The American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation championship is the ‘must-have’ title for a pure bred dog. Kuyu began his show career working toward his championship when he was just 6 months old. He won his first point his first time in the show ring at 6 months. He earned 7 of the necessary 15 points toward his championship by 18 months of age. He then took a little rest to mature and ‘fill out’ so that he would be more competitive with the ‘big boys’ in the ‘Open Class’. Kuyu returned to the show ring at 22 months and in just 2 weekends of showing he earned the necessary two major wins and additional 8 points to become an AKC Champion. Handled by Mike Patterson he earned his first major (3 points) the Bonneville Basin Kennel Association in Farmington UT on Sept 14, 2013 under judge Mrs. Anne Savory Bollus. Two weeks later, handled by Don Rodgers, Kuyu won his second 3 point major at the Lizzard Butte Kennel Club show in Boise ID on October 10, 2013 under judge Ms Jeraldeen Crandall. This win was especially nostalgic as Ms Crandall was the judge who gave Kanzu his third major earning his AKC championship in 2009. On the 3rd day of the Idaho shows at the Idaho Capital City Kennel Club, Kuyu earned his 3rd major and final points for his AKC championship under judge Christine Erickson. It was an incredibly exciting two weekends of shows and a rapid finish to Kuyu’s AKC championship journey.

 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Each year the American Kennel Club (AKC) honors the top 5 ranked agility dogs in each breed. These top 5 scoring dogs are invited to compete at the AKC Agility Invitational in Orlando Florida in December. This year, for the first time the AKC is also honoring the top 5 dogs of each breed competing at the preferred jump height. While the Preferred Jump Height dogs are not invited to compete, their names are entered into the program along with a photo and they are recognized at the annual banquet. This year Kanzu was the #1 Preferred Rhodesian Ridgeback. Kanzu’s handler Vicki LePenske will be competing at this year’s invitational with Kanzu’s gal pals Echo and Scarlett who are the #1 and #2 ranked agility Weimaraner’s in the country. Vicki will be at the banquet to accept Kanzu’s award and to celebrate their partnership and achievement.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

While the American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation championship is most important title for an American dog there are other organizations that offer conformation championships. For example, one such CH title that is popular for many Americans is the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Championship. Another popular championship is the International Champion title offered by the International All Breed Canine Association (IABCA).The process for achieving a IntlCH title from IABCA requires that a dog compete with other dogs of the same breed and is judged against the standard for the breed. An IABCA IntCH title is achieved after receiving 3 Award Certificates at International Dog Shows. These certificates are awarded by 3 different judges with at least 2 of the judges licensed in different countries. More than one dog can receive Award Certificates in a show. However, only one dog is awarded Best of Breed and the right to go on to compete in the appropriate group.

Kuyu showed at the 2013 Southland Autum Sieger on Sept 28 and 29, 2013. Handled for the first time by his owner Linda D’Antonio he earned 4 consecutive Best of Breed wins. On Septmber 29th, under judge Mike Loller he earned his IABCA International Championship and a very competitive group 2 in the Hound Group. It was a fantastic, magical weekend for Linda and Kuyu.

 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

On March 22, 2013 Kanzu earned his PAX (Preferred Agility Excellent) title. In March 2012 in order to extend Kanzu’s agility career with less wear and tear on his body, he began competing at the preferred jump height of 20 inches rather than the 24 inches he was jumping during his MACH career. He continues to love to run with Vicki and enjoys being at agility trials with all of his friends. One year after he began jumping at the preferred height he earned his PAX. This title is earned when a dog has earned 20 double qualifying scores on the same day on the Jumpers with Weaves and the Standard courses. This new title was especially enjoyable because it was at our favorite location, the Navy Training Center in Point Loma CA and with one of our very favorite judges, Beverly Morgan-Lewis. Thank you Vicki LePenske for your excellent handling of Kanzu and for loving him every step around each and every course.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Portland Kennel Club shows were extra special for 3 of the Kanzu x Kayta littermates this year. On Saturday July 20, 2013 Kara (Bakari’s Firestar Karisma) handled by her owner (Amateur Owner Handler) Jennifer Cleary won Winners Bitch (WB), Best of Winners (BOW) and Best Opposite Sex (BOS). Logan (Bakari’s Logan Msaka) handled by Emily Kerridge won Winners Dog (WD) and Kaia (CH Bakari’s Fabled Treasure Kaia) also handled by Julie earned Select Bitch. Thank you Judge Jason Hoke for these lovely wins. On Sunday July 21 under judge Helen Winski Stein, The kids did it again. Handled by Breeder-Co-Owner Julie Eschilling Logan was WD/BOW, Kaia was BOS and like Saturday, Kara was WB and . Wow! That was a clean sweep for the littermates. Congrats owners and handlers and special congrats to momma Kayta and daddy Kanzu. You two gave us some very nice puppies!

