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The Rhodesian Ridgeback (RR) Beautiful, loving, very intelligent, brave. We heard those words many times while we were researching and looking for a Ridgeback of our own. We have had Roxy since June, 2000 and I would like to add a few words to the description: silly, sneaky, sensitive and slightly hard to train! We wouldn't trade her for any other dog though. Many breeders told us that a Ridgeback is not for everyone. That is an understatement! We would not recommend a RR to anyone that is not willing to put in extra time training and exercising. A RR that has not had enough exercise is a ticking time bomb that can destroy a couch in minutes. You definitely need to be a true dog lover in order to put up with what a RR can dish out! What goes along with that though, is a dog that can truly make you laugh...or shake your head in total disbelief! The Rhodesian Ridgeback is not for first-time dog owners. It is not a good idea to begin dog ownership with a Rhodesian Ridgeback. It takes a lot of learning about how dogs behave and why, and building up your patience and mental strength before taking on the training of a very intelligent and dominate breed. This is not the breed to bully or force! (nor should any animal be bullied) Once they are a well loved and secure member of your family, the RR will stay close to you and guard you and your family. However, in the first few months they can challenge the novice dog owner. Be patient, use a lot of love and you will be rewarded in time with an amazing and devoted companion. Ridgebacks are hunting dogs with a very high prey drive. Ridgebacks are sight hounds --- they are always looking around for prey. They also are scent hounds and excellent trackers. They are very smart and very independent. That doesn't mean they won't follow you around, be your shadow and cry when you go to the backroom. It just means they have their own minds and priorities (usually hunting for prey). They require an experienced trainer that is patient, strong and gentle. Many dog owners and trainers are not prepared for the intelligence, independence, and stubbornness in the ridgeback. Check to be sure your trainer is patient and gentle -- or take your dog home! Once trained and a real member of your family (the pack) they will be a great companion. They will also follow you around like a shadow. It is amazing that such great hunters and independant thinkers will cry when you leave the room!
Forget about playing catch The ball is not prey and they quickly discover it. They are world's smarter than other breeds, and the novice owner pays for it in challenges to authority the first few months.
Go Hunting! Take them out hunting and show them you know where to "look" to find bunnies and you will develop an awesome hunting partner. You can pre-stage (hide) treats to give them the idea you are a good hunting teacher. We take our ridgebacks out for off-leash runs and really enjoy watching them hunt for mice, jack rabbits, flush out birds and the occasional coyote. Getting out is good for their brain as well as yours. Enjoy the peace, exercise, and doing the right thing for your faithful companions. See a video of two Rhodesian Ridgebacks trotting for fun. During a pause on a dog walk, Sheila and Maeve try to flush out game while the other dogs rest.
Love, Patience and Gentle Strength Raised with love, patience and gentle strength; these dogs will amaze and steal your heart. They will always steal food off your counters --- so lock up leftovers, or find them gone!
The History of the African Lion Dog Cross a semi-wild African tribal hunting and guarding dog with european hunting dogs and you get the African Lion Dog. Discover how the tribal Crested Dog cross breeding became the much sought after "African Lion Dog" of South Africa. See what characteristics a famous young African hunter, guide and farmer named Cornelis (Nellis) van Rooyen of Rhodesia liked about the ridged dogs brought to Hope Fountain, Rhodesia from Swellendam, South Africa by the Reverend Charles Helm. Nellis later bred a successful line of dogs that were widely called "van Rooyen" dogs. In 1922, Richard Barnes formed the breed standard and preferred the title "Rhodesian Ridgeback" to give his country a place in the dog's history. In the early 1930's, Vernon Brisley also helped establish a firm bloodline in the breed. A 1,264K video clip of the famous Ridgeback hunting leg dance is here.
