Rhodesian ridgeback

[Yeahsurewhatever]

Does anyone have any experience?
Would be interested to hear about your dogs. I'm really keen to get one but would love to know a bit more about the realities of its care.

My grandparents had one when I was little and he was a lovely dog but very boisterous and he did shed (small spiky hairs that stuck to fabric and were a nightmare to pick out!)

He had a lovely nature and was great with kids but he didn’t see many other dogs and would try and race off to greet any that they met on a walk.

I’d say you need to be an experienced dog owner and make sure you properly train and socialise as a pup.

Vizlas have the reputation of being the most sensitive of the hprs.... (and in my opinion the most nutty but that's only based on my friends 1 so not a fair reflection on whole breed really!)

I would say 6 hours split up by a walker would be fine. I know my friends one would be fine with that and my gsps would be too (as adults, not puppies as no puppy would cope with that when tiny)

I know three and they're all huge dopey softies! Lovely dogs but must be brought up right

An hour a day won’t be anywhere near enough for some breeds mentioned on here.
Any breed of dog can hate being alone. What happens if you get one that can’t cope with being left? 4 hours max in total a day is recommended for adult dogs.

I think exercise wise an hour a day is fine for most dogs - I honestly think they adapt to what you give them.

My beagle gets an hour or so off-lead every morning and he's fine with that. Some days he gets more or is out with us all day but one walk where he has the chance to run about, sniff and play is plenty.

I had one. He was a rescue at 5 years old, and I suspect mistreated (flinched at sudden movements sometimes). He was the bravest, kindest, most intelligent dog ever.
He was my dog, and I was his person. He was always much closer to me than XH, and apparently it’s typical of them to identify one owner. He was gentle and patient, even when strangers decided to try to let their dc ride him. He was so gentle with my 2 dc, and would go over to support them physically when they were learning to sit up and later to walk. He was protective (never aggressive but would position himself between me and my aggressive neighbour for instance, and growled at strange men hiding in the bushes when I walk him at night) but I know he would never do more than give a convincing warning. He fended off 2 pit bulls that were set on him just using his paws, so I’m confident biting wasn’t in his nature, nor necessary for him. He understood everything I said to him, not just regular commands (I could ask him to take houseguests to the shop and he would!) He was a big, gentle brave giant. I’d have another in a heartbeat.

The only one I’ve known bit a neighbour passing by on his bike. Later we learned it has previously savaged and killed loads of sheep in one go. There must be nice ones but that has rather tainted the breed to me.

I doubt his first owner was great. I suspect he was hit, and he was abandoned aged 5. I think how he turned out is down to him, and to our bond. I think choosing him as an adult helped: we clicked straight away. I think it was fate- I was looking for a medium sized puppy but fell in love with him with minutes to spare before he was due to be pets because no one wanted him , though I wasn’t told that until later.

*pts not pets!

Really sad to hear all these horror stories. I have two now and have had one previously They are IME beautiful, intelligent, loyal and sensitive dogs. Ours get 90 mins a day exercise and are perfect in the house. They have always lived with kids and are greta with other dogs. Slightly aloof with people but never aggressive. They need consistent training as pups.

Had my first one as a first dog when I was also a new mum (and a young one), took her to loads of training classes and she was literally the perfect dog. Only ever had RRs and would never get another breed.

I see one on occasions while out walking my dog and previous experience of this VERY strong and boisterous dog and it's apathetic owner means that we turn around and walk in the opposite direction if we see it ahead (it's owner is usually to be found sitting on a bench while the dog runs unencumbered).

We had one, even as a puppy he was huge, we've always gree up with dogs, always trained to the T and never had a problem. Hut this Rhodesian ridge back was a nightmare, he attacked my 9 year old sister, unharmed but she was extremely scared, he attack my mum, me and my brother.

Wouldnt reccomend one especially as a family dog.

We were in the thought process of rehoming him, but he got our of the house and got ran over and killed, by a man going at least 50 in a 30.

Slightly relieved he went as he was so vicious, but also was very upset he went the way he did.

I'm a vet in South Africa so I see lots of them. PILs have six. I think they are beautiful dogs.

They are big, 40kg plus.
Very boisterous especially as young dogs.
Not awfully bright.
Very soft, love sofas and chairs and really into their comfort. Hate to be wet or cold.
Need a good walk or two (in pleasant weather of course and will then flake out snoring for 22 hours.
Do shed, short spiky red hairs but are in themselves very clean and easy to keep clean with their short satin coat.
Often quite self-centred, tend to please themselves which makes them quite hard to train.
Very rarely aggressive ime.
One of those breeds where bitches seem easier than dogs, I find.

