Anybody own Rhodesian Ridgebacks? - An update

maddog.mark

maddog.mark

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Mark
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Long shot I know, this is a photography forum after all.:)

I've got the chance to rescue a 3year old Ridgeback Dog. Appears to have had a relatively settled life so far and has lived with children. It seems he's outgrown his current owners. I need to find out more but would be interested in any Ridgeback owners experiences with their dogs.

I haven't met him yet and this will obviously be an issue, but I need a reality check about owing a dog of this size, before visiting and falling in love, I know I will you see.

An idea of running costs would be useful as well.

Thanks

Mark
 
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Hi maddog.mark

Am I right in thinking this won't be your first dog? I've never owned a Ridgeback and can only comment on one I used to meet out walking the Lab I had at that time. Yep, they're big - but that one was no taller than my large yellow Lab - just more thickset and powerful. He seemed well trained - and I've no idea how easy that was to achieve. :lol: He was very, very handsome, though.

I think they need an awful lot of exercise and any children would need to be old enough to understand and respect the dog. But I'd say that about any dog in any house with children, tbh. I keep a very close eye on my 2 small grandsons and my 2 even smaller Yorkies.

Sorry, this isn't probably much help and perhaps someone who knows more about the breed than me will see your post.

Whatever you decide - good luck. The right dog with the right owner is a great partnership. :D

Jean
 
Thanks jeangenie.

I grew up with dogs but haven't had one for quite some time now, so this would be somewhat of a start again for me. Your point about children is well made, my daughter is a natural with animals (which in itself is a worry) my son had got knocked over as toddler by parents gsd and despite being 10 now still lacks confidence. If I'm honest this will be the deal breaker, I don't want him being intimidated by a large dog.
 
My partner had one and a friend has 2, they were/are lovely dogs and although they are very gentle their size will give a bit of a bump if they bounce into you! Main thing is that you have the room for them and can give them enough excercise, although the ones I know slept a lot and did not believe in too mich running around!:lol:
 
Heck man you don't want a huge thing like that get yourself a nice cute cuddly Cavalier like the one in my avatar:D
 
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Remember they are hounds so can be stuborn and ignorant, but oh so loyal, cracking dogs if they have been bought up properly.
If you haven't had rescue dogs before then can I suggest The Refuge as a good place to get advice and help.
 
Quick google search came up with this lot :

Temperament:
While the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a fierce hunter, they are gentle, obedient, and good-natured at home. They get along well with older, considerate children. They are highly intelligent, cunning, and loyal. They sometimes have a mind of their own, and they are leery of strangers. This breed needs firm training and proper socialization from an early age. With proper obedience training, the Rhodesian Ridgeback makes an excellent companion. Some can be aggressive towards other dogs. They make good watch dogs, but they are not guard dogs. They are very protective of their owners and they can be destructive if left unattended for extended periods of time.



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They are very good with young children, very soft and gentle. Another thing they where used for was protectng children in Africa against any dangerous animals.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks get on very well with breeds of all dogs, if socialised from and early age. Their owner has to be "the pack leader" as they will take over the pack if not this is not the case. Never try to "break" your Ridgeback of a habit. This only leads to stubborness and can have to opposite effect. They are not "blind followers" but will follow you if you are accepted as their Alpha. They are a wonderful family dog, but not for the fainthearted and not for "beginners".

- Add Information here.
Temperament:



Health :
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a highly adaptable, healthy breed that is able to withstand dramatic fluctuations in climate and temperature. Like many other large dog breeds, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to hip dysplasia. Other health concerns include dermoid sinus and cysts. This breed typically lives for 10 to 12 years.



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Health:



Origin :
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the product of crosses between the Khoikhoi dog, certain types of mastiff, deerhound, and a variety of ridge-backed dogs that were originally kept by native tribes of South Africa. Its country of origin is Zimbabwe. The native Khoikhoi dog gave the breed its distinctive, reverse-hair coat. These dogs were imported by Boer settlers throughout the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries. The standard of the breed was created in Rhodesia in 1922. Throughout history, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has been used for a number of purposes including hunting, retrieving, guarding, and supervising children. South African hunters would keep packs of these dogs to ward off lions. This breed can withstand a variety of harsh weather conditions, and they are capable of going without food or water for a full 24 hours. The breed was officially recognized in 1959 by the AKC.



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Origin:



Maintenance:
The smooth, short-haired coat of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is easy to groom and take care of. It should be brushed with a firm bristle brush and shampooed only as necessary. This breed is an average shedder.



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Maintenance:



Ideal Environment :The Rhodesian Ridgeback is content to live in a small household or apartment if it is sufficiently exercised. They are a comparatively inactive breed indoors, and they are happiest with at least a large-sized yard. These dogs have exceptionally high stamina, and they will greatly appreciate any exercise opportunities they are given.
 
My Grandparents have kept Karabash for about 25 years. Ridgebacks are very similar in temperament. One thing to remember with them is that they're easily bored and will do things to keep themselves occupied. One of their dogs decided to dig THROUGH the lounge wall at their house once simply because my gran had nipped around to see a neighbour. That'll teach her!

