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RIDGEBACKS IN NEW ZEALAND


In 1970 a well known Judge and breeder/exhibitor of Poodles and Schipperkes Bernard Fears of the South Island imported the first Rhodesian Ridgeback, Ulundi Umvukwe, into NZ.


Bernard with the New Zealand's first litter of Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Bernard said "He was a beautiful puppy with a pronounced black mask, appealing dark eyes, substantial bone and a good ridge" A couple of months later he imported a bitch, a half sister to the male - They were both from Janet Murray's Australian Ulundi Kennels… The first ambassadors in the conformation ring for the breed in NZ they quickly attained their New Zealand Champion titles and produced their first litter on the 30th January 1972 - thirty years ago now. Bernard was invited to judge the 2nd Rhodesian Ridgeback Speciality Championship Show. Recently Bernard had this to say about the breed "Now when I look back to those 'pioneering' years it is obvious just how much the breed has stabilised and improved. Many imports have followed and each has contributed something to the gene pool here. The breed is now widely recognised and the qualities of a "ridgie" have been appreciated by many who love space and the outdoor life. It is not a hollow comment to say that there are Rhodesian Ridgebacks, bred in New Zealand, that would be able to win challenge certificates anywhere in the world."

In New Zealand we have a National Dog Show usually run early in September. Ridgebacks were first exhibited at this show in 1974 with an entry of 4. Entries for this show peaked 1988 with 25 entered. These days you would expect to see about 10 RRs at an Allbreed Show.

It was in 1983 that a number of interested people organised a meeting to discuss formation of breed club, a committee meeting of the Rhodesian Ridgeback League was held in 1984 and the first Ribbon Parade was held that same year in Auckland. This was also the year of the first supplement dedicated to the Rhodesian Ridgeback to be published in the NZ Kennel Club Gazette, there has been another since then in 1991 and the next one will be appearing in the February 2002 issue of the Gazette, copies will be available from the NZ Kennel Club for any interested enthusiasts.

In New Zealand new clubs have to run a number of successful Ribbon Parades before progressing to firstly Open Shows and then getting permission to run Championship Shows. The first of the RR League's Open Shows was run in 1986 and attracted an entry of 41 for Judge Mrs Anne Hutchinson from Scotland. The first Championship Show was held in Huntly with Sammy Wallace of Zimbabwe officiating, it was extremely well supported with 57 entries.
Best in Show at this show was Wongsarot's Chilolo Goldilox Took bred by Rosemary Green of Australia and Reserve in Show was Wells' locally bred dog Ch Kimbiza of Totara Glen bred by Trevor & Judy Lance. Sammy Wallace recently became the only judge invited back to judge the RR Championship Show, his Best in Show this time was NZ bred Ch Nambala Jalingo bred and owned by Rachel Janes. Reserve Best in Show went to Moody's Ch Brajkovich Nesibindi bred by John Hawson who now lives in Australia. Since then invited judges include, Bernard Fears (NZ), Nina Bieberitz (Aust), Grace Sturdy-Collings (UK), Myron Arthur (Aust), Anna Lane (Aust), Elina Haapeniemi (Finland), Barbara Sawyer-Brown (USA), Rodney Leys (Aust), Elizabeth Webster (UK), Patrice Johansen (Aust), Lesley Alvin (Aust), Dawn Corker (Aust) and Keith Irwin (Aust).

Some of the Milestones for Ridgebacks in New Zealand




If you would like to contact us - we would love to hear from you
Carol Elgie - South Island
E-Mail		 Rachel Janes - North Island
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