Last year at the first day of the Sequoia Kennel Club conformation show in Hanford CA, Kuyu went Best of Breed (BOB) with Linda as his unexpected handler. We were very grateful that day to Geri Griffin who stepped in and took Kuyu into the Hound Group. Kuyu then took a year’s break from the show ring. This year he returned to the conformation ring at the Hanford show weekend with Geri Griffin handling him. And the first day of the Sequoia Kennel Club shows seems to be especially lucky for Kuyu who took another BOB win.

Kuyu made his debut in Canada in January 2013 at the Ladies Kennel Club of BC in Cloverdale, BC. He showed for 3 days with handlers Don Rodgers and Emma Marshall. In December 2013 Kuyu met up again with handler Don Rogers in Canada at the Auld Lang Syne Dog Association shows in Chillawack, BC. In these 3 December shows Kuyu earned his Canadian Championship, two Best of Breeds, and a Group 2 and a Group 3 placement in the Hound Group on successive days.   Kuyu’s performance in Canada in these 2 weekends of showing in 2014 led to his conformation ranking as the #11 Rhodesian Ridgeback in Canada for 2014.

A nightmare for many owners of dogs who compete in conformation is standing nervously ringside with their dog waiting for the professional handler who never shows up. This is just what happened on March 6 at the Sequoia Kennel Club the first day of the Hanford Shows. With the Best of Breed (BOB) class going into the ring and no handler available, Linda rapidly got Kuyu’s armband, slapped it on and ran into the ring completely unprepared. For those of you who may have no frame of reference, going in the show ring in jeans is like wearing brown shoes with a tux. It is horribly awkward and uncomfortable. The ring steward and Judge Lisa Warren were as gracious as possible and encouraging. Kuyu thought this was highly irregular and lots of fun to be out in the ring with mom. Thank you judge Lisa Warren for overlooking the lack of handling skills and judging the dog and awarding Kuyu Best of Breed. Thanks too to Geri Griffin who graciously showed Kuyu in the Hound Group making a lovely showing. It was quite the day to remember.

The Western Washington Cluster in Puyallup, WA has been a very lucky series for Kanzu and Kuyu. This cluster of shows has special meaning for us as Kanzu earned a BOS and BOB at the Puyallup shows in 2012 with Breeder-Co-owner Mike Patterson, earning his Grand Championship there. Kuyu was entered in the shows in 2013 and earned a Best Opposite RR Puppy in Sweeps and Best RR Puppy in Sweeps with handler Emma Marshall. In 2014 Kuyu made an unexpected return to Puyallup. Kuyu finished his AKC Championship in October 2013 at the Idaho Capital City Kennel Club show in Boise Idaho. Unexpectedly, in January 2013 after the Championship certificate was awarded and registered by AKC an error was noted and it was determined that Kuyu was one point short of completing his AKC Championship. So, off to WA and OR he went with handler Don Rogers. On Day 3 of the Puyallup shows Kuyu earned a 5 point major under judge Dee Hyde with handler Alex Carter to finish up his AKC championship Xs 2. The Puyallup shows are indeed a very lucky show for our African Treasures.

The American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation championship is the much sought-after (must-have) title for a pure bred dog. However, there are other organizations that offer championships. One such CH title that is popular for many Americans is the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Championship. The process for achieving a CH title from the CKC is similar to the AKC process. A dog must compete with other dogs of the same breed and is judged against the standard for the breed. For the CKC championship title a dog must earn 10 points under 3 judges and at least one win must be 2 points or more.

Kuyu made his debut in CKC shows in January 2013 at the Ladies Kennel Club of BC in Cloverdale, BC. He showed for 3 days with handlers Don Rodgers and Emma Marshall. Kuyu earned 4 of the 10 points needed for his Canadian Championship. In December 2013 Linda, Kanzu and Kuyu made the long drive to Chilliwack, BC for Kuyu to meet up with handler Don Rogers at the Auld Lang Syne Dog Association shows. On Day 1of the show Kuyu won Winner’s Dog and Best of Winners for 3 points. On Day 2 under judge Mrs. Darle Heck he took Winners Dog, Best of Winners and Best of Breed. This led to a lovely and very competitive Group 2 placement in the Hound Group. On Day 3 he moved up to the Specials ring and again won BOB and again, a very competitive Group 3 placement in the Hound Group under judge Mr. Walter Pinsker.

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.

Kuyu with handler Don Rodgers winning second major under Judge Jeraldeen Crandall day before he earned his AKC Championship.

Kanzu with handler Mike Patterson winning 3rd major and his AKC Championship under Judge Jeraldeen Crandall at Palm Springs, January 2009. Ms Crandall has been a good luck judge for dad and son.

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.

Four BOB ribbons for Kuyu at the IABCA shows Sept 28 and 29, 2013.

