NEWS - MATOBO HILLS Rhodesian Ridgeback Kennel

March 27, 2025

And once again we find ourselves at the end of a month. But now summer is beginning, and we rejoice in every ray of sunshine we can see and feel. We always realize how important sunshine is in spring. The temperatures are slowly rising, the olive trees are allowed out on the terrace, and the citrus trees have finally survived a winter, thanks to my "tarpaulin protection construction."... Yay! In the next few days, the terrace will be painted again, furnished, the dog furniture will be spruced up, and then something will be done in the garden.

Oh, one is practically bursting with creativity after all the dark months, hours in the studio from morning to night, so a sunny spring is just what's needed.

And because things are slowly picking up speed, I'm already happy to report that I've started planning the next litter.

We're skipping the summer heat again, as previously announced. Instead, it will be time to announce things in the winter.

will be allowed to have her 2nd litter. I already have 3 candidates in mind for her. Of course it's not just about having good personal contact, but also that the two make a great match. In this case, apart from character, which is the most important factor, health, achieving the personal goal in a mating, a suitable pedigree and improvement and continuation of the desired bloodlines are the deciding factors. So Payton will have an African-bred male that matches her pedigree and emphasizes her advantages and balances out any disadvantages. ♥ As soon as the decision has been made, I will of course report back. Payton is a compact bitch with the team player GEN. She likes to work and loves to please.

will have her third and presumably last litter. This will happen before or after Payton. I have two candidates in mind for her, and she will also follow the African line, which we would like to continue. As with the selection of Payton's males, I will also pay attention to health, temperament, and, of course, the sire's nature with Mac Bess. Mac Bess is a fantastic, large-framed bitch who has given birth to wonderful offspring so far. Her temperament and magnificence are important to me. ♥

If you are interested in a puppy, I look forward to your initial contact via email so we can exchange the most important information.

Jurell and Coeur are doing well so far. Jurell is living her retirement life and coping with the odd ailment, while Coeur loves to roam the house and garden. She loves her pack, likes to tease Payton, and sometimes challenges her mother's training potential. However, she has an incredibly refined nature, knows exactly how to interpret words and also when it's time to be polite. Jurell endures her ear-nuzzling and kisses with a frown, but also appreciates the attention she receives from her granddaughter. ♥

March 16, 2025

This weekend, the Matobo Hills Boutique was on tour again. As usual, Coeur was part of the crew, and since it was possible this year, with both days of exhibitions, I entered Coeur. Her first show. I had expected anything and therefore started with her in the Puppy Class.

She ran beautifully, playfully, as should be in the Puppy Class. She was easy to position and had no problem with it.

Then came the judge's closer inspection and handling. When you read the breed profile of a Ridgeback, you know you don't have a retriever on a leash who likes to be grabbed by everyone. So, what we've known for decades happened: Coeur found it silly and strange to be touched by strangers. Especially since we don't have any gropers here in the country :-)

Showing her teeth was fine as usual; I was allowed to show her to the judge, right down to her throat. But handling was silly.

After I let her loose and the judge tried another grab, she gasped for air, which then accompanied us out of the ring.

I'm not disappointed at all, because I gave her everything she was entitled to. I was happy that she applied what she had learned before exactly. She presented herself well, stood still, and demonstrated everything I taught her. And we'll just do the unlearned things, like being touched by strangers, in the future. All in all, I was completely satisfied and had no reason to doubt her, at her very first show with so many dogs in one hall.

On the second day, we were at the ring early, and every possible hand was able to convince her that her first experience wouldn't be the worst. So, fellow judges, dear friends, and acquaintances came along, who knew exactly what to do to convince a young Ridgeback. ♥ And lo and behold, things were already better in the ring. By holding her, I was able to get her to feel every last vertebra of her tail so that the judge, who otherwise was incredibly calm, could feel every last vertebra of her tail. Yes, it wasn't a free stand, but to recap: we have Ridgebacks, not Retrievers.

Coeur took second place (out of two) and received a wonderful VV (Very Promising), the highest rating you can get in the puppy class, along with delicious beef gullet and a medal. Her first ♥

Time flies so quickly.

I've received lots of great stories and pictures in the last few months, which I've put in the respective litter folder on Facebook. You can look at them all here and enjoy watching the little ones grow.

Mac Bess's babies are now 7 months old and Payton's 5 months. They're all doing well, the initial bumps are over and puberty is already here. ;-)

It's worth checking the puppy book now and then so you don't completely lose sight of where the path is leading.

Perseverance is the motto and everything will be fine in the end. ♥

What else is coming up this year:

The Matobo Hills Boutique is next going to the CACIB trade fair in Offenburg, in May to Dortmund and in August to Helsinki for the World Dog Show. It's going to be a fun trip....

After that, it's the summer break and in the autumn trade fairs we're going back to Mannheim, Dortmund, Karlsruhe and Hanover. Production of the new collections is underway and we can't wait to see what happens.

After all the hustle and bustle, at the end of the year, I will probably use Payton's heat as an opportunity to have her second litter. The father of the future puppies is still being planned and will only be decided shortly before the litter. Mac Bess will probably have her last litter after that. When exactly is not yet known.

So if you are seriously interested in our next litter, please contact me early to avoid "detours" and to secure a permanent place.

For initial contact, you can use the contact form or our email. Or we can meet at one of the trade fairs at my stand. I look forward to a visit.

Shona [E]

Glenaholm Payton Gazini Ye Matobo Hills

Used the turn of the year to sort things out, put one or two aches and pains behind them, get rid of old things and make room for new things. Even if not entirely voluntarily for some.

It's amazing what a human-dog life can or has to endure.

I would like to thank all my dear friends and puppy parents again for all the great Christmas cookies and presents. Even the dogs got mail.

And the joy was great... Thank you also dear Isabell and Luna for always thinking of us at Christmas for around 12.5 years. The dogs greet the postman quite energetically when they smell your package. ♥

A few days ago was Kolesha's first death anniversary ♥ and almost at the same time Jurell had gastroenteritis and had to go to the same clinic that I took Kolesha to. Jurell has recovered, which takes a little longer for an older lady. But she's doing well again so far.

Coeur and I were at the trade fair in Münster in mid-January with our great Matobo Hills Boutique team. That's where the beautiful photo at the harbor was taken.

January is now coming to an end and we're looking forward to warmer February. So that we can get outside again.

The feedback from our puppy parents is simply great. I receive lots of great pictures, which I am of course happy to present in the respective album on Facebook and share with others.

A little reminder: make sure that you constantly adjust the amount of food, as written in my puppy booklet. Don't pay attention to the amount in the pack, your dogs don't know that. If you have any questions, please let me know.