Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

Question

Hi a im saving up for a Rhodesian Ridgeback! but i dont know that much info on them. so could anyone tell me alittle bit about them? thx!

Answer 1

OH WOW!! One of my TOP favorite breeds.

I needed a Mobility Service Dog to wear backpacks and carry for me. Rhodies were in the final two choices. I have known various Rhodies for nearly 35 years. Unfortunately we live in the far north and with that short coat, they wouldn't be real thrilled wih running errands around town in deep snow and bitter cold.

They are in the hound group but they were really a herd guarding who also was used secondarily for hunting. They are incredibly devoted (think velcro dogs), friendly and patient; but let someone threaten their charges and all bets are off.

A Rhodesian who had 3 little girls in his charge got the Kennel Ration Hero of the Year when he foiled a pedophile's attempt to kidnap the one child from the bedroom - attacked as the creep who had come in the 2nd story window, was carrying her down the stairs gagged (no bark, no growl just flat out to kill), never touched her and ripped him to shreds. He dropped her and the Rhodie, instead chasing him, put his body over top of the child and woke the household. The police followed the blood and caught him. The canine hero went back to playing with his kids and sleeping on their beds.

(Downside on Rhodies - the counter surfers par excellence unless properly trained. and they are also usually smarter than their trainers and get it in a couple tries and see no point in repetitive practicing so they yawn and quit!)

They do love to run so you will either have to do a super job of training them (think AKC obedience competition at nearly 2nd level called "Open") or have a fenced yard with a 5 ft plus fence.

They need a pretty good amount of exercise or they will go stir crazy. Great partner for jogging or biking once you teach them how to run next to the bike on a lead. (They have been clocked at 35 mph.)

Go here to read about them:

http://www.akc.org/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback/index.cfm

http://www.rrcus.org/

That is the National Breed CLub recognized by the AKC. On the website is a link to the breed resuce.

Now like all breeds but particularly the large breeds they have hereditary health problems.

. The Clubs' websites will give you an ENORMOUS amount of information about the breed - the good, the bad, and the why or why not to get that breed.

The clubs websites also have:

(1) a breeders list - all of whom have agreed to abide by the breeders code of ethics (which you can read)(

2) a link to the breed rescue for their breed

Do give serious thought to adopting from an adult from a breed rescue. The clubs' breed rescues go to a great deal of trouble to determine the dog's temperment, personality, likes and dislikes (particularly kids and cats and other dogs in the household), HEALTH, and level of training. They make a huge effort to match the right dog to the right home - and if they don't have one they think will be suitable for your home, they won't place it. Great way to avoid the puppy training, newpapers, chewing.......They have dogs that are purebred and part-bred (1/2 or so of their breed.) PLEASE consider adopting from rescue. They are often more loyal and bond more closely when they know that they can trust you not to leave them having already been abandoned and deserted in their lives, and thankful for a loving home.
A rescue adoption is usually $250-350.

If you decide to get a puppy , please use one of the breeders who are members of the breed club. A well-bred pet puppy may not be a candidate for the show ring (that nose being 1/8th of an inch to long or something else very picky) but they will be very healthy, the parents carefully screened for hereditary health problems, and from a breeder who has devoted a great deal of time to understanding the breed and bloodlines. A responsible breeder will have a written contract with a health guarantee for hereditary problems; require that if for any reason you ever have to give up the dog that it comes back to them; and always be available for help, assistance and advice about your dog. Such a breeder will tell you if they don't think their breed is right for you based upon your needs. They want a perfect forever home for the puppies - not the money. (In 43 years in the dog show world, I have never known a breeder of that caliber who has made a profit on their dogs - it is labor of love.)

A puppy from such a breeder costs no more - and often less beacuse poorly bred dogs typically have health problems and the vet bills go on all their lives - than from a backyard breeder who doesn't do the health checks, knows nothing about the breed or bloodlines, doesn't give a guarantee, never wants to hear about the puppy again and has breed from mediocre or poor quality dogs. A pt puppy from such a breeder will probably be $600 -900; and a top flight conformation show prospect about $1000-1500.

(And backyaad breeders want nearly that and pet shops charge more for puppies from horrible puppy mills where they have breed anything they can get their hands on wihtou regard to temperment or health problems - they don't even vaccinate or worm let alone pay for all the expensive screening tests.

IF A SERIOUS BREEDER OR RESCUE TELLS YOU THAT THE BREED IS NOT SUITED FOR YOUR SITUATION - BELIEVE THEM - NO MATTER HOW MUCH YOU LIKE THE WAY THE DOG LOOKS

Hope you find one of my big gold buddies and give him/her a forever home.

Answer 2

Go to the AKC website and type in rhodesian ridgebacks - you'll find lots of info there.

Answer 3

They're of the hound dog variety. They were first bred to fight off lions from african farms. I have a rhodesian/great dane mix. I can tell you they are natural hunters. They love going after squirrels, cats and rabbits. Very loving dogs, but very active as well.

Answer 4

I don't know that much about them but as a dog groomer I have seen several and all have been very sweet dogs. I just love the way the hair on the back looks.

Answer 5

they are huge dogs really cute they have on their back (its pretty cool hence the name) they make excellent guard dogs