Ridgebacks  and us :

The first time we got acquainted with Rhodesian Ridgebacks was in 1991. We had taken the decision to have a dog, and we were systematically searching material about existing breeds, had not yet found the right one, but came one day  across a big article in the regional newspaper, based on a visit to a breeder  of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The description of the character of this breed,  it's appearance,  the history behind and the fact, that it is a hunting-dog, was decisive: We visited the breeder, were met by 3 Ridgebacks with just the right, "dignified" behaviour, and were immediately convinced (that is: I was, Inger was a bit afraid of them in the start, which has luckily changed since then).

We got Kimba (Kijasaman Dikimba Zuri) after more than one year of waiting, and that dog changed our life, which is not at all exaggerated: By its manners, character and behaviour, by the obligations and restrictions, it also caused, and all in all by the new world, it opened to us (including the acquaintances and friendships among a lot of nice "dog-people"). Last, but not least, of course the consequential effects: Due to the fact that Kimba developed into an exceptional exhibition-dog,  among the best in Europe, winning some of the attractive titles, and some of the very attractive (see "Our Dogs"), it was a natural decision to try and breed with her.  Such she became the foundation of kennel Zumeli's. Kimba has given birth to 3 litters, and some of her offspring is fortunately used in further breeding. We are continuing the line now with Kesha (Zumeli's Chekesha) from Kimba's 3. litter. Kesha has so far done quite well in the showring (see "Our Dogs"),  and she can hopefully expect more.

We are very grateful to Mogens and Marianne Børjesen (kennel Kijasaman) for Kimba,  and for  their fine introduction of the breed to us.

On this and other pages under our web-site you will notice the complete absence of declarations as to goals for our breeding,  i. e. with regards to "type", "character", "temperament", a.s.o.. This is of course not, because we do not know, what we want to do, but rather than risking to fall into the trap of using stereotypes, we chose the alternative of expressing in more detail our opinions on the breed at the following pages by going through some of the elements of the breed-standard and discuss, where there can be (and is seen) problems in keeping the standard, or just where you have to be aware of certain things, especially if you are a first-time buyer of a Ridgeback. In other words it is an attempt to view the situation a bit from the outside, and under a slightly critical (incl. self-critical) angle, hopefully to the benefit of the breeders, the breed and potential Ridgeback-owners.