2 CAC, 3 res CAC, 3 CACIB, 2 res CACIB TARA VD NOORDERHEIDE

page1

Hi faithful readers,
Another issue of Yaw Adyuba Today. We’ve
received so much positive responses on our
first issue.
Thank you all for all responses so far.
Recently the BBC aired a documentary
about pedigree dogs. We’ve got our own vision
on their comments about our so beloved
breed.
For those who haven’t seen the documentary
visit;YouTube
We’ve met so many nice people and
made lots of new friends when we went
to some shows we’ve visited. With the
upcoming Dutch club Specialty show,
we’re really anxious to see which dogs
from abroad will come over to the Netherlands
and even more anxious to
know who’ll be the Best in Specialty
Show.
Every month our pet ridgeback Zola (coverphoto) will take a
small part from the FCI standard and discuss this with you by
giving her opinion on some things.
Hope you’ll enjoy this issue just as much as you did the first.
We added a new feature to the e-zine;
- clickable weblinks.
All weblinks can be clicked on for browsing.
Best regards,
Marten & Marije.
COLOFON
Layout:
M.Baasaron
Creation & Graphics:
M.Baasaron & M.A. de Bruijn
Editors:
M.Baasaron & M.A. de Bruijn
Coverphoto:
ridgeback: Zola v.d. Noorderheide
d.o.b. 30-3-2006
Shot by; M.Baasaron
Interviews:
M.A. de Bruijn
Photographers;
M.Baasaron
M.A. de Bruijn
I.Hulsebos
All text has been placed under the authors rights and will be
protected by Dutch federal law. Publication of all published
text is prohibited without owners written and signed agreement.
All rights reserved Yaw Adyuba ridgebacks 2008
WWW.RIDGEBACKDRENTHE.NL
photo by; I. Hulsebos
page2

SHOWTIME 30-8-2008 Rotterdam - Netherlands
NANDI DOMINATES
TARA V.D. NOORDERHEIDE “NANDI”
We congratulate;
BEST OF BREED:
JEWELRIDGE BRILLIANT RUBATO NHSB 2648981
15.01.2007: SIRE: Jumanne van het Maasjesfles x DAM: Lörfällan’s Spicy
owner handled by; G. BUTSELAAR (V.H. MAASJESFLES)
BEST OPPOSITE SEX
BEST BITCH.
1ST IN OPENCLASS BITCHES. A SUPERB PLACEMENT OVER 16 BITCHES!!
now holding in The Netherlands:
2 CAC, 3 res CAC, 3 CACIB, 2 res CACIB
We arrived pretty late at the Rotterdam
Ahoy for the show, so we rushed inside
and didn’t really get the chance to settle
in that day, and relax before entering the
ring.
After a great result the week before in
Belgium we were hoping that our queen
mum would continue her swagger and
get a nice placement again.
We stepped in the ring noticing that the
judge loved our Nandi instantly. Nandi
showed him her coming and going, and
that was excellent again!
The openclass bitches was filled with 15
bitches. We’re proud of our girl who
seems to be dominating the ring these
last few weeks
after her comeback.
With
these gained
points we’regettingcloser
to
gaining the
Dutch
Champion
title. We
hope to
achieve it this year!
page3

ARTICLE:
A DOGS TAIL...
The tail is the most posterior or caudal terminal appendage
of the vertebral column. It extends beyond the
trunk or main part of the body.
Not all dogs have a tail. Some dogs are born with short,
rudimentary tails. Other dogs have their tails docked
short soon after birth. Dogs without tails and those
whose tails are commonly docked often belong to the
herding and working breeds of dogs. In these breeds, a
long tail is considered a disadvantage or a hazard, depending
upon the dog's intended usage or line of work.
What is the structure of the tail ?
The canine tail usually consists of between six and 23
highly mobile vertebrae.
These vertebrae are enclosed by a versatile musculature
that make the various segments, especially the tip,
capable of finely graded movements that lift the tail,
move it from side to side, or
draw it down toward the anus
or between the hind legs. The
caudal muscles lie on the lumbar
vertebrae, sacrum (in the
lower back region) and tail vertebrae. The muscles insert
on the tail/caudal vertebrae exclusively. The muscles
are attached to the tail vertebrae by tendons. The
most posterior tendons attach to the last tail vertebrae.
