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| Looking for a Ridgeback Puppy? |
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| Ridgeback Rescue If you've decided to add a Ridgeback to your family, first consider adopting from a Rhodesian Ridgeback rescue organization. Dogs are surrendered for many reasons: owner's death, divorce, relocation, lack of understanding of RRs, or lack of effective training skills. Dogs are also found stray and rescued from animal shelters. Most are purebreds, some are mixes, most are adolescents or adults. Some are fully trained and polite while others are in need of guidance. They are ALL in need of loving homes. Visit Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue or Ridgeback Rescue of the US or Etosha Ridgeback Rescue |
| Please learn about the breed before deciding on a Ridgeback!! Visit our "Is the Ridgeback Right For You?" page |
| * At a minimum, the Breeder will x-ray the hips of all potential breeding stock and will only breed dogs proven to be clear of hip dysplasia by OFA or PenHip certification. Many chronic, canine health conditions are inheritable. A puppy produced by parents (sire & dam) that have certified to be free of the genetic disorders found in the breed, will have a significantly reduced chance of developing developing these problems. * Ideally, the Breeder will have additional veterinary testing performed on their breeding stock such as CERF (eyes), cardiac, thyroid and x-rays for elbow dysplasia. The breeder will obtain certificates of health in these areas for both sire and dam, and provide copies of these certificates to puppy buyers. *The Breeder has had the litter thoroughly checked for Dermoid Sinus. Read more about this congenital anomoly on the RRCUS website. * The Breeder has membership in Breed Club(s). Breed Club(s) require member breeder to adhere to a Code of Ethics regarding the breeding and placement of puppies and the care of their own dogs. Although is is not a fool proof guarantee, it is a good indication and does minimize risks to puppy buyers. * The Breeder has only 1 -2 litters at a time, limiting themselves to 1 or 2 breeds. Raising a litter is very costly and time consuming when done correctly! It is also very time-consuming becoming an expert on a specific breed and be knoledgeable about the temperament and health concerns of that breed. * Is at least one of the puppies parents a Conformation Champion? A Conformation Championship means that the dog "conforms" to the breed's standard. Conformation and the breed standard is not "just a beauty contest". They are indicative of the structural and physical attributes that breed of dog needs to have. In other words, structure is a big part of physical, orthopedic health! Therefore, only dogs conforming to the breed standard should contribute to the gene pool of the breed. A good breeder is a protector of the breed, trying to breed puppies that are at least as good as it's parents, and ideally better! (A good follow up question to this one is if the breeder also does performance competitions i.e. agility, obedience, lure coursing, etc. with their dogs. These are a further indication of their dogs' temperaments.) * The Breeder asks potential puppy buyers a LOT of questions, may ask for references and may insist on meeting your whole family. Responsible breeders don't just produce healthy, well tempered dogs. They make sure those puppies go to safe, responsible homes as they care for the puppies' welfare, not just "making a sale". * The Breeder is available to their puppy buyers for advice and consultation, for the entire life of the puppy! Understand that you are "buying" the breeder, as well as a puppy. Your puppy's breeder should be someone you will feel comfortable going to with your questions and concerns. The breeder should not only be responsive, but knowledgeable about all aspects of the breed. * The Breeder has a "return to breeder clause" in their puppy contract This clause states that for whatever reason, if a puppy buyer is no longer able to keep the dog, the dog will be returned to the Breeder. This clause protects the puppy first and foremost. It shows that the Breeder will always be interested in the welfare of the puppies they brought into the world even long after puppyhood is over. * ALL reputable Breeders sell Pet Quality Puppies with Spay/Neuter Contracts and possibly, AKC Limited Registration. AKC Limited Registered dogs ARE purebred, AKC recognized dogs eligible to compete in agility, rally obedience, obedience, tracking, and lure coursing. The "limited" part of their registration simple means that if the dog were to produce any puppies, those puppies would NOT be able to be registered by the AKC. |
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| Buy From a Breeder That: |
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| Signs of concern (i.e. RUN, don't walk away!) |
| *The puppy is being sold in a Pet Shop. These puppies are bred by Puppy Mills, Puppy Farms or Backyard breeders. There is little to no knowledge about the breed or ethics regarding the temperament or inheritable conditions their breeding dogs are passing on. * The person doesn't know what dermoid sinus, OFA or PenHip are. * The person has numerous breeds and numerous litters at the same time. * The person has bred the litter so their children could learn about the "miracle of birth". * You are not allowed to meet the mother of the pups or see where the pups will be born and raised. * You are told hip dysplasia, dermoid sinus or other inheritable disorders "don't run in my line". * You are told that the ridge on a puppy born with a ridge will "grow in" as the puppy matures. * The person does nothing with their dogs other than breed them. (i.e. NO conformation, agility, obedience, lure coursing, or etc.) * The person will not provide you with copies of the sire and dam's health certificates or pedigrees (or promises to mail them to you after you get your puppy). |
| Don't expect to get a puppy in a few weeks! Responsible breeders will begin interviewing potential puppy buyers and have a "wait list" months before the puppies are even born! |