Mission Statement

We are forming this Foundation to assist breeders in attaining the highest standards possible when generating the genetic material required to maintain the Rhodesian Ridgeback in perpetuity, and to do so by example, co-operation and assistance and not through authoritarian dictatorial or exclusive means. It will, through the clubs it supports, endeavour to make this breed one that is internationally coveted and sought after. Our success will be measured by our ability to arrange effective contact with those who are starting to breed and maintaining that contact with them throughout and after their breeding career, as they are the source of our collective history and knowledge. We want to encourage the association of all people who have the interest of our breed at heart, and we encourage research into, and development of, the breed. Regarding the latter we refer particularly to its hunting heritage.

Sponsors

Sponsorship is open to those who have a genuine interest in the future of the breed. We hope to draw sponsorship from beyond our borders and overseas. The Board will seek out sponsors wheresoever it feels they can be of benefit to the Foundation and the clubs to which it gives special assistance, the first one being the RRCFS.

Administration

Administration, and particularly all policy matters, will be effected by a Board of between ten and twenty trustees. To assist the Board in it's deliberations it will appoint Guardians wherever it finds them to be of use and service to the Foundation.

Affiliation

We shall seek affiliation, joint-action, or co-operation with like-minded bodies.

Register

A record will be maintained on all dogs used in the working sphere, that is for conservation, sport, policing, and any other activity which brings into play the original attributes of the dog, particularly in open country. To this end we shall organise a special interest group, called the Lion Dog Group, to encourage, support, and popularise those efforts. We must record whatever pedigree information is available on these dogs and add our own assessments of suitability, temperament, character, and type, encouraging the entry of them or their progeny into the show-ring. We must seek out development material with a view to bringing it onto a Development Register after scrutineering by a panel. We would consider firstly those dogs which were involved in the original purpose of the breed, e.g. hunting, and baying lion. We recommend that all puppies whelped (and not culled) should be registered with the national registering body (KUSA in South Africa).

Breed Standard

We must protect the provisions of the Breed Standard currently in force in South Africa and Zimbabwe and strive for universal applicability. We must encourage adherence to type, bearing in mind the dogs of earlier eras.

Shows

It is not a basic intention of the Foundation to host shows; we are trying to create co-operation; we want to create friendly rivalry and competitiveness not acrimonious bad-mouthing. Nonetheless we must encourage the exhibition of dogs at recognised shows, having the correct type represented and insuring that the working dogs can also be presented as show dogs.

Disciplinary Action

We approached those who founded the RRI Federation and have successfully asked them to participate in a Founders Council which will adjudicate on contentious matters when requested to do so by the Board or Sponsors: it will determine complaints, handle disciplinary matters and finalise any other disputes which are not dealt with to the satisfaction of the Sponsors and Board.

Communication

We have established a web-site and we encourage the use of Internet/e-mail, with fax as a less desirable alternative. The newsletter will be issued quarterly.