Part of the musculature is formed from muscles associated
with the rectum, the anus and the pelvic diaphragm.
Four to seven paired nerves serve the tail muscles.
These muscles have many tendons that insert from the
fifth or sixth caudal vertebra, then onto the next vertebra,
and so on to the end of the tail.
Functions
The tail is important as a means of counterbalance
when the dog is carrying out complicated movements
such as leaping, walking along narrow structures or
climbing. Dogs that run at great speeds often have thin
tails that are very long in proportion to the rest of their
body, and they use their tails as a counterbalance when
making turns. Their tails may increase their agility and
ability to turn quickly, so they can keep up with their
prey. Tail muscles are also important in stabilizing the
vertebral column and supporting the action of the extensor
muscles of the back, as well as those of the croup
and buttocks.
Comparing
In the field our experience with the Icelandic horsebreed
gives us a bit more insight in gaits and their function.
Marije rides Icelandic horses and we also breed them.
The experience we gained from this specific breed of
horses gives us an extra dimension on evaluating gaits.
Many times breeders will argue amungst eachother
about a low or too high tailset, and what they prefer.
The same subject resulted in a back and forth between
some breeders including myself on the Dutch ridgeback
clubs breed seminar given by Linda Costa.
The fact our breed has been breed to cover long distances
in pursuit or tracking big game in the wild, one can
conclude that our breed needs thrust from the rear and
reach in the front.
One of our own Icelandic horses ‘Mori’ has a steep
croup with a very low tailset. Normally they have a well
angulated croup with a rather medium tailset.
His lower than usual tailset prohibits him from really
using with his hindquarters in trot. In trot he places his
legs in a way that they end up beneath him without physically
any effort from
his account, thus lacking
muscular development
in his rear.
“..The tail is important as a
means of counterbalance..”
Now you would say; “ow that’s great, because his low
input should give
high output and
would allow him
to keep this up
for miles.”
WRONG!
Mori doesn’t reaches
out in the
front at all which
doesn’t allow him
that type of natural
endurance.
The angulations of the Icelandic horse’s croup allows
them to collect all power from the rear, placing their
hindquarter far under the body, which allows a maximum
reach in the front and eventually saving energy for long
distances. In this way their tölt which is a specific gait or
trot can be seen at high speeds covering lots of ground.
With this information in mind, now let’s have a look at
our ridgebacks, and think of a few questions to be answered
now or in the future.
Is a low tailset the result of a steep croup? Can a low
tailset allow maximum rear thrust because the croup
would be too steep? Won’t this be a disadvantage for
such a big game hunter as the Rhodesian Ridgeback? I
would aswer all the above with: YES!
I’m not making any conclusions at all, I only hope that
readers of our e-zine who have in depth knowledge can
answer some of these questions to me or breeders all
over the world. 4
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DZRR SPECIALTY SHOW
For the first time we went showing in Germany, This was a
complete new experience to us. We’ve heard so many stories
about shows in Germany and the majority of the Rhodesian
Ridgebacks owned and raised by German dogfanciers.
I can tell you that most of these stories were not as positive as
I would like them to be. Now we’ve had first hand experience
on a German show, and with all honesty we can report that it
was GREAT and surpassed our expectations by far.
Outside the ring, excitement plays it’s part. I think everybody
who supports their partner in handling has these moments ofcourse.
Whilst standing outside the ring, you know there is
nothing you can do to change the course of the
placement in the class your competing in.
I try to asses all entered dogs and attempt to pick
out the possible winners. As a breeder when we
visit shows or meet dogs from different breeds I
try to look for those dogs that stand out in a line
up.
Sometimes this means a certain dog may have no presence
we would love to see, but moves perfectly in the ring. Since
we’re also breeding Icelandic horses we look at a dogs gait a
bit different than most other breeders would.
