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| Ivorymoon Rhodesian Ridgebacks |
Ridgebacks are not Labradors or Golden Retrievers in short coats. Ridgebacks are strong willed and independent. Translation: They don't fawn over your every word, they can be oblivious to being called, and require a lot of positive motivation to train. Many people are just not prepared for the stubborn, hard-headedness of this breed. They ARE affectionate "people dogs" who NEED the companioship of their family. Yet they are usually quite aloof and dignified with strangers. They tend to bond very strongly with one person, however their love will extend to every family member that treats them fairly and consistently. The adult RR usually has a quiet, laid back temperament with minimal barking. But due to their size, energy level, and stamina, the RR needs exercise on a daily basis. Ridgebacks are members of the HOUND family, therefore they are very independent thinkers. Historically, this trait was very valuable in their native land as Ridgebacks hunted independently of human direction. As sighthounds, they Instinctually have a HIGH PREY DRIVE. People sometimes mistake the RR's headstrong independence for a lack of intelligence. But, it is a very clever dog who is sensitive to its owner's mood and emotion (& therefore easily determines when THEY can train their owners!). The RR responds to POSITIVE training methods - harsh treatment does NOT work with this breed. The RR will be your companion and partner, but NEVER your slave! |
| Is a ridgeback right for you? |
Dogs, especially puppies, will make a big demand on your time. It takes time to properly
feed, train and play with a new puppy. Just like babies, young puppies are not able to make
it through the night and you WILL have to get up and take them out. If you work, a new
pup WILL require that you come home at lunchtime to let them out or hire a noon time helper
to assist you.
Ridgebacks need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. You'll need to set aside
playtime and time for training. Young puppies need a lot of socialization to be good
companions. A weekly obedience training class and daily practice is A MUST for your
Ridgeback to become a welcome member of the community!
If this seems like too much for you and your family's schedule, then perhaps this is not the
right time to get a Ridgeback.
feed, train and play with a new puppy. Just like babies, young puppies are not able to make
it through the night and you WILL have to get up and take them out. If you work, a new
pup WILL require that you come home at lunchtime to let them out or hire a noon time helper
to assist you.
Ridgebacks need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. You'll need to set aside
playtime and time for training. Young puppies need a lot of socialization to be good
companions. A weekly obedience training class and daily practice is A MUST for your
Ridgeback to become a welcome member of the community!
If this seems like too much for you and your family's schedule, then perhaps this is not the
right time to get a Ridgeback.
| Puppyhood: |
Size & Energy Level:
Puppies don't stay little for long! Ridgeback puppies especially, grow fairly quickly. Many
reach their adult height (24 - 27 inches at the withers/shoulders) and almost their adult
weight (70 - 90 pounds) by the time they are only 8 months old! Ridgeback puppies are very
energetic and could easily knock down a small child or even an adult! Adult Ridgebacks,
and especially puppies, require regular exercise... a tired puppy is a good puppy!
A good long walk on leash is always good. If you have a fenced yard or have access to a
fenced or protected area where a Ridgeback can run off-leash...great! RRs love to run and
running off-leash really stretches their legs. But, this can only be done in protected/fenced
areas and after completing basic obedience training so it will come back to you when called.
You can jog, rollerblade or bike with your RR only if it's a minimum of a year and a half
old, as dogs' hip joints are developing until then. Regardless of age, only jog or bike with
your dog after you have built up their endurance.
reach their adult height (24 - 27 inches at the withers/shoulders) and almost their adult
weight (70 - 90 pounds) by the time they are only 8 months old! Ridgeback puppies are very
energetic and could easily knock down a small child or even an adult! Adult Ridgebacks,
and especially puppies, require regular exercise... a tired puppy is a good puppy!
A good long walk on leash is always good. If you have a fenced yard or have access to a
fenced or protected area where a Ridgeback can run off-leash...great! RRs love to run and
running off-leash really stretches their legs. But, this can only be done in protected/fenced
areas and after completing basic obedience training so it will come back to you when called.
You can jog, rollerblade or bike with your RR only if it's a minimum of a year and a half
old, as dogs' hip joints are developing until then. Regardless of age, only jog or bike with
your dog after you have built up their endurance.
PREY drive - Fence & Leash:
First of all, what is "prey drive"? Its a hereditary instinct that
CANNOT be completely trained out of a dog. For sighthounds (i.e.
Greyhounds,Wolfhounds), it's tracking, flushing out and chasing
prey by the sight of its movement. For scenthounds (i.e. Bloodhounds,
Redbone Coonhounds), it's the tracking, flushing out and chasing
prey by the scent of its movement. Ridgebacks are argued to be a
combination of sighthound and scenthound. That means potential
double trouble!
