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CYNARA NEWS

2010 NEWS STORIES

November 21, 2010 Cynara's First Master Courser

Astra fondly known as Crazy Legs continues her quest to earn more titles than any other Cynara Ridgeback. 

Cynara's first litter [Litter A] was 4 girls and 3 boys.  Astra was Red Girl, the puppy who ran everywhere.  She refused to walk or trot which made it difficult to evaluate her movement for the show ring.  We had no idea she would run like a house on fire. 

In lure coursing it takes 2 successful runs to earn a JC title.  The next title is a bit harder.  A dog has to finish 4 races (each race is 2 separate courses) for a SC title.  After that it is a long haul for the next title which is why so few Ridgebacks earn a MC.  A dog has to successfully start and finish 25 races to be considered a Master Courser.  To make the MC a bit sweeter, Astra is not only the first Cynara MC Ridgeback but she is also the first Oklahoma born Ridgeback to earn the title and the first of Apollo's pups to add this piece of alphabet to the end of their name.     

Let celebrate BIF DC Cynara's Astral Phenomenon, MC, RN, SC CGC HIC. 

November 20, 2010 New Junior Courser

Since Aslon was 7 weeks old he has been training to be a lure courser.  He finally got his chance on Nov. 19 & 20th to show his stuff.  To earn a Junior Courser title, a dog must chase the "bunny" around the course alone and complete the course.  He must do this twice and on separate days.  Aslon knew why he was there and didn't mess around.  He flew around the course totally focused on the "bunny" and earned his green (passing) ribbon both days.  Congrats to the first puppy from Litter B to earn a JC title, Cynara's Boomer Sooner, JC. 

October 1, 2010  Oklahoma's first Grand Champion Ridgeback

Today, Katie won Best of Breed and earned the last point needed to gain her AKC Grand Championship (GCH) title.  Requirements for the title are winning 25 points (including 3 majors) plus beating another Ridgeback champion at least three times.  She is the first Ridgeback living in Oklahoma to earn a Grand Championship title.  This is the second major title Katie has added to her name in 2010.  Earlier this year she completed the requirements for a CD (companion dog) title. 

Katie - GCH Jendaya's Mint Julep of Cynara, CD RE CGC will have her final litter in 2011.  We are hunting for the most promising stud for what will be a super litter.  People are already on the waiting list for Katie's last litter.

September 20, 2010 Trooper - 1st HIC

Trooper holds the record as the first puppy from Litter B to earn a certificate.  Over the weekend, he took a trip to the country where the sheep and goats live. The goal was to test his natural instinct (no training or practice) for herding.  Trooper did an excellent job keeping the goats together and going out to get goats who tried to separate from the group.  He easily passed his herding instinct test and is now known as:  Cynara's Bounty of the Black Pearl, HIC

September 8, 2010 Stella & SimbaMoyo puppies

8:30 a.m. - Stella jumped up and off of the bed.  When I sat up and saw the wet spot on the bedspread I knew her water had just broke.  Phone calls went out to the whelping midwives and we settled in for a long day.

Stella wasn't in the mood to lay around moaning and groaning so she got busy.  The first puppy arrived at 9:10 a.m.  A beautiful girl with a long strong ridge.  She was barely dry when her brother arrived at 9:30 a.m.  Four more large healthy puppies arrived before Stella was finished.  Each time we cut the umbilical cord and hoped for another girl but the rest were boys.  Final tally:  6 healthy beautiful ridged pups -- 5 boys and 1 girl. 

Labor and whelping was easy for Stella and her helpers.  She was calm and immediately started cleaning her pups and encouraging them to nurse.  It's always an anxious moment to see how a new dam reacts to her puppies. 

 Congrats to the parents.  MBIS Am/Can CH Tumomak Simbamoyo "SimbaMoyo" & CH Cynara's All That Spicy Jazz "Stella".

