Rufaro.com | Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Rhodesian Ridgebacks were originally bred in Southern Africa (Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe) by settlers who needed a hunting dog who could also protect their farms and families. Ridged Hottentot dogs were bred to imported European breeds (such as the Danes, Mastiffs, Salukis and Greyhounds) to develop the Ridgeback as a distinct breed.

"The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active hound, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed." www.rrcus.org

For more reading about this amazing breed, look for these titles at your local bookstore/on the internet:

The Rhodesian Ridgeback The Origin, History and Standard by TC Hawley
The Definitive Rhodesian Ridgeback by David H. Helgesen
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Today by Stig G. Carlson

Or see the links on the RRCUS website below:

History of the Breed
http://www.rrcus.org/club/breedinfo/history.htm
Breed Standard
http://www.rrcus.org/club/breedinfo/standard.htm

Is a Ridgeback the Right Dog for Your Family
(reprinted from the RRCUS website)

Many times people see a breed of dog and fall in love with it’s looks, never considering that that breed may be totally unsuitable for their lifestyle, their facilities or their ability to train and control it. All they know is they’ve got to have one! Buying a dog on impulse is always a bad idea! As with buying anything, YOU must educate yourself first: find out what the breed is truly like, visit in the home of several people who have that breed and find out what problems they have encountered. Learn to ask the correct questions, not only about the positive aspects of a breed but the negative, too. And learn what questions to ask of the litter owners...think of it as finding out what the "warranty" covers and the "features" of the item.

Ridgebacks are not Labradors or Golden Retrievers in short coats. They are hunting dogs and have a high prey drive. Translation: They are quite independent -- they don’t fawn over your every word, they can be oblivious to being called and require a lot of positive motivation to train them in traditional obedience. Many people are just not prepared for the stubbornness and hard-headedness in this breed.

Any dog ownership requires responsibility. Dogs are not something to decorate your home or yard, they are living, feeling creatures who should be treated as members of your family. This is especially true of Ridgebacks. They must be made to feel as part of your "pack", i.e., your family, or they will strike out on their own. You should think of them as a new addition to your family and plan for them as you would a new child.

Planning for Your Ridgeback is Essential

Dogs, especially puppies, will make a big demand on your time. It takes time to properly feed, train and play with a new puppy. Just like babies, young puppies are not able to make it through the night and you will have to get up and take them out. If you work, a new pup might require that you come home at lunchtime to let them out or hire a noon time helper to assist you.

Ridgebacks need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. You'll need to set aside playtime and time for training. Young puppies need a lot of socialization to be good companions. A weekly obedience training class and daily practice is a must for your Ridgeback to become a welcome member of the community!

If this seems like too much for you and your family's schedule, then perhaps this is not the right time to get a Ridgeback. Your

Ridgeback Will Need Protection

Ridgebacks naturally want to hunt and have no sense of cars or yard when they go after a squirrel, rabbit or cat. A fenced yard is important for your dog's safety. Once a Ridgeback starts after a squirrel or rabbit, nothing short of a six foot wall or fence may stop them. Dogs allowed to roam are in danger from becoming lost, of being hit by a car or being poisoned. Your certainly don't want your dog to run away or get lost or killed. It's also good idea to have your Ridgeback wear an identification tag or, better yet, to have your dog permanently identified with a tattoo or microchip just in case he manages to get loose despite your efforts. And, of course, when he leaves the yard he'll need a leash.

Your Ridgeback must have adequate shelter if he is outdoors while you are away. Shelters must be cool in the summer and warm in the winter.

Ridgebacks Grow to be BIG Dogs

Puppies don't stay little for long! When looking for any breed you need to consider one that suits your environment and lifestyle. Take the time to research a breed you are interested in....visit in the homes of breeders or individuals who own that breed. Ridgebacks may be appealing to you in a physical sense, but they may not have the temperament suitable to your lifestyle. For example: Ridgebacks at play are very energetic - they need lots of space, can knock down children and adults when they are roughhousing. If you live in the city, you will need to first locate a dog park or area where your Ridgeback can safely run and exercise….. a tired puppy is a good puppy!

