Tolby News

Tolby was the winner of the 2026 Colorado Regional Specialty. It was an appropriate recognition to win the only Specialty Show in Colorado after a couple years of being the top ridgeback for Breed Points in the State of Colorado. His uncle Cash has won multiple times and we hope this is the beginning of a streak for Tolby.

The judge is Lou Guerrero and he wins under the always talented handling of Wendy Oelrich. Tolby was in the ribbons three other days at the show and also won the Breed on Sunday.

Tolby is a very special ridgeback who wins about half the shows he attends, and then winning groups about 40% of the time. This one he took home the G4 over 244 dogs, a huge entry.

BISS GCHS Aziza’s Backcountry Toblerone

And here’s the candid shot once we got home with his medal. His big chest is made for medals. He’s won multiple supported entries in addition to the Specialty.

A quick two days in Bismarck, and two more Group 2’s for Tolby. While I wish he’d get the Group 1’s every time, he has more Group 2’s than either G3 or G4.

The field of Rhodesian Ridgebacks is dense with competition, but when Tolby clears the Best of Breed there’s about a 50% chance that he places in the group ring. That’s better than just about any other Ridgeback.

Tolby Won the Best of Breed all three days and brought home the Group 2 under Donelle Richards on the last day. Also the last show with Anja who has been helping Wendy this summer.

Tolby has 300 Grand Champion points which puts him halfway from Silver to Gold Grand Champion. And he racked up the last 100 points in only 23 shows.

First two days at Yellowstone Valley and another two Group 2’s. He’s now been out 8 days in 2026 and been in the ribbons every show.

So in a plan to let Tolby grow up a bit and get closer to that sweet spot for dominating shows, we took off about 8 months. Now how does that work, can he come back…? Select on the first day, Opposite Sex on the second day, Best of Breed and a Group Two on the third day. Yeah, the kid is a natural, and back with the expert handling from Wendy Oelrich, he’s ready to dominate again.

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Tolbs and Theo and a little time on the couch.

Rohan the Schnauzer was there first but Tolbs can always find a way to fit.

As the #8 Rhodesian Ridgeback for 2025 (in only 6 months of showing) Tolby is automatically invited to the Top 25 competition.

While Tolby only won breed once this weekend, he stayed in the hunt with Opposite Sex wins the other two days and more importantly finished his 200 points for Grand Champion Silver.

GCHS Aziza’s Backcountry Toblerone

And something a little more formal with Tolby winning a Group 1 last month in Cheyenne.

Last month Tolby came in at #5 in Breed standings, while that dropped a little, this month he moved up to #5 in All Breed Standings!

Tolby has always had an extra gift for wins in the Group ring, even in 2024, the year he started showing he made #34 in All Breed in limited shows!

GCHB Aziza’s Backcountry Tolberone

Tolby pulled down another Group 1 in Cheyenne over 99 hounds. Appreciate the Win Judge Kalen Dumke Voogt and handler Wendy Oelrich. I’ll add the professional shot when it becomes available!

For anyone newer to dog shows, this means that he won the Best of Breed over several quality Rhodesian Ridgebacks, then he won the Hound Group competition. Then he competed in the Best in Show ring for the second time this month. Getting close!

179 Grand Champion points, good chance of wrapping up silver in the next few shows.

GCHB Aziza’s Backcountry Toblerone