Boy attacked by Ridgeback!

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All dogs have the potential to be dangerous whatever the size or breed. They have teeth and are animals and therefore unpredictable. It is up to us as their pack leaders to prevent this kind of attack happening. Yes they are all soft with their owners but we still have to be aware that this can happen. Unfortunately some people are much less responsible than others. My dogs never ever run loose on the street.

[/ QUOTE ]Agreed - Finn at the moment is soppy and soft with everyone - but I can see him checking them out first!! Then his 'dumbo ears' come out and he wiggles his way towards them!!
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I use the Freedom Fence specifically to stop any chance of this happening. I have two Rotties as well as a Ridgeback so I'm not prepared to take a chance with their lives. People are too quick to say they are dangerous dogs for no real reason! My God that was a bit deep but I love all my dogs and hate to see this kind of thing.

[/ QUOTE ]That is responsible ownership - making sure nothing happens... especially with the reputation Rotties have
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Not meaning to be funny but a ridgeback in Europe is a renowned attack/guard dog in the way that a rottwieler is. ( in a good way) Ridges were bred to be guard dogs but I think thats down to the size of them and not temprement. You dont hear of ridgeback attacks as they are still not as common as most breeds int he UK.

So it could well be a full ridgie.

I have a rottie and he is as soft as owt but you just cant tell - and just for info - the labrador attacked more people last year than any other dog.

Someone mentioned above that ridgebacks are shy? If they are thats a bad trait as shy can lead to aggression if felt threatend. I am suprised they would be shy - thought the would be confident like a rottie.

I want a ridgeback - I saw one at crufts and it was eating a cream cake - and I loved it - I wish I had one - would have one near a kid though - there massive - same goes for my rottie - his paws are too big!!
 
Matty (RR) is very shy and nervous of anything that's strange for her and that comes out as aggression. She growls and looks away, runs at the problem barking then backs off. I know her and am fairly sure she would never attack but am not 100% sure. Can any us be that certain? For a stranger I know it looks very frightening. So I make sure we are never in that situation. Browbrow go get a Ridgeback. You won't regret it!
 
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Not meaning to be funny but a ridgeback in Europe is a renowned attack/guard dog in the way that a rottwieler is. ( in a good way) Ridges were bred to be guard dogs but I think thats down to the size of them and not temprement. You dont hear of ridgeback attacks as they are still not as common as most breeds int he UK.

So it could well be a full ridgie.

I have a rottie and he is as soft as owt but you just cant tell - and just for info - the labrador attacked more people last year than any other dog.

Someone mentioned above that ridgebacks are shy? If they are thats a bad trait as shy can lead to aggression if felt threatend. I am suprised they would be shy - thought the would be confident like a rottie.


[/ QUOTE ]Not so Ridgebacks were originally bred in Rhodesia (hence the name) as Lion Hunters... Not to actually hunt the Lion rather than to keep them at bay so that their 'pack leader - being human' can shoot the lion accordingly - where necessary.

Have a look at this Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain

Traits - Puppy Info - Interesting

Yes they are used for security - but not bred for security - the ridgeback is clever, confident, and will not rush into a situation, they stand back and assess and will not get involed unless necessary, they do not get into a scuffle lightly.
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I want a ridgeback - I saw one at crufts and it was eating a cream cake - and I loved it - I wish I had one - would have one near a kid though - there massive - same goes for my rottie - his paws are too big!!

[/ QUOTE ]Hmm RR breed standard actually states that a female ridgeback stands no higher than 24-26inches and a male no higher than 25-27 inches... which actually isn't that big if you think about it.... most Labs prob stand around 23-24inches...
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My boy is an exception and at just 8months stands at just over 28inches
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LOL!!

he half mast dumbo ears - HI MUMMY!
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Being cheeky!!
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and excited moment!!
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Matty (RR) is very shy and nervous of anything that's strange for her and that comes out as aggression. She growls and looks away, runs at the problem barking then backs off. I know her and am fairly sure she would never attack but am not 100% sure. Can any us be that certain? For a stranger I know it looks very frightening. So I make sure we are never in that situation. Browbrow go get a Ridgeback. You won't regret it!

