Bambi with Pumba's 3 puppies and the 4 puppies alone (August 4th, 2007).
Timon & Pumba are the parents (the original couple).
Seven puppies were born on May 28, 2007.
Three were sold.
In Afro-Ndebele, Azikiwe means Full of Energy.
The RR, Originally Conceived As A Multitasking Dog,
Was So Brave And Rustic,
That It Was Chosen to Hunt African Lions.
(Another story is that it was a hunting dogs mix that was bred with guard dogs).
Our RRs have been shown live in local and national Brazilian TV shows.
Other Names for RRs:
Our Breeding Philosophy...
N.B.: The comments and opinions expressed here are given exclusively for RRs (i.e. given their genes from the wild dog). The kennel owner has a Ph.D. in Biological Sciences and has published many papers.
Like Huskies, Malamutes, etc, RRs were conceived as working dogs (more than a couple of centuries ago).
Our Philosophy coincides with that of The Lion Dog Group of Zimbawe (old Rhodesia).
That is, we like to keep the original concept and stay away from the philosophy of breeding for expositions.
No ofense intended for those who breed for exposition-quality dogs.
Finally, as RRs contain genes from wild dogs, we would like to stimultate those genes by giving a natural environment to our RRs.
Our RRs have already established a Pack community with its corresponding Pack Behavior.
Although they are not couch potatoes, once in a long while they manage to invade the house and watch TV.
Our current RR family roster...
Bambi with Pumba's 3 puppies and the 4 puppies alone (August 4th, 2007).
Timon & Pumba are the parents (the original couple).
Seven puppies were born on May 28, 2007.
Three were sold.
Pumba & Co in their den (May 30, 2007).
Pumba's 7 puppies inside the den (May 31, 2007).
Maximus Africanus-15m, Bisa-5m, Halima-22m, Aisha-8m, Zulu-15m (08/03/2007).
RR better than Rotwiller, Pitbull, Doberman, etc?
As Africanized Bees (i.e. Domesticated Honey Bees crossed with African Bees),
RR are famous for their physical resistance,
for their resistance to diseases, etc.
Therefore, RRs will likely beat other breeds in the above attributes.
Our experience in our geographical region is that all other breeds are quite susceptible to the climate, environment and associated diseases (i.e. making them sick and sometimes causing their death).
For official information on RRs, please visit the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS)
What the RRCUS says:
"He was the protector of game wardens, farm families and hunters..."
"This is the Rhodesian Ridgeback,
a dog of incorruptible, independent character,
who takes his responsibilities of companionship,
protection and family dedication to heart.
He never forgets love and understanding,
nor does he lightly forgive harsh treatment.
He is a dog of noble bearing,
whose physical attributes should reflect his role as
guardian, companion and hunter."
Halima's Puppies (February 10, 2007 - Sold Out)
Halima shortly after having her 5 puppies in her sandy den.
We have placed some videos in YouTube.
To access them, please click
here.
Bambi's Puppies (March 05, 2007 - Sold Out)
Bambi in her sandy den.
Bambi & Co, 8 hours after giving birth.
Bambi & Co, 12 hours after giving birth.
Bambi's Puppies.
Puppies from Halima, Aza and Shakira (06/03/2007).
RRs History
Several Internet homepages give the history of RRs.
A nutshell summary is given by
Wikipedia.
We chose to breed RRs because our need for protection in a harsh environment.
Our RRs are never placed in cages or even in large kennels.
That is, they are free within an area of 1.000 m2.
Our intent is to activate their African genes by simulating the conditions of the wild.
We treat our RRs with love, respect but with discipline.
Pumba and puppies in December 21, 2006.
Badu (5m), Aisha (8m), Bisa (5m) e Zulu (15m) em 05/03/2007.
Our Specialized System... Hakuna Matata Style...
We are impressed by the fact that the mothers refuse human comfort for giving birth.
Instead, 3 days before giving birth they dig dens in the sand (we live close to the beach).
Then, they spend only 2-3 weeks feeding the babies.
Shortly after the puppies are left on their own.
Of course, they know we take care of their babies.
We give the puppies heavy-duty milk (i.e. not light, skinned milk).
Also given are cattle meats, bones, etc.
Aza with puppies trying to eat chicken in March 5th of 2007.
Please, note that all the descendants from our original pair (i.e. Timon & Pumba) have surpassed the stature of the parents.
This sugggests that our feeding system (with normal food) is superior to that received by their parents from the kennel we bought them from.
Of course, the recent catastrophe with Dog Food (Poisoning) in the US, caused by the Chinese additive (used to rise the detected protein levels), support the idea that: whenever you can, stay away from commercial Dog Foods.
Photos of Bambi's girl in May 6 of 2007.
Some veterinarians have told us that we should feed our RRs with white meat only, with vegetables, etc.
Sorry... No deal...
Fortunately, we have found internet pages confirming our philosopy.
For example, an excellent page with Dr. Wendell O. Belfield's opinion can be found
here
.
Left: Bisa, Badu & Maximus. Right: Bisa & Badu (08/03/2007).
Zulu & Maximus (centro) with Bisa & Badu. 05/03/2007.
The Original Couple...
The official names of the original couple are:
Timon: Mokoema Junior de Gangazumba
Pumba: Gipsy de Itanopan
Timon and Pumba were acquired from the Brazilian kennel Itanopan.
The owners of that kennel guarantee that the pair are genetically excellent (i.e. 100%).
They must know because one of the owners is an RR judge and a veterinarian.
Then again... we are in Brazil and, even if you are not, you should always check (and crosscheck).
How does that English saying go:
"Let the buyer beware!"
Beware of The Good Genes !!!
Please, note that not always having only Popular parents (e.g. those beautiful Best-in-Show winners) is a good idea. For an interesting and important story, please click here .
That this situation is a serious one for RRs (at least in Brazil) is exemplified by recent Group Chats that demonstrate that some offsprings of Best-In-Shows winners show deformities.
A similar story took place with the famous potato.
Genetic improvement produced excellent exemplars.
However, this caused the exemplars to be susceptible to diseases to which the normal potatoes were immune.
As a result, agronomers had to turn to the original source: the uggly and small wild potatoes from South America.
Thanks to the latter, the potatoe could recover its resistance.
Thus, we think that our breeding focus may become useful in the not so distant future.
Information on RRs
There are many internet homepages and websites with excellent information on RRs.
For example, the website of the
Rhodesian Ridgeback International Foundation
has a very interesting history of the breed standard.
It tells how the original standard
has degenerated due to the emphasis on exposition measurements.
It also tells that RRs from the North of Rhodesia (Zimbawe)
are different from the South of Rhodesia.
The same story for the South African RRs.
Interested in Our RRs?
If you are interested in our RRs,
you may call us at 55 + 79 + 9988 + 4320.
Or send us an e-mail message.
Our e-mail address is canil_azikiwe@yahoo.com.br