I enjoy the time outside ring, learning a lot from the handlers I
see with their dogs. Pherhaps I might step into the ring to
show one of our own dogs again. Time will tell......
It was a day filled with beautiful ridgebacks with good temperaments
and behaviour towards eachother in the ring and outside.
Together with Ilse Hulsebos from www.makani.nl and breeder
Nicole Slag from www.el-faiyum.nl we represented the Netherlands
and brought home pretty good results!
Kazuni El-Faiyum: 4th Excellent - Openclass bitches.
Malozi Jamboni; 1st Excellent + VDH CAC - Openclass dogs
Kani Akilah Azuma: 2nd Excellent - Intermediateclass bitches
“..Pherhaps I might
step into the ring
to show one of
our own dogs
again..”
page5

DZRR SPECIALTY SHOW
TARA V.D. NOORDERHEIDE “NANDI”
The day
after we had
such a great
time in Rotterdam
we left for
Wettringen Germany
where the DZRR hosted
it’s Specialty show.
The amount of competing
ridgebacks was really
high!
48 bitches were eligible
for the DZRR CAC and
VDH CAC Anw.
We met more enthusiasts
of our breed, and made
some new friends. the
overall ambiance was really
great, and we will be
back next year again to
show our Phenyo there.
The judge Mr. Achtergael
from Belgium had a tough
time with so many beautiful
ridgebacks at the
same event.
We congratulate;
BEST IN SPECIALTY SHOW:
MAKALALI´S AMAZING ASHIMA VDH 05/145R0302
09.06.2005: SIRE: KAROSKLOOF TT SIMPLY RED x DAM: Azima Nyota
owner handled by; Michael Motes
RUNNER UP BEST BITCH!
2ND IN OPENCLASS BITCHES!!
SUPERB PLACEMENT OVER 48 BITCHES!!
now holding in Germany:
res VDH Anw. CAC & res DZRR CAC

COVERSTORY:
BBC PEDIGREE DOGS EXPOSED THE ANSWER...
In response to the BBC 1 Documentary entitled ‘Pedigree
Dogs Exposed’, we would like to shine our light on the matter:
1. The BBC stated “�In fact it’s been known for decades
that the ridge is a mild form of spina bifida that can cause
serious health problems�”
THIS IS COMPLETELY UNTRUE.
This statement made by the BBC is completely inaccurate,
wrong and damaging to the breed. What they should have
said is that in some rare instances a condition called Dermoid
Sinus can found in Ridgeback puppies. Dermoid Sinus itself is
akin to Spina Bifida in humans, NOT the ridge. If puppies are
bred by experienced, responsible and knowledgeable breeders
the sinus is found at birth and the puppy put to sleep, before
it suffers later in life.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are in fact one of the healthiest pedigree
dogs you can own, as they are made up of scores of different
breeds of dog, including an African wild dog (who
provided the ridge). Therefore they have a huge gene pool,
and really are a pedigree mongrel in this respect and have
the same hybrid vigour.
2. The BBC stated “10% of puppies worldwide suffer from
Dermoid Sinus”
“..Where do these ‘figures’
come from ?...”
They have not published
where they
obtained their statistics
from, and we
believe any statistic relating to Dermoid Sinus is purely heresay
– there is NO official route of reporting when a Ridgeback
puppy is born with Dermoid Sinus. It is purely
guesswork.
a healthy ridgebackpup at 6,5 weeks stacked.
3. Ridgeless Ridgebacks
The BBC Documentary interviewed the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Club of Great Britain, along with another well known Ridgeback
breeder. They stated that they supported the RR Club of
GB’s ‘Code of Ethics’ that contained an instruction that “any
ridgeless Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies shall be culled at
birth”.
It has never been MANDATORY to put a ridgeless puppy to
sleep in any clubs Code Of Ethics.
Lets also keep in mind that the English Code Of Ethics has
been drwan up a mere 20-30 years ago when breeding was at
a different level than nowadays.
The UK ridgebackcluibs Code Of Ethics states the following;
“Any mismarked puppy shall be described as such and sold
not to be shown or bred from. This should be reflected in
the price. Ridgeless puppies shall be culled at birth; if
a breeder finds this morally impossible the puppy shall
be homed, without a pedigree certificate at rearing cost
only, with an understanding that it is to be neutered.
