NAME: Kammi Kai Hefner
LOCATION: WV
EMAIL: Kushinda@pobox.com
URL:
http://www.kushinda-ridgebacks.org

HISTORY
PRIMARY BREED: Rh. Ridgeback
OTHER BREED 1:
OTHER BREED 2:
YRS BREEDING PRIMARY: 20
TOT YRS BREEDING: 30
AVG LITTERS A YR: 2
NUM DOGS OWNED: -
NUM CHAMPIONS BRED: 23
NUM PERFORMANCE
TITLED DOGS BRED: -

SERVICES
STUD SERVICE TO
APPROVED BITCHES: Yes
BOARDING SERVICE: No
GROOMING SERVICE: No
RESCUE SERVICE: No

TRAINING
AGILITY: Yes
OBEDIENCE: Yes
BEHAVIOR: Yes
COMPANION: Yes
HERDING: No
SECURITY: No
TRACKING: No
MANTRAILING: No
HANDICAPPED DEAF: No
HANDICAPPED BLIND: No
HANDICAPPED OTHER: No

About the Breeder:
Kimma B. and Kammi K. Hefner co-own all of Kushinda Ridgebacks together and equally share in the management responsibilities of each dog's career. This unique set of checks and balances affords each dog the opportunity to prove himself not only in the conformation and obedience rings, but also on the lure coursing and agility course, all the while demonstrating his capacity for companionship and love to others as registered Therapy Dogs!

Kushinda strives to produce the 'fully-Functional performance Rhodesian Ridgeback' by continuing our own education ission, selectively breeding only top specimens of the breed, providing an appropriate environment for both physical and mental development of each dog, managing each dog's performance career (goals/objectives are done bi-annually), encouraging and providing the means for each dog to earn their Versatility Certificate, instilling correct training methods, ensuring proper conditioning, and caring for the geriatric retired show dog.

From cradle to grave, Kushinda meets the needs of each dogs and encourages them to reach their fullest potential!

Kushinda employs the Franklin Quest management system to establish values and goals for our kennel and each dog. Listed below are some of those goals.

Promote the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a Fully-Functional Performance dog,

To date, 5/97, Kushinda has produced dogs with the following titles: 3 Dual Champions (DC); 2 Versatility Certificates (VC), 18 Confirmation Champions (CH); 52 AKC/ASFA Lure Coursing titles (JC, SC, FC, FCh, LCMs); 8 Registered Therapy Dogs (TDI); 6 AKC Canine Good Citizenship (CGC) certificates; 5 obedience Companion Dog (CD) titles; 1 obedience Companion Dog excellence (CDX) title ; 3 dogs ready for Agility competition & 1 dog ready for Tracking.

These stats include any dog that a) includes the Kushinda name as part of their American Kennel Club registered name, b) has a sire and/or dam registered with the Kushinda name and/or c) is owned/bred by Kimma, Kammi, and/or Karrie Hefner.

Provide public education,

Kushinda dogs march in 5-7 parades a year. This is allows the general public to witness a healthy, well behaved 'lion' dog in action and to ask questions about the breed.

We currently maintain an accurate database of Ridgeback pedigrees on CompuPeds that we would be willing to share. We will also provide a free pedigree for someone if their dog is in our database.

We actively participate in dog-related Informational Booths setup for the general public.

Demonstrate the Ridgeback's sighthound abilities,

The Ridgeback was just recently recognized by the American Kennel Club (AKC) and the American Sighthound Field Association (ASFA) to lure course. Kushinda appreciates all the efforts of those individuals responsible for pursuing this recognition. On their behalf, Kushinda dogs will continue the endeavor to provide ample evidence Ridgebacks are truly qualified to participate in this performance event!

Ensure all puppies remain with their original owner,

At Kushinda we go to extreme measures to ensure each puppy is appropriately matched with his/her new owner.

In addition to a personal interview and checking references, One of the tools we use to evaluate the potential of a good home is our Our New Puppy/Dog Owner's Interview/Application Form. As you can see this 9 page instrument goes to great length to gather pertinent information in evaluating a potential new owner.

Section XIII of our Kushinda Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeder/New Owner Contract and Health Guarantee, states, 'New Owner agrees that if at any time he is unable to keep said animal due to change in his circumstances and are forced to seek a new owner for said animal; then at that time New Owner agrees to notify Breeder in writing by registered mail. Breeder has first option of receiving said animal as its new owner before anyone else; and that will be the Breeder's choice.'

Our Kushinda Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeder/New Owner Contract and Health Guarantee also states that 'If you had to relocate, would you find a dwelling that allowed dogs? Yes No If No, do you understand that the dog MUST be returned to Kushinda?'

Our Kushinda Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeder/New Owner Contract and Health Guarantee also states that 'Do you understand that in the event you are forced to give-up the puppy/dog, that you are required to notify Kushinda Rhodesian Ridgebacks and you MUST return the puppy/dog to Kushinda?

All of the instruments are designed to gather information that will assist us in understanding your requirements and in selecting the right Kushinda puppy/dog for you and/or your family. This process provides the basis for establishing a life long relationship with your puppy/dog?

Allow each individual dog to develop both mentally and physically

Each dog is given ample opportunity to discover their strengths and weaknesses. From this evaluation a Versatility Sheet is created indicating when each dog should obtain a certain title. From his sheet their entire career is planned. This includes all the activities leading up to earning a title (i.e., socialization, nutrition, training, conditioning, breeding, campaigning, and retirement).