After earning his AKC championship in January, 2009 Kanzu took a break from the conformation ring to concentrate on lure coursing, rally obedience and agility. In May 2010 the AKC initiated the new Grand Champion title http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=4096
Three months later, Kanzu returned to the conformation ring with a goal of earning his Grand Champion title. During his first weekend of showing with his handler Curtis Freeling he took BOB and a 3 point major one day and BOS two days. With this first weekend back in the ring he earned 1 of 3 majors and 9 of the 25 points needed for his AKC Grand Championship (click here for the Alaska story)
In his second weekend of showing we traveled to Montana where he showed at the at the Gallatin Dog Club Show on September 23, and took BOB and a 3 point major. The next two days he took Select Dog and earned 3 more points. Kanzu now has 2 of the 3 majors and 15 of the 25 points needed for his Grand Championship.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US (RRCUS) held it’s national specialty in Ventura, CA, September 18-24, 2010. One unique event that was held was the Endurance Trial. The Endurance Trial determines the ability of the dog to withstand a certain degree of physical strain without showing any undue stress or lack of constitution.

Twenty dogs participated in the trial. Each dog was accompanied by a handler. Handlers either ran or biked with their dog. The dogs ran 12 miles in three, four mile legs. There was a break in between each four mile segment. Each four mile leg had to be completed within 40 minutes meaning the dog had to pace at a speed of 6 mph or greater. A vet check was performed at the beginning of the trial and after each leg. There was also a simple obedience test before and after the trial to assure that the dog was willing to work for its handler in a similar manner after the run as before.

Kanzu ran 12 miles along the Ventura, Surfer’s point beach path. The day was misty and perfect for the run. We quite literally gathered in the dark and began the run at daybreak. Kanzu was a real trooper and finished the run wanting to play with all of the ridgebacks who had gathered. At the completion of the trial he earned an ET title, a beautiful ribbon and certificate.

One of the special features of this ET was the fact that 4 of the 20 dogs were sons or grandsons of Kanzu’s grandpa Kobe. One of Kanzu’s breeders, Lisa Patterson was there for the finish and got to congratulate all of Kobe’s offspring.

For Endurance photos
Click Here