Registration documents for all puppies referred to in
this paragraph shall be suitably endorsed.”
The BBC quoted that “1 in 20 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies
are born without a ridge”. Again, another completely
misleading and wholly inaccurate statement from the BBC.
Where do these ‘figures’
come from? There is no
form of reporting a ridgeless
puppy being born in
the UK or on any other
continent..
From our experience, it
is far, far fewer ridgeless puppies who are born. When, on
the very rare occasion, most breeders do have a ridgeless
puppy, they find a home for them. They make wonderful
pets, and for goodness sake – they don’t know they haven’t
got a ridge do they?! Ridgeless puppies are the same as ridged
puppies in every way except
cosmetically.
They shouldn't be bred from and
can’t be shown – but as our puppies
are sold primarily as fantastic pets, who is to say that a
ridgeless puppy won’t have a long and happy life and make
a wonderful pet?
On a final note – the documentary made a very big point regarding
‘in-breeding’ in pedigree dogs, quoting that pedigree
dogs were often mated father to daughter, brother and sister,
etc.
We shall not and NEVER will practice in-breeding within our
breeding programme. There is no excuse for in-breeding.
Genetics are a very big part of being a responsible breeder,
and with in-breeding the risk of health or mental problems
being passed on is huge.
The BBC has published inaccurate information, and we
would like to inform as many people as we can that their information
is not correct and neither has it been researched.
For a response by the Great Britain Ridgebackclub, visit
their website; http://www.rhodesianridgebacks.org
page7

INTERVIEW
EXTERIOR JUDGE J. ACHTERGAEL (BELGIUM)
Jan Pierre Achtergael is a well known judge from Belgium
who we’ve met before in Eindhoven The Netherlands. Marten
had the possibility to have an interview with Mr Achtergael
after the DZRR Specialty.
Mr Achtergael is qualified by the FCI to judge our breed along
with some other breeds such as the Dalmatian which he
breeds. Jan Pierre’s career in judging brought him to several
of Europe’s biggest conformation exhibitions and numerous
Specialty shows. With his well extended knowledge of the
breed, Jan Pierre can give a good outlook of his view on our
breed today as it is.
First of all, tell us who Jan Pierre
Achtergael is, and what drives him?
I’m 50 years old and employed by the Belgian
Railroad. At this time in the Safety and
Environment department. I bought my first
dog, a Dalmatian ofcourse in 1982.
Ever since then canines have become my
hobby and passion. Since my early days
several dogs of my kennel achieved Champion
titles in several countries. We breed 1
litter a year (average). Breeding the perfect
dog in mind keeps us passionate about our
breeding program.
How, and when did your judging adventure
start, and what was your motivation?
I started judging in 1990. For several years
I’ve been active as a host in the conformation
ring and as a secretary. My interest in
judging came trough seminars and studies
I took. I believe that I can have more influence
in the course and future of a breed a
as a judge rather than just being an owner
or breeder.
I always try to for the best qualities in a dog
or bitch, and to this date I find it a pleasure
for my eyes to judge a class of “Excellent”
ridgebacks.
How long have you been judging Rhodesian ridgebacks?
Í’ve been qualified by the FCI to judge Rhodesian Ridgebacks
since 1998..
Can you tell us in what
way you’ve seen the
breed change over this
period of time?
When I started judging the Ridgebacks there were a lot of rr’s
that twisted their front paws towards the inside. We call this
“The English position”, this can be seen at English bulldogs.
I’m glad to say that breeder picked up on this and I haven’t
seen it in a long time. I must add that aggressiveness is not
displayed in the ring a lot.
Breeders do not only select on conformation but on soundness
in soul aswell. You normally show a dog for about 4
years in his primes. In other breeds the breeders only look at
the exterior aspect and this leaves people after a show career
at home with an aggressive dog for another 12 years.
Are there any differences you experience in the conformation
of European bred ridgebacks and those of other
continents, seeing you’ve judged in several countries?
