Why not a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
A what?!?
A Rhodesian Ridgeback, a dog with a ridge on his back...Many years ago, with these words pronounced by our friend Bruno, we learned of the existence of this breed. Both of us were brought up with dogs: Marco with dachshounds and myself with boxers. During the early '80s, we started missing a hairy friend at home, and were making up our minds about buying a golden retriver (at the time quite rare in Italy). Then, when talking with Bruno about our decision, we happened to learn of the breed we breed today. Curious, but skeptical, we decided to see a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
At that time I was living in Oxford UK, and the closest RR kennel was Mrs. Janet Grimwood's Caldas. We arrived at Janet's full of skepticism about this "ridged" dog, but when Janet opened a door and... Carla, a superb bitch, entered the room, we stayed speechless, hit by the essential beauty of the RR. Carla carefully sniffed us, then she sat at our side. She had confirmed her owner she could trust us: we passed her examination! Mrs. Grimwood relaxed and our story with Rhodesian Ridgebacks began, thanks to Bruno and Carla.
First puppy
Mrs. Grimwood was going to have a litter soon. Once back to Italy we were anxiously awaiting the end of the pregnancy. We had decided to have a male, but, when the time came, all females were born! Then Janet put us in touch with Mrs. Elisabeth Webster, Janak Kennels. Elizabeth too was about to have a litter, and on 6 April 1985 Yaro, our first Rhodesian Ridgeback, was born! He landed in Italy in July, at Rome airport. We arrived there worried for the heath and the procedures for the customs. Luckyly enough, the crate was delivered quite soon, and when, full of emotion, we opened it, Yaro slowly creeped out and curled up at our feet. Holding him in our arms and not leaving him for twelve years, till he left us, was just one thing.
