WELCOME AT ZENI!
  ESTABLISHED IN 2019   
  Photo by Catherin Arsenault
 

Let me introduce myself, I'm Sabrina.

For as long as I can remember, I've always wanted a dog, but my parents wanted me to wait until I moved out before getting one. I wanted a Chihuahua, then a Golden Retriever, and after that, any rescue dog I could find, until I came across a Basenji in a dog book. I thought I had found THE BREED when I got my Basenji, but when I discovered the Rhodesian Ridgeback, I was speechless at their presence... I did a lot of research on the breed since I was living in an apartment at the time and wanted to be sure I had the lifestyle necessary to give my next dog the best life.

I then looked for a reputable breeder, and that's when the magic began. I got my first Ridgeback, ''Willow''. Thanks to Willow and the friendship I developed with her breeder, I started going to dog shows, taking training classes, and hanging out with other breeders, and I couldn't get enough. I was “sucked” into the breeding world and I simply LOVED it!

Several Ridgebacks have come into my life since then! We now live in the countryside, where we have all the facilities necessary for a perfect lifestyle with multiple dogs.

I spent almost four years researching about the Rhodesian Ridgebacks before getting started. I wanted to make sure that my breeding program respected my dogs and preserved their well-being. I was helped by mentors, friends, the Canadian Kennel Club, and the multitude of books I read. From there, Zeni was born!

For me, dog breeding automatically involves a symbiosis between health, conformation, and temperament. That's why I choose my dogs with the utmost care! They all pass the necessary health tests related to the breed, as recommended by the OFA and breed clubs. They also participate in conformation and sprinter and/or lure coursing competitions! 

I make sure that my dogs are as close as possible to their ancestors and to the work for which the breed was created. I therefore use as few medications as possible, except when necessary, and I minimize the use of chemicals in the house. I like to add raw meat and superfoods to their food bowls, as this is a diet suited to their species and boosts their immune systems. I also practice lure coursing with them, which helps them maintain their instincts and develop the skills for which they were bred.

My kennel has been registered with the Canadian Kennel Club since 2019, and my first litter was born in 2023. Breeding is much more than just mating two dogs; it is a long-term endeavor to produce dogs that are healthy in both body and mind, and I take this work very seriously. I adhere to the codes of ethics and am a member of the following breed clubs: the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Eastern Canada, where I am the Quebec director, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Canada, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Scotland. I am also the owner and founder of Domaine Zeni, a growing canine platform dedicated to mutual aid and education, interests that I strongly advocate for. In 2019, I didn't know half of what I know today, and with this growing passion, I know that in five years, I will know at least twice as much as I do now.

Please feel free to contact me. I would be delighted to discuss about my passion with you!

WHY ZENI?