7-year-old male: BIS GCh Oakhurst Gamble on Me. “THE GAIT OF THE RIDGEBACK

All illustrations are by Leisa Temple are the sole property IS METHODICAl of RRCUS and no one, other than RRCUS or the author is authorized to photograph, copy, reprint, distribute and/ or disseminate them in any form. Copyright pending.

AND SMOOTH, #1 Ridgeback in the country. The most recent never cumbersome one, a bitch for 2011. or racy.” Barbara has been chairman of the Stan- A lovely liver-nosed example: Ch Oakhurst Shaba. dard’s and Elaboration Committee and is the blueprint, the breeder is the builder, An untypical Ridgeback that is sound serves on the Education Committee for the and the judge is the building inspector. is useless. A typical Ridgeback that is Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US She has We must also recognize that success in sound is priceless! developed and presents Ridgeback Seminars the breed depends to a large extent on pro- throughout the U.S. portion, balance symmetry coupled with BIO Barbara’s AKC judging license was motivation, temperament, character Barbara Rupert’s interest granted in 1985 and is currently approved and showmanship. in began in her native for the Group and Best in Show. Her Ridgebacks were NOT bred to kill Germany where her parents assignments have taken her all over the world lions but rather to have them track them. raised . including All Breed show assignments in keep them at bay and wait for the hunter After marriage in the Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong to come and do his job. The gait of the United States, the first family was a Kong, Macau, Russia, South Africa. Her most Ridgeback is methodical, smooth, never Smooth Standard . Rhodesian memorable assignments included judging the cumbersome or racy. He is confident, Ridgebacks followed in 1970 and Ridgeback National in the US twice (most alert, proud, maintaining an enthusias- were added a few years later, but Ridge- recently in 2012), the World Congress in the tic attitude without being exaggerated in backs remain the primary breed. Careful as well as the Australian, French, body or obnoxious in spirit. breeding under the Oakhurst prefix pro- Swedish and Brazilian Nationals. The winning combination is a team duced gratifying results in the whelping box Life after dogs include grandchildren, between dog and handler. The OUT- and show ring. Oakhurst’s breeding pro- classical and jazz music, reading, gardening, STANDING Ridgeback in the show gram is widely recognized for both outstand- cooking and friends who like to share new ring possesses all of the above men- ing conformation and temperament, having adventures. Barbara and her husband Dick tioned attributes including mental produced close to 100 champions with many share their southern California home with and physical soundness plus character achieving the highest honors, including 10 several Ridgebacks, a Miniature Wirehaired and showmanship. All-Breed Bests In Show, 3 dogs that earned Dachshund and a co-owned .

206 • ShowSight Magazine, March 2013

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