Rhodesian Ridgebacks.....

[JulieL]

thinking of getting one. Anyone got any advice/experience with them with regard to being a family pet, good with kids, good with other dogs (kids are 17 and 7 so not babies) and do they thieve food as much as Dalmatians (because my Dally is a hoover and steals everything). We are considering adding one to the family but want to know they are a good 'all rounder' like our dear Dalmatian is?

Any advice etc would be greatly appreciated

LB x

 

[GinaB]

KJFit and Kibob (I think that is the correct user name) both own beautiful RRs. You could try PMing them although KJ has not been on much recently

 

[JulieL]

thanks so much GinaB - I will do that as need some 1st hand advice!

I want to get one now to socialise he/she with my Dally as she is so friendly and would be a great friend to teach a pesky pup to play etc! Also, someone is in the house 7 days per week and we have no hols planned for this year, so thought it would be an ideal time to get one. Did consider a rescue one but OH not running with that idea due to our children and he wants to know the dogs background - suppose I can see his point.

Anyhow, I waffle

(as usual) thanks again GinaB

- LBx

 

[Acolyte]

I know one which belongs to people on my yard - it is a dog, he is wonderful with his owners little girl (who is about 1 1/2 now) but definitely NOT with other people (he has bitten a couple of 'strangers' who visited the yard) or other dogs (he always takes an aggresive stance, but hasn't actually had a fight...... yet

)

He doesn't steal food (he has been shut in the tackroom over night with the bag of its food on the work surface in the same room - could never do that with my lurcher!) but he does kill chickens (or was it ducks?) much to the anger of the YO

If you take time to stroke him or talk to him then he is actually a nice dog, and quite a softie, but you can't be wimpish with him, you have to be firm and confident

But of course he is only one example of the breed, others may have very different experiences

 

[JulieL]

thank you so much for this Acolyte - all info is greatly appreciated

.

Obviously, they are larger dogs, so I need to get it right from the beginning as I really do not want to have it rehomed or PTS if things were to go wrong - it would break my heart

.

That was actually my one concern about taking him/her out and about and whether they would be teritorial (sp) or not? But as you do say, 1 example of the breed.

Thank you again

LBx

 

[Horsey_Gal]

We have a RR, they are big and very powerful. My friends are terrified when ours runs out at full pelt barking like mad! Gets on very well with our dalmations

Only downfall we have had is one of the liveries kids (he was about 10 i think) was stood outside with his back away from the RR and RR came flying out at full pelt, jumping up at kids back and he fell flat on his face!! This was when RR was younger.
They are active so I would say you need the space to give them a good run too.

 

[JulieL]

Hi HG - so they are good with kids do you think? My kids are used to boistrous dogs, as you well know with potty Dallys

Also, are they good with other dogs in parks as a general rule as that's where we take our Dally everyday and she's wonderful and playful (even at 13 yrs!)?

Sorry about all of the questions

LBx

 

[Mrs_Wishkabibble]

We've got two and they are wonderful. Big softies when we are about but a bit sharper when the gate is shut at night or when we aren't about (according to delivery drivers) We also have two Yorkie pups, 5 cats and 3 horses and they get on well with all of them. In fact the cats rule the dogs. The puppies annoy the hell out of the RR and they take it all. They have also been used to young children and have been stood on and pulled around and have again taken it all well.
I could not recommend them highly enough but would go to a reputable breeder. I think they are like all dogs, depends alot on the owners and how they are brought up as to how they behave.

 

[mattilda]

I have a RR and she is the light of my life. They are quite territorial and guard your property fiercely. They are also very loyal and loving. Mine is not good with childrem but I think that's more because she has no proper contact with any. We have a cat, two other dogs and several horses and she is fine around them. Very trainable and can't ever remember her messing in the house as a pup. Hers's a couple of pics of my gorgeous girlie.
http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/baguley/?action=view&current=Palm2008070.jpg
http://s149.photobucket.com/albums/s47/baguley/?action=view&current=dogsmay2007004.jpg

 

[JulieL]

hollyF and matillda thank you both so much for 1st hand advice. I am liking the sound of them more and more

.

All we want is a good loyal family dog that isn't going to eat my elderly cat and will play play play. Also, do you think they would like to go to College with my older daugher on a regular basis where they get pampered, walked etc for the students experience - or would that be asking a little too much do you think - suppose, what I am asking, are they sociable if they are brought up we loads of people around?

