Welcome to Hooz Kennels, where our passion for Rhodesian Ridgebacks has been a lifelong journey. We proudly produce purebred Ridgebacks with the primary goals of excellence in health and temperament.
Our story began in 1992 in the UK with our first Ridgeback, intended as a family companion. However, it didn’t take long for us to fall in love with this remarkable breed. Guided by experienced mentors and fueled by extensive research, our Ridgeback family grew and evolved, achieving the high standards we uphold today.
In 2000, we relocated to the serene countryside of Co Kilkenny, Ireland, providing our dogs with the ideal environment to thrive. As passionate preservation breeders, we are dedicated to breeding Ridgebacks with excellent temperament, movement, and type....
Welcome to Hooz Kennels, where our passion for Rhodesian Ridgebacks has been a lifelong journey. We proudly produce purebred Ridgebacks with the primary goals of excellence in health and temperament.
Our story began in 1992 in the UK with our first Ridgeback, intended as a family companion. However, it didn’t take long for us to fall in love with this remarkable breed. Guided by experienced mentors and fueled by extensive research, our Ridgeback family grew and evolved, achieving the high standards we uphold today.
In 2000, we relocated to the serene countryside of Co Kilkenny, Ireland, providing our dogs with the ideal environment to thrive. As passionate preservation breeders, we are dedicated to breeding Ridgebacks with excellent temperament, movement, and type. Our commitment to the breed standard is unwavering, and we take great care in selecting quality dogs for breeding.
Health and well-being are paramount at Hooz Kennels. Our adult Ridgebacks undergo comprehensive health tests, including X-rays, DM, EOAD, EIC, Hemophilia B, and JMe. All puppies are checked for Dermoid Sinus at birth and receive thorough vet checks at their first vaccination, complete with certificates. They are also microchipped and regularly wormed to ensure they start their lives in the best possible health.
Our puppies are raised in a loving family environment, fostering intelligence and sociability from an early age. We take pride in breeding dogs that are beautiful and loyal companions, and many have achieved champion status. Our dedication has taken us to competitions across Europe, the UK, and Canada, where our Ridgebacks have consistently excelled. They have amazing temperaments—their guardian instinct and their fun-loving friendliness and tenderness also make them the best possible breed you could have as a family pet.
At Hooz Kennels, we believe in building lifelong relationships with our puppy owners, offering ongoing support and guidance as needed. Our goal is to match our puppies with loving homes where they will thrive and bring joy to their families.
Thank you for visiting our website. We invite you to explore more about our beloved Ridgebacks and discover the dedication and passion behind Hooz Kennels.
Choosing the Right Breeder
Poor breeding practices can lead to health defects and/or hereditary diseases, which may not be immediately apparent when you buy a puppy but can result in significant expense and heartache as the puppy matures. Remember, your puppy will become part of your family, and you will love it like it is one of your children. Be very careful to ensure you buy from a responsible breeder who has put the time, expertise and expense into ensuring your puppy is perfectly sound and healthy and who can advise on whether the puppy will suit your family setup.
Before You Decide to Adopt a Puppy
Adopting a puppy is a life-changing decision that requires careful consideration. A puppy is not a toy, and a dog won't automatically become the perfect family companion. Are you prepared for the challenges that come with raising a puppy, such as potential damage to furniture, house training accidents, or disrupted sleep? Are you ready to walk your dog in all weather conditions, provide a healthy diet, and budget for regular vet visits? Before making the commitment, think through all of the details.
Pricing of a Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy
When purchasing a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, it's essential to be realistic about the associated costs. The saying "you get what you pay for" is particularly relevant when it comes to purebred dogs. The price of a Rhodesian Ridgeback...
We are thrilled to announce our upcoming puppy plans for springtime 2025! 🤞 We’re pairing two outstanding individuals, and we couldn’t be more excited about the potential of their future offspring.
Hear it from the Hooz owners
Hey Julie, Just wanted to send a quick note to say how happy we are with Lucy. She has fit in really well with the other ridgebacks including our basenji. My son says she is is his dog. I am really happy with her recall and she has recently made her debut in the show ring. She has achieved a best baby puppy in show and at 7 months she is half way to achieving her Canadian Championship. I am super excited to watch her grow and cannot wait to see what the future has in store for her. Thank You so much for entrusting Lucy with me in such a far away country & thank you for your continued support.... Read More
Ontario, Canada
We are first time Rhodesian Ridgeback owners and so when we decided to bring a pup into our lives, we knew we wanted to work with a breeder who not only had a deep understanding of the breed but also a genuine commitment to the well-being of her dogs. Julie honestly has exceeded our expectations in every regard.
From the moment we connected with her, Julie’s expertise and dedication were evident. She took time to understand our lifestyle and provided us with the appropriate match for our life circumstances and personalities.
Julie has been incredibly supportive throughout our journey with Odin. She’s always available to... Read More
Dublin, Ireland
Bringing Missy into our lives has been one of the best decisions we’ve made, and we have Julie to thank for that.
Missy came to us at 9 months old after her previous owners could no longer care for her, and Julie reached out to us to find her a loving home.
We were initially concerned about how our senior Ridgebacks, aged 9 and 11, would react to a younger, energetic dog. However, Julie really understands her dogs, and her insights proved spot on - Missy fit into our family like a missing puzzle piece.
Missy is absolutely adorable! She's intelligent, gentle, and surprisingly calm for her age. She's even proven to be... Read More
Connemara, Ireland
Prior to working with Julie, I spent considerable time researching the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed, and came to the table with very demanding criteria for both the breeder and the dog. When I first met Julie in 2019, she checked all of my boxes as an expert with decades of experience, ethical standards of practice, and puppies bred for health, temperament, and representation of the breed on the international level. I’ve had the pleasure of getting to know Julie over the years and watch her practice as an exemplary breeder of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Julie is a highly qualified breed preservationist and her work shows in each of her... Read More
Washington, D.C., USA
On January 2nd 2024 my beloved Ruby a Rhodesian Ridgeback of 16 1/2 years passed away. I was so grief stricken I was missing her so much, So I felt the best thing to do was start again and I spent the next two months searching the internet for a new puppy.
I found Julie Pratt's website and then lost it but eventually picked up the courage to phone her and enquire from her about a baby Ridgeback puppy. We had a wonderful conversation and lo and behold she could make my dream come true as she had a wonderful litter of the most fabulous Ridgebacks I ever saw . We kept in contact over the next few weeks with Julie updating me regularly... Read More
Wexford , IreLand
License No. JPT200014C
Irish Kennel Club
The Fédération Cynologique Internationale
Food & Marine Ireland
