All of our male Ridgebacks have been named after “Backcountry” locations either at Philmont Scout Ranch or nearby in Northern New Mexico. On the drive back from Phoenix, I stopped by the Tolby Campground sign to get a picture. There is also a Tolby Peak, Tolby Meadow, and other locations. All named after the Reverend Tolby who was gunned down in the Colfax County War.
The last ridgeback (Zastrow) came home wearing a green collar, but then wore a black collar for most of his life. Tolby grandsire, Ra, was Zastrow’s sire. So pretty excited to bring this kid home, especially as he’s so chill, enjoying a break from the action.
Tolby is bred by the amazing Aziza’s Ridgebacks out of Phoenix, AZ. Aura Lee Savaglio and James Pasquini. One of their dogs was #1 in the Country.
You really can’t tell the Tolby story without talking about Zastrow. I’ve backdated this post to the date of Zastrow’s death to put it in context. The sudden death of Zas is why the timing worked out on Tolbs.
Zastrow was our third ridgeback, also named for a Philmont Backcountry camp. His sire is GCHG DC Uwanja’s Raatum, BN SC CGCU RN who also happens to be Tolby’s grandsire. So yeah, that makes Zastrow Tolby’s uncle. Pretty cool.
Zastrow was one of the most dedicated dogs that I’ve ever had. I believe he loved me more than any other dog has, and maybe ever will. But he also loved the other members of the family, depending on which of his favorites were available.
Zastrow was officially a pet quality ridgeback but that was really just because we were a pet quality home back when he was born in 2012. Knowing a lot more about this now, I’ve have no doubt he could have finished his championship. He was handsome and moved beautifully.
He did a good job raising Theo and Rohan to think that they were also ridgebacks, even if they would eventually learn to play fetch which he certainly didn’t teach them.
I’m not sure what the ridgeback afterlife looks like, but it’s my hope that Zastrow has found Blaire who tolerated him in her old age and met his backcountry camp predecessor Maxwell. Two years after his death, I still miss the dog who wanted to be my best friend.
Maxwell was our first male ridgeback. We had moved to Colorado and felt like Blaire needed a companion and he was the answer. Max came from Windy Ridge Ridgebacks in New Mexico and he was the ultimate companion. While Blaire was a bit high strung and determined to be the alpha, Max was happy to be her easy going sidekick for almost 11 years. He never stood a chance in the show ring, with his ridge only being half a ridge, but he was the proof that a ridgeback can have a perfect temperament and get along with every dog and human he meets.
Maxwell was also the start of the Backcountry names. We were driving to New Mexico and had no idea what to name this dog, then as we drove past Philmont on I-25 we saw the signs for Maxwell, New Mexico and realized we should start naming them after these places that we love. In the summer of 2025 Ally worked at French Henry which you access from the Maxwell trailhead.
Maxwell lived from 2001 to 2012.
Blaire is our first Rhodesian Ridgeback, and our first child together. She’s the reason we got attached to the breed and have kept coming back. She’s also from a time before we took hundreds of digital pictures, but I’ll dig some up and expand the history posts.
Blaire lived from 1998-2013 and while she doesn’t have a Backcountry camp name, she’s to blame for all of this. She was an exceptionally smart and endearing dog to the people who knew her well.