How is the Ridgeback around children? Other pets? As a watchdog?
The Ridgeback is extremely tolerant and an excellent companion for children. However, no child should be left unsupervised around any dog, as either may hurt the other, even unintentionally. Children and puppies should be supervised as well as young puppies have the jaw power of a German Shepherd and teeth as sharp as surgical scalpels! Due to its large size, younger and more excitable Ridgebacks may knock over smaller children by accident.
The Ridgeback is a gregarious animal, enjoying the company of other dogs. Beware of having several male dogs -- this can lead to dominance struggles (as is true with several males of many breeds). They can be good with cats if brought up with them, but fiercely effective in defending their territory from stray dogs and cats. The Ridgeback is an excellent natural watchdog and family protector, requiring only that the owner has control over it.
Are they noisy? Do they have any bad habits?
Ridgebacks tend to bark only when there is something worthwhile to bark at (unless one has fallen into this bad habit out of boredom). They are very athletic, easily able to clear high fences. The owner must take proper precautions to see that this does not occur. Proficient swimmers, they can be an annoyance if the owner does not want them in the pool! They are not usually nuisance diggers, but can create large pits to escape summer heat if left out of doors. A Ridgeback can become a roamer out of boredom. Dogs who roam often fall victim to automobiles -- another reason to have a properly fenced yard. When going through teething periods, at young ages to about 4-½ months and again at around eight to10 months. Ridgebacks can be quite destructive if not provided with things that you want them to chew on, such as safe and fun toys, bones, hard plastic kongs etc. Crate training may be essential in order to keep an unsupervised, adolescent Ridgebacks in check.
What about training?
The key to a good ridgeback is a well-trained dog. When you train together, an unspoken language builds between you. We recommend all our puppy buyers attend puppy socialization classes and even socialize at your local Home Depot when all vaccinations are completed. We also highly recommend obedience classes. We attend obedience classes with our own dogs regularly. Please find below a helpful video on puppy training.
Is the Ridgeback a good house-dog?
The Ridgeback is an extremely clean dog with little odor and minimal shedding. Its short, dense coat sheds little. In general, a Ridgeback kept indoors sheds a little all year round, whereas an outside one will experience seasonal shedding. They do not drool, except in anticipation of food. They are generally easy to housetrain and are not overactive in the house. They will take over the furniture unless their owners discourage this habit from puppy hood. A happily wagging tail will easily clear a low coffee table of its contents. All Ridgebacks benefit from training at an early age not to jump on tables or counters with their front paws. Ridgebacks can be notorious "counter surfers" once they discover people food left unattended. Ridgebacks who who live with their owners as valued members of the family and are taught manners as youngsters are among the finest companions in the dog world.
Are there any special feeding problems?
Most Ridgebacks have very hardy appetites! They can drool a bit when their food is being prepared. Ridgebacks inhale their food enthusiastically. Consequently, Ridgeback owners must monitor their dogs weight and cut back, as appropriate, to prevent obesity. Sometimes a good cupboard lock is needed to keep a clever dog from helping itself. You will definitely need to steel your heart to keep those pleading faces from convincing you they are STILL hungry. Remember, Ridgebacks are always hungry!
How much exercise does a Ridgeback need?
Like any medium-large dog, Ridgebacks need exercise -- a daily romp in the back yard or park and a couple of longer trips to the park per week should be sufficient. More would be better, but Ridgebacks do adapt to their people.
For real excitement and fun, Ridgebacks excel at lure coursing and agility -- two fun activities a which dog and owner can work as a team.
Should I get a male or female?
I can tell you that often people have a preference. My brother, for instance, always loved the females. He would take a female ridgeback all day long. He never understood why I prefer the males. Females are a bit smaller in stature and if you want a ridgeback to run win, the females are superior. Please find the below video helpful from a ridgeback owner who does a great job detailing his thoughts on the question.
Are they energetic or hyper?
A young Ridgeback is a very energetic fellow. But as Ridgebacks mature, most of them become much more laid back. One author calls them the "kings of dozing." Some say that a mature Ridgeback is happiest when either running flat out across a field or flat out asleep at your feet. In general, they mature into lovely calm dogs that do well when raised with children and other pets.
Were they really used to hunt lions?
Yes. When the breed was imported to Rhodesia, the big game hunters of the time found them to be excellent hunters and used them to hunt lions. They were found to be the only breed of dog that could, in a pack, keep a lion at bay for the hunter...and live.
Although gaining notoriety as the hunter of the King of Beasts, basically, the Ridgeback in Africa was an all-purpose dog, kept by farmers to guard the home and herds and to do a bit of hunting.