It's those people who buy on impulse who most often find they can't live with Ridgeback and decide the dog has to go...this is not fair to the dog! Often it’s these irresponsible owners who further burden rescue with having to take in the dog and rehabilitate it.

Again, take the time to read up on the Ridgeback, talk with several knowledgeable owners, check the Internet and try to visit in the home of several breeders. Try to go to some shows and talk with exhibitors, but most of all observe, observe, observe!

Money Concerns

The initial price of a dog is of concern to some, but it’s the lifelong cost that they sometimes forget. In some communities, dogs need a license. Failure to comply with local laws may result in fines or penalties and may endanger your right to keep your dog!

In addition to the purchase price of your dog, you must plan for food, grooming, collars, a leash and some toys and a special bed. Add in vet care and those training lessons!

All dogs need annual vaccination, heartworm medication, and ...just like humans...regular checkups. Sometimes, dogs require flea and tick treatments or expensive treatments for unexpected ailments or illnesses. Ask yourself if you can afford a dog.

Ridgebacks Need Companionship

Friendship is a two-way street. Your dog deserves plenty of attention so he'll be less inclined to bark or chew your belongings or run away from home by climbing out, if he gets your love and devotion. Dogs are emotional beings and to neglect them by banishing them to a lonely life in the yard, on a chain or in a run is cruel and abusive. Just like children, you have to love and instruct them on proper behavior to have a well adjusted Ridgeback that is a pleasure to be around.

Ridgebacks Need All of the Above For Their Lifetime

The average life span of most Ridgebacks is ten to twelve years, but some have lived for sixteen years! So, your dog will depend on you for love and care for a long time. Being a responsible dog owner is an important job and requires your serious commitment.

What are the GOOD points of Ridgebacks?

Ridgebacks have a short coat, don't shed much and are practically odor free -- great for hot climates.
They are quite discriminating in who or what they bark at...you should ALWAYS go check it out.
They are not fussy eaters and have virtually "cast-iron" digestive systems.
They love living with people and are generally quiet in the house.
Ridgebacks are intelligent and want to please their owner.
Ridgebacks are easily house-trained.
And, of course, they are the most handsome of dogs!

The Drawbacks:

As puppies they have surgical -- knife sharp teeth and the jaw power of a Doberman Pinscher...they should never be allowed to play roughly with humans of any age. They can do major damage to coffee tables, shoes and anything else they can find to chomp on. Crate training is a must to protect home furnishings while you are not at home. As juveniles, if left unattended, they can cause your house to self-destruct...at least, it may appear that way! If left in the yard, they will find things to chew on that you may not even know you own until it ceases working. A bored Ridgeback is a major disaster waiting to happen.
They are capable of digging ranch-sized holes, biting the limbs off shrubs and ripping up small trees. People who love to garden must contend with the fact that their backyards will belong to the dog!
They are not fussy eaters and have cast-iron stomachs - and you thought this was a good thing -- NOT! It also means they will attempt to eat anything that doesn't eat them first. They are master counter-surfers...nothing is spared and they are fast. Ridgeback owners have a tendency to overfeed their dogs, causing gas - not the most pleasant aspect of dog ownership. Remember, a Ridgeback always thinks it’s hungry! You have to feed on schedule and stick to your plan.
Ridgebacks are "people" dogs, which means they should be treated as family and not made to live solely alone in the yard, otherwise, you wind up with a big, powerful, pushy creature of your making! An adult RIDGEBACK can clear a five foot fence if they want to. A bored dog is going to look for something to do, even if that means outside your yard. No one wants to live next door to someone who lets their dog out to eliminate on the neighbors’ yard, whose dog gets out and kills cats or scares the walkers, joggers and bike riders.
Ridgebacks grow to be big dogs and must attended obedience classes with you so he won't become a "bad apple" and make an ugly impression of the breed on anyone. Learning to walk on a loose lead at an early age is essential – nobody should be drug around by a big dog.
Ridgebacks are intelligent…this too, has been said -- what is means is they are fully capable of training you before you can train them. They are quite clever and can be willfully disobedient. The earlier the obedience classes the better. We can’t say this enough - A bored Ridgeback can be quite destructive and may develop bad habits of chewing, escaping crate and fencing, barking out of boredom and generally making a pest of themselves. It is essential that you have the time to put in with them, which can be as simple as having them in the house with you when you are home or spending time making sure they get a good amount of exercise…whether outside hiking, training, running or walking with them in safe areas.
Ridgebacks must be introduced to cats and even so, may be aggressive towards strange felines. Before you get a Ridgeback, please consider the adult size of a Ridgeback and whether you and your family members will be able to properly keep the dog and to train the dog to be a great companion and a good canine citizen.

