Anyone with a Rhodesian Ridgeback?

PhilFausz · **Posted:** Thu Apr 03, 2008 10:37 pm

Once we get a fence, we'll be looking to get a dog since both of ours expired a couple years ago. I was reading up on the Rhodesian Ridgeback and wondered if anyone had any experience with them.

I've never been around one and would like to learn more about them if possible. We do have small kids, but I haven't read anything that scares me about the dog and the kids anymore than any other breed. Thanks!

William Gravely · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 8:46 am

This is second-hand, but I have a friend whose family was into dog showing and was terrified of those dogs. Apparently they will be perfectly fine 90% of the time, but have an 'attack mode' they will get into and they hurt some of the other dogs/owners.

They had english setters that slobbered so much; usually flinging it onto my paint. Add them to list of dogs not to get.

I think if you found a really good-natured RR you'd be okay.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

FWIW, there are a couple who frequent the dog park i go to a lot. Theyre always very well behaved and play nice w/ my very submissive Aussie.

That said, most all of the dogs there from dobermans, rots, lots of pits, are all generally very well behaved and nice dogs. I think socializing them early and often is the key.

The only real problems in all actuality are the little flipping terriers. Some of those small really hyper dogs are kinda mean and bite and get in fights a lot.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:26 am

William Gravely wrote:

This is second-hand, but I have a friend whose family was into dog showing and was terrified of those dogs. Apparently they will be perfectly fine 90% of the time, but have an 'attack mode' they will get into and they hurt some of the other dogs/owners.

That's a broad generalization and certainly not very accurate. Much like saying that pitbulls are mean dogs.

Phil, the best advice is to call a breeder or find some forums on Ridgebacks. There are at least three that go to the doggy darecare place I send my dogs and they are all very friendly.

I would check out:

http://www.ridgebackrescue.org/

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

and take a look at this and call someone at the AKC for a list of reputable breeders, just to get information from. Rescuing one would be the best bet

- AB

Ash Nelson · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 10:36 am

Every ridgeback I've ever met was very sweet tempered.

DanDurusky · **Joined:** Sun Apr 10, 2005 7:31 pm **Posts:** 686

Oh yeh and rescue, don't buy

PhilFausz · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:36 pm

Aaron Buckley wrote:

William Gravely wrote:

This is second-hand, but I have a friend whose family was into dog showing and was terrified of those dogs. Apparently they will be perfectly fine 90% of the time, but have an 'attack mode' they will get into and they hurt some of the other dogs/owners.

That's a broad generalization and certainly not very accurate. Much like saying that pitbulls are mean dogs.

Phil, the best advice is to call a breeder or find some forums on Ridgebacks. There are at least three that go to the doggy darecare place I send my dogs and they are all very friendly.

I would check out:

http://www.ridgebackrescue.org/

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

and take a look at this and call someone at the AKC for a list of reputable breeders, just to get information from. Rescuing one would be the best bet

- AB

Aaron, you're right on the money. Jess worked for the AKC and we got to learn a lot about dogs, owners, and the dog business. If a dog is bad, it's usually something that is taught to them on purpose or inadvertantly.

I have checked out both resources you mentioned. I'd really like to get some hands on time with them, just something to add to what I've read about them.

FYI, we rescued the Great Dane we used to have (he expired). He was physically abused, scared of tall men and kids, and very dog-aggressive. After working with him for two years, he was great around kids, good around other dogs except German Shepards, and wasn't affraid of folks like he started out. Great dog, except when he thought he was a lap dog.

We'll either go to the pound, shelter, rescue, or some similar route. There are too many dogs out there to support the business. Right now, we're just trying to narrow down what we want out of a dog.

Thanks folks.

RobLupella · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:44 pm

PhilFausz wrote:

[

FYI, we rescued the Great Dane we used to have (he expired). He was physically abused, scared of tall men and kids, and very dog-aggressive. After working with him for two years, he was great around kids, good around other dogs except German Shepards, and wasn't affraid of folks like he started out. Great dog, except when he thought he was a lap dog.

We'll either go to the pound, shelter, rescue, or some similar route. There are too many dogs out there to support the business. Right now, we're just trying to narrow down what we want out of a dog.

Thanks folks.

Ha ha, we had a Great Dane/Lab mix that thought he was a lap dog. It is a "feature" of the GD's. They literally sit on couches like a person.

Aaron Buckley · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 12:57 pm

RobLupella wrote:

Ha ha, we had a Great Dane/Lab mix that thought he was a lap dog. It is a "feature" of the GD's. They literally sit on couches like a person.

As a kid, my family had 6 Great Dane's at one time. It was insane. Later in life my sister got one and it would have it's paws on the ground and butt on the couch. Really funny stuff to see.

- AB

Gwen Habenicht · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:03 pm

Phil,
Years and years ago, in a land far, far away, I made my living showing dogs. I showed a number of Rhodesians. Now, owning a pet care facility I see, not a lot, but my fair share. I called a couple of owners of the dogs we keep regularly to get there feedback about how their dogs act around kids, both theirs and their kid’s friends. That’s important too. I’ll post what they say when I hear from them. My experience has been that they are, as a breed, intelligent, but being of the hound group, tend to be stubborn and strong willed. They are muscular and have tremendous stamina since, as I’m sure you’ve read, they were bred originally to hunt lions, so will need lots of exercise. In a boarding situation, even knowing us, all that we keep tend to be a bit reserved around us. Not unfriendly, just aloof . Because of their size and strength as adults, it’s paramount, IMHO, that if you get a pup that the training begin early while you still have physical control. The basics should be absolute before the dog outweighs the kids.

My advice, if you’re planning to get a puppy, is to find a reputable breeder who places good temperament at the top of the list. If you can find a Rhodesian rescue group in NC that might be a good shot too. Good luck. Let us know what you do.

PhilFausz · **Posted:** Fri Apr 04, 2008 1:22 pm

Gwen Baake wrote:

Phil,
Years and years ago, in a land far, far away, I made my living showing dogs. I showed a number of Rhodesians. Now, owning a pet care facility I see, not a lot, but my fair share. I called a couple of owners of the dogs we keep regularly to get there feedback about how their dogs act around kids, both theirs and their kid’s friends. That’s important too. I’ll post what they say when I hear from them. My experience has been that they are, as a breed, intelligent, but being of the hound group, tend to be stubborn and strong willed. They are muscular and have tremendous stamina since, as I’m sure you’ve read, they were bred originally to hunt lions, so will need lots of exercise. In a boarding situation, even knowing us, all that we keep tend to be a bit reserved around us. Not unfriendly, just aloof . Because of their size and strength as adults, it’s paramount, IMHO, that if you get a pup that the training begin early while you still have physical control. The basics should be absolute before the dog outweighs the kids.

My advice, if you’re planning to get a puppy, is to find a reputable breeder who places good temperament at the top of the list. If you can find a Rhodesian rescue group in NC that might be a good shot too. Good luck. Let us know what you do.

As always, great advice. What you've said is spot-on with what I've read, especially the behavior around non-family. We had a lab/border collie mix and our dane (who was abused) and they both turned out to be great dogs, so I think between getting a puppy, training, and our experience, we'd probably be fine with just about anything.

Regarding their energy level, what's a good comparison? Are we talking something like a lab, weimerimer (sp?), boxer, or what? That's acutally one of the things I'm concerned about. Our dog will be part of the family, they'll be crate trained, and obedience trained, but I need to get a better grap on the energy requirement to make sure we can satisfy that need.

Great info folks, thanks!

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Anyone with a Rhodesian Ridgeback?

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