Barbara Rupert is interest in dogs began in her native Germany while her parents raised Dachshunds.

After her marriage in the U.S., their first family dog was a Smooth Standard Dachshund.  Rhodesian Ridgebacks followed in 1970 which remain her primary breed.  Whippets were added a few years later.  Careful breeding of those breeds under the Oakhurst prefix produced gratifying results in the whelping box and show ring.

Oakhurst is breeding program is noted for both outstanding conformation and temperament, having produced close to 100 champions with many achieving the highest honors, including nine All-Breed Bests-In-Show. 

Barbara has been chairman of the Standards and Elaboration Committee  and serves on the Education  Committee  for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the U.S.   She has developed and gives Ridgeback Seminars throughout the U.S.

Barbara is AKC judging license was granted in 1985.  She currently is approved for the Hound Group and Best In Show.

Her assignments have taken her all over the world.  (All Breed shows in Australia, Canada, Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Russia, South Africa).    Her most memorable assignments included judging the Ridgeback National in the U.S., the World Congress in the Netherlands, the Australian,  French and Swedish Nationals.   She is scheduled to adjudicate Ridgebacks at the U.S. Nationals for the second time in 2012. 

Life after dogs include grandchildren, classical and jazz music, reading, gardening, cooking and friends who like to share new adventures.

She and husband, Dick, share their So. California  home with five  Ridgebacks, a Saluki and a Miniature Wire Dachshund.