Ivorymoon consists of myself, Sarah Hartwig, my husband, Shawn (aka the "dog spoiler") & our
pack of 4-6 beloved Ridgebacks. 
We keep our numbers small as we do not breed often & will not EVER use kennels/outdoor runs.                  Our dogs live with us in our home, on our couches & yes, even in our bed!

My life with Ridgebacks began in 1997 with Dempsey.  Like most people that stumble into 'the dog world', I only wanted a 'pet quality' dog to bump around with & be my buddy.  I certainly didn't have time or money for dog shows or performance event competitions...    or so I thought!

A couple years later Dempsey & I had earned multiple AKC titles and national rankings -- ALL owner-handled (IE just me & Dempsey!)   
Everything I experienced with Dempsey & what she, and her breeder Kate Borst of Jabulani taught me, continues on.

- Ivorymoon enthusiastically supports & participates in multiple venues of RR competition to prove the temperament & correct structural health of our dogs.  

- As a professional dog trainer & owner/handler of our own dogs, our puppy owners can expect we will be available for support & guidance during ALL phases of growth, development & training challenges with their Ivorymoon Ridgeback. 

- Ivorymoon breeding places a priority on temperament & early socialization;
*Bad temperament *can* be inherited!  Thats why we never plan a breeding to "improve" temperament.   

- Ivorymoon litters are:                                                                                                                     
*never raised in a garage, basement, or "out-building"                                           
*always in our house and part of normal household life so they learn to be part of family life right from the start                                                                                                                            *have multiple, daily enrichment/socialization activities PLUS early training for crating, potty training, sit, down, marker word/clicker, leash manners, etc. 
*have neurological stimulation begun just a couple days after being born (sounds a bit crazy I know.  Click here to read how/why this IS so important.)
*standardized temperament testing on all our puppies performed by an objective evaluator to ensure WE make the right match between puppy & potential home

-Ivorymoon places a priority on FULL health testing (beyond the minimum recommended by our parent breed club);
 -OFA Hip & Elbow Dysplasia
-Congenital Cardiac Disorders (Cardiac Holter testing, Cardiologist Auscultation &/or Echocardiogram)
-CERF testing for inheritable eye disorders
-Thyroid conditions 
-Degenerative Myelopathy
-Early Onset Deafness
-Juvenile Epilepsy

We are proud members of:
--Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US  
--Tulsa Sighthound Association 
--Association of Pet Dog Trainers  

Sarah has proudly served as a professional dog trainer at:
-her own dog training business The Profound Hound, LLC
-Nebraska Humane Society (Omaha, NE)
-WI Academy for Graduate Service Dogs ( Executive Director, Madison, WI)
-Mad City Dog Training (Madison, WI)
-The Dog Den (Madison, WI)