Rhoedesian Ridgebacks??

[grayada1]

Originally Posted by Doberluv

I think it's great how you're researching the breed. They are one of my absolute favorites. (And I'm not usually a hound person, but these are quite different...I think easier to train) I think they need a good deal of exercise. I watched a show where this couple had several of them. They hiked and ran every day with their dogs over desert-like terrain. It seemed to really make them happy. Their heritage, where they came from made them great runners.

i think this is good to highlight. they CAN run all day and not many people will be able to run longer that them, but they dont NEED to. they like hanging aroud being lazy.

[oakash]

I met three at a dog park. Two were older and just stood around doing nothing, even though they didn't look that old to me. The younger one, around a year I think, was running around, having a grand time. He was very vocal, and so is Suzie, so they just playbowed and barked at each other for a while

They were all well trained, listening to their owners, and not very interested in scents which I though was odd. Then again, would they be considered scent hounds or sighthounds?

[grayada1]

Originally Posted by oakash

I met three at a dog park. Two were older and just stood around doing nothing, even though they didn't look that old to me. The younger one, around a year I think, was running around, having a grand time. He was very vocal, and so is Suzie, so they just playbowed and barked at each other for a while

They were all well trained, listening to their owners, and not very interested in scents which I though was odd. Then again, would they be considered scent hounds or sighthounds?

they use both sense well so i dont think either type

[Ridgeback Guy]

Originally Posted by Dogs6

We've (Dad's) been talking about getting a Ridgeback recently. I have no idea why but since it's not going to be my dog I have very little say. Dad's always wanted one and since I'll be leaving in a few years Mum has decided that this might be a good time to get him one so that I'll be able to do a lot of the training (Yay!!). Mum and I are considering getting dad a Ridgeback. I'll be doing a lot of the training/ socialising but the dog will mainly belong to him. However since I have no experiance with the breed we're doing as much research as we can.



I'm sure as the thread goes on I'll have more questions but thses are just as general guide. This will be our first properly researched puppy and I'm determined to do this right.

This is just my personal experience, and cannot speak for the breed as a whole, just my boy Bruno.


What are they like to live with?

Great dogs to live with, they are basicly big couch potatoes when inside. Bruno sleeps 75% of the time hes inside. They are very gentle, calm dogs, and dont bark a lot. I have found that if they bark, you had better go see what is there, because there will be something there.

I read when I was researching that they are renowned counter surfers, and bruno is no exception. He knows he isnt supposed to steal things off the counter, but he still will try to make a quick snatch-and-run if your not paying attention. All in all though, I would say they are excelent inside dogs. Can even live in an appartment as long as you give them plenty of excercize.

What are their exercise requirements?

They are pretty athletic dogs, and do require a fair amount of excercize. They can become destructive (along with any dog) if not properly exercized. When I lived in a condo and had no yard, Bruno would pull me on my rollerblades about 1-2 miles/day. That seemed to get him pretty worn out.

Are they usually same sex aggressive?

NO, aggressive isnt in their vocabulary lol. Bruno has never showed one bit of aggression towards anything. He even wants to play with squirrels.

What about mental stimulation? Easy to train?

They can be stubborn, but in my experience, they are very inteligent. Bruno was potty trained in like a week, we had maybe a dozen accidents inside total. He learned to sit in about 15 minutes. I think it helps that he is extremely food motivated. He will do ANYTHING for food.

I know they're a hound but can they be let offleash (with appropriate training obviously)??

Yes, I think they could be let offleash with good training.

What health tests should be done on the parents as a minimum?

Any good breeder should test for dermoid sinus, hip dysplasia, and other problems common to large breeds. Dermoid sinus is the big one with ridgebacks though, this is a must.

What's their temperment like??

I think I more or less cover this already, basicly big couch potatoes.

I know some large dogs shouldn't be walked too much as puppies. Is the Ridgeback one of them?

They need to be walked, just on soft surfaces like grass, and carpet.

I hope that helps at least a little bit.

[Dogs6]

Thank you for all your input!! I thought this thread died and haven't checked it for ages!
I love how they seem and they do seem a pretty good fit but we do need to meet some more dogs before we completely decide. Although right now I want one for myself, rather than my dad!

[Zoom]

Zombie resurrection!

Ted is strongly considering a RR in the near future and I think he's rather suited to one as well. He wants something big enough to stand some roughhousing and isn't a huge target for coyotes (not that he'd really be left out alone ever, but the high country can get interesting sometimes). I'm guessing they'd do just fine during our summers, though a coat would probably be in order during the winter/snow.

How much do the rescue dogs tend to differ from the well-bred ones?

We've got a young ridgeless RR in boarding right now and while he sounds like a hellhound in his room when you walk past, he's an absolute dear outside.

[HayleyMarie]

There is a dog trainer in my area that has two of them. Ones a rescue from texas and ones from a good breeder. They were both awesome dogs. The rescue dog was a little more stranger friendly, but still really serious and the breeder dog was very, very serious. I was funny because when I was walking with the trainer the breeder dog would stay behind the owner and the rescue dog would stay ahead. When I mention this the owner said it was very normal to do that.

I guess they are very protective of their owner and thats just their way of keeping an eye out for her.

Im actually very, very interested in a RR for the future. I think they would make an awesome hiking partner for Tyler.

[sillysally]

Does anyone have any insight as to how they are with kids? They honestly are one of my top breeds but I have read mixed reviews with how they are with children...

[Pops2]

My friend Matt's dogs are VERY good w/ his little daughter. but then his little girl goes hunting w/ him & the dogs, so the relationship may just be a little better than average.
http://www.waarheidridgebacks.com/waarheid.htm

[PetDogPro]

In general I have found them to be good dogs. I have only worked a few that had real aggression issues. As stated they are not as difficult to control as most scent hounds. I think the description of them being more cur than hound is accurate. I don’t mean cur in a bad way. Their development has just taken a different path than hounds.