Considering this prey drive, Ridgebacks have no sense of cars or yard
boundaries when they go after a squirrel, rabbit or cat. A fenced yard
is important for your dog's safety. Once a Ridgeback starts after a
squirrel or rabbit, nothing short of a six foot wall or fence may stop
them. Outside the safety of home or fenced backyard, a leash is a
must for a Ridgeback.
Another good thing about a solid, sturdy fence is that it not only
keeps a Ridgeback safe in your yard, it also keeps other potentially
dangerous animals out of your yard and away from your dog. A
fence and a leash makes a Ridgeback owner's life easier and safer.
Ridgebacks, like ANY breed of dog, CANNOT be allowed to roam or
wander at large.
CANNOT be completely trained out of a dog. For sighthounds (i.e.
Greyhounds,Wolfhounds), it's tracking, flushing out and chasing
prey by the sight of its movement. For scenthounds (i.e. Bloodhounds,
Redbone Coonhounds), it's the tracking, flushing out and chasing
prey by the scent of its movement. Ridgebacks are argued to be a
combination of sighthound and scenthound. That means potential
double trouble!
Considering this prey drive, Ridgebacks have no sense of cars or yard
boundaries when they go after a squirrel, rabbit or cat. A fenced yard
is important for your dog's safety. Once a Ridgeback starts after a
squirrel or rabbit, nothing short of a six foot wall or fence may stop
them. Outside the safety of home or fenced backyard, a leash is a
must for a Ridgeback.
Another good thing about a solid, sturdy fence is that it not only
keeps a Ridgeback safe in your yard, it also keeps other potentially
dangerous animals out of your yard and away from your dog. A
fence and a leash makes a Ridgeback owner's life easier and safer.
Ridgebacks, like ANY breed of dog, CANNOT be allowed to roam or
wander at large.
Any dog ownership requires responsibility. Dogs are not something to decorate your home or
yard, they are living feeling creatures who should be treated as members of your family. This
is especially true of Ridgebacks. They have strong "pack" instincts and want to be with you
or least in your "den".
If you left an RR in a fenced yard all day by itself, one of the following things is guaranteed
to happen: 1) It will "howl its head off" for you to let it in or come outside and be with it 2) It
will tear down the siding on your house or ruin your back door by scratching to come inside to
be with you 3) It will dig holes all over your door because its bored 4) It will jump over or dig
under the fence (Ridgebacks have been seen easily jumping 4 and 5 foot fences without a
running start). In addition, a Ridgeback will not be easily trained, housebroken or socialized
if kept in a yard by itself all day!
Friendship is a two-way street. Your dog deserves your attention and instruction to become a
well adjusted dog that is a pleasure to be around.
yard, they are living feeling creatures who should be treated as members of your family. This
is especially true of Ridgebacks. They have strong "pack" instincts and want to be with you
or least in your "den".
If you left an RR in a fenced yard all day by itself, one of the following things is guaranteed
to happen: 1) It will "howl its head off" for you to let it in or come outside and be with it 2) It
will tear down the siding on your house or ruin your back door by scratching to come inside to
be with you 3) It will dig holes all over your door because its bored 4) It will jump over or dig
under the fence (Ridgebacks have been seen easily jumping 4 and 5 foot fences without a
running start). In addition, a Ridgeback will not be easily trained, housebroken or socialized
if kept in a yard by itself all day!
Friendship is a two-way street. Your dog deserves your attention and instruction to become a
well adjusted dog that is a pleasure to be around.
ridgebacks - part of the pack:
As I've told anyone in all-breed obedience classes I've taught, a successful relationship between
a dog and child depends on what the parents train the dog AND the child.
BOTH the CHILD & DOG MUST be taught to be kind and respect each other. Children can be
taught to be gentle with dogs and be made to understand that a dog's only defense is to bite.
Dogs should not be expected to have tolerance for everything & anything. Having tails pulled,
being hit, having hair tugged, attempted to be ridden or the etc. that children often inflict on
dogs is NOT fair! Dogs just like humans only have so much tolerance and patience. In any
case, very small children should NEVER be left alone with any dog, no matter how good they
are with each other.
Again, please remember the above about "Size & Energy Level" when considering a Ridgeback
for your family if you have young children. RR's grow fast & play hard!
a dog and child depends on what the parents train the dog AND the child.
BOTH the CHILD & DOG MUST be taught to be kind and respect each other. Children can be
taught to be gentle with dogs and be made to understand that a dog's only defense is to bite.
