Rhodesian ridgebacks - first 20 years of the breed in Latvia

History of Rhodesian ridgebacks in Latvia is quite recent.

The first ridgeback in Latvia was Arriba-Riba-Riba „Riva” (Bryaba Top Gun x Windriver Bryaba Sassy Lassy), owner I. Cerbule. Riva was imported to Latvia from USA in 1994 – she was born on 25 February 1990, holder of several AKC titles and successfully participated in shows in Latvia. Riva had one litter in USA, but had no litters in Latvia.

In 1999 the second ridgeback was imported to Latvia – Ceis Exotic from Russia (Sabu Alexander x Zlata, d.o.b. 25.12.1998), owner I.Kantmane.

The third ridgeback was Hebbit (Amar Ruzinov х Tinni, d.o.b. 03.12.2000), imported from Russia, owner S.Kirpite. 

The fourth Rhodesian ridgeback was imported in 2002 – Sindi (Ezop x Izolda, d.o.b.10.08.2002) from Russia, owner M.Grinvalde.

Other Rhodesian rigebacks imported to Latvia in the time period 2004-2017:

2004

Females

Amira Kalahari Azhan (Russia)

Akira (USA)

Males

Broker Guernica (Poland)

2005

Females 

Malozi Habiba (Malozi Elimika x Kadani Chipangali, Finland)
Kimya Kezy Safari Kadamba (Zunabi Zimo Folwark Zwiercezy x Rex Ventors Akeron, Poland)

Males

Podarok iz Afriki Allan Break( Ezop x Glenaholm Molao, Russia)

Aresvuma Vangari ( Vincent x Vizara Iringa, Russia)

2006

Females

Birma of Negev's Ridges (Tina Trading Brighton x Gawanda Arik Rich – Rach, Israel) 

Chio- Chio- San (Maxwood Tshabo x Zhessi Zhanet, Russia)

Tina Trading Shera (Tina Trading Zaur x Ursa, Russia)

Males

Malozi Juburu (Kinyemi Fora C'Huluku x Malozi Fahamika, Finland)

2007

Females

Rex Ventors Pepija (Rex Ventors Hero x Rex Ventors Kayenne, Sweden)

Males

Aresvuma Jumba- Jafari (Blomsterangens Charm By Merten x Gumi Gamba, Russia)

Aresvuma Jeron Jango (Blomsterangens Charm By Merten x Gumi Gamba, Russia)

2008

Males

Aresvuma Kanzi Kabambe (Trendsetter Mariadad Simba x Harmakhis Wisdom Dakha of Aresvuma, Russia)

2009

Females

Aresvuma Paa-Palika (Shangani Umvutcha Lonzo x Harmakhis Wisdom Dakha of Aresvuma, Russia)

Bochara Tessa (Izimu Hisham x Raddi, Belorussia)

Males

Dorian Gray Nyathi (Pronkberg Makari X Competitive Spirit Nyathi, Czech Republic)

2010

Females

Aria Orkestra (Simon Rochester x Zhustina, Russia)

Males

Amber Grand Star Qwandoya (Heshimaykimba Grand Aquarius x Bayo Kabo Slunce Zambezi, Czech Republic)

2011

Females

Constance Grace By Luanda (Thornberry Akala x Alexis Femme Fatale, Slovakia)

Desire Dea Of Luanda (Thornberry Akala x Hillvalley’s Angel For Luanda, Slovakia)

2012

Males

Aresvuma Amanzi Mtu (Aresvuma Simba Sultani x Aresvuma Pachanga Fotina, Russia)

Tusani Playboy Wayne (African Panthera Leo Coffie X Tusani Ani White Lady, Slovakia)

Edge Remington of Luanda (Mocca de Chasse Gando x Alexis Femme Fatale, Slovakia)

2013

Males

Rayridge Gefest (Ridge’s Star Jeremy Red x Ridge’s Star Imara, Russia) 

Boel Byron by Rihanna (Amber Grand Star Qwandoya x Assima z Újezda nad Lesy, Czech Republic)

