Our first introduction to Rhodesian Ridgebacks came while living outside Anchorage, Alaska in 1986.  At that time we already owned a young Chocolate Labrador and a Husky Coyote Hybrid that had been rescued by our youngest son; so we really didn't want or need any more dogs.  But I coudn't let a call for help to  raise a litter of 13 orphaned pups go unanswered, so we got Mik & Wiket as 9-day old puppies, knowing absolutely nothing about their breed.

"Mboni RR" started when we were getting some ridgeless puppies from breeders who preferred not to sell them as pets.  We chose the Swhaili word "Mboni" to represent these pups because one of the meanings is "something precious".  In our opinion, there is nothing quite as precious as a Ridgeback puppy, with or without the "trademark" ridge.

Oddly enough, we had already used "precious" in the name of our first registered Ridgeback, so ever since, all ours have carried the word "Mboni" in the official registered name and it has become our kennel name.