taken lightly. We carefully consider and research all breeding scenarios for several months prior to a final selection of Sire and Dam. You can be certain that all of the pups from this kennel have an impeccable pedigree that can be traced back to the foremost Kennels in the world.
Our goal as a breeder is to establish a legacy of soundness of health, steadiness of temperament and to exceed the AKC standard. This is easier said than actually accomplished. However, there are ways in which such a standard of excellence can be measured, and determined. Anyone interested in this breed would do well to familiarize themselves with those standards prior to deciding on where to obtain a puppy. In particular, you might want to read this essay on the importance of AKC Championship Bloodlines, which is a real "eye opener" in the world of canine breeding and will help you to understand what you should look for when choosing a Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder. If you haven't been exposed to this breed before, you might want to read An introduction to the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Puppies become available at this kennel from time to time. This years litter is expected in late March - early April 2008. This means mid to late Spring puppies. A dedicated effort will be made to place our puppies in responsible, loving homes. Therefore, we have a screening process to help you - and us - determine whether or not a Rhodesian Ridgeback will fit your lifestyle. There is a short questionnaire that will help you become more cognizant of the various demands this breed can make on your time. Please take the time to look it over as it will give you great insight on the realities of owning one of these animals. You can e-mail me to ask for that questionnaire, or you can download it from this web site. You can find it under the menu selection "Getting A Puppy! " Other topics on this site will assist you in gathering more information to help in your selection of a breeder.
Now is a perfect time to obtain a puppy, for training purposes, families can enjoy them over the summer, etc. However, this is also the most popular time of the year where people start looking in earnest for a puppy. So, its a great idea to start developing a relationship with your breeder a few months before you want to take possession of a puppy - there is usually a list!
If you would like to explore the possibility of getting a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy from a future litter, you can send an email to me here.
A litter with "unbelievable temperament".
It is typical to invite other breeders to critique and evaluate litters of puppies. All reputable breeders engage in this practice in varying degrees.
An evaluation over the last litter whelped here elicited comments from other long-time breeders such as: "Your dogs all have unbelievable temperament", "This is a beautiful litter", "all of them are very nice", "you do not have a single bad puppy", "Many of your puppies could easily become finished champions", and "This is a very calm, healthy litter without a great deal of variation from puppy to puppy".
If you are a breeder, you know that having a nice litter, without dramatic variation tells you that you are on the right track with your breeding program. Yes, we already knew, but its nice to hear unbiased opinions...
About the Sire and Dam of the upcoming Spring 2008 litter:
Lamarde Perro Hollywood Legends x Wild West Miss Demeanor
When choosing a puppy, much of the decision has to be about the sire and dam, as this is the only way you can have some sort of indication as to what the puppies will be like. Temperament, soundness of health, and conformation are all very important considerations. This breeding easily meets and surpasses these requirements.
The photo to the left is of Wild West "Miss Demeanor", call name, "Misty". Misty is a grand daughter to Kimani's "Blue Chip Image", and if you are a Rhodesian Ridgeback fanatic, you'll know what that means. Suffice it to say, "World Class" all the way.
She was Sired by Camelots "Galahad of Avalon", and the Dam is M.H. "Lexus".
It is true that Misty has outstanding conformation, as can be seen here. However, Misty's "Claim to Fame" is her superb temperament. Although quite energetic, and a true hunter with the predator instinct, she has a calm, steady spirit. She is bold, yet gentle. Misty is the Kennel "Sentinel", and is undisputed in her role.
Temperament is hereditary, and is therefore a very important factor in any breeding decision. The Dam must also be a good mother - able to instill this temperament in her puppies. It is instinctual, but not all dams know how to relay it. Misty has already demonstrated her "social skill set" within the kennel on numerous occasions. She is kind, protective - even affectionate toward puppies of other litters, gentle toward all other dogs.
She will gladly wake out of a sound sleep, if it means a word of praise coming from her caretakers. This disposition will be infused into the personalities of her puppies.
See Misty's health testing Here.
The photo to the right is a shot of the Sire of this present litter - Lamarde Perro "Hollywood Legends", call name: "Spencer".
Spencer was Sired by River City's "Travlin' Man" and the Dam was Lamarde Perro "Gladys".
Spencer has a very illustrious heritage as well. His bloodline goes back to one of the founding Kennels in the United States. Margaret Lowthian Cook, of Lamarde Perro Kennels helped establish the Standard that is used by the AKC, and she is often referred to as "A Pillar of the Breed". This in itself testifies as to the high regard in which the kennel was held.
Spencer is the quintessential "teddy bear". Yes, he looks like formidable Ridgeback, but don't let that fool you. He is soft eye'd and of gentle temperament - he wins over virtually everyone he comes in contact with.
Spencer is the taker of multiple "Best of Winners" AKC conformation shows.
You can check out Spencers health testing Here.
Rhodesians Ridgeback dog - like no other
The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog has almost overnight, become all the rage in the kingdom of Canines. It's not surprising that people are attracted to their unique personalities, strength of presence, uncanny intelligence, and near feline agility. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a dog apart, and It's hardly any wonder that one of the foremost Rhodesian Ridgeback judges is known to have said: "Once you own a Ridgeback, you'll never be satisfied with any thing less".
When I first became exposed to Rhodesian Ridgebacks, it wasn't long before I decided that this wasn't a typical dog. Of the several breeds I have become acquainted with over the years, none have impressed me as much as this breed. Today, I still find it difficult to describe the unique temperament that this dog possesses, and I have yet to appreciate anyone elses description of it either. Nearly every depiction can only provide a glimpse from an individual perspective, and this by definition, is a limitation. I wonder if anyone can do this magnificent creature the justice it deserves.
My experience with this breed has afforded the opportunity to speak with many others having similar perceptions. Whether a Ridgeback owner for a short time, or a seasoned breeder, each one arrives at similar conclusion: It would be next to impossible to allow room in their hearts and lives for any breed other than a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
I can also be reached at
224-836-4018
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