Michael and I live in the heart of the Pennine Hills in West Yorkshire,
England. I have grown up with dogs of all shapes and sizes, Pedigree and
non-Pedigree. Michael always wanted a dog but due to work commitments felt
he couldn't take on the responsibility. So when we finally decided that
time allowed us to complete 'our family' with a canine companion the search was
on! We got the books and after narrowing our
search to 3 breeds in particular it was off to the shows to see them "in
the flesh". We quickly decided Ridgebacks were the breed for
us. After a chance meeting with Gill Lawless and Faahac Freya in
1987 we went to a Breed Champ. show at Towcester Race Course. Like
many first time visitors to shows we were struck by the diversity within
the breed (this is still true). From there we made contact with several
breeders and after what seemed an interminable wait we went to Janak Kennels in
Derbyshire to collect Janak Lady Eleanor (of Mwenga) -
"Ellie". That was August 1988 - the rest is history!
Apart from Ridgebacks - we do have other interests! Michael likes gadgets
and computers and has recently "discovered " golf, I hate gadgets and computers.
I was a childminder (yes, children and dogs - I really am mad) for 32 years! and since owning Ridgebacks
they have helped my minded children through some pretty hard times (Ridgebacks
don't judge or ask questions!) - See Kids 'n' K9s
- my children certainly help with early socialisation!
We were granted the affix "Mwenga" in
1990 We submitted 6 names to the K.C. in order of preference, Mwenga being
our first choice. It is our surname backwards (of course you had worked that
out!) with Michael's initial at the front. It is also a village in
Tanzania - so it does have an African 'connection'. Our first litter - bred in 1991 carried this
affix. Our foundation bitch being
Janak Lady Eleanor
of Mwenga bred by Mrs. Betty Webster. She was mated to GB. NZ. CH.
Iannto of Janak and produced a litter of 9 (Litter 1).
We kept a bitch from this litter Mwenga Marijka.
She went on to gain her Junior Warrant, Champion Title (6 CCs & 2
RCCs) and to our great delight, at the East of England Ch. Show 1993, she won
the Hound Group under Mr. Mike Stockman, having taken the CC and Best of Breed
under breed specialist Mrs. Gillian Burgoin. There were two other
champions in this litter:-
Gary & Helen Adshead's - Mwenga Maverick. and
Mwenga Kintu-Mwingerza exported to Henrik and Catharina Tandefelts Hayawani
Kennel in Sweden
From Ellie's 3rd litter (November 1994) we kept our first male - Mwenga Massengai. (Merlin). He too gained his Champion title and he went on to prove his worth as a stud dog and more importantly as a P.A.T. Dog. He sired his first litter to Gill Lawless' bitch Ch. Faahac Feri and from the litter we chose Fae (Faahac's Faith in Mwenga J.W.), sadly we lost her to cancer at 7 years. From a litter sired by Merlin to Betty Websters Shawema Val 'n'Tina of Janak we chose another girl Megan (Janak Xamax of Mwenga J.W.) who is still going strong at 10 years old. In 2001 Dee, a 9 year old bitch came to live with us, she was our second "Rescue" our first being Shula (see Rescue Page). Her owners could no longer cope with her - we never found out why- want to know more? Then go to Rescue or Dee's page or P.A.T. Dogs. Our last Ridgeback puppy joined us in 2004. Mwenga Rhodesian Ridgebacks - CaineAbels Red Exclusiv - Robyn (CaineAbels Red Exclusiv for Mwenga ShCM) is an Ellie g.g.g.g.grandaughter and reminds us more and more of her as she matures. You can read more about her on her own page. The last Ridgeback to join our pack was Kai, another oldie looking for a comfortable sofa (good job we have a large comfy one!!) Go to Kais page to read more. Our latest addition is not a Ridgeback! Go to Mwenga Rhodesian Ridgebacks - Anharbn White Rose for Mwenga - Hazel's page
I had my first appointment to judge the breed at open show level in 1993, since then I have awarded Challenge Certificates at the East of England show and at Hound association of Scotland. I have also had the honour of Judging the breed in Germany at the German Club Championship show (May 2005). I am also qualified to judge Basenjis at Open show level.
Our house is busy, open and never dull. If you wish to contact us to discuss all things Ridgeback our email address is:-
If we can't help we know people that can!