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In The Know - Hot Topics and Useful Facts

ARE YOU A PET OWNER OR GUARDIAN?

Most people have never thought about it or else believe titles don't really matter.  Normally they would be correct but when lawyers and the government become involved these terms have totally different meanings.  As owners, our dogs are considered our personal property or chattel.  Owners are guaranteed certain certain property rights and protections under the law.  Guardians don't have the same rights. If unhappy neighbors or rivals make an allegation you are neglecting or abusing an dog, animal-control officers can take all of your dogs, have you removed as guardian and appoint someone else as guardian.  The pets you love (maybe more than your kids or spouse) could be gone forever.  Owners are allowed to defend themselves against allegations of abuse or cruelty in a court of law--guardians are held to a much higher standard, just like parents.

Radical animal-rights groups have one huge goal -- eliminate human ownership of animals.  People who adore animals and want only the best for them donate millions of dollars to these organizations without knowing the money is being used to pass new law to take their dogs, cats, birds and other pets away.  Animals need caring owners to train, socialize, provide health care and feed them quality food.  They don't need guardians.

BAITING

Baiting is a common term for feeding or rewarding a dog while in the show ring.  To onlookers outside the ring or to a novice handler it appears everyone in the ring constantly pulls food from their pocket or mouth {yes, you read that right} and gives it to the dog for no reason.  Unfortunately in some cases this is true.  Dogs are supposed to be baited to encourage them to strike a pose, raise ears, give expression or focus full attention on the handler.  Ridgebacks look stunning with lifted ears, wrinkled forehead and an intense expression.  Baiting is not meant to be used as a substitute for training.  Dogs need to know how to walk & trot beside the handler, stand for exam by the judge without moving or flinching, and to stand still on a loose lead.

Judges are easily irritated by handlers who over-bait or bait at the wrong times.  The worst time to bait is right before a judge starts to examine your dog.  Most judges start the exam by looking at the head and opening (or asking you to open) the mouth to check the number of teeth and the bite.  It is difficult to count teeth or check a bite when the dog is chomping away at a chunk of liver or chicken.  Never throw bait. The best time to bait is at the end of the down and back.  You and the dog stop a few feet away from the judge.  Hold the bait out in your hand so the dog gives the judge a gorgeous expression.  When the judge starts to turn away, give the dog a bite of the food.  After all of the dogs in the class have been examined, the judge looks at everyone lined up.  BAIT - BAIT - BAIT  The handler and the dog should be in a perfect pose and sending silent signals that they are the perfect team and deserve the win.

There are many breeds of dogs that don't like food.  Handlers bait them with a toy or squeaky.  Thankfully Ridgebacks seldom refuse good bait.

DOG TITLES

A title is a tribute to the dog that bears it. Titles remain in pedigrees, record books and in many people's memory forever thanks to magazine articles and the Internet. Winning titles shows your dog is smart, flexible, trainable and usually good-natured. Think of titles as the dog equivalent to the Grammy Awards or Olympic medals.  It is the ultimate memorial!  Certificates are usually easier to earn than titles but still require time and commitment from the owner.  This is why Cynara offers rebates to our puppy buyers when they earn a title or certificate.

Prefix titles go in front of a dog's registered name, suffix titles are listed at the end of the name.  There are titles for events like Agility, Obedience, Rally, Conformation, Lure Coursing, Herding, etc.  The American Kennel Club (AKC) and other canine registries plus individual clubs including the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) also offer various titles.  Below is an explanation of the titles and certificates most often seen on Ridgebacks.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are excelling in all areas of performance and competition, and earning plenty of titles every year.

Contact Cynara

Cynara Rhodesian Ridgebacks *  Elaine Hudson, Nicoma Park, Oklahoma -  405-514-0394  *  For more information about Cynara, purchasing a puppy or older dog, or for other Ridgeback
related questions, e-mail us at CynaraOKrrs@gmail.com  Member of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States and the Tulsa Sighthound Association.