Daft questions, I know, but I want to get it right that's all.

Thanks you both again

PS - Matilda pop her in an envelope and I will have her - what a lovely pooch!

 

[mattilda]

Ridgebacks are very sociable if that's the way they are brought up. He/she would probably cope very well around lots of people occasionally. Like any dog you need to be able to read the signs and know when they have had enough and give them some space. They can be very big strong dogs and also boisterous so bear that in mind. However college students are older and more responsible(?!). Aren't they?

 

[kibob]

Oooooh, my favourite subject

Yes, I have one, here he is, the great lump:

He is 3 now, as someone else said, he is FULL of energy, life is sooooooo exciting to a Ridgie. I have two children, 9 year old and a 18 month old. He is good as gold with both of them. I don't let the toddler climb all over him, as I think this is asking too much, but trust him as much as you can trust any dog around my kids. He watches over them for me

. The only problem with Ki around small kids is his sheer exuberance, he is very clumsy and can knock them over

(having said that, adults aren't safe either, he sent me flying a few times before he got the brakes and steering worked out lol).

He is such a fun dog, but a handful at times. You need to be very firm with them. He can be agressive with other dogs, infact this is his only "issue" - oh, and his recall is selective

I could talk all day about them, please feel free to pm me any specific queries.

And, yup, KJFIT has a gorgeous boy too and she would happily chat about him all day long aswell.

 

[Cop-Pop]

They can be a territorial breed but like all dogs it depends on how you bring them up. There's one down the road from us that is horrible - he's aggressive with people and dogs, savaged someones cat and has even bitten his owner. When I used to show my old dog there was a couple with two of them and they were fab dogs - great with people and other animals; the only problem was that they guarded the home but that's not always a bad thing!!

 

[JulieL]

right then guys - thank you all so so much for this advice - I am going to go armed with all of the info to hubby, bat my eyes at him(!?!) and well who knows LOL - fingers crossed for me

.

LB xx

 

[haycroft]

all you owners with RRs would you say that they are scent hound or sighthound to finalise a discussion ive been having with a friend
i would sat they are scent hound
thanks


btw if you decide not to get a RR what about a viszla at least theyre the same colour...just a thought

 

[Ottinmeg]

ive only ever come into contact with one ridgie and he was lovely, owned by the local pub landlords. the dog was a great big softie with everyone. his only vice was when you took him for a walk and he saw another dog he would lay down and refuse to get up again until the other dog had gone past him!

 

[Penniless]

We've got a RR puppy (now 4 months old) and he's everything you could want. He was brought up with a new born baby and an 18 month old toddler and was as good as gold (as was his 6 brothers and sisters and mum and dad there too). He is out in our yard from breakfast time to last night feed at 11pm with our GSD who has to put up with this pesky pup all the time - the pup runs full pelt at the GSD when he's laying down and jumps on him - but its great watching the two of them playing. We've all tripped over him as he does get between your legs and does come running up at full pelt and still not sure about his brakes. As for thieving - a definite yes - he's had just about everything he can get his paws on. Constantly knocks over feed buckets and enjoys the oats! He's also brilliant at opening door handles. We know his family and they are both loyal dogs to their owners and protective of them but not in an aggressive way. Good luck if you get one - we are delighted with ours.

 

[KJJ]

Hi LilBonn,

I'm a little late on replying but yes I have a WONDERFUL Ridgeback.. Finn... he is my life.. he is the BEST dog anyone could ever have wished for!!

He's a joy to own, was EASY PEASY to train and is a true mummys boy!! He'll be 2 in August and he has grown up to be a strapping, stunning young man (I might be a bit biased!!

)

He was fine with my Ex's 5yr old daughter infact loved her and would try and sit on her lap and squish her!! He doesn't realise h is 10 stone!!

Anyway here are a few piccys of him... please feel free to ask any more questions that you have...

As a puppy..

Growing up..

Sea Going Doggie...

In the snow...

Now..

I have THOUSANDS more pics but I sha't overload or bore you further!! LOL!!

 

[Malibu]

Pm me if you want any advice or contacts, a good firend of mine owns and bred the uk champion and is very respected breeder, could pass on contacts if you need them.
x