2014

Females

Sunhill Ridges Emmeli (Sunhill Ridges Apollon x Sunhill Ridges Bahati, Russia)

Males

Tina Trading Temujin (Usakose Air of Success of Gondwana х Tina Trading Cherry Stone, Russia) 

Limon Evita Gyasi of Red Prayd for Amber (Makao Line Atuin Art x Red Prayd Rashel Bona Mia, Russia)

Shujaa Rafiki Alphard (Berry Neomele x Dakota Cubo Moka, Croatia)

Tusani Sun Ray Minarbi (Kennebec's Final Answer x Tusani Happy Zaira, Slovakia)

2015

Females

Pretti Kuwakaribisha Zawadi (Inanda Mellberg Lanson by Jukati x Red Hanter Dzhaid Adzhambo Kamarija, Russia)

Dreamy princess by Qwandoya (Hamnuddens Heskey x Bayo Pinky Pearl Qwandoya, Czech Republic)

Males

Ridge's Star Haydar Amin (Yaw Adyuba The Best of Both Worlds x Ridge's Star Erika, Russia)

Dream Come True by Qwandoya (Hamnuddens Heskey x Bayo Pinky Pearl Qwandoya, Czech Republic)

Minarbi BB Splendid Rems (Kennebec's Final Answer x Minarbi Abi Norway Narin, Slovakia)

2016

Some evidence can be found about other ridgebacks imported in the ealry period of the breed in Latvia; however only limited amount of information is available about them. To a large extent it is because several of them did not participate in shows and/or did not register in any of clubs.

RR litters in Latvia

In December 2004 the first Rhodesian ridgeback litter whelped in Latvia: Pleasant View Bestik x Sindi. In litter eight puppies were born, of which in Latvia stayed five females and one male. Also the second and third litters born in Latvia were from Sindi: in February 2006 with sire Ye Japha Ben Shemen of Vizara x Sindi (in litter five puppies were born, of which in Latvia stayed one female) and in August 2007 with sire Shangani Umvutcha Lonzo (in litter seven puppies were born).The fourth litter in Latvia was between A Ray of Light Nyathi x Malozi Habiba. 12 puppies were born, of which in Latvia stayed 6 females and 3 males.

