OF LIL TOFFEE

How it all started.

As far back as I can remember, I have always been attracted to the Rhodesian Ridgeback. I spent my childhood reading and researching information about the breed, studying bloodlines and great breeders in every way I could. When I reached adulthood, this passion and the overwhelming desire to be able to share my life with one of them one day had not diminished.

So I started looking for a companion. Above all, I was looking for a dog that had been retired from a kennel so that I could give it a second life. As fate would have it, I ended up with a sweet, delicate young lady imported from Russia whose French breeder no longer wanted her. She was just a year old, very introverted, worried about the outside world and everything in it, but she immediately trusted me and we started our new lives together. I had no idea at the time how she would change my world forever.

Elfie (Ele Tori Elfu Fora) came into my life in 2017. Together, we discovered and learned about the world of shows, how they work and their subtleties. Step by step, we climbed the ladder to reach the French Holy Grail in 2019 by winning the BOB at the Club Dog Show in Chatel-Guyon. That was the day Elfie won her very first title, and not the least, the difficult title of French Champion.

In the meantime, a female I loved very much, Ikwindla Swan du Domaine d’Adéane, was mated to the 2017 world champion Got the Soul by Luanda (Cubi) and I decided that a puppy from this marriage would be added to my family.

That’s how Aslan (Oluwa-Seyi Aslan du Domaine d’Adeane) joined the family in 2018. A bubbly, happy and tender little fellow who will prove to be an incredible life companion and above all a super competitor with whom I will continue to learn. In 2020, on the strength of their good results and inter-

“Distrustful, sincere, stubborn, sometimes shy and at the same time a bomb of emotions. I met Chloé 2 years ago and I found a person full of qualities, a young breeder with whom it is possible to discuss about RRs and it is possible to do so even when you have different ideas. Full of enthusiasm, she always seeks the best for her breeding program and puppies. Nowadays, when our breed is very fashionable and in a dog environment that is not always easy, luckily there are breeders like her who give hope of continuity to our beloved ridgies.

Keep it up my friend, I wish you the results you desire as breeder and continue to achieve the great results you have already reached so far in the rings all over Europe. You deserve a future as bright as you are as a person. A big and strong hug. Gian“

Gianmaria Castorina

esting pedigrees, flawless characters and the real desire to offer families the chance, just like me, to share their lives with extraordinary Rhodesians, I decided to embark on a breeding project with my two companions. The name Of Lil’ Toffee, as a well-deserved tribute to Elfie, my caramel sweetheart, would soon see the light of day.

In December 2020, the first 9 puppies of Lil’ Toffee were born. My priority is to be a responsible and ethical breeder. As a result, I always look for the best for my puppies and their future owners. I put in place numerous techniques and projects to socialise my puppies. I’m convinced that ethical and responsible breeding is based on four pillars: selection (genetic, physical aptitudes and temperament), awakening the puppies, socialising them and supporting the families throughout the life of my babies. The puppies don’t leave home for 10 weeks. Before they leave, they will have had several adventures to give them the best possible start in life: car journeys, meeting lots of other dogs, swimming, visits to new places, proprioception exercises. They will also learn the basics of everyday life such as walking on a lead, basic commands and housebreaking. With my adults, I never forget what characterises the Rhodesian Ridgeback physically and mentally. I choose the activities according to the aptitudes of each individual, while at the same time meeting the needs for which they were originally created. So we do blood search, of course, but also truffle hunting (See RR EU Magazine N° 12), mantrailing, utility hunting, lure coursing and many other sporting activities that meet the needs of my dogs and allow them to have a fulfilling life.

Breeding must also meet these criteria because the breed’s physical and behavioural standard was based on and created around these elements. As a breeder, I have a duty to try as far as possible to meet the breed’s original characteristics.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback must be able to track for hours on end without losing sight of his objective. So, he needs to be physically and mentally equipped to do just that. I don’t claim to master everything, far from it, that’s up to Mother Nature, but I try to think about my matings to meet these requirements. Character and work-oriented conformation are my priorities. Personally, I find that nowadays a lot of the dogs shown at shows are just show dogs (all breeds included) and I really hope that the Rhodesian Ridgeback doesn’t fall into this trap. A step dog is a show dog, but he can’t trot for miles... it’s a question of simple locomotion. Just as we can’t ask a piaffe-trained horse to compete with endurance horses!

