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Max has been found safe and well
but Emily is still missing
NOTE OF CAUTION
It has come to the notice of the breed Clubs that some unscrupulous breeders passing
off rhodesian ridgebacks that are not the correct colour as “rare” -
colour and their purchase price should reflect this. The Kennel Club recommends that these puppies should have their registration documents endorsed.
Champ Show Results & Pictures.
New Kennel Club Code of Ethics
RESPONSE TO BBC PROGRAMME “PEDIGREE DOGS EXPOSED”
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was introduced as a dog with a ridge which “serves no purpose”. This is absolute nonsense as the ridge defines the breed from any other large brown dog without a ridge which might be considered a crossbreed i.e. mastiff x pitbull or boxer x mastiff.
Professor Serpell states “dogs were essentially bred for function ………dogs that did
the job well were bred to dogs that did the job well”. This is exactly how and
why the Ridgeback breed evolved; from mixed packs of pioneers’ breeds, mongrels
and the Hottentot ridged dog came the ridged dog who was noted for a particular reason
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The ridge is NOT “a mild form of Spina Bifida” Some Vets/Scientists believe that the dermoid sinus condition found in Rhodesian Ridgebacks is related to the human condition of spina bifida. Dermoid sinus can be palpated shortly after a puppy is born – it does not “burrow down to the spine or skull” but is the result of malformation of skin tissue development in utero.
Despite being requested to, the programme chose not to quote the Code of Ethics clause referring to ridgeless puppies in entirety ie “Any mismarked puppy shall be described as such and sold not to be shown or bred from. This should be reflected in the price. Ridgeless puppies shall be culled at birth; if a breeder finds this morally impossible the puppy shall be homed, without a pedigree certificate at rearing cost only, with an understanding that it is to be neutered. Registration documents for all puppies referred to in this paragraph shall be suitably endorsed.”
It has never been MANDATORY to put a ridgeless puppy to sleep.
Ms Harrison was also well aware that the Club’s Code of Ethics was drawn up 20 years ago, and in the light of changing attitudes members had been reviewing this for the past 12 months with particular reference to the sensitive issue of ridgeless puppies, but again, she chose not to include this information in the programme.
There are no statistics in the UK for dermoid sinus or ridgeless in the breed. The
statements “1 in 20 ridgeless puppies are born,” and “10% of puppies with dermoid
sinus are born” and “dogs born without a ridge do not suffer from dermoid sinus”refer
to results of small-
No mention was made of the information that dermoid sinus has been confirmed in a ridgeless puppy in the UK, and indeed that this condition is found in other breeds without a ridge eg. Dobermans, Boxers and Humans
This Club does not feel there is any reason to change the Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard on the results of the incomplete Swedish research. We have helped to fund this project in the hope that results will assist members in future breeding programmes.
This Club holds educational health seminars – Dr Sampson was a speaker some years ago when we attempted to set up dermoid sinus project – and recommends hip scoring, dermoid sinus checks for puppies, identification by microchip and/or DNA and/or Tattoo for breeding stock.
In general the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a healthy hound that is still bred for functionality, and most dogs live to enjoy old age.
