Kimba's Birthday! Our Gentle Old Matriarch is 14 Years Old Today, 3rd January 2010 All of Her Pack Mates at Lilongwe  Wish Her a Very Happy Birthday!

Maestro - Reserve Best in Show
at Midlands & Northern Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Open Show
More Here

Tiffany at 11 Weeks

"Rosko" Nyassa African Eyes 21st April 1999 - 11th August 2009 Chatting with Rosko Ah Rosko, Rosko, where did they go Those years so fleeting and short “I don’t know Dad but please don’t cry I’m here within your thoughts” Is that you my boy, have you come To help me through this night But not too loud, the house is sleeping Do you know it’s past midnight “I do indeed 'tis with hushed tones Your companion I will be Until weary and tired sleep does come But still you’ll be with me” I will my boy, I’ll not leave your side And neither you’ll leave mine We’ll talk together, reminisce At that we’ll both be fine  Rosko on His Ninth Birthday “I’d like that Dad as long as you Will stroke me ‘round my ears And brush my neck with gentle touch Just as you’ve done for years” A pleasure my boy, come sit with me And nestle by my side ‘twill be a long night for both of us And for me no easy ride “I know the pain you suffer now Both you and my loving Mum I know you love me and I love you both I’m really not that dumb!” “I see sleep has come, you both need rest When called I’ll always come Things will be as they ever were Rosko, your loving son”

The Winners at the RR Club of Great Britain Open Show BIS Gunthwaite Diamond Lil JW - RBIS Ch Evergraces Magic Maestro at Lilongwe BP Nyassa Everlasting Love - BV Ir Ch Kiromol Kianga More Details Here

The Pack! Left to Right: Rosko, Maestro, Kimba, Lotti, Lilly and Phoenix

Welcome to our web pages. We are Derek and Jean Smith living in Essex, England and have been owned by ridgebacks for the last twenty five plus years. While they have brought us every conceivable emotion, their overiding gift to us is that of joy and laughter!

In our opinion they are a breed apart - sensitive and delicate of mind, strong but gentle in body. Once smitten by this wonderful breed it is extremely difficult to live without them, we tried once, when our old boy Simba died, but managed for only two weeks. Since that sad day in 1998, somehow or another six others have taken his place, Kimba, Rosko, Lotti,  Maestro, (who was imported from Sweden under the "Pet Passport Scheme"), Phoenix and Lilly.

We trust that you'll enjoy browsing our site. For those of you not fortunate enough to have been owned by a ridgeback, hopefully it will offer a small insight into this wonderful breed. For those that have, well, you'll recognize the symptoms and know that there is no known cure!!!