I haven’t got any experience yet with rr’s from other continents.
The Ridgeback is a very popular breed at this time and this is
not for the betterment of the breed. Sometimes when I’m judging
in Europe, I can find myself judging poor quality ridgebacks;
Too big, Too narrow, Bad croups and awful heads. A
few months later I’m judging just a fewhundred km’s from the
previous show, the quality is lots better. I do not have an explanation
for this occurrence.
How would you describe your perfect Ridgeback without
conforming to the breedstandard of course?
A beautiful royal built head, this is very important! The specimen
needs to be in harmony, a lust for your eyes.
“..In the ring a beautiful specimen of
this breed can give me goosebumps..”
With the Dalmations this used be
the same, but now due to
larger numbers of imported dogs the
phenotype has become more homogenate
The ridgeback has the same faults
to improve like the Dalmation, short
upperarm, bad croups.....although I
must say that the croups have been
getting better in Ridgebacks lately.
As far as ridges go, in some parts of
Europe I see nice long ones but rather
narrow, and in other parts nice
5cm wide ridges with sufficient
length.
Good angulated in front and
rear with a decent amount of
forechest. I would like a
good depth of chest a straight topline with good tailset.
The tail is not supposed to be carried high when in trot because
this disrupts the complete image.
Well boned and of course a perfect ridge. This specimen needs
to have reach in the front and thrust from the rear when moving.
part 2 on page 10
page8

SHOWTIME:14-9-2008 ZWOLLE - NETHERLANDS
PHENYO’S FIRST WIN .
YAW ADYUBA AMAZIAH MONTSHO PHENYO
BEST BABY OF BREED
It was time to exhibit our little princess at her first show in the
Netherlands. For us it was extra exciting given the fact that this
could provide us a different point of view about our breeding.
Mr Beare from Ireland was found of Phenyo and made her Best
Baby of Breed. His report was spectacular, and more than satisfactory
to us. Needless to say how proud we are!
She’s a promise for the future, and we can only hope she’ll grow
up to make it true. Phenyo was joined in her class by one of her
litter sisters ‘Yaw Adyuba Ayo Anaya’.
The judge gave her some really nice remarks so our joy was
doubled ofcourse.
Her owner/handler emailed us after the show, to inform us that
they enjoyed showing so much that they entered her in another
show in The Netherlands.
We hope the judge in Utrecht (NL) on October 25th will favor
little Ayo Anaya as our A-teams ‘Grey girl, and make her best
Puppy!
The sensation we we felt when one of our own bred ridgebacks
went in the ring was quite overwhelming and filled us with joy
and proudness.
Yaw Adyuba Adjatai Jabari starts his showcareer in Maastricht
The Netherlands....more on page 10.
YAW ADYUBA AYO ANAYA
14-9-2008 ZWOLLE - NETHERLANDS
2ND VERY PROMISING
page9

INTERVIEW
Choose: Movement or Conformation?
Movement.
Why do prefer above mentioned ?
Sometimes a class enters my ring and when they’re all stacking
It happens that right there and then I choose my winner,
but then when I see them coming and going I often change
my mind and pick another dog that doesn’t have that thing
that catches your eye. This dog has proven to me that it has a
powerful trot with rear thrust.
A stacked ridgeback is very nice to see, but it needs to function
aswell, and if that is not the case I will pick a mover anytime.
What would your most important advice for breeders
would be when they’re selecting the right the studdogs
for their bitches?
A lot of breeders study
countless pedigrees, and
know them by heart. This
isn’t a bad thing to do
when looking for inheritable
diseases and certain
flaws in bloodlines. I
haven’t done this before
in my own breeding. I let
my eyes do the work.
When I’m looking for a
stud to sire my bitch, I try
to find a suitable stud
that can improve the weaknesses
from my bitch
and hopefully adds that
in the progeny.
One must still know that due the gene pool of every animal
selected for breeding......there are no guarantees!
Where in Europe or overseas will we be seeing you at
work from September on?