August 26-29, 2010  Katie's Win Streak

Katie started her quest toward an AKC Grand Championship (AKC GCH) title on May 15, 2010.  She consistently won Best of Opposite Sex (BOS) or Select Bitch but all of the shows had small entries so the wins were only worth 1 point and some were so small winning Select Bitch didn't earn any points.  It takes 25 points plus 3 majors (a major is a win worth 3, 4, or 5 pts) for the AKC GCH.  After 3 months of showing, Katie had earned 10 points and zero majors.  Frustration was starting to set in.  Everything changed on August 26, 2010.  We lucked out and entered a cluster of shows in Topeka, KS where enough class bitches were entered to make a major.  The judge selected Katie as the Best of Opposite winner for her first 3 point major.  Friday's judge pointed to her for another 3 pt major.  The news got even better on Sat. when the BOS award was a 4 pt major.  Happy Dance!!  Katie and Kari closed out the cluster on Sunday with another 3 pt major.  In only 4 days Katie won more points than she won in 3 months plus we exceeded the GCH requirements for 3 major wins. Now she has 24 points and 4 majors.

August 28, 2010 Litter B Birthday Party

The 10 puppies of Litter B turned 1 year old on August 26, 2010.  All of them were invited to a birthday party in their honor.  The pups live in 6 different states so only 3 -- Bonnie, Gonzo & Aslon -- were able to attend the party.  We had 2 half sisters -- Stella and Astra -- from Litter A plus a friend brought over her Weim.  Aslon's owner brought a dog birthday cake and Stella's owners brought buffalo bones.  Invitations went out to everyone on the puppy waiting list so they could meet dogs from past litters to make sure this is the breed and line for them.  We grilled hamburgers and hot dogs and enjoyed pasta salad, deviled eggs, potato salad, peach cobbler and chocolate cake.  Fusion Flowers provide fresh flowers for everyone to admire.  No dog fights and fun was had by all.  We may need to make this an annual event.

July 10, 2010 Stella bred to SimbaMoyo

Puppies are coming, puppies are coming.  Stella was bred to SimbaMoyo on Saturday.  The progesterone test showed she had ovulated and was ready.  We are so excited thinking about what gorgeous pups these two Ridgebacks are going to produce.  Healthy, loyal, strong, and great temperaments are only a few of the virtues we expect from this litter.  If the breeding takes, the pups will be born in early September 2010.  Stella and SimbaMoyo are both AKC show champions.  SimbaMoyo is such an excellent example of what a Ridgeback is supposed to look like he has won Best in Show twice. 

July 1-4 Oklahoma City dog show

Wow, a 4-day dog show is tiring.  We walked and walked and walked.  Taking the dogs from the car in the underground parking garage into the convention center; from the crates to the show ring; outside to find some grass; to the other side of the building to do heart and eye health test [4 different dogs - 6 trips]; out to the grass again; and finally back to the car.

Hunter, Chisum, Aslon and Barrett passed their CERF eye exam.  Aslon and Barrett passed their heart check.  Astra earned 2 legs toward her Rally Advance title.  Scuba won Winner's Bitch two days.  Barrett was Reserve Winner's Dog 3 days.  Katie won Best of Opposite Sex two days and Select Bitch one day.  Trouble won Select Bitch 2 days.  Zoi (Hunter and Dozer's 1/2 sister) won Best Veteran and Best of Opposite Sex on Saturday.

We met new some people and caught up with old friends. All in all, it was lots of fun and I can't wait for next year.

June 27, 2010  Stella in Season

CH Cynara's All That Spicy Jazz "Stella" came into season today.  In about a week she'll be bred to MBIS AM/CAN CH Tumomak Simbamoyo, JC "Simbamoyo".  We are expecting the litter of stunning puppies to be born in early to mid-September.

June 17-20, 2010 Barrett shows in San Antonio

Our big adorable "Baby Bear" showed in San Antonio, TX this weekend.  He is still having problems standing still for the judge to touch his boy parts but his outstanding movement and handsome head make up for this less than perfect stand for exam.  Barrett went Winner's Dog/Best of Winners for one point on Thursday, Saturday and Sunday for a total of 3 points.

June 17, 2010 Trooper and Debbie's ring debut

Today Trooper, Cynara's Bounty of the Black Pearl went to his first AKC show in Idaho.  It was an outdoors show at 8am with the wind blowing and 38 degrees.  Owners, dogs and judges were all trying to stay in the sunshine.  Trooper's dedicated owner, Debbie had no intention of showing until Trooper turned out to be show quality.  Debbie started taking handling classes and after only one practice match decided to tackle their first show.  Trooper was the youngest male in the ring yet managed to put off Reserve Winner's Dog.  The judge said he was a contender but was still a little young.  Going RWD the first time in the show ring shows how much time and effort Debbie has put into learning to show and what an outstanding litter we produced with the Katie and Jack breeding.

