The goal of Bakari Rhodesian Ridgebacks is improvement of the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a breed. My priorities are temperament, health, conformation and performance. I wish to provide the best family dogs around.
My first ridgeback was a 5 month old, ridgeless, mutt found on the freeway in Hawaii, with a shattered hip. We took her in and got her a fixed up. She turned into one of the most wonderful dogs I have ever known. Ellie was the true ambassador of goodwill. She always knew the appropriate behavior and managed to get along with even the crankiest of dogs. She was a compulsive obsessive frisbee dog and would play all day till she limped (we would end up having to take her frisbee away so she would take a rest). I loved her so much that I wanted another dog similar to her. After several months of research and a trip to a dog show ,I eventually figured out what she (mostly) was...a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
So I set out on a couple more months of research to find a good breeder and get on a waiting list. That was how I got Maggie at ,seven months old, several months later. I was very determined and tackeled the endevour of show handling the dogs myself. I started out at my first show in Seattle showing Andy and Maggie. Andy won Best Puppy in Breed and Maggie took Reserve Winners Bitch. This was how Bakari (meaning: one with great promise) Rhodesian Ridgebacks came about.
"Maggie" AM/INT CH DC Howlyn' Imagine That MC FCH CGC HIC, whelped her second litter of puppies on July 4th 2003 with Ruger being the sire. "Switch" FC Bakari's Sign Of The Times MC CGC HIC LCX JOR, is the pup I kept out of her first litter with CH Starland's Sweet Baby James. Switch was the #7 RRCUS Lure Coursing Ridgeback for 2004 and is the first of three Best in Field winning bitches out of that litter. "Ziko" sired by Ruger, is Bakari's first conformation Champion- Maggie was bred with CH Ikimba Tumomak Sheikh for her last litter producing 4 boys and two girls on July 17th, 2006. Kayta is the bitch I kept out of that litter.
"Ruger" is from Clayton Heathcock and Cheri Hadley of Camelot Rhodesian Ridgebacks. He came to Bakari in March of 2002. What an honor it was to have this handsome lover in my life. Don Rodgers and Ruger were one heck of a team. Ruger was #3 Rhodesian Ridgeback for RRCUS in 2004 and tied for #1 Rhodesian Ridgeback in 2005 with his littermate Mojave. In 2006 Ruger was #1 acheiving an all time BOB record. I am eternally grateful to Clayton and Cheri for entrusting this increadable dog to me.
"Kayta" BIF DC Bakari's Fabled Katana SC HIC FCH ROM not only turned out to be and amazing dog but a top producing brood bitch. She had three litters before she retired. Producing the fabulous Best In Show Winnning "Caymus" and several other Best of Breed winning, Group placing, Champions, Dual Champions and Grand Champions. Kayta has passed the torch to her daughters"Kaia".
"Kaia" BIF GCH DC Bakari's Fabled Treasure SC CGC RN TDI is from Kayta's Kanzu Litter. She had a litter with "Oso" GCH DC Can. CH Rajataru Vyrtuoso Performance MC CGC ROM producing 5 beautiful healthy pups 11-04-14. 4 of the 5 are showing. Daario already has his Championship. Dash, Rayder and Lolly are just getting started.