Five new Ridgeback International Champions shared in the fun at the International shows in Sept 2013.

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.

Thank you Theresa Lyons for sharing this lovely photo of Kuyu with Val.

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….
 

Truck carrying Kuyu and several ‘show dog buddies’ was in an accident prior to the Oregon shows in February 2013.

Emma and Kuyu in the ring

The American Kennel Club (AKC) conformation championship is the much sought-after (must-have) title for a pure bred dog.  However, there are other organizations that offer championships.  One such  CH title that is popular for many Americans is the Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) Championship.   The process for achieving a CH title from the CKC is similar to the AKC process.  A dog must compete with other dogs of the same breed and is judged against the standard for the breed.  For the CKC championship title a dog must earn 10 points under 3 judges and at least one win must be 2 points or more.

Kuyu made his debut in CKC shows in January 2013 at the Ladies Kennel Club of BC in Cloverdale, BC.  He showed for 3 days with handlers Don Rodgers and Emma Marshall.  Showing in the open class at just 14 months, Kuyu won Best of Winners on January 25 under judge Mrs. Sandra Alexander for a 2 point win. On Sunday January 27 he earned his second 2 points with a Winners Dog win under judge Mr. Harold Pybus.

Kuyu now has 4 of the 10 points needed for his Canadian Kennel Club Championship assuring more trips to Canada for Kuyu very soon.

Kuyu Best Puppy in Sweeps

Kuyu and Kaia (Kanzu x Kayta Dragon Littermates) were reunited for the first time since Kuyu left the litter in January 2012.  Now at 14 months the puppies met again at the Western Washington Cluster in Puyallup, WA January 2013.  The shows included Sweepstakes Supported by the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US (RRCUS).  This cluster of shows has special meaning for us as Kanzu earned a BOS and BOB at the Puyallup shows in 2012 earning his Grand Championship there.

This year, Kanzu’s kids Kuyu and Kaia kept the Puyallup-good-fortune going.  On Saturday Jan 12, Kaia won first in the Bred By Exhibitor class under judge Dennis Gallant.  She then earned an impressive Bred By Exhibitor Group 1 win in the hound group.  What an impressive win for a puppy!    On the same day, handled by Emma Marshall, Kuyu earned a Best Opposite Sex in Puppy Sweeps under judge Stephanie McLeod followed on Monday January 15 with a Best Puppy in the Ridgeback Sweeps under judge Elaine Young.  In the regular classes on Saturday Kuyu and Kaia earned Reserve Winners Dog and Reserve Winners Bitch respectively under Judge Dennis Gallant.

The Puyallup shows and the reunion were very memorable for Kuyu and Kaia and their wins were fabulous reflections on dad Kanzu and mom Kayta.

Kaia Best Bred By Exhibitor Hound Group First Place

Kuyu’s second foray into the conformation ring was a fun and new experience. At the Antelope Valley Kennel Club show (May 25, 2012-Day 1 of the Mission Circuit shows) with Mike handling, Kuyu was the only puppy in the Rhodesian Ridgeback 6-9 month class yielding a ‘Best Puppy’ win for the breed. At this show the club was holding a Best Puppy Competition so the Best Ridgeback Puppy win earned Kuyu a chance to compete in the Puppy Hound Group. Our friend Curtis Freeling took over as Kuyu’s handler for the group. There were 13 dogs competing in the hound group. Even after a very long day of showing and shopping with lots of noise and stimulation, Kuyu entered the ring with Curtis and showed as if he had been doing this forever. Judge John Shoemaker narrowed his choice for best puppy in the hound group to two puppies, a Beagle and the Ridgeback, Kuyu. It was thrilling! In the end, Kuyu earned a group 2 in the hound group (second place). The judge commented on how difficult and close his decision was in an almost apologetic tone. But we were thrilled with this placement and the opportunity for Kuyu to compete with so many representatives of the hound group.

Kuyu (Bakari Tigris African Legacy) lived up to the ‘Bakari’ name (One With Great Promise) when he debuted in his first conformation show just one week after turning 6 months old. And following his Tigris legacy, Kuyu was shown by his father’s breeder/co-owner and his own co-owner, Mike Patterson. We entered the Apple Valley Kennel Club Show on May 13, 2012 under hound owner and judge Lou Gurrero to expose Kuyu to the ring and to gauge his current show skills. To our surprise and pleasure, Kuyu made quite the splash when he trotted out into the ring with Mike and showed like little pro as if he had been showing forever. He stacked right up for Mike in the 6-9 month class where he was the only puppy. The judge commented to Mike on ‘this puppy’s great spirit’. Then with tail wagging and a ‘look at me’ attitude, Kuyu showed his way around the ring to ‘winners dog’ and his first conformation point.