Summary of RR litters in Latvia, 2004-2017

Date of birth, parents and number of puppies

18.12.2004 Pleasant View Bestik x Sindi, 8 puppies

02.02.2006 Ye Japha Ben Shemen of Vizara x Sindi, 5 puppies

08.08.2007 Shangani Umvutcha Lonzo x Sindi, 7 puppies

14.01.2008 A Ray of Light Nyathi x Malozi Habiba, 12 puppies

21.01.2008 Podarok iz Afriki Allan Break x Naomi Sinbest, 7 puppies

26.02.2008 Karoskloof Kordaat Kaptein x Naitingeila Moka Farastero Sinbest, 3 puppies

11.03.2009 Podarok iz Afriki Allan Break x Naomi Sinbest, 11 puppies

07.04.2009 Aresvuma Vangari x Amarula Malawi Sinbest, 10 puppies

27.06.2009 Masithela’s Irresistible Chango x Malozi Habiba, 9 puppies

11.05.2010 Myollnir Kyala x Naitingeila Moka Farstero Sinbest, 7 puppies

03.10.2010 Aresvuma Jumba Jafari x Naomi Sinbest, 10 puppies

04.06.2011 Shangani Umvutcha Lonzo x Nataljetta Queen of Sheba Godsent, 10 puppies

10.07.2011 Myollnir Kyala x Naitingeila Moka Farastero Sinbest, 7 puppies

24.12.2011 Aresvuma Jumba Jafari x Aresvuma Paa Palika, 14 puppies

11.03.2012 Aresvuma Vangari x Nicola Sinbest, 6 puppies

30.04.2012 Farmers Guardian African Akono x Ariel Ari Liberta, 5 puppies

04.04.2013 Aresvuma Simba Sultani x Uornesh Sahara Godsent Jafari, 9 puppies

01.05.2013 Shavano's Look Out for Obelix x Ariel Ari Liberta, 5 puppies

08.06.2013 Nakaa Shamba Fynn Bomani x Aresvuma Paa-Palika, 10 puppies

18.03.2014 Red Hot Line Bartan-Baatur x Uornesh Sahara Godsent Jafari, 8 puppies

11.07.2015 Kangelani's Gentle Thanzi by Clay x Look Liberta’s Bora, 3 puppies

20.07.2015 Kennebec’s Final Answer x Diata Arafa Arivi Paisumi, 4 puppies

24.07.2015 Aresvuma Zanga Zevs x Chidimma Adanna Ajumpaa, 12 puppies 

25.08.2015 Farhat Ajabu Ajumpaa Nishamba x Chioma African Pride, 9 puppies

29.01.2017 Dream Come True by Qwandoya x Diata Arafa Arivi Paisumi, 8 puppies

Breeding of RR in Latvia

In order to receive permission for breeding, a ridgeback shall receive at least two evaluations „excellent”, one of those may be received in junior class and at least one assessment shall be received in a Specialised show of Dalmatians and Hound Breeds club.

Every ridgeback entering breeding shall have elbows and hips x-rayed and eyes examined. Only dogs with following results can be used in breeding: hips – A, B, C; elbows – 0, 1; eyes – clear.

Currently there are no specific temperament tests for Rhodesian ridgebacks.

Any show participant should follow the LCF Code of Ethics, adopted in September 2006.

Activities within the breed

Owners of Rhodesian ridgebacks can engage in different activities. The most popular are lure coursing, obedience disciplines and agility, while search and rescue, and blood tracking trainings are available.  In the lure coursing, Rhodesian ridgebacks are the only ones from FCI VI group, which can receive coursing licenses. Lately coursing is becoming increasingly popular among Latvian RRs and their owners.

Rhodesian ridgebacks can be used in hunting, however this activity has not became popular among owners of RRs. If compared to other hunting breeds, very few ridgebacks participate in hunting.

Shows

Rhodesian ridgebacks in Latvia can participate in international CACIB shows and national CAC shows. As there is no specialised Rhodesian ridgebacks club, specialised shows are held within FCI VI group shows. Specialised FCI VI group shows are held three times per year.

Most titled ridgebacks in Latvia in the time period till 2010

Malozi Habiba

(Chipangalis Kadani x Malozi Elimika, 13.06.2005-12.01.2015)

Owner K.Liberta, Breeder T.Miettinen

International Champion, Multi Champion, Champion of Finland, Denmark, Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Baltic's, Slovenia, Belarus, Georgia and Azerbaijan Candidate for Championship of Croatia, Spain & Poland Junior Champion of Latvia, Lithuania, Estonia, Baltic's & Belarus

Qualified for CRUFTS 2007/2008, Club Winner 2007, Caucasian Winner 2008

BIS-1, BIS-4, BIS-5 junior, BIS-2 puppy 4x BIG-1, BIG-2, 2x BIG-3, 2x BIG-4, BIG-5 11x BOB, 6x BOS, 5x BOB puppy 4x CACIB, 19x CAC , 8x JCAC, 36x EXC-1 BEST IN SHOW Junior - World Winner Show 2006 Junior World Winner 2006

Moka Farstero Sinbest

(Pleasantview Bestik x Sindi, 18.12.2004-23.02.2016)

Owner I.Kušnere, Breeder M.Grinvalde

International Champion, Champion of Latvia and Lithuania

LVW-09, BALTW'07, LVW'07, LTW'07, LVW'06, BALTW-06, EURJW'-06, 15xCACIB, 2xR.CACIB, BIS-2x2, 2xBIS4, 10xBIG-1, 3xBIG-2, BIG-3, BIG-4, 2xBIG-5, 20xBOB, 4xBOO, Top Dog 2006 (Ventspils Regional Dog Club ratings) 2x CRUFT’s qualification

Copyright:

text - Ilze Burkevica

pictures - respective dog owners I.Cerbule, M.Grinvalde, N.Loginova, N.Ivanova, K.Liberta, I.Kušnere