Are they good for general hunting?
The Ridgeback has been used successfully in hunting bobcat, mountain lion, bear, fox, squirrel, coyote, deer, wild boar and raccoon in the U.S., Canada and Mexico. There have been reports of Ridgebacks having been train to point upland game and retrieve game and fowl, but their true talents lie in cornering the prey for the hunter to finish off. As a rule, they are silent trailers and only bay once the prey is sighted. For this reason, Ridgebacks are not used alone to hunt deer, fox or raccoon unless they have a bell around their necks for location purposes. They can be hunted with breeds which are more vocal on a trail.
Nowadays, fewer states allow hunting with dogs in general, so most of todays Ridgebacks are content to keep the backyard squirrel-free or to chase rabbits in a field. Most Ridgeback enthusiasts do their "hunting" these days on the lure coursing field chasing a white plastic bag! Lure coursing is a thrilling sport and fun for all the family to watch. Read all about it in "Starting Your Dog in Performance Events."
Do Ridgebacks have any genetic problems?
Yes. The dermoid sinus, hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroid problems and degernerative myopathy are the most common. Its very important check to see if a puppies parents have been checked for these abnormalities. If they have, the breeder will be able to show you Othopedic Foundation for Animals certifications ("OFA"). (OFA numbers are also listed on the AKC registration papers, if the puppy's parents were screened.) The breeder should also be able to show you the paperwork for Canine Eye Registration Foundation ("CERF") and reports showing the results of thyroid and/or heart screenings. Read more on the dermoid sinus elsewhere on this site.
How long do Ridgebacks live?
From 10 to 12 years is a good average. Some Ridgebacks have lived up to 16 years. As with all dogs, good health may be compromised by poor dental health and lack of veterinary care. A vigilant owner watches out for unusual lumps or behavior in their pet, which can be precursors to illness.
What should I expect when I contact a breeder?
When you initially contact a breeder, you should expect quite a few questions about why you think you might want a Ridgeback, what kinds of dogs youve had before, what your facilities are like, what kind of lifestyle you live, etc. Your responses to all of these questions help the breeder determine which of their puppies might be best for you or to see if you have an unrealistic expectation of a Ridgebacks temperament. They are NOT Golden Retrievers in a short coat!
The breeder will also want to know if you are looking for just a great companion or if you are interested in conformation shows, obedience trials or other performance events. Breeders generally separate, or "grade," puppies as pet or show potential. There may be things about the puppy that might hinder its show career, such as an uneven crown in the ridge, extra crowns or very miniscule things particular to show dogs, e.g., the angle of the upper arm, the length of the front legs. These are things that would never be known to anyone except a dog show judge or a Ridgeback breeder. Since breeders strive hard to produce that "perfect" Ridgeback, even the puppies labeled as "pets" should be superior examples. Just because a puppy has a "show fault" does not make it an inferior pet. It will still love to go for walks and to play, it will have kisses to give and a wagging tail to greet you and it will still be able to give that unconditional love that only dogs can!
What should I expect to get from the breeder when I pick up my puppy?
If you are buying a puppy just as a companion, most breeders will include a spay/neuter clause as Ridgeback Rescue strongly urges that pets be spayed or neutered to prevent unplanned and unwanted litters.
A word of caution: Be sure to read and discuss the contract or guarantee BEFORE you take the dog home. If for any reason, you are uncomfortable with the terms, please tell the breeder. You may be able to arrange more agreeable terms, if not do not buy the dog.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Clubs
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of America www.rrcus.org
American Kennel Club www.akc.org
Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue
Ridgeback Rescue of the United States www.rrus.org
TIRR www.petfinder.org/shelters/TX179.html
Etosha www.etosha-rescue.org
Northern California Ridgeback Rescue www.ridgeback.org
RTI www.rrsatrisk.org
Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue Inc. www.ridgebackrescue.org
Breed Info
Ridgeback Health www.RhodesianRidgebackHealth.org Unusual RR Colors www.geocities.com/kalaharirr/oddcolors.html African Names www.lowchensaustralia.com/names/africannames.htm Pedigree Search www.wendelboe.com/searchdog.html OFA- Orthopedic Foundation for Animals www.offa.org PennHip - Pennyslvania Hip Inprovement Program www.pennhip.org Hip Dysplasia www.workingdogs.com/doc0039.htm Hip Dysplasia www.peteducation.com Puppy Early Neurological Stimulation www.breedingbetterdogs.com/articles/early_neurological_stimulation_en.php