Rhodesian Ridgeback?

[ajr5406]

Hi all,

We are moving to a house with a big yard and my family and I would love to get a dog. I grew up with a German Shorthaired Pointer, and my wife with a Lab, both of which were awesome dogs. We are leaning towards a Rhodesian Ridgeback, so curious on what this breed is like as a family dog (not looking for a hunting dog)? We are looking for a larger dog with short hair. I have done a fair bit of reading on the breed, but also looking for personal feedback.

I have young kids (7 and 4) and I largely work from home. My kids love dogs and are now old enough that the dog will get enough exercise and attention (I also dont expect that my kids will help in an way, despite their promises that they will :-). My wife is home most of the time too, so we are not going to be in a situation where the dog is left all day by itself. We are an active family and want a dog that we can enjoy the outdoors with. My wife runs, so a dog that can she can run with would be great too. One thing I loved about the GSP was that he was also a great guard dog, and this is important to my wife if I am away for work travel etc.

Any feedback would be great on the breed, and breeder recommendations too.

Thanks!

[New Bow Hunter]

My wife's cousin and her husband have always had Ridgebacks.
Two things I have noted:
1: Their lifespan seems to be shorter than other breeds
2: They seem to shed a lot

They seem to be very friendly and there are several off shoots of the original Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

[emerson]

Have friends in Liberia that keep 2 on the farm for security. Sometimes the dogs eat a few chickens, but he says that's a small price to pay.

[S.W.A.T.]

Hope you like to run because they do, my buddy and his wife breed them and show them. Seem like nice dogs but need room that's for sure

[Husky7mm]

Very loyal dogs, very strong willed, need to be there told 100's of times. Very loud bark, like a giant hound. Very big wimps in the cold and wet. Shed alot.
My kids like theirs, the wife mostly does, me meh.

[ACE]

Keep your wife happy and get a dog that doesn't shed ...... you'll be able to wear black clothing without looking like a dog blanket.
Generally, a pup that has been taken from the litter a little early is 'people' socialized. A pup that has stayed in the litter a little longer is usually better with other dogs.
Standard Schnauzer will be my next ...... loyal and smart.
The Standard Poodle is a great multi-purpose dog also .....
Lots of choices.

[Stormy]

Ridgebacks are awesome dogs - loyal and great with the family..

[dmaxtech]

Have one, she's 9 and starting to show her age. Great dog after we got past the stubborn puppy years (She ate all my tulip bulbs out of the back yard one spring. ) Shedding can be an issue in the early summer when it gets hot. She doesn't like water ever. Snow she is okay with, till she gets cold, which doesn't take very long unless I'm running her. Very loyal and protective dog, reads people like a hawk. Watch out with your kids' friends, if they are nervous around dogs they can be aggressive. Ours has nipped a couple times, never too seriously but we still have to watch out. Our kids grew up with her and she will protect then at all cost. Good luck.
oh, and she's a sight hound so loves chasing bunnies when we go for walks near our house.

[tadpole]

I had two of them in the past and in a week we are getting the third one. Excellent dogs. Life span is average for a large breed, about 10-12, The bigger the dog the shorter the lifespan.Great Danes and Irish Wolfhounds lives to only about six. Rhodesians shed to about half what Labradors do- the real shedding machines. Ridgebacks are aloof with strangers but absolutely dedicated to their family, and they bark only when absolutely necessary. They wake up and night and walk perimeter of the house few times in a night time to make sure that all is OK. A lot depends on upbringing and ours absolutely loved all the creatures included kittens and bunnies. My last one possessed ability to dissolve conflicts between aggressive dogs, he knew his power but was not dominant at all. He disliked water but always waded behind me when needed, while steelheading. Great dogs.

[Boner]

I used to have one. I got her when she was about a year old. She came with some issues. We rehomed her when we had a baby because we didn't have the time to spend with her that she needed. My wife was very careful who she sold the dog to, matching the dog to the new owner.

Doing it all over again I would choose more carefully when getting a ridgeback, instead of buying the first one that popped up on Kijiji.

[tadpole]

Doing it all over again I would choose more carefully when getting a ridgeback, instead of buying the first one that popped up on Kijiji.[/QUOTE]



These are the words of wisdom. Rhodesians are big dogs and personality of a new pet should be matched to new owners. The latest liter we are choosing the puppy from, we visit them once a week, observe the dogs, spend some time with them and do some behavioral testing that will insure proper personality dog choice.

[tadpole]

Got my third Rhodesian 3 days ago, eight and half week old. Puppyhood is so nice.:smile:

[IronNoggin]

Got my third Rhodesian 3 days ago, eight and half week old. Puppyhood is so nice.:smile:

AWESOME!!! http://bigshotsbc.ca/images/smilies/Pozitive.gif http://bigshotsbc.ca/images/smilies/Pozitive.gif

Now THAT is Very fine News my friend!
Took you long enough to get around to it!!

I am immensely looking forward to meeting your new Fur Kid!!! :D

Cheers!
Matt

[ajr5406]

Got my third Rhodesian 3 days ago, eight and half week old. Puppyhood is so nice.:smile:

What breeder may I ask??

[tadpole]

What breeder may I ask??

She is a Lady In Westbank, Okanagan. All dogs are registered, parents have some clearance. We have a second dog from her and they proved to be fantastic companions.
Contact me for a Phone number if you wish.

[ajr5406]

She is a Lady In Westbank, Okanagan. All dogs are registered, parents have some clearance. We have a second dog from her and they proved to be fantastic companions.
Contact me for a Phone number if you wish.

Sounds great - ill PM you.

[IronNoggin]

... Puppyhood is so nice.:smile:

http://forum.flybc.ca/style_emoticons/default/signworthless.gif

:lol:

[charbrc]

I take offense to anybody saying labs shed a lot. My two labs only shed once a year, from Jan. 1st to Dec. 31st.

[Monashee]

Good guard dogs but have to be on leash when out of a well fenced yard . Saw one guy get bit minding his own business on the other side of the road walking a little quiet dog , the owners didn't admit it happened until legal action was started . I'd choose a more steady breed .

[Drewtini]

They're lovely dogs provided that they've been very well socialised as pups. Friends have one (which wasn't well socialised) who is totally fine when away from the home, I can roughhouse with him all day and he's a gem. But to this day he still tries to throw himself through a closed window when anyone approaches the house, teeth bared, hackles up.

[medic11]

I have two ridgebacks and would never get any other kind of dog. Smart, cuddly and a true family dog. If you have nice couches, get a cover. They love to get on the couch and beds. Mine sleep with the kids at night. Don't like their routine changed! Make sure you get a purebred!