US AS BREEDERS
We have had several mentors both in the Ridgeback breed as well as in other breeds, to include:
-Sharon Frampton, dog trainer/professional handler/Collie breeder for 30 yrs.
-Darcy and Cynthia
Wilson, Pingora Ridgebacks
-Marjorie Crouch, Tandiwe Ridgebacks
-Karen Bryant-Yellen, all breed professional handler/Doberman breeder
-Dudley Hackney, breeder/handler of Rakiara Ridgebacks
Susan attended the first Breeder's Symposium at NC State Veterinary Hospital, June 2004, and The George Alston Handling Clinic in March 2005. We have traveled extensively up and down the East coast and to the Mid-West to compete and further educate ourselves about breed-type and meet more "Ridgeback" people. We are members of RRCUS, the National breed club, and members of Next Generation Ridgebacks, where members around the world openly discuss health and genetics issues within our breed specifically. We recently joined SHOT, a lure coursing club in southeast VA, and are active in MAHA and CLCS lure coursing events in NC as well. We train/condition/handle our dogs ourselves, at dog shows and performance events. We offer a health guarantee on puppies, health screen extensively both sire and dam for each litter, and temperament test puppies for proper home placement. We research thoroughly stud dogs, pedigrees, and lines before making final decisions with regard to our breeding program, we breed with a goal in mind specifically, and with a waiting list already going well before each breeding takes place. Our Ridgebacks are our kids in every sense of the word. Our goal in breeding is to ultimately place sound, healthy, loving companions into
permanent homes as integral members of the family. We realize that the more we learn, the more we still need to learn. We are very active in the "dog fancy", striving to prove our dogs both in the performance arena and in the
show ring before breeding each one.
DIET:
We feed a raw bones diet as the base, and use kibble (Innova or other grain free varieties) for just a few meals. We feel the more natural diet is far healthier and provides 3 times the energy. Avoiding most grains (if not all), fillers and by-products is essential to canine nutrition. Allergies and health problems are often more causative than genetic with poor feeding. An immune system cannot thrive without proper nutrients. Dogs were not meant to eat/digest wheat and corn, yet they are the main ingredients in most cheap kibbles. Dogs have a short digestive tract built to break down meat. And gluten has raised much concern
with the recent dog food recalls. Sugar (carbs) feeds cancer cells and yeast in the skin, so also not a good addition to any canine meal. Dogs use fat for energy, not carbs/sugar. We also use probiotics to help maintain friendly bacteria in the digestive tract.
VACCINES-TICK PREVENTION:
We also follow a very specific limited vaccines schedule, only giving parvo-distemper and rabies. And not every year.
Over vaccination is also an issue recently being investigated and linked to numerous health issues in dogs.
We DO NOT use or promote the use of Frontline Plus on any dog. Or any other flea/tick preventative that is applied between the shoulder blades. They are VERY toxic (they are poisons), and have caused numerous allergic reactions that tear up the coat and skin. Including burned skin, rashes, sores, and intense itch. These chemicals go from the skin to the bloodstream right to the liver and kidneys. This has been proven despite the manufacturers' claims otherwise. We have seen cases in ridgebacks as well as other breeds. Cases have included dogs with
long-term health issues including allergies, reduced kidney/liver function, and fertility issues. We must give a dog's immune system a chance to work, not overload it with every chemical on the market available and advocated by our vets. Consider what your dog is at risk for in your area before deciding what protection to include. We use a homeopathic spray when our dogs go to the woods or coursing fields. Using the frontline spray IN MODERATION, not as the package tells you to saturate the skin, is OK too. Remember, as with humans, a strong immune system is much more
resistant to disease. This is your best defense. Diet, minimal vaccines, and omitting/limited use of pesticides/insecticides is critical to overall health.
