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Assegai is a gem!, 11-16-2009
By: Janeway69
Review:As a lifelong and fairly obsessed dog lover, I have spent decades at dog shows, observing and studying breeds, in the USA and worldwide.
Most puppy buyers simply want a healthy, happy dog with a good temper, and that should be the priority of all those seeking a pet.
Having a deep interest in dogs however, I was looking for something more from a breeder. If I was going to buy rather than adopt, I wanted to find someone with breeding philosophies that would match my own, if I were to ever breed rhodesian ridgebacks. That is, I wanted someone who put the dogs first and winning ribbons last. Being a conformation show winner doesn't necessarily make a good ridgeback.
I have spent over a year speaking with people in the USA, Germany, The Netherlands, Lithuania and Australia, plus other places, comparing dogs, priorities of breeders and more.
My priority was to avoid breeders who instinctively spoke first about how many shows they won and how perfect the ridge was.
I was looking for breeders who,
from the gut, first spoke about dogs with genetic soundness and a healthy physique that had not changed dramatcially in pursuit of popular competitions like conformation shows or lure coursing. And I wanted someone who was not looking to change the dogs for whimsical reasons.
I wanted someone who was willing to breed by his/her personal standards of good conscience.
I found this in Assegai.
This breeder has an impressive history with the breed worldwide, from Africa to Australia to Europe, and works to bring the best of those lines into the fold.
This same person had an enormous amount of patience with me, as I spoke about my thoughts and feelings about dogs and dog breeding, as well as my concerns and questions about the breed and its particular needs.
Endless questions about matching a puppy to a family were patiently answered with care, intelligence and just plain sense.
This breeder keeps regular communication with puppy buyers, and will be there for you with advice on everything from training and discipline, to nutrition, to all the behavior quirks you can expect from your new dog.
Lines are chosen for what makes a good sound dog, with robust health and physique, and an even temper.
I have the utmost confidence in the person of Assegai. I cannot say there are not other great breeders of ridgebacks in the USA. I simply know that Assegai has been very unique among breeders in my experience, in all the ways that matter to me.
If you are looking for a breeder with sensible priorities, experience and a wide range of knowledge of the breed, contact Assegai. Even if you do not get a puppy from them, you can only benefit from a conversation with them and learn great things from their experience.