They're also insanely fearless, my grans bitch actually jumped through a plate glass window because there was a guy at the door giving her a hard time (I think he's probably still running).

Powerful doesn't even begin to cover it. I've seen fully grown Rotweillers cower at a look from a pup and remember being pulled on a sledge by "Mono" when I was about 5!

BIG
Powerful
Clever
Grumpy
Loveable
 
The only advice I'd give is meet the dog first, see how it responds to you and then maybe take the kids along to meet it as well.
 
Thanks for all the advice folks, not sure about chewing through walls.....:eek:

I think I'll sleep on it for a while and let some rationale thought seep through the fog of emotions that I find myself in at the moment.
 
At the risk of reviving an old thread I just wanted to thank those of you for offering advice on this to me:).

Long story short we've been on a bit of a rollercoster of emotions with this. Having discussed it with the family, we decided to go and see the dog to be told someone else had beaten us to it.... oh well. 10 minutes later I get a call saying that hadn't worked out so the dog was still available.

OK we thought fate, the gods..somebody anyway is trying to tell me something here. Arranged to see the dog this weekend, getting excited and looking at what needs to be done to make the house dog friendly etc etc...only to get a call tonight from the breeder to say that her daughter has taken it on........gutted, never met him but gutted anyway:'(.

Guess I'll have to start saving pennies for a puppy then

sorry for the long post but I needed to share.
 
Sorry to hear that. If you are considering a dog may I suggest the Border Terrier, we have a couple of these and they are bright, intelligent, fabulous with kids and have no real health problems like many pure breeds.

http://www.theborderterrierclub.co.uk/

Our two provide endless amusement and they are very quick to learn - ours were house trained within two days using a cat flap in the back door.

Just incase you haven't met Biggles and Buster......:)

[YOUTUBE]IOgOyZfp44g[/YOUTUBE]
 
maddog.mark said:
At the risk of reviving an old thread I just wanted to thank those of you for offering advice on this to me:).

Long story short we've been on a bit of a rollercoster of emotions with this. Having discussed it with the family, we decided to go and see the dog to be told someone else had beaten us to it.... oh well. 10 minutes later I get a call saying that hadn't worked out so the dog was still available.

OK we thought fate, the gods..somebody anyway is trying to tell me something here. Arranged to see the dog this weekend, getting excited and looking at what needs to be done to make the house dog friendly etc etc...only to get a call tonight from the breeder to say that her daughter has taken it on........gutted, never met him but gutted anyway:'(.

Guess I'll have to start saving pennies for a puppy then

sorry for the long post but I needed to share.
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That's a shame. But look at it this way at least with a pup you'll be able to train the dog as needed. Rescue dogs can be so strong willed that, unless you're experienced with the breed, people have a hard time and sometimes send the dog back to rescue. That's not good for you or the dog.
 
Thanks for the comments folks. It's amazing how you can get attached to an idea.:(

Hacker those two look a right handfull I bet you have lots of fun with them:thumbs:
 
NathanJT said:
That's a shame. But look at it this way at least with a pup you'll be able to train the dog as needed. Rescue dogs can be so strong willed that, unless you're experienced with the breed, people have a hard time and sometimes send the dog back to rescue. That's not good for you or the dog.
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Toby, the Cavalier King Charles in my avatar was in fact a rescue dog who settled in nicely and took to my other Cavalier as if they had known each other for years but Cavaliers are easy dogs to keep anyway.
As for other breeds such as Ridgebacks for example I agree, your advice is good.
 
Sorry, A bit late into this thread. We have three Airedale Terries, and we run Planet Airedale.

molly_harry_dylan_the_airedale_terriers.JPG


We have rescued/rehomed more than 100 Airedales over the last few years.

I've got the chance to rescue a 3year old Ridgeback Dog. Appears to have had a relatively settled life so far and has lived with children. It seems he's outgrown his current owners. I need to find out more but would be interested in any Ridgeback owners experiences with their dogs.
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Sorry, major alarm bells here. A dog does not outgrow their owners! Sounds like they can't control it, or it has shown aggression towards them.

Long story short we've been on a bit of a rollercoster of emotions with this. Having discussed it with the family, we decided to go and see the dog to be told someone else had beaten us to it.... oh well. 10 minutes later I get a call saying that hadn't worked out so the dog was still available.
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Hadn't worked out? Again, major alarm bells. Why didn't it work out? Again, this sounds like aggression issues.

Before you give a home to a rescue of any breed, you need to find out the real story behind the reason they are being rehomed in the first place.
 
JumboBeef

Thanks for your reply and I agree with everything you've said. :clap:

Having not met the dog at all during this process I was unable to ever make any assessment of its temperament. I was however in the position of knowing a number of people who had met it, both dog lovers and some who aren't keen on them. These people stated that the dog was boisterous but if anything a bit too friendly. I guess an over excited large dog can be a handful.

It would appear from conversations with the breeder that there were relationship problems with the dogs first home (not with the dog). But there were alarm bells that I intended to dig a bit deeper into.

Again thank you for your advice and please be assured that whilst these decisions can often be made with the heart, my head was still questioning the situation, something that I would urge anyone considering a dog to not lose sight of. In fact it is the common sense advise from you and others that I was looking for when posting.:)
 
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