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No one can EVER be sure that the dog won't attack.. be it aggression or purely because they are scared... it is something you can't control... the animal has a mind of it's own and if scared then can become unreasonable...

It's the same with everything - humans are prime examples!!!
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I read they were on a list of dangerous dogs (not quite at the pitbull stage though) and was surprised, but not really. what were they originally bred for?
 
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I read they were on a list of dangerous dogs (not quite at the pitbull stage though) and was surprised, but not really. what were they originally bred for?

[/ QUOTE ]Hmm I can only find this...

Dangerous Dogs Act 1991 & Dogs Act 1871
Extracts are from the Dangerous Dogs Act unless otherwise indicated.

1. The following dogs, and also cross-bred pit-bulls, are dangerous dogs under the meaning of the Act:

Pit Bull Terrier
Japanese Tosa
Dogo Argentino
Fila Braziliero

Originally (as I have said above) they were bred to keep Lions at Bay.
 
They were originally (and still are) used for hunting big game, mostly lion but also elephant, mainly in Southern Africa. The chap who bred mine is South African and used to hunt baboons with them.

As KJFIT correctly sais they would hunt in a pack and hold the prey until the shooter arrives. They were mainly used as hunting/guard dogs for many years, and still will mostly be found living outdoors in Africa.

The breed was only officially recognised in 1922 (a product of crossing many types of european hunting dogs) and didn't start spreading across the world until after the second world war, so still a fairly "new" breed.
 
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Originally (as I have said above) they were bred to keep Lions at Bay.

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Keeping at bay doesn't require a nasty or viscious dog either, anything that bays on something could be classed as brave but certainly not agressive.
 
the kennel club breed standard includes this as part of the description of a 'typical' RR's temperament

"These days the Ridgeback is used in his native Africa as a guard dog. He is an excellent family dog, good with children, affectionate and very loyal and protective to his family , dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers but showing no aggression or shyness "

Unfortunately this breed has become very fashionable and great care should be taken when buying a RR puppy.as there are LOADS of back yard breeders out there jumping on the latest way of making a fast buck. With it's innate guarding tendencies they can be a handful if poorly bred or insufficiently socialised.

We have the same kind of problem in myown breed with the Malinios variety of BSD - some of those bred from working only lines are highly reactive and down right dangerous in the wrong hands - and it only takes a few to get a breed a bad name.
 
The same thing has happened with Boston Terriers. They are a top 10 breed over this way and I've met a fair few who are hyper/dog agressive/nippy due to the prevalance of BYBs/arseholes in Pennsylvania and Missouri breeding them in barns and shipping them up to pet stores on the East Coast
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It's so sad when your favourite breed gets into the hands of the wrong people.
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Keeping at bay doesn't require a nasty or viscious dog either, anything that bays on something could be classed as brave but certainly not agressive.

[/ QUOTE ]Too true - infact you have to have brains and be clever to survive... a Ridgeback is no match for a lion!!!
 
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the kennel club breed standard includes this as part of the description of a 'typical' RR's temperament

"These days the Ridgeback is used in his native Africa as a guard dog. He is an excellent family dog, good with children, affectionate and very loyal and protective to his family , dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers but showing no aggression or shyness "

[/ QUOTE ]Yes that is what I read when looking for my boy. Amongst VARIOUS other descriptions.
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Unfortunately this breed has become very fashionable and great care should be taken when buying a RR puppy.as there are LOADS of back yard breeders out there jumping on the latest way of making a fast buck. With it's innate guarding tendencies they can be a handful if poorly bred or insufficiently socialised.

We have the same kind of problem in myown breed with the Malinios variety of BSD - some of those bred from working only lines are highly reactive and down right dangerous in the wrong hands - and it only takes a few to get a breed a bad name.