I really think that you increase the chances of finding a very nice individual if you choose a breed that is popular where you are. I have an Irish setter from Ireland... wouldn't look for another one here in SA as the gene pool is just too small. Equally I've known a couple of RRs in Ireland and I didn't think they were nice examples of the breed.

Some really sad stories. My experience is totally different. We have a ridgeback bitch, she's a big, strong animal, but soft as a feather, especially when it comes to kids. My 16 month old ds loves her to bits and she adores him too. Shes very patient with him, as we teach him how important it is to be gentle with animals.

In my experience they are very trainable, need as much mental stimulation as physical exercise, are very bright and can be very cheeky. Also you cant leave anything edible lying around. I wouldn't recommend them for anyone likely to be out for several hours at a time though, they do like company, or at least ours does.

I agree with the comments about needing to be an experienced owner though, our girl has a tendency to put herself between me and any perceived danger. So far the list of dangerous things includes the Hoover and a long handled feather duster, which clearly isn't actually a threat. Obviously that kind of guarding can escalate into behaviour that isn't suitable for a family dog so that is something we are working on with her. They are not a dog for a first time dog owner, but in the right hands I think they make wonderful family dogs.

If you want low shedding and great with kids then a whippet would be perfect.. Probably doesn’t fit with the ‘proper’ dog requirement though.

I used to train them to become guide dogs. Lovely breed. Do need a lot of activity and care.

Have you looked at Hungarian Vizslar's they are the most amazing, intelligent dogs, superb with children very loving and lots of energy

Worked in a vet surgery for years. All the ridgeback were absolutely fine. Strong on the lead some of them (not trained) but none if these horror stories here. Mind you i have no such stories for any bread. The snappiest and most difficult ime are JR and pugs and frenchies.

Is it true that they are born with Spina Bifada (SP) and this is what causes the ridge in the back ?

My RR is 8 years old and she's an absolute pain in the back side unless she's just sat protecting you. We got her at 15 weeks old from a breeder and had met her mother who seemed fine. We picked her over her jumpy sister and wished we hadn't. She came over to us but was a nervous puppy. When we got her home she would sit and stare at my husband while sitting next to me until she got to know him or sit under the table when we had visitors.
She doesn't like strangers at all but loves her immediately family (I have 2 young kids 9 and 5) plus 3 other dogs (spaniels and a lab) shes made our life harder work than it should be and I wouldn't recommend getting one unless u were alone and wanted some secure company. We 've tried to rehome her over the years on 2 occasions. Once when we had our second child as she wasn't too happy and another not long ago as she was attacking the other dogs. We Jst have to put up with it until the end though, a dog is for life, not just until you can't cope with it 🙈 spaniels and Labradors all the way x

I have two Rhodesian Ridgebacks - Earl who is 3 years old and Daphne who is 10 months old - both beautiful dogs, very strong and Powerful - they are both really affectionate and friendly, but Daphne still wants to play with everyone as she is still a puppy, a very big puppy. Only get a Ridgeback after you have met a few, to make sure they are the breed for you. They are not aggressive dogs but because of their size people think they are.
Feel free to come and meet them and know what you would be taking on - Dusty

We got a Ridgeback when my oldest was 2.5 and I was 6 months pregnant. They are highly active dogs and strong personalities. If you are willing to train it and ensure proper exercise then it will be an amazing companion. Our boy adored our kids. My 4 year old did story club with him daily and snuggled on the couch reading books. As with any large dog, obviously you don't leave them alone with kids. If exercised, trained and not tormented by kids it will be an amazing family pet. We used a doggie daycare to ensure our guy had his exercise needs met. Good luck in your search.

I've got a 7 year-old Ridgeback, had since a puppy and he's super-relaxed and a lovely temperament.

Adores people, since he looks unusual people always stop and say hi so he thinks the whole world is there to cuddle him.

He is very chilled at home, sleeps on the sofa all day. We have cats with no problem.

They're a hound so not an obedient breed, but with training and food rewards will do (mostly!) what you want. They are very bonded to their people so good for families where there's someone home most of the time.

As a puppy they are big, naughty and a handful to walk. Don't think they're necessarily worse than other puppies but because of their size they can jump high, bite hard and knock people over.

I think they're a great breed if you know what you're getting into. You'll never go back to a different breed once you've had one If you give a rough area of the country we can point you to some ridgeback social groups?