Karen R. Stewart

I got my first Rhodesian Ridgeback in 1992 from Oakhurst Rhodesian Ridgebacks. That is when I fell in love with the breed, and when I first met Barbara Rupert. I met Barbara at the very first dog show I ever attended. I wandered by the ring and saw this breed of dog I had never seen, and this German lady was walking out of the ring with her dog, so I asked if she would please talk to me for a few minutes about this breed. She graciously accepted my request! I knew I had to learn more about this breed, so I promptly went to the bookstore to find whatever information I could on the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Five interviews later, I was going to get my first Oakhurst Rhodesian Ridgeback! CH. Oakhurst Jewel of The Nile (“Niles”) lived to be 14 ½ years old. In 2005 I got my 2 nd Rhodesian Ridgeback, CH. Oakhurst Alafin Son of a Princess (“Fin”). Fin met Uncle Niles at the Rainbow Bridge in 2017. Today 33 Years later, and 5 litters whelped, I have 3 generations living under my roof! Sangria (Fiona daughter), JoJo(Sangria daughter) and EmmyLou (Sangria great granddaughter). I am a preservationist breeder along with my co-breeder Linda Shue. We are preserving the Oakhurst Kennel breeding program and the Oakhurst kennel name. I was the President RRCF from 2018 to 2022, I have served as the Ethics Chairperson, provided expertise to the Audit Committee, and have served as the Top 25 Chair on several occasions for the National Specialty. When I am not being a dog fancier I work as the Surveillance Program Manager for a Compliance Company that provides services to the Healthcare industry. I have worked in the Healthcare industry for more than 36 years serving in many financial, operational, and compliance capacities. If you see me at the next National Specialty, come say hi, I might actually be retired by then.