When we decided to put the Number One Rhodesian Ridgeback on the cover this week, we thought it would be easy. But when the June rankings were published, we found ourselves on the horns of a dilemma—there were two Number One Ridgebacks as of the end of June! And so they are sharing this week’s cover: Multiple Best In Show, Multiple Best In Specialty Show Winning Ch. Pupukea Ridge Ikaika o Spring Valley (Number One Ridgeback in Breed Points*), and Multiple Best In Show, Best In Specialty Show Winning Ch. Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Gray, JC (Number One Ridgeback in All-Breed points**).
These exciting young dogs are out of litter sisters Ch. Deer Ridge Dream Weaver ROM (Ikaika) and Ch. Deer Ridge Blixen of Afrikka (Dorian) and were both sired by Multiple Best In Show, Multiple Best In Specialty Show Winning Ch. Spring Valley’s The Great Gatsby ROM. Gatsby (the only Ridgeback in history to have won Best of Breed at a Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States National Specialty Show, Westminster Kennnel Club, and the AKC/Eukanuba show) was the top sire among all Hounds for 2007 with a total of 19 champions finished last year. He is one of the top Ridgeback sires of all time, with at least 55 AKC, and more than 20 foreign, champions to his credit to date. Dorian and Ikaika are the second and third Gatsby sons to win all-breed Bests in Show. Another Gatsby son, Ch. Paumanok’s Helios of Spring Valley, is also ranked among the Top Twenty*** Ridgebacks.
In addition to two all-breed Bests, Ikaika has won Best of Breed at two consecutive Orange Coast Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Specialties. He was the Number One Rhodesian Ridgeback for 2007 (all systems). Dorian, in his first six months with Jack, has four all-breed Bests, as well as a Best at the Greater Valley Forge Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Specialty. He is currently a Top Ten** Hound.
Ikaika was bred and is co-owned by Tom and Barbara Peach; Sonnet and Ian McKinnon and handler Pam Lambie are proud co-owners. Dorian Grey was bred by Christina Wistrom, Ph.D. and is co-owned by Christina, Ian and Sonnet. Dorian is handled by Jack Secrest.
Dorian pictured winning Best In Show
under Judge Mr. Dennis Kniola
stats at time of publishing, *The Dog News Top Ten Best of Breed List **The Dog News Top Ten List ***C.C. Breed stats
When we decided to put the Number One Rhodesian Ridgeback on the cover this week, we thought it would be easy. But when the June rankings were published, we found ourselves on the horns of a dilemma—there were two Number One Ridgebacks as of the end of June! And so they are sharing this week’s cover: Multiple Best In Show, Multiple Best In Specialty Show Winning Ch. Pupukea Ridge Ikaika o Spring Valley (Number One Ridgeback in Breed Points*), and Multiple Best In Show, Best In Specialty Show Winning Ch. Of Afrikka Spring Valley Dorian Gray, JC (Number One Ridgeback in All-Breed points**).