Ridgebacks and children Authored by Barbara Sawyer-Brown, Kwetu Rhodesian Ridgebacks
(reprinted from the RRCUS website)

Ridgebacks love most children.

I say "most children" because no dog appreciates rough treatment. No dog likes children who treat them cruelly.

I always warn people that when little children get "cranky" they will fight. When puppies and dogs get cranky, they will bite. I tell people that if their children bite, so will the dog. Raising a puppy is not unlike raising a child. Just like training your children to behave, you must make your puppy understand that although you love him, he will have limits. And just like your child knows that if he does not follow these limits that you have set, you will still love him, but you will not be in a very good mood, and your puppy will want you to be in a good mood. He was born with an innate desire to please you, so you are already "one step ahead" before you begin!

Like your children, a puppy will learn best through positive training methods. If your children are wild and uncontrollable, your dog will be the same. Now I am not suggesting that children act like "little angels" at all times. I know better--I have raised three. But even though "kids will be kids" so they say, you should be able to get them "under control" occasionally! Yes, Ridgebacks do well with children that are under control and have been taught that a dog is a living thing, that feels pain and sadness just as they do.

The thing that drew me to this breed, over thirty years ago, was that I had three young children at the time. I needed a dog that would be tolerant of them and a good playmate for both them and their friends. The "and their friends" part was important, as I wanted my children to be able to bring their friends home to play and I did not want to be worried that a dog would hurt the friends, especially if he saw the children and the friends roughhousing. Although I wanted a dog with protective instincts, I did not want those instincts to be so strong that the dog would attack a child that was fighting, or appearing to do so, with my child. There had been a scary article in the newspaper about a dog that saw "his child" being tackled in a game of football in the back yard, and crashed through a picture window and attacked the other child. The Ridgeback is not that kind of guard dog! Yes, this breed is good with children. but if you have children there are special rules that should be followed.

First rule is to never allow your child to crawl into the dog's crate, with the dog. The crate is the puppy's private place, a refuge from the World, and this also means a place to escape from the children! (Don't you sometimes wish you had such a place?) When the puppy runs away from the children, indicating he has had enough play, respect his wishes. A cornered dog has nowhere to escape, and he may bite.

Second rule is never allow the children to carry the puppy. If the puppy falls...or jumps out of their arms (puppies have no fear of heights) he will break his leg or legs! And if this happens, not only will your heart be "broken" but your bank account may be depleted, because you will be spending more time at the Veterinarian's Office than you care to pay for! His little leg will have to be reset several times each week, due to how fast a puppy's limbs grow. If the child MUST have the puppy on her lap, have her sit on the floor, and not the couch. This will also teach the puppy that he should never sit on the couch. Remember how I explained that an invitation for just one time, is an invitation for life and this cute little cuddly baby will one day be an 85 pound bed hog? This applies to all furniture, not just beds. If you don't want an adult Ridgeback on the furniture, don't let your puppy Ridgeback on the furniture!