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Kara with Owner-Handler Jennifer Cleary
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Logan with Breeder-Handler and co-owner Julie Eschilling
 

Recently the AKC added new agility titles to recognize consistency and longevity. They began recording levels to the Master Agility Excellent (MX) and Master Excellent Jumpers With Weaves (MXJ) titles. For each 25 qualifying runs in each class a new level is awarded; Bronze, Silver, Gold. When the dog reaches 100 qualifying runs a century title is awarded. Since receiving his MACH in January, 2012 Kanzu has been competing less frequently and now in the Preferred jump height. The weekend of May 18 and 19, 2013 Kanzu gave a special gift to Linda and agility handler and special friend Vicki. Linda and Vicki not only share a love of Kanzu but they share the same birthday. This year they celebrated their shared B-day at the San Diego Rhodesian Ridgeback Club 2-day trial at Navy Training Center in San Diego. On Saturday Kanzu earned his 30^th qualifying score in the Standard class earning his MXP3 title and on Sunday he earned his 30^th qualifying score in Jumpers with Weaves for his MJP3 title. And to make the weekend even more special he earned a beautiful rosette from the San Diego Rhodesian Ridgeback Club for being the High Scoring Rhodesian Ridgeback in the Trial. It was a very special birthday for Linda and Vicki.

 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

The Orange Coast Rhodesian Ridgeback Specialty was held April 12, 2013. Kuyu was shown by Valerie Nunes-Atkinson in the 12-18 month group and earned a 3rd place in a very competitive group. But the best part of the whole day was that Kuyu had the opportunity to have his photo taken with his grandpa Kumba. Kumba (CH of Affrika Kumbaya) is Kanzu’s sire and Kuyu’s grandsire. The photo of grandpa and grandson is a treasure.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Kuyu got back on the truck after his accident in Washington in February. He joined Valerie Nunes-Atkinson and crew for a trip to Arizona. Kuyu settled right in and went to work earning a Winners Dog/Best of Winners with Valerie under judge Wayne Morris Thompson on April 7, 2013. Darn it! One dog was absent breaking the major. Thanks to Antonio and Lauren for giving such special attention to Kuyu as he got back on the ‘dog-show’ truck.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

Following the Western Washington Cluster in Puyallup, WA in January 2013 Kuyu went on to Canada for two wins (4 pts) toward his Canadian Championship. He was on a roll so his stay with Don and Pat Rodgers and Emma Marshall was extended to include a 4 day show in Oregon in February before returning home. Unfortunately, the Rodgers and an assistant and truck full of show dogs, including Kuyu, were in a terrible collision with a semi-truck prior to the February Shows (see news story below). Linda was contacted by Kuyu’s breeder, Julie Eschilling later in the afternoon of the accident to assure her that she would locate Kuyu and make any necessary arrangements. While it was very reassuring to have Julie so near to Kuyu, it was hours before we knew where the dogs were and if any were injured. After a short stay at the local animal shelter all of the dogs were retrieved by another handler who volunteered transport and returned all of the dogs to Don and Pat’s kennel except for Don and Pat’s pet Whippet. Eventually even the whippet was found with the help of dog search and rescue teams. A few days later Emma accompanied Kuyu to the Oregon Shows in Albany, Oregon and Linda and Kuyu were reunited on February 22th, 2013. It was an emotional reunion.
Kuyu enjoyed his nights in the local LaQuinta with his human mom and friend Coby. He was indulged in several massages and chiropractic adjustments and he seemed to enjoy being pampered. He showed well and at the McKenzie Cascade Dog Fanciers show on February 25th Kuyu won Best of Winners for 2 points under Judge Lawrence J. Sinclair.

 
Click here to read more about the accident….