About us

We, Joep and Nicole, live together with 2 ridgebacks, 2 Friesian Stallions, 2 Shetlandponys and a few chicken in a small Dutch village called Hank (Noord-Brabant). Our first Ridgeback "That's why she is Urafiki" (which means friendship) became a member of our family in 1996. Ura was a very easy puppy, a naughty adolescent and grew up to a calm, little bit reserved, but proud ridgeback. She made us love the breed and wanting more...  April 2001 "Kamnene Askari" (which means defender) entered our family. Within a few ours Ura and Askari became best friends. From the very first minute Ura was Askaris superior and Ura has been the leader of our pact until her last days. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                    © Photo by Karin van Klaveren

Askari was an open, enthusiastic and self-confident puppy. We went to several shows with Askari and she got good results. She was X-rayed HD-A and had a pleasant charakter, so we decided to breed with her. In january 2003 we applied for a kennelname and in july 2003 "UMKHOSI RHODESIAN  RIDGEBACKS" was a fact. 

Umkhosi means celebration. For us, each puppy is a celebration.

We breed because we love Ridgebacks and we love to raise a litter. We only breed with dogs who add value to the breed. We select on character, health and exterior. The pedigree is also very important, because it tells a lot about the genetic background of the dog. We are members of the RRCN and subscribe their Code of Ethics. 

We raise the litter in our living room for optimal socialisation. Besides that, we have an extensive socialisation program, wich includes daily visits of different adults and children, meting other dogbreeds, cats, horses, chicken, traffic, the wood, a citycentre, the kindergarten, etc. The pups are used to carrides and walking on a leash before they leave Umkhosi's. We expect puppy-owners to keep in contact with us after they take their puppy home. We love to recieve photos, hear storys of walk together. Nicole is a certificated dogtrainer and is happy to advise in raising the pups.  

February 2004 our first litter was born. Umkhosi naima Jonhi (named after JOep en NIcole, wich means sparkling police officer) lives with Joep parents, wich gave us the possibility to show and breed with her. Meanwhile Nicole and Jonhi prefer agility and we decided not te breed with Jonhi. We want to give the puppies the best possible start and when Jonhi reached the age for breeding, we didn't have enough time due to Nicole's study naturopathy (Homeopathy, Bach blossom, Aromatherapy) for dogs and horses. We decided to wait for Zawadi.

December 2005 our second litter was born and we immediately loved Umkhosi naima Zawadi (witch means sparkling gift). Zawadi lives with us and grew up to an adorable sweet bitch. We expect her first litter spring 2009.

Please don't hesitate to contact us for questions about the breed, our dogs or litters.

Kind regards,

Joep & Nicole

Zawadi, Ura & Askari