Dogs should not be expected to have tolerance for everything & anything. Having tails pulled,
being hit, having hair tugged, attempted to be ridden or the etc. that children often inflict on
dogs is NOT fair! Dogs just like humans only have so much tolerance and patience. In any
case, very small children should NEVER be left alone with any dog, no matter how good they
are with each other.
Again, please remember the above about "Size & Energy Level" when considering a Ridgeback
for your family if you have young children. RR's grow fast & play hard!
ridgebacks & Children:
Ridgebacks are natural watchdogs and family protectors. They tend to bark only when there
is something worthwhile to bark at (unless one has fallen into this bad habit out of boredom).
Ridgebacks are gregarious animals enjoying the company of people and other dogs. While
they can be aloof with strangers, Ridgebacks will be friendly and solicitous with people you
invite into your home. The key is YOU have invited these strangers into your home. Do not
think you can leave a key under the doormat for a plumber or electrician and expect a
Ridgeback to allow that stranger to enter your home in your absence!
The same general rules apply to Ridgeback interactions with other dogs. They enjoy the
company of other dogs but can very effective in defending their territory from stray or
roaming dogs. Play sessions with other Ridgebacks are really exhuberant, physical and
vocal; chasing, body slamming and "boxing" are par for the course.
What about cats? Many Ridgebacks are good housemates to cats they've been raised with.
However, a roaming or stray cat is the Ridgeback equivalent to rabbits or squirrels (i.e.
hunting material).
is something worthwhile to bark at (unless one has fallen into this bad habit out of boredom).
Ridgebacks are gregarious animals enjoying the company of people and other dogs. While
they can be aloof with strangers, Ridgebacks will be friendly and solicitous with people you
invite into your home. The key is YOU have invited these strangers into your home. Do not
think you can leave a key under the doormat for a plumber or electrician and expect a
Ridgeback to allow that stranger to enter your home in your absence!
The same general rules apply to Ridgeback interactions with other dogs. They enjoy the
company of other dogs but can very effective in defending their territory from stray or
roaming dogs. Play sessions with other Ridgebacks are really exhuberant, physical and
vocal; chasing, body slamming and "boxing" are par for the course.
What about cats? Many Ridgebacks are good housemates to cats they've been raised with.
However, a roaming or stray cat is the Ridgeback equivalent to rabbits or squirrels (i.e.
hunting material).
watchdogs? other animals?:
food rules!!!
Ridgebacks are INCREDIBLY food motivated. This is great for training! Ridgebacks will
try to do most anything in order to get a tasty food reward.
This motivation has a down side as well. Ridgebacks are proficient food thieves. Unattended
food on coffee tables, countertops, even easily opened pantries or refrigerators are potential
targets! The term "counter surfing" is common vocabulary among Ridgeback owners.
Another down side is that Ridgebacks can easily become overweight. Measured food rations
and scheduled meal times are a must for Ridgebacks. Feeding in this manner will also
reduce the risk of "bloat" (digestive system torsion that can be fatal).
try to do most anything in order to get a tasty food reward.
This motivation has a down side as well. Ridgebacks are proficient food thieves. Unattended
food on coffee tables, countertops, even easily opened pantries or refrigerators are potential
targets! The term "counter surfing" is common vocabulary among Ridgeback owners.
Another down side is that Ridgebacks can easily become overweight. Measured food rations
and scheduled meal times are a must for Ridgebacks. Feeding in this manner will also
reduce the risk of "bloat" (digestive system torsion that can be fatal).
financial considerations:
The initial price of a puppy is of concern to some, but its the lifelong cost that they
sometimes forget. The expenses for food, grooming, collar, leash, toys, crate, dog licensing,
regular annual vaccinations, heartworm medication, flea and tick control, training classes
and routine veterinary care are the significant, accumulative costs. For a dog the size of a
Ridgeback the average for those expenses ranges from $55-85 per month. Multiple those
expenses over the average 10 - 12 year lifespan for a Ridgeback and the initial price for a
quality, well bred puppy, pales in comparison. In addition, treatment for unexpected
illnesses or injuries must also be taken into account.
Ask yourself if you can afford a dog.
sometimes forget. The expenses for food, grooming, collar, leash, toys, crate, dog licensing,
regular annual vaccinations, heartworm medication, flea and tick control, training classes
and routine veterinary care are the significant, accumulative costs. For a dog the size of a
Ridgeback the average for those expenses ranges from $55-85 per month. Multiple those
expenses over the average 10 - 12 year lifespan for a Ridgeback and the initial price for a
quality, well bred puppy, pales in comparison. In addition, treatment for unexpected
illnesses or injuries must also be taken into account.
Ask yourself if you can afford a dog.
