anyone own a Rhodesian Ridgeback?

[MikeMike]

Looking into dogs for the future, and the RR seems to be something that would work... a large dog, with short hair... issues seem to be the fact that it must be excersized, and properly trained, but both of those are normal for any dog... also does not seem to have any major problems with the breed, other than the Dermoid Sinus issues.

so, post up your experience!

 

[tboo]

I had one when I was a kid. They are very loyal & protective of their family, & need plenty of exercise. I dont remeber ours shedding much at all-they have very short coats. Ours wasnt a big fan of Wisconsin winters, though. These dogs were bred to help hunt lions. Thus they have a huge scruff, & are very strong.

Great dogs but not for first time dog owners. If you have dog experience then I say go for it.

 

[kranky]

My sister-in-law owned one. She is very experienced with dogs but had a tough time keeping that one in line. Don't underestimate how much exercise it will need. It also liked to jump on people which terrified kids because of its size.

 

[Snapster]

I used to have one, male.

They are very, very loyal and territorially proud of the family unit. As for exercise, they need lots as they never seem to run out of energy. I used to go on walks for a couple of hours as he would run up and down river banks, paths etc and would only stop for a quick drink, never tired. For training I suggest you get the name a good trainer as they are very independent and strong willed, and need someone who will understand how to deal with them properly.

I've had a great dane before and I can say they can match and possibly can be more powerful as they are very well built and muscular, after all they were bred for lion hunting. Generally there are no problems with the breed and I don't recall any major issues other than the hassle of trying to clip his claws (especially dew claws), he hated that!

 

[MikeMike]

not a first time dog owner, as a kid we had a very laid back german shepherd beagle mix, and the gf currently has a weim

 

[Capt Caveman]

I had two, down to one.

Great dogs but very stubborn and independent that needs a strong master willing to put in a lot of obedience training.

Not a dog you want offleash unless you are far away from traffic and they have an excellent recall.

One of mine shed a lot while the other didn't. When they were younger, I could never tire them out. I could take them running for 5 miles in the morning then take them for a 10 mile mountain bike ride and they'd still want more exercise.

But as they got older, they became very chill.

 

[vi edit]

I've got one that's a little bit of a lab mutt. She's a great dog. They have a short, wirey coat but it still sheds worse than you would expect. And since it's really wirey it sticks in clothing and fabric and doesn't wash out easily. Unlike softer stuff you can use a lint roller on.

One of the awesome things about ridgebacks is that they don't bark. Unless it's something that is really freaking important.

They are very smart, but very stubborn. So discipline school is essential early on.

Since they are in the hound family they have two fundamental priorities that override just about anything else. Sniffing out food and chasing shit. If you leave even the smallest scrap of food burried in a backpack or suitcase you'll come home to a disaster. If you have food on the counter and turn your back it will be gone.

If you have a rabbit, squirrel, cat, whatever in the yard they'll go after it.

That's just how they are.

But they are really loyal, loving, protective animals that are great with kids and really like to play and get out and run.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: vi edit
I've got one that's a little bit of a lab mutt. She's a great dog. They have a short, wirey coat but it still sheds worse than you would expect. And since it's really wirey it sticks in clothing and fabric and doesn't wash out easily. Unlike softer stuff you can use a lint roller on.

One of the awesome things about ridgebacks is that they don't bark. Unless it's something that is really freaking important.

They are very smart, but very stubborn. So discipline school is essential early on.

Since they are in the hound family they have two fundamental priorities that override just about anything else. Sniffing out food and chasing shit. If you leave even the smallest scrap of food burried in a backpack or suitcase you'll come home to a disaster. If you have food on the counter and turn your back it will be gone.

If you have a rabbit, squirrel, cat, whatever in the yard they'll go after it.

That's just how they are.

But they are really loyal, loving, protective animals that are great with kids and really like to play and get out and run.

Yep, Ridgebacks are a both scent and sight hound which can be a hard task to keep under control.

 

[randay]

isnt that a honda?

 

[cheezy321]

My parents have a part Rhodesian Ridgeback. Shes a mutt, but she basically looks like a smaller version of the RR.

She is insanely loyal to us, and loves to play ball. One of our favorite tricks about her was that she could open all the doors in the house. Became quite a pain in the ass, but once the doggie door was put in, she used it just fine. Is very wary of strangers, but never bit anyone or acted out. She always listened to us, but we made sure to train her right from the beginning. Like everyone says, they are insatiable when it would come to exercise. I could run 3 miles with the dog and she wouldn't even be tired! She is the independent alpha dog of the house, but she loves to cuddle when she is tired. She is seriously obsessed with her red ball!

I dont get to play with her as much as I used to, but every time I go home I always make sure to play some ball. Shes about 6 years old now, and I can finally tire her out with excercise! It takes about 30 minutes of throwing it, but as of a couple weeks ago I have finally been able to get her to quit. She NEVER did it before in the 5+ years I have played ball with her.

Overall: great dog, doesnt shed much, very loyal to owners, always listened to our commands. Was the alpha dog of the house and keeps the other 2 dogs (Shiba-Inu(I think) and Mini Dachshund) in check.

 

[uclaLabrat]

Have one coming in about two months. Can't freaking wait.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: cheezy321
My parents have a part Rhodesian Ridgeback. Shes a mutt, but she basically looks like a smaller version of the RR.