Having said that, I’m convinced that dog shows are interesting and necessary for selecting beautiful animals that comply with the breed standard. They are part of a whole, along with selection and work and should therefore not be neglected. It will be impossible to track and hunt for hours without good feet, excellent shoulders and

“Chloé is a talented and loving breeder with an extremely contagious passion for dogs. I am incredibly lucky that she put her trust in me to handle her beautiful and gentle dogs. I feel very fortunate to work with such loving person. I am proud to have been by her side from the start and to see her grow every day.“

Kim Bussière

rear angulations that are not excessive but well-made. All this must be supported by a supple, strong back and a deep, well-developed ribcage. These criteria and many others are essential to creating the athlete we all know.

On my very first litter of 2020, I decided to keep a little boy called Rackham (Rangi Ya Maisha Rackham Of lil’ Toffee) and to widen my field of possibilities by going out more to shows in France and abroad. The years 2021 and 2022 with him were just extraordinary. Rackham won his first Young World Champion title in Brno in 2021 at just 9 months old, and then went on to win the Young European Champion title in Budapest that same year. In 2022, Rackham again won the title of young European champion in Paris. To date, his record in European and World championships remains unrivalled.

At the same time, his father Aslan continued to mature nicely and at the age of 4, after the covid break, obtained his first titles and his first successes abroad. Aslan concluded 2022 in the best possible way by winning the RCC at Crufts and then the BOB at Madrid, while his son Rackham also won the intermediate class on the same day. In 2023 Aslan did it again! BOB at the Club Dog Show.

“Chloé is truly the most passionate breeder I’ve ever meet. She lives and breath for her dogs, in fact, they are not dogs, they are truly family. Every single puppy that she’s breeding is kind of her grand children, and if you’re lucky enough to adopt one of them, you’re entering the family too, the of lil’ Toffee family ! But luck is not enough to enter the family: you have to prove you’re worthy, you have to be motivated and show Chloe that you will give her puppy the life he deserve. Then you can count on her to be here for both of you every step of the way.

I myself found myself lucky enough to have been trusted by Chloe with a puppy this year, and I can say for what I experienced that having a good breeder makes the difference and gives you a huge head start in your new life with the pup! Because a good breeder will not only choose the parents for their physics, but also and mostly for their temperament. A good breeder will not only care for the pups and bring them love, he will also prep them for their future life (by socialisons and showing them tones of different strange stuffs). And finally, a good breeder will not let you choose a puppy like you’re choosing a watermelon at the grocery store: he will guide you to the pup that will be the best fit to you and your life. And all of this, is what’s makes Chloe an amazing breeder.“

Morgane Villaret

Today I remain true to my convictions, and even if it’s not easy every day, I keep moving forward, surrounding myself only with passionate and caring people. People who love the Rhodesian Ridgeback for the extraordinary dog that it is, before the successes in beauty contests.

I scarcely propose my boys for reproduction as I consider over-breeding to be a real danger for our breed. Over-use of both males and females will lead to an impoverishment of the gene pool, which in time (and more quickly than you might think) will bring its share of problems.

What I appreciate most of all is that when people have met my dogs in everyday life or at dog shows, they have been convinced by their abilities, their physique, and their mentality!

I hope to continue for many years to come to produce puppies who are at ease with themselves and who, while meeting their original needs, will make their families happy.

I owe a great deal to all the people who have been there from the start, who have accompanied, helped, and encouraged

“Chloé has a heart of gold, she is a passionate individual who gives her all for her dogs and her breeding. She does an incredible job, and her puppies reciprocate it well. I would be eternally grateful to him for this incredible Kaly.“

Anaïs Billard me, and without whom none of this would have been possible. A special thought for my partner and my wonderful families, especially Anaïs and my wonderful Kaly, Amélie and the beautiful Rackham as well as Sabrina and my little Yuma, the future of the Of Lil Toffee family. Finally, a big thank you to Kim, our wonderful handler. But the most heartfelt thanks go to Elfie and Aslan, without whom this adventure would never have seen the light of day.

Name Chloé Bouyges

Country France

Affix Of Lil’ Toffee www www.ofliltoffee.chiens-de-france.com

Written by RRCN

Photos by Edward Veldkamp and Leonie Huitema