May 28, 2010  First ever lure coursing Best In Field for Cynara Ridgebacks

Crazy legs Astra becomes the first Cynara bred Ridgeback to earn a Best In Field placement in lure coursing.  Astra keeps adding new alphabet to both ends of her name.  BIF DC Cynara's Astral Phenomenon, RN, SC CGC HIC.  What an amazing bitch.  I'm giving lots of credit for Astra's lure coursing skills to her sire, Apollo (BIF DC Tandiwe's Intrigue'N Mission, MC, FCh, RN, CGC, HIC TDI) who also has earned a BIF.  One of her great grandsire's earned multiple Best in Field awards.

May 15, 2010 Barrett goes WD/BOS

In only his 2nd show, Barrett, Cynara's Barrett Hunter of the Mist caught the judges eye to go Winner's Dog and then Best of Opposite Sex over a male champion to earn 2 points toward his AKC championship.  Barrett is Katie & Jack's son from Litter B.

May 15, 2010  Katie starts quest for Grand Championship title

Champion Jendaya's Mint Julep of Cynara, CD, RE, CGC, HIC returned to the show ring for the first time after becoming a mom in January 2008.  Our goal is to earn an AKC Grand Championship title for our foundation bitch.  It will be difficult to accomplish because judges pick males for Best of Breed about 90% of the time.  However, the AKC will allow points earned from Best of Opposite Sex and Select Dog/Select Bitch to also count toward the GCH.  The judge today picked Katie as Select Bitch which was worth 1 point toward the GCH.

April 30, 2010  1st winner from Litter B

Today, Bonnie "Cynara's Bonnie Blue Flag" won from the 6-9 puppy class in Beaumont, TX to earn her first point and to become the first puppy from Litter B to win in the show ring.

April 25, 2010  First ever obedience title

The team of Katie & Elaine weren't quite as perfect as the day before but all of the mistakes were tiny.  Katie scored an 184 of 200 to earn the very coveted Companion Dog (CD) title.  This is the very first time a Cynara dog has earned a CD.  It takes time, training, practice and a smart dog to pass 3 legs under 3 different judges.  Katie's official name keeps getting longer.  It is now:
CH Jendaya's Mint Julep of Cynara, CD, RN, RA, RE, Nat'l JHA, Int'l JHA, HIC, CGC

April 24, 2010 Trouble goes Rallying

We visited the town of Ponca City, OK for the first time to attend an obedience trial.  Katie had a stunning run in the Novice A obedience ring but her owner gave two stay commands when only one was allowed and they were disqualified.  Trouble competed in the Rally Advanced ring where the course was tough with 16 signs.  She did very well, earned a placement and the 3rd leg required for her title.  Her official name is now:  CH Cynara's Affinity for Intrigue, JC CGC RN RA HRQ2

April 21, 2010 Bonnie gets CERF

Today Bonnie visited the ophthalmologist to have her eyes examined to look for any disease, cataracts or inherited issues.  Her CERF was completely normal and both doctors at the clinic thought she was the most stunning Ridgeback they had seen in 20 years.

April 4, 2010 Astra wins 3rd title in two weekends - Trouble earns 2nd RA leg

Doug and Astra were impressive in the Rally ring this weekend.  With scores of 95 on Sat. and 91 on Sunday Astra earned the last two legs needed for her Rally Novice title.  This is an amazing turn around from her first venture into Rally where she was excused after only 3 stations for being too wild and uncontrollable.  I'm so thankful Doug didn't let a cranky judge turn him off from competing.  Last weekend Astra earned her Championship (CH) and Dual Championship (DC) titles and now her Rally Novice (RA) title.  Huge contrats to Doug and Astra for an outstanding year so far.  Astra is now:  DC Cynara's Astral Phenomenon, RN, SC CGC HIC

Trouble actually did better in Rally Advanced today but the score was down slightly from yesterday.  We earned an 85 and finished in 1st place in our class.  This was Trouble's 2nd RA leg.  Only one more to go to earn her title.