She is insanely loyal to us, and loves to play ball. One of our favorite tricks about her was that she could open all the doors in the house. Became quite a pain in the ass, but once the doggie door was put in, she used it just fine. Is very wary of strangers, but never bit anyone or acted out. She always listened to us, but we made sure to train her right from the beginning. Like everyone says, they are insatiable when it would come to exercise. I could run 3 miles with the dog and she wouldn't even be tired! She is the independent alpha dog of the house, but she loves to cuddle when she is tired. She is seriously obsessed with her red ball!

I dont get to play with her as much as I used to, but every time I go home I always make sure to play some ball. Shes about 6 years old now, and I can finally tire her out with excercise! It takes about 30 minutes of throwing it, but as of a couple weeks ago I have finally been able to get her to quit. She NEVER did it before in the 5+ years I have played ball with her.

Overall: great dog, doesnt shed much, very loyal to owners, always listened to our commands. Was the alpha dog of the house and keeps the other 2 dogs (Shiba-Inu(I think) and Mini Dachshund) in check.

Playing fetch must be the mix part of her. I've never met a Rhodesian Ridgeback interested in playing fetch. Mine and others would chase after it and would only take it and run with it to keep other dogs from getting it.

I used to Lure Course mine and at one point they were ranked 7th and 8th nationally.

 

[cheezy321]

Originally posted by: Capt Caveman

Originally posted by: cheezy321
My parents have a part Rhodesian Ridgeback. Shes a mutt, but she basically looks like a smaller version of the RR.

She is insanely loyal to us, and loves to play ball. One of our favorite tricks about her was that she could open all the doors in the house. Became quite a pain in the ass, but once the doggie door was put in, she used it just fine. Is very wary of strangers, but never bit anyone or acted out. She always listened to us, but we made sure to train her right from the beginning. Like everyone says, they are insatiable when it would come to exercise. I could run 3 miles with the dog and she wouldn't even be tired! She is the independent alpha dog of the house, but she loves to cuddle when she is tired. She is seriously obsessed with her red ball!

I dont get to play with her as much as I used to, but every time I go home I always make sure to play some ball. Shes about 6 years old now, and I can finally tire her out with excercise! It takes about 30 minutes of throwing it, but as of a couple weeks ago I have finally been able to get her to quit. She NEVER did it before in the 5+ years I have played ball with her.

Overall: great dog, doesnt shed much, very loyal to owners, always listened to our commands. Was the alpha dog of the house and keeps the other 2 dogs (Shiba-Inu(I think) and Mini Dachshund) in check.

Playing fetch must be the mix part of her. I've never met a Rhodesian Ridgeback interested in playing fetch. Mine and others would chase after it and would only take it and run with it to keep other dogs from getting it.

I used to Lure Course mine and at one point they were ranked 7th and 8th nationally.

yeah, we adopted her from a rescue shelter so we really have no idea what she is. Its basically just a guess at what she is, but she definitely has many traits of a RR.

I found an old picture of her!
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This picture is about 4 years old.

 

[vi edit]

Do any other ridgeback owners have dogs that like disemboweling stuffed animals? She doesn't maul, chew, or tug on stuffed animals. She very meticulously nips at the head or legs of them and then proceeds to burry her nose into the middle and pulls out every piece of stuffing she can find.

Doesn't matter what shape or size of the stuffed toy. You always come back to limp drooled on carcass and very neatly placed pile of stuffed animal guts.

 

[Capt Caveman]

Originally posted by: vi edit
Do any other ridgeback owners have dogs that like disemboweling stuffed animals? She doesn't maul, chew, or tug on stuffed animals. She very meticulously nips at the head or legs of them and then proceeds to burry her nose into the middle and pulls out every piece of stuffing she can find.

Doesn't matter what shape or size of the stuffed toy. You always come back to limp drooled on carcass and very neatly placed pile of stuffed animal guts.

My guys liked biting off their eyes or any buttons then ripping a hole in the back to pull out their stuffing and squeaker.

The only thing that ever lasted were the all white fleece stuffed toys.

 

[AndrewR]

We have a RR mix (1/2 RR, 1/2 Belgian Malinois), and she's wonderful but fits the descriptions above about being stubborn and very strong. She's quite smart and a bit of a kleptomaniac, mainly when she's angry and wants to prove it. On the good side, she's wonderful with our daughter (now 5) even when she was a toddler, and she loves people in general. She's a very loving dog and extremely loyal, especially to me as the alpha.

We did take her to several obedience classes, and she's smart enough to understand the commands. It just depends on whether she's in the mood to listen to you.

Healthwise, she's doing fairly well except for hip dysplasia on both sides. She's slowed down from her puppy days, but she still has plenty of energy and is usually mistaken for a much younger dog.

Originally posted by: vi edit
Do any other ridgeback owners have dogs that like disemboweling stuffed animals? She doesn't maul, chew, or tug on stuffed animals. She very meticulously nips at the head or legs of them and then proceeds to burry her nose into the middle and pulls out every piece of stuffing she can find.

Doesn't matter what shape or size of the stuffed toy. You always come back to limp drooled on carcass and very neatly placed pile of stuffed animal guts.

LOL!! When ours was a pup, she discovered that our comforter had developed a hole in it. We caught her several times sitting patiently at the foot of the bed, pulling stuffing out of the hole and making a pile! We also long ago decided that she could have served as a toy tester for allegedly "aggressive chewer" toys after she annihilated an "aggressive chewer" toy in about 60 seconds. That marked the end of stuffed animals in our household.

 

[BrunoPuntzJones]

Keep them away from white farmers!