Another rule: If the dog runs from the child (to the safety of his crate or simply to another room in the house), DO NOT, I repeat, DO NOT ALLOW THE CHILD TO CHASE AFTER THE DOG! The dog has responded properly. He has let the child know that he does not desire to play (or be teased) and has removed himself from the situation. He could have reacted by biting but he chose to simply leave the area! Do not let the child corner the dog. The child must be taught to respect the dog's privacy. In the case of a toddler, this might mean the parent actually picks up the child and diverts it attention to another activity. (I have dealt with two year olds and understand they do not refer to "the terrible two's" without reason!)

Not a rule but good common sense: Even if you have been promised by the children that they will be responsible for the care of the puppy, they will not, and it will be up to you to make certain that the puppy is fed, that the puppy has a clean bowl of fresh water at all times, that the puppy is walked and the puppy is trained and the puppy gets good and loving attention, even if the children get tired of playing with the puppy. An old adage says that there's nothing like getting a dog to teach parents responsibility.

It is unfair to both the puppy and the child to expect the child to do these things. This is not a toy that can be stored on a closet shelf. This is a real live baby dog! Like a real live baby, he needs YOU! His meals should be on time and at that same time, every day. His walks should be regular, and without getting proper socialization he will be damaged for life. This is too serious to allow this upbringing to be done by the children!

Teach your child to keep his face away from the dog's nose, especially with puppies who will play by hitting you with a paw. Even if you have been diligent about keeping those nails cut, and walking him every day, which wears down his nails, those claws are sharp and can easily scratch. Also, when that cute little puppy is licking your nose, he may decide to take a little taste! Lick, lick, nip! Not only does this HURT but that scratch could scar and you don't want your child's pretty little face scarred! And never leave the dog with a new baby, a single child or a bunch of children, unattended. Remember that although the dog may be the most gentle dog in the world, it is still an animal.

When children fight, they hit. When dogs fight, they bite! Common sense should direct you, here. And speaking of common sense.... I wish the people whose dog "nipped" their young daughter's face had used some common sense. The night before the bite occurred they had witnessed their 6 year-old daughter crawling on the floor towards the sleeping puppy and she shouted "Boo!" when she got face to face with him! The puppy awoke, with a snarl. The breeder of that puppy was out of the country at the time, so they contacted me to ask if they should destroy this FOUR MONTH OLD PUPPY because of "bad temperament." The people should have been alerted by the puppy's warning snarl that this type of behavior was risky! The puppy was placed in a new home, shortly thereafter when the breeder returned home from her travels.

I always tell people that the behavior of their children is a good indication of how their dog will behave. Recognizing the fact that "kids will be kids," if your children are never under control you can expect the same with your dog, as training a dog is not unlike teaching a child. Both must be done with rewards! (We love you but we have set limits for you and if you do not follow these limits we will still love you but we will be very unhappy with you and we are in better moods when we are happy!)

Parents should never let the children and the puppy "roughhouse." Puppies play like this together, and learn about their place in the pack this way. It is a natural extension for a puppy to see his new family as his "pack," and the children as his littermates. You do not want a puppy that sets himself up as being higher in the pecking order than the children. This kind of behavior may be cute when the puppy is younger, but can be downright dangerous when you have a full-grown dog that sees the children as its subordinates. Your breeder will have studied pack behavior and will be able to tell you more about this than can possibly be covered on a web page. Listen carefully, and if you have any questions, please ask them, or call your breeder if you think of something later.

New parents should realize that if they treated their puppy like it was their child, before the arrival of the baby, it should not be abandoned just because they are adding a human child to the household. The dog should not be locked away from the baby. If the dog was treated to two walks a day, he should still get those two walks a day. Short on time, now? Then make it shorter walks! But the important message to get across to the dog is that the baby will bring more enjoyment to the dog's life, not cause him to be treated like "a dog" after leading a life of being spoiled! (It is very easy to overindulge this breed!)

I have always thought that it was a lucky puppy that went to a home that included children in the household. After hearing the excuse (too many times) "A baby is coming so we must get rid of the dog," I have changed my mind. Children and puppies can be a joy together! But it takes the common sense of the parents and a good deal of training, of both the puppies AND the children.