Nash Awarded 5 Point Major Win!

Nash + Courtney + Judge Sahloff = 5 Point Major winning combination!

It was a freezing, blustery day in Cleveland, Ohio where Nash earned his first Major win! The IX Center was crowded with chilled pups during the Lorain KC dog show. All Ridgebacks entered made the show to compete for a huge 5 point win, and it was Nash winning from the 12 - 18 month puppy class. Nash is just days away from his 18 month birthday.

Courtney Norris handled Nash beautifully! We couldn't be happier! This win was very "BIG" to me, as Judge Salhoff has been a respectable Ridgeback breeder for many years, and it appeared that he took his time - closing his eyes - as he gazed on each dog, as if to recall the perfect Ridgeback standard. Nash's weight of 85 pounds IS the standard weight for a male Ridgeback, but often appears "small" when in the ring with above-standard sized dogs weighing as much as 100 - 105 pounds.

Judge Bill Salhoff's comments were complimentary to Nash's movement and muscular rear. Thank you Judge Sahloff for this exciting win, and thank you Courtney for your help. I believe the best is yet to come . . . be watching for Nash's next major win to earn his championship. (Nash does earn his championship status just 4 weeks later! See above post.)

Nash Goes Reserve to a Huge 5-Point Major!

It's not often that one brags on a Reserve win (2nd place), but this was a nail biter! We put a professional handler, Frank Murphy, on Nash this past Saturday in Columbus, OH, and they were oh, so close to winning a huge 5-point major! Don't they look great?!

Nash went Reserve with a male entry of 18. He was in the ever-competitive OPEN class with 10 males. Frank really gave it his all, and at one point, he put his arms around Nash’s neck and kissed him on top of the head! What a great handler - he makes a dog owner proud!

When I asked Frank if he were disappointed with the Reserve win, he said, "Yeah, we should have won!" I hope these two can pair up again ~ they made quite a team. Frank's comments on Nash were that he had a sweet temperament and beautiful movement.

See a quick clip of Frank and Nash go "down & back".

Lawrence KC - October 10, 2009 - 1 Point

Nash spent his last weekend with Alice at the Lawrence, KS show. On Saturday, Judge Houston Clark named Nash Winners Dog! 1/WD - 1 Point. Good job, Nash, and thank you, Alice.

Cornhusker KC (2) - October 4, 2009 - 1 Point

Nash and Alice remain in Lincoln, Nebraska. Thank you Judge Mark Houston-McMillan for awarding Nash Best of Winners (BOW). 1/WD/BOW - 1 Point.

Cornhusker KC (1) - October 3, 2009 - 1 Point

Nash and Alice visit the Cornhusker State of Nebraska. Judge Guy Jeavons (originally from Rhodesia - presently Canada) gave Nash the nod for a one point win and Best of Winners (BOW). Judge Jeavons said that Nash was a very, very nice dog! Thank you, Judge Jeavons, for this win. 1/WD/BOW - 1 Point.

Greater Racine KC - August 9, 2009 - 2 points

Nash and Alice go south of Milwaukee, where Judge Linda Scanlon awards Nash with Winners Dog (WD). 1/WD - 2 Points.

Cudahy KC - August 7, 2009 - 2 Points

Nash and Alice head back East, where Judge Nancy Bodine awards Nash Best of Winners (BOW) in Wisconsin. 1/WD/BOW - 2 Points.

Bismarck KC - August 1, 2009 - 1 Point

Nash and Alice hit the road for a string of Western shows. In Bismarck SD, Judge Carol Esterkin of California awards Nash with Best of Breed (BOB) over specials. 1/WD/BOW/BOB - 1 Point.

Natural Herding Instinct : 13 Months Old

Nash and breeder Alice Caplinger travelled to Pennsylvania to the Ridgeback Rodeo on July 25th to try his instincts on herding sheep! To our amazement - he did fabulously and earned his Herding Instinct Certicate. The title HIC will be added to his name.


Kelly Malone returned for her 3rd year to head up the Herding event. Kelly has stated that our breed representation at the rodeo had at least as much and maybe more herding instinct than some AKC herding breeds! Kelly is an AHBA (American Herding Breed Association) judge and has German Shepherds. This was a huge attraction at the Rodeo.


Nash was especially smitten with this black sheep and gave her a kiss!

