Semper Fidelis Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Striving for correct, healthy, performance-driven, versatility

Harper

Best In Field SEMPER FIDELIS ASHES OF FIRE SC

About Harper: 

Birthday: August 6, 2016
Harper is a liver nose Ridgeback with a brown mask. She weighs about 77 lbs and stands 26.75 inches at the shoulder. She is not within the standard size recommendation for the breed, but we love her just the same. 

Harper is a fun, spunky, confident, sweet, fearless puppy. She is not what I would consider a crazy high energy dog, but she does have some decent prey drive. Harper is a laid back girl. She has never been really vocal (except for dinner time), is not a big whiner, and has never been destructive. At 16 months we could leave her out of her crate for several hours while we left to run errands, which is almost unheard of in a young RR.


Even though Harper is a show dog and performance dog, she is still a companion and is spoiled rotten. She loves to sneak onto our bed at night when she thinks that we don't notice and snuggle into the blankets. In the morning she pops up, flaps her ears a couple times and is ready to start her day, wondering why we haven't embraced her same state of mind. Harper is a super sweet girl who will even occasionally give kisses to strangers. She is really easy to live with and has an off switch. She only requires a small amount of exercise every day, and is happy to settle down for a movie or snuggles on the sofa.


More Pictures in the photo Album Here

Health Testing

Harper's Health Testing is now complete. If you would like to see the results of Harper's testing I am happy to provide that upon request. For Harper's DNA testing I decided to go with a Genoscoper test (Optimal Selection), as the results available are much broader.

Eyes: Normal (January 2019)
Heart: Normal via OFA, also See holter test below 
Thyroid: Normal (February 2019)
Hip Xrays: Good
Elbow Xrays: Normal
Degenerative Myelopathy: Normal/ CLEAR
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME): CLEAR
Early Onset Adult Deafness: Both parents high confidence clear
RR Inherited Ventricular Arrhythmia Holter: determined NEGATIVE by NCSU

I will provide any health documentation upon request.

Harper is fed a prey based raw diet, with occasional pulped vegetables, and goat yogurt, milk, or kefir. Harper has been fed this way since she was weaned. We use grain free and home made treats. I add Ester-C, Vit E, Vit D, Phytoplankton, and Green Lipped Mussel for joints. 

Accomplishments and Performance Information

20161126 Harper completed her first class at 4Paws Dog Training, in Fallston, MD at 10 weeks of age.
201170103 Harper completed a second puppy class at Oriole Dog Training.
20170306 Harper completed a Basic Obedience (manners) class at 4Paws with Polite Pooches.
20170306 Harper attempted her AKC CGC, but did not pass the separation portion, we will try again later.
20171103 Harper earned her first conformation point out of the 12-18 month class, under judge John P. Wade.
20170801 Harper earns one leg of her AKC Junior Courser title.
20190330 Harper Earns her ASFA Cert to run with other dogs for AKC and ASFA Lure Coursing
20190406 Harper earns 1st place for 1 AKC Lure Coursing Point
20190407 Harper earns 1st place and Best of Breed for 4 AKC Lure Coursing Points
20190413 Harper earns second place out of a large field to earn 2 AKC Lure Coursing Points
20190414 Harper earns first place, Best of Breed, and Best in Field for a 5 point AKC major.
Harper also won the Mystic Isle Memorial Trophy for the most defeated ridgebacks over the
two-day weekend, where her name will be engraved for 2019

Cumulative Points:
AKC Lure Coursing: 12 (with both majors)
AKC CH: 1

Above photos by Shody Lytle. 

Below candids courtesy of Shody Lytle