Judge Information

---

Dr. Kammi Kai Hefner
P.O. Box 804
Fairmont, WV 26555
(304) 825-6105
CELL: (304) 216-3617
Email: kammi@pobox.com

[ edit profile ]

Dr. Kammi Kai Hefner has been involved with breeding, raising, training, showing, and managing pure-bred dogs (American Foxhounds, Bedlington Terriers, Chinese Shar-Pei, Dachshunds, Golden Retrievers, Great Danes, and Shih-Tzu) since early childhood. She often jokes that she was actually "born in a whelping box!" Officially beginning her career at the tender age of thirteen, she showed Miniature Schnauzers in the breed ring, competed in Junior Showmanship, and completed her first Companion Dog (CD) title in October 1975.

From that time on she has continued to be involved with dog-related activities via Kushinda Rhodesian Ridgebacks (founded by Kimma B. Hefner). Dr. Hefner helped whelped the first Ridgeback she acquired in 1989. She bred her first litter, Champion, and Dual Champion in 1993. She is recognized for establishing a renowned Lure Coursing kennel known throughout the country for producing the fully functional Ridgeback, complete with more than 20 AKC Conformation Champions shown from the Bred-by-Exhibitor class, and dozens of registered Therapy Dogs. Dr. Hefner began conformation judging in 1996, bringing a fresh combination of identifying function in the show dog while maintaining the highest regard for conforming to the Ridgeback standard. Her philosophy of judging is to identify that Ridgeback that is of ideal size, symmetry, balance, structure and sound movement; personifying the Rhodesian Ridgeback fit for survival in Africa.

Dr. Hefner acquired her first Chinese Shar-Pei in 1984, Chou-Dee' who was bred only once and who lived 16 « wonderful years. One pup from this litter, Ada, was bred twice and place 4th at the 1996 CSPCA National Specialty out of the Veterans class. Six months later Ada passed from complications of amyloidosis. Over these 16 years Dr. Hefner finished several dogs while the breed was only recognized in the Miscellaneous Group. Having been born and raised on AKC principles, OFAs and health screening tests, she was forced to end her Shar-Pei breeding program due to the lack of tests for eliminating amyloidosis. However, the Shar-Pei remains dear to her heart. Her philosophy of judging is to identify that alert Shar-Pei that is of medium size and substance, with a well-proportioned head, and a prickly coat she often recalls having trouble sleeping with up close and personal!