[/ QUOTE ]This is the problem - TBH I have never seen a ridgeback in the UK before - until of course I decided this to be the breed of dog I wanted... they aren't common dogs however it does seem more and more people are aware of them and now see a few more here and there!!
 
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We went to Cape Town five years ago and they were everywhere. Some of them were ginormous.

[/ QUOTE ]Yes see I think Finny is gunna be a pretty big boy - measured him at 29inches tonight!!
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Any breed of dog is capable of 'attacking' a child. I hate the moral panic that the press generates whenever a child is hurt. My local paper has a headline blazing across it this morning - no doubt in the next few days more incidents will be reported.

I was bitten as a three year old and whilst not terrified of dogs afterwards much preferred cats. However, 18 months ago OH purchased a rottweiler for the family! At the time I had grave misgivings about his decision (we have five children). I had to make a choice to love Buster, it was an act of will, because if I didn't he just wouldn't have worked out in our family.

Happily he has turned out to be a wonderful dog and I am besotted with him. We have had him neutered and took time to socialise him properly - from 8 weeks he went everywhere with us.

Rottweilers are fantastic dogs and I think it is a shame that they have such a terrible reputation because irresponsible people encourage them to be aggressive and play on their natural instinct to be protective.

It is always tragic when a child is attacked by a dog but it is not purely down to what breed a dog is that makes it likely to attack and not all dogs within that breed should be 'tarred with the same brush'.
 
You have misunderstood the post completly

I am telling you about the popularity of the breed in Europe and what they are used for TODAY .............. not what they used to be for - a rottie used to be a hearding dog in roman times but they arent used for that now........ Hope that clears that up.

The dog I refer to seeing at crufts WAS 31 inches at the shoulder and WAS HUGE - the breed standard will be out of date if its anything like most .... all dogs are being bred bigger these days - like fell ponies .... breeds are being ruined by people making them bigger/smaller etc.
 
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You have misunderstood the post completly

I am telling you about the popularity of the breed in Europe and what they are used for TODAY .............. not what they used to be for - a rottie used to be a hearding dog in roman times but they arent used for that now........ Hope that clears that up.

[/ QUOTE ]No I didn'tmisunderstand the post COMPLETELY - however I still don't agree that in Europre they are used for guard dogs... yes SOME may be but HUGE amounts aren't?!

I think this is where people 'prejudices' and 'stereo-types' come into play - just because they look like they should be/could be used as a guard dog doesn't mean they are... like Dobies - a HUGE amount are pets - yet people always 'type' them as guarders!!
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The dog I refer to seeing at crufts WAS 31 inches at the shoulder and WAS HUGE - the breed standard will be out of date if its anything like most .... all dogs are being bred bigger these days - like fell ponies .... breeds are being ruined by people making them bigger/smaller etc.

[/ QUOTE ]The breed standard I stated is current!! and repeated on MANY websites/book/forums etc... If it were not current then it wouldn't be featured on a huge number of 'professional/breed' sites!!

The ridgeback is naturally a HUGE dog - it needed to be to stand up to the Lions!! - apparently though a ridgeback in SA is TWICE the size of MOST Ridgies here...

All the ridgies we have met are tiny and very very lean - as you can see my boy is certainly not tiny (Measured him the other day at 29" - weighs 8 stone) and isn't airing towards the lean 'type' that you see at Crufts etc.

I think it a bit ambiguous to have a 'breed standard' anyways TBH - like humans everything comes in diff shapes/sizes!!!
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Hello

Greek + french+german police use RR in the military they are also used in South Africa as Guard Dogs - They are popular in Australia too - and they were bred to chase lions - ofcourse they are going to be brave and a good guard dog!! A Lion weighs 40 -60 stone!!! They are a great pet I am sure BUT alot are used as guard dogs.

They are a very popular guard dog - because they are very cleaver and obedient - the breed hosuld be celebrated for that.