Infamous Playfulness They are infamous for grabbing shoes or clothes, prancing loudly, heading for the back yard! When you hear them prancing --- see what they took. We lost the TV remote control and heard the phone ringing just in time. It was in her mouth, and she was outside on the patio heading for the lower yard. I have found that you must be careful what you teach them...they are smart enough to use it against you! For example: when teaching Roxy how to walk with a loose leash, (using a clicker) I would click and treat when the leash was loose. If she pulled it tight, I would tell her "ah-ah!" at which time she would slow down and I would click and treat as soon as the leash was loose. I could almost see it in her mind: "If I speed up and then slow down, I'll get a treat!" We eventually started using the Gentle Leader™! I know of RR's that can open refrigerator doors and kitchen cupboards (being very food driven, nothing is safe on the kitchen counter.) Some Ridgebacks can open doors using the door knob! They are escape artists that can dash out the front door before you even realize it and they will not pay any attention to your frantic calls. When a sighthound sees something interesting they will take off after it and not obey! They have a very powerful hunting drive. Keep them on leash until in the field, or risk having them hit by cars. A toy simply does not stand a chance, there is almost nothing they can't destroy. If someone can invent a toy that is RR proof and still fun, they would have guaranteed sales!
Ridgebacks do not do well when left alone for long periods. This is not the breed to get if you will be leaving it in the back yard. Pack instincts are very strong and they want to be with you at all times! Roxy can sound as if someone is skinning her alive if I have to put her in the back yard while we are still in the house (for example: when I have to have the front door open to move something large into the house). Most RRs don't bark unless it is important!
Sight and Scent Hounds These are natural hunters and always looking for prey. Owners know why they are called sight hounds! Always keep a RR fenced, in the house, or on leash. Never let a sight hound outside without an adequate fence or secure leash. Even the best trained RR will dash after something --- ignoring your calls. They focus hard on prey and do not see cars!!! A top obedience RR died this way.
Rough Play Like teenage boys, Rhodesian Ridgebacks like to play very rough with each other, something not all dogs can handle. Photos of Ridgebacks Playing Hard click here. If you think you might want one of these very bright, silly, impish, counter surfing, couch potatoes, born to hunt and run, wonderful companions, you may want to purchase the books listed in the sidebar.
My experience with looking for my future RR baby: What I discovered: It was long and hard. It is sometimes easier to adopt a child than it is to adopt an RR pup. Since the RR is not a well known and thus an in demand breed there are fewer puppies born. In the year 2000, only 2334 were registered with the AKC compared to 172,841 Labradors, 66,300 Golden Retrievers and 57,600 German Shepherds. What I did: I put my name on several breeders lists, asked about puppies on message boards, and joined the RR-folk e-list (to find out what they are really like). I filled out questionnaires and answered many direct questions. I was accepted 4 times. The first time, breeding was not successful. The second time, the bitch went into season at the wrong time of year (owner did not want winter babies). The third time, I started the process, but decided that they lived too far away. I wanted to see my baby a few times before picking him/her up to bring home. Finally, the fourth time worked out fine and I brought Roxy home in June of 2000, nearly 1½ years in the making! Getting our second RR was much easier, but it took some time to find a top show-quality pup. A discussion and photos of our current dogs are here.
Talk about creature comfort!
Take a look at "Ridgeback Heaven" here.
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What's Mommy doing under the trampoline?
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States RRCUS
Talk with other RR owners by joining this list: RR-folk
If you want to go raw, here's a list for RR owners that feed a raw, natural diet: Type NaturalRidgebacks in the "join a group" search box.
El Destructo 70 Dark Comedy tales of destruction and mayhem LIVIN' LA VIDA LOCA - Life With Our Ridgebacks The sequel to "El Destructo" Both books were put together from true stories sent in from RR-folk members. Profit from these booklets go to saving or removing RRs that are at risk and in harm's way. Check out RTI for more great RR products.
Looking for some Ridgeback paraphernalia? Purchasing products from the Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue store will help with rescue efforts.
ArtStuff Designs Just Ridgebacks |