April 3, 2010 Legs, legs, legs

Trouble and Astra went back into the obedience ring today with terrific results.  Trouble earned the 1st leg (of 3) of her Rally Advanced title.  It was our first try off leash and both of us did quite well.  I was nervous and she was slow but we finished with a score of 89.  Doug and Astra have been going to Rally class each week and it certainly showed.  A perfect score in Rally is 100.  The judge gave Astra 95 points and the 2nd leg of her Rally Novice title.  Both dogs are entered tomorrow in the Rally classes.

March 26-28, 2010 Astra conquers Fort Worth, TX

Astra "pointed out" in 2009.  This means she earned all of the single points needed to finish her AKC Championship.  After that she was required to win two 3-point or higher majors.  Astra was entered in the Fort Worth, TX shows with fingers crossed there would be enough bitches entered to make a major.  The count came up short in class bitches (12) but 12 males were entered which is enough for a major in males.  This made the task much harder.  To earn a crossover major, the bitch must beat all the females to be Winner's Bitch and then beat the Winner's dog to be selected Best of Winners.

My good friend and handler, Kari Smith did a fantastic job showing Astra.  She stacked and moved beautifully.  Here are the results:

Friday Judge Betty Stites - Winner's Bitch & Best of Winners = 4 point major
Saturday Judge Jane Kay - Didn't even place in her class
Sunday Judge Donavon Thompson - Winner's Bitch, Best of Winners & Best of Opposite Sex = 4 point major

Astra is now Dual Champion Cynara's Astral Phenomenon, SC CGC HIC

Astra is the 3rd AKC champion to come from our first litter and the first Dual Champion.  She is also the first Dual Champion Ridgeback born in Oklahoma.  Astra is within striking distance of earner her Master Courser title.  7 more qualifying races will complete the 25 needed for the title.

March 21, 2010 Bonnie's first show

Cynara's Bonnie Blue Flag "Bonnie" went to her first show.  Here is a summary of the show from her owner's perspective:

Sunday was bright and beastly cold for Houston in March. It was in the upper 30s with a 30 mph+ wind blowing thru that big open barn at the show site.
Bonnie was WILD. I walked her around for about 40 minutes before she went in the ring and never could get her settled down. I think she could go
three days without peeing at a show site - how's that for taking after mama Katie? And she, who hates wearing a coat and doesn't complain about the cold, was beginning to shiver. Two of the 5 bitches entered didn't even show up. When it came Bonnie's time in the ring, she refused to be hand-stacked. She moved well enough, considering how cold she was, but hand stack? Nope, wasn't going to happen. I managed, by the narrowest of margins, to keep her from
sucker-punching the judge in the stomach with her big paws, and for that I'm grateful. It was a beginning. Next weekend is indoors, on concrete, with mats
and I'm hopeful she will be a bit better behaved. But, she is - after all - just a baby puppy and has her life ahead of her.

March 14, 2010 Cali's first show

Cynara's Beguiling Calypso "Cali" started her show career in the 6-9 month old puppy class in Franklin, Tennessee.  We pride ourselves on producing dogs who may be a bit reserved with strangers but like almost everyone they meet.  Litter B goes above and beyond in the temperament department.  At 6 months old they are confident, make excellent eye contract, and strongly believe people are only around to feed, pet and admire them. 

Here is a play-by-play of Cali's first show from her owner and handler, Liz.

"I had gotten things pretty together outside the ring, but walking into the new spot really threw her head into a spin. Then the very exciting purple lady [the judge]came over. Oh boy!  I immediately told her it was the first time in the ring for us both.  Cali spent the first few seconds trying to leap on her then I somehow got her feet on the ground and standing still so the judge could look in her mouth (which Cali is fairly good about); she was probably just ecstatic that her new friend was touching her. But, when she moved beside Cali we were out of control again. The judge was very nice and patient and showed me how to hold her so she'd be still for the exam. The gaiting went about perfectly on the out, all things considered.  When we turned around to go back, the exciting new lady that Cali had thus far been terribly, unfairly denied was at the far end so she broke into several strides of gallop before I got her back together. She did manage to stop in front of the judge without trying to leap on her again and I guess the jog brought her down enough that my bait became viable. The judge said, you should enroll her in an obedience class; really, it would be the best thing for her. I couldn't manage to get out that she was currently enrolled in her third class! Luckily, I was able to focus Cali on my chicken instead of having her give the judge a big hug and kiss in return for that sage piece of advice.  We will try again in two weeks."

