With thanks to Marianne Gellin for providing me with facts for below article

RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK - HISTORY IN FINLAND 

The first Rhodesian Ridgeback in Finland was imported by Carl-Henrik Lucander, Thsombes kennels, in 1965. The dog, Simba 5, was bred by Bengt Florén in Sweden and the first Ridgeback in Finland to gain his Champion title.

In 1967 Mr. Lucander imported a bitch from England - Ingulu of Owlsmoor (by GB Ch Glenaholm Adonis ex Mtanda of Owlsmoor) born December 4, 1966. She produced a litter of 5 puppies in 1968, sired by Simba 5. Kennel Thsombes´ also imported the bitch Elona (by S Ch Rhosaf M´Kimba ex Cora) from Sweden. She had a litter of 6 puppies in 1978, sired by our Andy.

In 1972 Marita Laitinen, imported Loustigens Azzam (by Int Nord Ch Roseridge Haijk ex Int Nord Ch Janak Kelly) from Loustigens kennels in Sweden. He became the first Ridgeback to gain his International title.

 In 1974 Leni Nousiainen, imported the bitch Loustigens Bihscara (by Int Nord Ch Roseridge Red Slim ex Int Nord Ch Janak Kelly) and in 1975 another bitch Loustigens Cama (by Kungstorps Soleb ex Int Nord Ch Janak Kelly). Mrs Nousiainen competed in obedience and was very successful with Bihscara who took a 3rd price in winners class. At that time it was the best achievement gained by a Ridgeback in Scandinavia. Bihscara also became the first bitch in Finland to gain her Championship title.

In 1981 Maria Björkas imported the dog Malabari Tau from Sweden and in 1983 Malabari Chimba (by Elveslands Gandoph ex Gorgous Gussie) from England. Both dogs achieved their Championships and Chimba was the first Ridgeback in Scandinavia to be placed in the Best in Show-ring, an honourable BIS-4. Both he and Tau won multiple group placings.

In 1984 Marianne Gellin imported a bitch from England, Mbwa Jike Shinda Moyo (by GB Ch Matabelle Marksman ex Elvesland's Theoden) half sister to my lovely Giya. €�Kimbabecame the first Ridgeback in Scandinavia to gain the Obedience title. She has also been a successful agility dog, her greatest win occurring at the Finnish Kennel Club´s 100-anniversary show. Kimba also gained her Championship title. Kimba had a litter of 4 puppies sired by S N Ch, NW-79 Afrikana´s Zulu (by Afrikana´s Amor ex Aldonnels Azalea). One of these puppies was the first Finnish born Ridgeback to gain her Championship title. 

Ridgebacks have been imported mainly from Sweden and England but when the borders opened after a rabies incident in 1989, Ridgebacks have been imported from USA and also from other countries (Holland, Australia, Norway, Germany, Zimbabwe). Kennel Shadyridge and Globe Kennels influence on today´s Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Finland is significant.  There has been in all 40 imports during these years. The sires being used have mainly been from other countries (USA, Sweden, Switzerland, South Africa).  The amount of Ridgebacks in Finland has slowly increased to about 250.