The first question that comes to mind when viewing a dog for the first time should be ...

"What was this breed created to do?" 

The second should be ... 

"Is this dog capable of performing it's function?"

In Architecture, your building is only as strong as your foundation and support system. If the base is not strong, the aesthetic beauty just doesn't matter.

We were looking for a great companion dog, and the rest they say "is history"

We were very lucky to have started with the very best ... our pedigree's are chock full of dogs that  are some of the top winning, top producing dogs in the history of the breed. More importantly they are some of the healthiest in both physical and mental characteristics. 

We were in an area of the country where there were many important and influential Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders. We competed against, met with, and listened to these people nearly every weekend at shows for years ... they have always been willing to share their knowledge and expertise to those who would ask. 

And we asked a lot of questions!

Watching the enthusiasm and dedication that these people provided us with the role model to follow. We witnessed their process, studying pedigrees and the specific individual dogs, whelping, selecting  and showing only the very best to their championships, screening them with all the appropriate health tests, being critical about what they improved, and what they still needed to work on ... then the agonizing search for just the right dog/bitch to breed to ... and starting the whole process all over for the next generation. 

These people have been, and continue to be, our mentors and friends.

We are thankful that we were able to establish these friendships and have learned how important it is to always be a student, seeking those that are more knowledgeable and willing to share.