NEWS
Her belly may change shape, but actual changes in size should only be clearly visible from week 5 onwards. ;-)
Week 4
[follows 01/19]
[follows 01/19]
PAYTONS Pregnancy UPDATES ►►►►
Week 2
01/19/2026
YES! Payton is pregnant!
We're finally expecting babies at Matobo Hills!
Today's ultrasound revealed little Dante/Payton babies.
I'm overjoyed that we made it this time!
We're now in week 4 and heading into week 5.
From now on, there will be weekly pictures and weight updates.
Today she weighed: 35.8 kg
Bye Bye Münster
Coeur and I returned from the trade fair in Münster today. Dear friends and customers visited us.
Now we're tired and looking forward to a few relaxing days. Then we'll be back in full swing.
Time to rest for now.
♥
01/13/2026
Three weeks after Payton's wedding.
She had to rest for almost two weeks, which she enjoyed, because she had an infection in her toe. Today, we can say that it's 90% healed. The infection has subsided, and the toe is slowly regaining its shape.
On the afternoon of January 19th, we have an ultrasound appointment, and we hope that the desired image will finally appear. I will report back immediately.
Coeur and Mac Bess had their first experience with black ice on the patio. Sometimes they forgot about it and slipped right past the patio door. Jurell, the "old hand," quickly recognized this and adjusted accordingly.
So everyone got through the brief snowy spell well.
A few things are still planned for January, such as the trade fair in Münster and, after the ultrasound (hopefully), the big preparations for a possible birth.
Coeur and Mac Bess had their first experience with black ice on the patio. If the ultrasound is positive, we could expect a birth between February 17th and 22nd. Last time, she was very quick and gave birth to her babies on day 57, which would be February 17th. A pregnancy is typically estimated to last about 63 days. However, this was rather unusual with our girls. They gave birth between days 60 and 62.
For those who need to book or plan their travel, they could move out during the week of April 14th-19th.
But please wait until January 19th. ♥
01/03/2026
Coeur had her x-rays at the end of last year.
I always make sure that I don't overexert my young dogs or let them run around uncontrollably.
And that's not always easy, especially since Coeur is already an active and resourceful little thing. ♥
And I've been lucky with that from the very beginning. As they say, "never change a winning horse"...
Thanks to Dr. Kaiser [German expert according to FCI, specialist in radiology, GRSK expert], who has been our trusted expert for many years, including reviewing all breeding x-rays in our former club, DZRR. Thank you for your prompt review and reliable evaluation.
For your information: it is not necessary in France to x-ray and evaluate dogs in this way. However, as a breeder, it is important for me to know which pairings are a perfect match health-wise and will produce the healthiest possible puppies.
Therefore, the following results are available:
HD A
ED: clear
OCD (shoulder joint): clear
LÜW (lumbosacral transitional vertebrae): clear
We had already performed blood tests. Here are the results again:
JME N/N
DM N/N
Hemophilia B N/N
D locus: N/N
B locus: N/N
Ridge disposition: R/R
IVA: N/N
The next step for our lovely Coeur is her breeding approval [French: CONFIRMATION] with the SCC. This may take some time, however, as we hope to have puppies soon. ♥
12/20-27/2025
Honeymoon Tour and Short Trip to Lake Maggiore
The time had come. Payton's progesterone levels were so high that we quickly set off to see her admirer, Dante. Since we also had plans to pay someone a surprise visit, we headed south. Everyone was on board. It was a joy. Jurell only heard "Vacation!" and immediately sat back in the car, unaccompanied.
Payton and Dante met on the weekend of December 20th, and there were two successful dates! ♥ Thank you so much, dear Sylvia and Bruno, for your hospitality. It was truly a fun and wonderful get-together.
Now it's time to keep our fingers crossed, and we've already booked the ultrasound appointment for January 19, 2026, so we can hopefully hold the desired little picture in our hands. Until then: "Fingers crossed!"
For questions about the upcoming litter, please use the contact form in the upper right corner.
Mac Bess isn't in heat yet, which is just as well, as it gives us some time in between.
Here are a few impressions from our week-long trip to Montbéliard and Locarno on Lake Maggiore.
Payton injured her toe in France; I have no idea how, but it's very swollen. She's currently on the mend :-)♥
12/06/2025
♥
Payton in heat ♥
Thus, the first female in the pack begins preparing for her nuptials.
Expected mating: December 22-24
More information to follow. ♥
♥
11/09/2025
Not an ordinary Sunday.
While I was setting up camp for the HUND & PFERD show in Dortmund, I was simultaneously registering Coeur for the International Show in Metz. She was to have another chance to earn her qualification for the International Junior Champion title. She had already secured all the necessary qualifications with her double wins in Dortmund in May, but she was still missing one country.
I thank my team for having my back, which allowed me to drive back late Saturday evening to be able to compete in Metz on Sunday.
And what can I say?! Matobo Hills Vizuri Raza Coeur raised the flags and ran to victory.
Junior Class Bitches
Judge: M. Dupas [F]
Exclusive 1 (Winner)
Best Junior Dog
and then came the big moment:
BOB / BEST OF BREED Rhodesian Ridgeback
Best Junior Dog, yes, that was the plan, but then to become BEST OF BREED at only 15.5 months old?! It still leaves me speechless.
So Coeur got to compete in the main ring twice.
Once among all the BEST JUNIOR DOGS of Group 6 (Scenthounds and Hounds) and then again among all the BEST OF BREED of Group 6, and that's where she really outdid herself: She was chosen from many different breeds and rewarded with an outstanding 3rd place in Group 6.
She has now earned all the qualifications for her INTERNATIONAL JUNIOR CHAMPION title and will hopefully receive mail from Belgium soon.
Many thanks to Mr. Dupas for this fantastic evaluation, the double award, and the opportunity to present the lovely Coeur so beautifully. ♥
Thanks to the French Ridgeback Club and especially Anne, who conjured up such a wonderful little buffet and invited us all to a get-together after the judging. ♥
10/25/2025
The winter litter planning is online ♥
Due to Mac Bess and Payton's wedding location, we are tied to our home in France and have invited the prospective sires to come to us.
Mac Bess's chosen mate from Riga will be coming to us, and we are very grateful for that. ♥
Unfortunately, it's not possible for Munay to come and stay for a sufficient amount of time at the appropriate date, so I have decided on a male dog that I've had my eye on for four years, who can give us the security we need for this litter. Dante ♥
All information can be found in the litter planning section.
For questions or if you are interested in one of these wonderful litters, please feel free to contact me by email.
Thank you so much, Sylvia, for your trust in Payton and Matobo Hills.
Thank you so much, Natalja, for your trust in Mac Bess and Matobo Hills.
I am very much looking forward to these wonderful pairings and our new connection. ♥♥