I am not stereotyping here - god - I have a rottie - and I love RR's - But They are big dogs FACT ,dont care what size the breed standard is - Like you said they all come in different sizes but all RR's I have seen are very big dogs - plus I refered to the dog I saw at crufts was eating a crem cake - I was hoping that would portray the dog in a more gentle light.

If you look at other posts - I refer to the Labrador - the dog which has the worst track record for attacks in the UK - and trust me on this one - I worked for the NHS and compiled a study on dog attacks and those things give nasty bites- I have seen the evidence!

And if the breed standard says what you have quoted - thats a big dog !!!! and It may be current but only until they review it! Plus - they are big in SA because they are more true to the breed - a little dog wouldnt have stood a chance against a lion - even if they were a pack of 20 of them.

Calm down - Im not attacking you or the dog!
 
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Hello

Greek + french+german police use RR in the military they are also used in South Africa as Guard Dogs - They are popular in Australia too - and they were bred to chase lions - ofcourse they are going to be brave and a good guard dog!! A Lion weighs 40 -60 stone!!! They are a great pet I am sure BUT alot are used as guard dogs.

[/ QUOTE ]Yes but what I'm saying is ALOT are pets also... this is how a breed gets a bad rep when people suggest that they are mostly used as guard dogs/military dogs - as you immediately think fierce dog...

I'm not saying it's just you suggesting this however it is what people repeat!!
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They are a very popular guard dog - because they are very cleaver and obedient - the breed hosuld be celebrated for that.

[/ QUOTE ]I'm not sure that being celebrated as a guard dog is a good thing?! Celebrated for being clever and obediant yes.
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I am not stereotyping here - god - I have a rottie - and I love RR's - But They are big dogs FACT ,dont care what size the breed standard is - Like you said they all come in different sizes but all RR's I have seen are very big dogs - plus I refered to the dog I saw at crufts was eating a crem cake - I was hoping that would portray the dog in a more gentle light.

[/ QUOTE ]"FACT" - noooo as I said all the ridgebacks I have met bar my boy and his dad are relatively small dogs - smaller than I would ever dream of... so it is not FACT as they are diff sizes....
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If you look at other posts - I refer to the Labrador - the dog which has the worst track record for attacks in the UK - and trust me on this one - I worked for the NHS and compiled a study on dog attacks and those things give nasty bites- I have seen the evidence!

[/ QUOTE ]Well I bet that wasn't very nice... and yes I agree these sort of dogs RR's Rotties staffs etc get a bad name when a lab attack is generally excused/forgotten/not published!!
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And if the breed standard says what you have quoted - thats a big dog !!!! and It may be current but only until they review it!

[/ QUOTE ]LMAO!! So surely EVERYTHING concieveable can be classed as not current.... if you apply this principle "it is current til it is reviewed" LOL!
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Plus - they are big in SA because they are more true to the breed - a little dog wouldnt have stood a chance against a lion - even if they were a pack of 20 of them.

[/ QUOTE ]Tis what I said above?!
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Calm down - Im not attacking you or the dog!

[/ QUOTE ]No no you misunderstand me - I AM calm... I never suggested you were attacking me OR my dog - it'd be ueless to do either TBH... I just wouldn't pay attention!!
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Hehe - TBH I know me/my dog and as I have said above I don't think he would hurt a fly - HOWEVER you can NEVER know what a dog is like. I just didn't agree with your comment re - security.
 
There is a piece about this in this weeks Dog World. It says "the owners of a BULLMASTIFF who mauled a 4 year old boy.. have been charged with having a dog dangerously out of control." Just proves how the press can be wrong, and sorry, hope I'm not upsetting mastiff owners!
 
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There is a piece about this in this weeks Dog World. It says "the owners of a BULLMASTIFF who mauled a 4 year old boy.. have been charged with having a dog dangerously out of control." Just proves how the press can be wrong, and sorry, hope I'm not upsetting mastiff owners!

[/ QUOTE ]Ahh see rumours can ruin reputations
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Equally and I stand by 95% of a dog behaviour is what the owner makes it!!
 
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