March 1, 2010 Stella's OFA page updated

The OFA updated their online database over the weekend.  All of Stella's (CH Cynara's All That Spicy Jazz) health screening test results are available for viewing.  http://www.offa.org/display.html?appnum=1348993#animal

Cynara is extremely proud of Stella for scoring a normal, good or excellent on every test.  Stella is our first home bred Ridgeback to be tested and earn her CHIC.  Now we are planning her first litter of puppies for the summer/fall 2010.  The sire we have in mind has also passed all of his health tests and we wouldn't have it any other way.

February 21, 2010 Costs of a weekend Obedience Trial

8 week obedience class $90 - Entry fees $59 - 11 Hours driving on the road - Turnpike fees $21.30 - 2 qualifying legs toward Katie's CD absolutely priceless.  Being one of only two qualifiers out of 7 teams on Sunday is like caramel syrup on homemade snow icecream.  This was a dream weekend and I'm thrilled beyond words to only need one more leg for my very first CD.

February 20, 2010 Katie Earns 1st leg

Katie (Ch Jendaya's Mint Julep of Cynara, RE HIC CGC) decided to heel a bit more than 50% of the course before starting to lag.  It was enough to squeek by and earn the first leg toward her Companion Dog (CD) obedience title.  We didn't qualify on our first two attempts in January so '3rd time' was definitely a charm.  Only 3 of 8 dogs entered in Novice A qualified today.  It takes 3 passing scores from 3 different judges to be awarded the title.

February 20-21, 2010 Astra Moves Closer to MC

Astra (FC Cynara's Astral Phenomenon, SC, HIC, CGC) ran in the fog, cold drizzle and sometimes rain to earn her 17th and 18th legs of the 25 needed for a Master Courser title.   Her little 1/2 brother Gonzo showed his stuff by chasing the bunny during a fun run after the trial's conclusion.

February 15, 2010 Stella's Thyroid Results

Dr. Jean Dodds sent us Stella's thyroid test results today.  The report showed Stella is completely normal in all categories.  Now we are waiting on OFA to give us their report on Stella's hip and elbow x-rays.

February 8, 2010 Stella's Health Screenings

Today Stella (CH Cynara's All That Spicy Jazz) visited the vet for her hip and elbow x-rays plus had blood drawn to be sent to Dr. Dodds for thyroid testing.  Stella has already passed her CERF (eye exam) and Cardiac test.  The vet told us the elbows both looked fine and the left hip socket is very good to excellent and the right socket is almost perfect.  The x-rays will be mailed off to OFA tomorrow for their official evaluation.  Stella is the first pup from Litter A to go in for her x-rays and thyroid test.  If she passes all 3 health screenings, Stella will be bred in late summer.

February 6 & 7, 2010 New Cynara Champion

My youngest girl Trouble earned her 14th point under Judge Eugene Blake on Saturday.  Then on Sunday Judge James White pointed to her as winner for her 15th and final point needed to earn her AKC Championship. Hooray!!  Trouble is now CH Cynara's Affinity for Intrigue,  RN CGC JC HRQ2.  Katie has now produced 2 AKC show champions and 1 AKC Field (lure coursing) champion.  Trouble is Apollo's 3rd show champion offspring.

January 17 & 18, 2010 - Best in Show

Katie's uncle, CH Tumomak SimbaMoyo, JC won his first Best in Show (BIS) on Sunday and then in a shocker turned around and won BIS on Monday.

January 9-10, 2010 - Doubles at Glen Rose, TX 

A double first occurred at the Glen Rose, TX dog show on Saturday.  Elaine and Katie [CH Jendaya's Mint Julep of Cynara, RE HIC CGC] both competed in their first Novice A obedience trial.  The rest of the weekend continued the double theme.  Scuba placed 2nd in her class both days.  Elaine and Katie earned two NQ scores in obedience.  We had glimmers of brilliance on Saturday but off leash heeling was our downfall.  Katie decided on Sunday that she didn't want to sit, heel or do much of anything.  Hats off to the 24 people who put CD titles on their Ridgebacks in 2008.

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.