PLANNED BREEDINGS
When looking for a puppy of any breed there are several important factors to consider:

  • Are the parents excellent examples of the breed?  Most breed clubs have formulated a "Standard" which describes the "perfect" dog of that breed.   
    Responsible breeders try to breed within the guidelines of this standard, to make sure that 20 years from today Ridgebacks will still look like Ridgebacks.  Study
    the Standard - when you visit the home of the breeder you will be more informed about what characteristics are correct in the breed and what are not.
                                                     Standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States

  • Have the parents been health tested?  The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals was created to be a repository of health clearances for dogs and other
    animals.  You can look up health records on dogs in their system by using registered names or registration numbers.  The OFA will not certify hips/elbows to be
    free of dysplasia before the age of two years - so dogs who are younger than two do not have permanent OFA dysplasia clearances and should be bred only in
    very rare circumstances and with extreme care.   If your breeder says his/her dogs do not have a problem with dysplasia and therefore testing is not needed - run
    away as fast as you can!  All breeding stock should be tested and cleared from these extremely debilitating diseases.  Other health tests are very important in this
    breed:  OFA Thyroid clearance (should be done yearly), OFA Cardiac clearance (preferably by a veterinary cardiac specialist), CERF eye disease clearance
    (should be done yearly, and of course the new Degenerative Myleopathy DNA test.
                                                                            Orthopedic Foundation for Animals

  • Are the parents (or at least one) conformation champions with the American Kennel Club?  Obtaining an American Kennel Club (AKC) or Canadian
    Kennel Club (CKC) championship title requires at least 3 impartial judges to validate the structural and temperament qualities of a dog.  Other registry
    organizations like the UKC or the IABCA also hold dog shows; championship requirements from these lesser registries are much easier obtained so are not
    necessarily an indicator of quality.  Dog shows were first instituted as an evaluation of breeding stock - people with dogs of the same breed would come together
    to meet and have friendly competition, and to have a chance to see what others were breeding.   If breeders are not showing their breeding stock, I would ask
    "Why?"  Are their dogs of inferior quality?  Does the breeder just not want to invest money in dog shows?  Or does the breeder think their dogs are perfect in
    every way and they don't need to prove that to anyone else?  A "yes" answer to any of these questions is a red flag.  Breeding dogs is not a money making
    proposition, if done responsibly.  Breeders who health test and show their breeding stock have invested a lot of time and money into these endeavors; by making
    careful breeding choices these breeders are doing a service to the breed by preserving the temperament, health and structure of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.  
    Breeders who don't do these things are most likely breeding for money, not the betterment of the breed.  For information on conformation shows please visit:
                                                                          American Kennel Club - Conformation

  • Has proper care been taken to socialize the litter?  Early socialization is super important for Rhodesian Ridgebacks - make sure your breeder has arranged
    for puppies to be around all sorts of people, take car rides, meet other dogs.  These early experiences are vital in producing well-adjusted pets that are easy to
    live with.  Socialization continues after the sale; new puppy owners should be prepared to get their pups out into the real world and give them lots of safe
    experiences with new sights, sounds, people, and other dogs.

  • Does the breeder have a breed club affiliation of any kind?  Although this will not guarantee that the breeder is truly reputable, it does give you a body of
    people to complain to, should you have a problem.  Being kicked out of a club would cause a breeder to be greatly embarrassed among his/her peers and could
    hurt the sale of any future puppies.  Breeders who are members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) are required to do proper health
    testing and to abide by a strict Code of Ethics when breeding and selling puppies.  For much more information on the breed, visit:
                                                                 The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States

  • Understand that you are buying a breeder, as well as a puppy.   A good breeder will be there when you have questions or need advice.  You need to feel
    comfortable that the breeder you have selected will keep in contact after the sale and be a good mentor; buyers should feel comfortable contacting the breeder if
    they have problems.  Good breeders will offer a health guarantee against hip/elbow dysplasia and dermoid sinus, give written instructions on the care of the
    puppy, and have a firm contract requiring spay-neuter of pet quality pups and pups that won't be shown.  Make sure you carefully read the contract and are
    comfortable with the requirements for new owners and the guarantees offered by the breeder.  Responsible breeders will require any dogs they have bred to be
    returned to the breeder in the event that you have to give up your dog at any time.
                                                                                             RRCUS Code of Ethics

At Koda we strive to raise the healthiest, best looking Ridgebacks we can, and adhere to the Breed Standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United
States.  We raise our puppies inside our home with lots of interaction with the family, visitors, and our adult dogs.  We feel strongly that early socialization is vital
to this breed and utilize the Super Dog Program when rearing puppies.  This program, also known as "Early Neurological Stimulation", involves a series of
exercises designed to reduce stress and help puppies become well adjusted adults - the Super Dog program was developed by Carmen Battaglia PhD, and is used
extensively by breeders of military and assistance dogs.

We only breed from dermoid free stock and only use dogs who have passed health testing, such as:  OFA hips/elbows/thyroid/cardiac, BAER hearing test, and
CERF eye test.  We have just begun to test for Degenerative Myelopathy, as well.  We only breed AKC champions, or dogs capable of finishing an AKC
championship.  Pet quality pups are sold on a spay/neuter contract.  Show potentials are sold on co-ownership contracts which allow the breeder (or owner if they
are so inclined) to show the dog if it turns out to be worthy.  We do not cull ridgeless puppies or puppies affected with dermoid sinus (dermoid puppies are sold after
dermoid removal); these pups make wonderful pets!

In order to be considered for a puppy we ask that potential owners complete and return our Puppy Questionnaire and make arrangements to visit our home and our
dogs.  Please see the links below for more information on our planned breedings and requirements for new owners:

                                                                                            


We have a very exciting litter planned for February 2011.   Lindy (BISS CH Koda's Quick Step, CGC) who has produced some phenomenal puppies for us will be bred one final
time.   If you are interested in being placed on our waiting list, please fill out our Puppy Questionnaire, return to us via email or USPS, and you will be contacted shortly.     

Our beautiful Lindy daughter in California, Devin, delivered 12 ridged puppies on November 28th.  For more information about available puppies please contact her owner, Lisa
Adams - PVRR Ridgebacks:   k9agjunkie@gmail.com

For current puppy or adult dog availability please contact Alice at:  capsridgeback@elpasotel.net
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
"Lindy"
BEST IN REGIONAL SPECIALTY SHOW
CH Koda's Quick Step, CGC
OFA hips -good
OFA elbows/cardiac/thyroid- normal        DM - normal
BAER hearing test - normal          CERF eye test - normal

Puppies due February, 2011 - stay tuned for updates.
                                                                                                                                          
Puppy Questionnaire
Puppy Questionnaire
Koda-Kaba
Litter Info
Koda-Kaba
Pedigree