In April 2009 in France.
for Jan Pierre Achtergael’s Dalmation breeding
have a look at his website;
Of The Green Garden
INFO:
TOURDATES 2008
You can find us art the following CAC- CACIB shows throughout
Europe.
4-10-2008
Netherlands - Ermelo - Openclass
RRCN - National Specialty - Openclass - L. Noussianen (FIN)
17-10-2008
Germany - Dortmund - Bundessieger Zuchshau - Openclass
19-10-2008
Germany - Dortmund - Bundessieger Zuchshau - Openclass
25-10-2008 -
Netherlands - Utrecht - Openclass - Mw. M. van Brempt (B)
1-11-2008 -
France - Metz - Openclass
15-11-2008
Belgium - Kortrijk - Openclass - Mr. R. Oliveira (PT)
29-11-2008 -
Netherlands - Amsterdam Winner - Openclass -
22-12-2008
Netherlands - Wychen - Openclass - Mr. R. Doedijns
PREMIERE
“YAW ADYUBA ADJATAI JABARI” IN THE RING
At the CACIB show in Maastricht – The Netherlands we had
ourselrves another premiere. Yaw Adyuba Adjjatai Jabari
“Jaba” was entered in the babyclass and got;
3rd VERYPROMISING!
This was not only his first time on a show, but also for his owners.
Jaba was very playfull and willing to do anything for a
snack but stacking not included ;-). Full of puppy life he bounced
along the ring and eventually showing a good trot to Mrs
Purkisher from the
US.
Being watched by
his grandfather
Shangani Pansa
Dafina our little
Jaba was flirting
with the crowd with
his wiggly tail
throughout his 5 minutes
of fame in the
ring.
We hope to see him
again in the ring because
we feel he is
a very beautiful ridgeback
and takes
after his mother and
father a lot.
page10

PIECE OF MIND.
ABOUT THE FCI STANDARD
I strongly believe ridgeback owners who do not exhibit their
ridgies, have memorized the standard less severely than
breeders and people who attend to shows. I thought it might
be fun to look at a certain point and then asses your own ridgeback
to see if they meet the standard in these points.
I chose to take the part we see the first time we glance at a
dog. The given fact that homosapiens are predators the first
thing we look at when we encounter an animal are their eyes,
and thus the facial region.
HEAD
CRANIAL REGION :
Skull : Should be of a hair
length (width of head between
ears, distance from
occiput to stop, stop to end
of nose, should be equal),
flat and broad between the
ears; the head should be free
from wrinkles when in repose.
Stop : The stop should be reasonably well defined
and not in one straight line from the nose to the
occipital bone.
FACIAL REGION :
Nose : The nose should be black or brown. A
black nose should be accompanied by dark
eyes, a brown nose by amber eyes.
Muzzle : The muzzle should be long, deep and
powerful.
Lips : The lips should be clean, closely fitting the jaws.
Jaws/Teeth : Jaws strong, with a perfect and complete scissor
bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth
and set square to the jaws. The teeth must be well developed,
especially the canines or holders.
Cheeks : Cheeks should be clean.
Eyes : Should be moderately well
apart, round, bright and sparkling,
with intelligent expression,
their colour harmonising with the
colour of the coat.
Ears : Should be set rather high, of medium
size, rather wide at base, and gradually tapering
to a rounded point. They should be carried
close to the head.
this is me; Zola ;-)
this is my niece Phenyo.
So now that you have asessed your own ridgeback, you’ll
most likely think they fit the profile right?
In my honest opinion we’re all wrong, no dog fits this profile
because the perfect dog does not exist and haven’t been bred
EVER.
The different parts of the standard are guidelines to which one
can refer when assesing their dogs. Every dog will still have
it’s flaws.
The standard leaves enough room for discussion and speculation
because there are no definitive figures pointed out.
I would like to urge breeders not to think in avarages but to look
at complete bloodlines. The fact remais that with breeding; 1+1
will never make 2 !!
Anyway....I am just a ridgeback with a kinkytail and a few extra
crowns (3) on my ridge with an opinion in certain things. I don’t
even visit shows, so make of this what you want but don’t keep
me on a shorter leash for it ;-) Whooof!!
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page11