Cynara RRs - Breeding data

Cynara is currently accepting applications for our next litter due in late summer 2010.

Stella was Pink girl in Litter A (our first). She grew up to be an awesome high energy show dog and finished with 18 points and three 4-pt majors. Each of the majors was won with a different person showing her. We know the judges love her not the person on the other end of the leash. Our little puppy turned 2 years old on 1/23/10 which allowed her to finish taking her health tests which she passed with flying colors. A handsome stud dog has been located and will be announced when the contract has been signed. She is expected to come into season sometime during May-June 2010.

Cynara's waiting list is not "first-come first-serve". Based on your requirements, Cynara selects the best puppy for you, your family and home environment. We encourage people to tell us exactly what type of Ridgeback puppy they want. Examples of requirements: "Male show pup with perfect ridge" or "Bold, high energy female for lure coursing" or "Calm, laid-back pet male, ridge not important". This process works exceedingly well. References from happy puppy buyers are available. If you are interested in a puppy from an upcoming litter, complete and return our brief questionnaire (MS Word doc). It is designed to help us get to know you and learn what type of puppy will meet your needs. Our e-mail address is cynaraokrrs@gmail.com Be patient, it may take a few days for us to respond.

We encourage owners to show and try performance activities like lure coursing because it helps you bond with the dogs and allows other people to see and meet Ridgebacks but pet homes are equally wanted and needed. We are always available to spend time doing "owner support" and are happy to help solve any problems you have with your new puppy or older Ridgeback.

While you are searching for a puppy please remember a responsible breeder will always take a puppy back--for whatever reason. Our dogs are part of the family and we don't want them to ever be dumped on the side of the road or in a shelter. Cynara will be happy to accept one of our dogs back at any time during its life--whether a year or 12 years after purchase. All Ridgebacks are not created equal. You may have no interest in owning a show dog but healthy genes, intelligence and good temperament are just as crucial for a pet. Behind every great dog is an involved owner so please don't buy a dog if you plan on putting it out in the yard and leaving it there without training or socialization.

WHAT OUR PUPPIES COST

In the USA, purebred AKC registered Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies sell for $300 to $3000. Cynara puppies range from $800-$1600. We encourage owners to be actively involved with their puppies and offer various rebates for certificates and titles. Six of the seven puppies from the first litter qualified for rebates and several from the second litter have finished their puppy obedience classes.

Our price reflects the costs of health tests and genetic screenings for our dogs, including hip and elbow x-rays, cardiac, thyroid, degenerative myelopathy (DM) and vision testing by veterinarians certified in those specialties. All of our dogs are socialized, have attended multiple training classes and passed the Canine Good Citizen (CGC) test. Cynara only breeds to stud dogs who have also passed all of their health tests. We want all of our puppies to live long healthy lives.

Puppies go to their new home with a collar, first set of puppy vaccinations (parvo & distemper) and preventatives (heartworm & flea/tick), health record, food for a few days and a puppy packet full of photos and information on both parents. Plus we pay to have a microchip inserted to help animal shelters and vets to trace the owner and breeder in case the dog is ever lost, stolen or injured.

MONTHLY EXPENSES

Dogs, especially in the warmer areas of the US must be given a monthly heartworm preventative. We use Interceptor Spectrum to prevent heartworms plus it controls round, whip, hook and tape worms. It is considered safe for puppies (older than 2 weeks) and pregnant bitches. Where we live fleas aren't a problem but ticks, especially in the Spring, are plentiful. Without monthly applications of Bayer K9 Advantix the dogs can pick up more than 10-20 ticks on an hour long walk around the property. Using K9 Advantix decreases the number of ticks that get on them and kills the ones that manage to bite the dogs before I can pick them off. If they made something I could take that worked as well, I'd buy a year's supply!! Ridgebacks should be bathed with a mild shampoo (don't use flea/tick shampoo) at least monthly and have their nails trimmed or dremelled every week. Trust me, nails grow faster than grass.

REBATES

Ridgebacks who attend training and do fun things with their owners bond more closely and make better and smarter pets. Frequently socialized Ridgebacks are much less likely to bite and become a joy to be around. To encourage new owners to get involved with their pups, we offer rebates upon completion of:

Puppy kindergarten class

Herding Instinct Certificate (HIC)

Canine Good Citizen (CGC) and Therapy Dog (TDI) certificates

Agility, Coursing, and Tracking titles

AKC Obedience & Rally titles

AKC Show, Field or Grand Championship

Proof of completion of titles and certificates are required. Copies of receipts and graduation certificates from certified instructors are required for classes and certificates.

WHEN CAN MY PUPPY BE PICKED UP?

It is important that a pup is not removed from his litter too soon--no earlier than eight weeks. Puppies removed from the litter too young are often socially inept with people and other dogs because there wasn't enough time to learn proper communication signals from the mother and littermates. Cynara starts basic socialization exercises to allow the pups to experience situations they will encounter later in life. Neighbors, friends and people on the puppy waiting list are invited over to accustom the pups to noise and being handled. The pups are taken on car rides and learn that going to the vet can be fun. House training, wearing a collar, walking on a loose leash and learning to sleep in a crate all are started before the puppy goes to its new home but it is up to the owner to continue the training on a daily basis. We encourage owners to pick up their puppies between 8 and 9 weeks of age.

WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY PUPPY?

We highly recommend Innova Large Breed Puppy Food be fed until the puppy is at least one year old. It doesn't hurt to keep feeding it until they are 18 months old. Many long-time breeders tell buyers to only feed puppy food for 4 or 5 months and then switch to adult food. In the old days this was good advice but high quality dog food makers, such as Innova, have special formulas for large breed puppies. What difference does it make? Feeding a young Ridgeback a food low in calcium and med-high in protein is vital to keep their bones from growing too fast which can cripple them. Research has shown hip dysplasia can be caused by a combination of poor genetics and inappropriate feeding. All four of our Ridgebacks were fed Innova Large Breed Puppy Food and all four received an excellent grade from OFA on their hip x-rays and normal on their elbow x-rays. 'Nuff said!

The main ingredients are: Turkey, Chicken, Chicken Meal, Barley, Brown Rice, Potatoes, Rice, Chicken Fat, Natural Flavors, Flaxseed Meal, Herring Oil, Sunflower Oil, Apples, Carrots, Cottage Cheese, Alfalfa Sprouts, Eggs, and Garlic. It contains:
24% Protein - 12% Fat � 4% Fiber � 10% Moisture � 0.90% Calcium

Innova LB puppy is a high quality food and can cause some puppies to have loose stools. Our back-up or "Plan B" food is Precise Large Breed Puppy food. It is has been tolerated very well by puppies who couldn't handle the Innova.

Cynara Ridgeback Puppies

WHAT OUR PUPPIES COST

MONTHLY EXPENSES

REBATES

WHAT SHOULD I FEED MY PUPPY?

Contact Cynara