Therapy Dog (TDI) and CGC Certificates Earned

On June 30th, Nash delighted the evaluator from Therapy Dogs International (TDI) and we received certification to be a Therapy Dog team at the age of 12 months old. The evaluator said to his knowledge he had never given TDI certification to a Ridgeback before. The breed is typically known as stubborn and strong willed. Simultaneously he received his Canine Good Citizen (CGC) certificate, an AKC award that verifies his calm temperament and good behavior skills within the community.

God has given him a temperament that is calm, curious, and eager to please. Through the TDI program, we desire to share love and joy to the lives of those that may be hurting - elderly, children, disaster relief, etc.

Happy 1st Birthday MuNashee!

June 13th, 2009

A Family of National Winners!

#1 Brood Bitch Nika (mom), Bree (sister), and Koda (sister)

• Nika, mom - 2nd in Veterans and 1st in Brood Bitch
• Bree, sister - 2nd in Bred By Exhibitor class
• Koda, sister - 1st in 9 - 12 month bitch class
• Nash, himself - 4th in 9 - 12 month dog class

Amidst Amazing Competition - Nash Places at the 2009 Rhodesian Ridgeback Nationals!

(Click on photo to enlarge)

The 2009 Rhodesian Ridgeback Nationals were held in Lansing, MI. We entered Nash in the 9 - 12 month dog (male) Puppy Sweepstakes, which ended up being the largest class with 25 entries from around the nation. The ring was packed with the entries taking their spot by catalog number.

Above, Nash is being expertly handled by his breeder, Alice Caplinger of Colorado. Nash would not have performed as well without Alice's calm handling - he was pretty overwhelmed by the new sights and sounds.

The judge made several cuts to whittle the number of dogs down to 5. Only 4 dogs receive awards, so it was pretty exciting waiting for his final decision. Would Nash be in the final four???? (Double click on photo above and you'll see Nash looking directly at me - wanting me to save him.)

The judge, Mr. Ross Jones of New Mexico, continues to move the 5 dogs around the ring to carefully make his final decision. Nash is standing in the 4th position, but will he hold it?? He's been in the ring now for over an hour, and he is getting antsy - attempting to hop on the back of the dog in front of him. Did the judge see that??

The final announcement is made, and Nash wins 4th place in the National Rhodesian Ridgeback show!!!!! Thank you, Alice, for handling Nash, and much gratitude goes to judge Jones for making Nash a National winner!! Way to go MuNashee! You did a great job!

Relaxing By the Grand River : 11 Months Old

Our first day in Lansing, MI, the three of us took a walk downtown on a trail beside the Grand River. The hotel was getting busy with activity with hundreds of Ridgebacks arriving, so it was nice to experience the quietness of the park before our National debut.

2009 Rhodesian Ridgeback Nationals

Keith and I are very excited to attend the 2009 Rhodesian Ridgeback National show at the end of May. There will be an estimated 500 Ridgebacks in one location. What an experience this is going to be!

Tuesday will be the National RR Puppy Sweepstakes. Nash will be handled by his dam's owner/breeder, Alice Caplinger of Koda. Alice is from Colorado and will be bringing with her Nash's mom and three littermates. Be watching for pics, stories, and possible awards. "Go, Nash. Go!"

"Ears Under Control"

This month Nash has been doing some serious teething on bones, balls, ropes . . . you name it! With the teething, the cartilage in his ears was stiffening and causingh his ears to "fly away" and not lay nicely. This technique of taping the ears is widely accepted and seemed to do the trick! He wasn't fond of it, and pouted for the four days. We felt sorry for him, but it was hard not to giggle at his matronly appearance.

8 Months Old

"Where do we sit?" is a common phrase with the humans in our house. Nash does not leave much room on this 96" couch for the rest of the family. It's become his favorite spot.

"Nash's Mom Wins Big at Westminster!"

MuNashee's mom is gorgeous! Nika (Ay Caramba!) was chosen as the top female Rhodesian Ridgeback at the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in February 2009. Congratulations Nika and owner/handler Alice Caplinger.

"Good-Bye Leo"

Leo was a very sweet, easy-going hound. We rescued him from a Beagle rescue nearly five years ago. During those five years he was a very loyal companion - especially to my teenage daughter. We lost him to old age and health complications. We will miss him very much!