RidgebackRightforYou

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Is The Ridgeback Right For You?

Many times people see a breed of dog and fall in love with it’s looks, never considering that the breed may be totally unsuitable for their lifestyle, their environment or their ability to train and control it. All they know is they’ve got to have one! Buying a dog on impulse is always a bad idea!

It's those people who buy on impulse who most often find they can't live with that dog and decide it has to go...this is not fair to the dog! Often it's these irresponsible owners who further burden rescue with having to take care of an abondonded dog and rehabilitate it. Or worse yet, these dogs are turned over to local shelters where they are often unadoptable and then, euthanized.

As with buying anything, YOU must educate yourself first: find out what the breed is truly like. Take the time to read up on the Ridgeback, go to some dog shows and talk with exhibitors, talk with knowledgable owners, check the internet and visit in the home of several breeders or owners. Learn to ask the correct questions, not only about the positve aspects of the breed, but the negative too. Seeing Ridgebacks in their environments with their people will help you make a sound choice about your future family member.

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 hunt independently of human direction. Instinctually, they are hunting dogs and 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!

Ridgeback Puppyhood:

Be an INFORMED buyer!

Adapted from the article "Is a Ridgeback the Right Dog for Your Family"
from the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) website

INTRODUCTION:

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.

Prey Drive ... Fence & Leash?

First of all, what is "prey drive"? It's 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 it's movement. For scenthounds (i.e. Bloodhounds, Redbone Coonhounds), it's the tracking, flushing out and chasing prey by the scent of it's 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.

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.

Ridgebacks & Children:

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!

Part of the "Pack" ... aka RR family:

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.

Watchdog? Barking? Other animals?

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).

The Quick & Dirty
PRO & CON LIST:

PROS:

1. Ridgebacks have a short coat, don't shed much and are practically odor free.

2. They are quite discriminating in who or what they bark at...you should ALWAYS go check it out.

3. They are very food motivated and are not fussy eaters. They have virtually "cast-iron" digestive systems.

4. They love living with people and are generally quiet and calm in the house.

5. Ridgebacks are intelligent and want to please their owner.

6. Ridgebacks are easily house-trained.

7. Ridgebacks are athletic dogs. They make wonderful hiking, jogging or biking companions.

8. Ridgebacks' prey drive will help keep squirrels, rabbits and chipmunks out of your yard!

9. And, of course, they are the most handsome of dogs!

CONS:

1. Ridgebacks are intelligent…they are fully capable of training you before you can train them. They are quite clever and can be willfully disobedient.

2. Ridgebacks grow to be big dogs...obedience training and regular exercise is a MUST.

3. Ridgebacks are not fussy eaters ...they easily become overweight & are extremely proficient "counter surfers" (i.e. stealing food off counters, coffee tables or etc.)

4. Ridgebacks are people dogs...they want to be with you which means they'll happily take over the couch and your bed.

5. Ridgebacks are athletic, strong dogs...if bored, untrained or unexercised they can perform amazing escape acts and feats of destruction by chewing, digging, etc.

6. Ridgebacks' prey drive makes training loose leash walking a challenge.

7. Ridgebacks are like potato chips ... you can't have just one!

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).

Financial Considerations:

The initial price of a puppy is of concern to some, but it’s 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 $35-55 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, treament for unexpected illnesses or injuries must also be taken into account.
Ask yourself if you can afford a dog.