Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Thread starter NorthernHawkeye
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They look to be difficult. "Rhodesian Ridgebacks are hunting dogs with predatory instincts. ... In addition, Ridgebacks can be dominant or aggressive toward other dogs of the same sex. The strong temperament. Like all hunting hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have an independent mind of their own and are not pushovers to raise and train."
Sounds like a sex move on Urban Dictionary.
“My neck is sore as hell. Met a girl at the bar last night and I gave her a Rhodesian Ridgeback behind the dumpsters after closing.”
“My neck is sore as hell. Met a girl at the bar last night and I gave her a Rhodesian Ridgeback behind the dumpsters after closing.”
Years ago, I lived near a lady who had two of them. This was out in a rural, fairly remote area and she had them for protection and companionship.
Those suckers were all muscle and fairly aggressive, but totally under her control. I never saw them leave her property, but they would come right up to the “line” whenever we drove or walked by. This was well before the advent of invisible fencing.
That is one breed that I would not want chasing my ass.
Those suckers were all muscle and fairly aggressive, but totally under her control. I never saw them leave her property, but they would come right up to the “line” whenever we drove or walked by. This was well before the advent of invisible fencing.
That is one breed that I would not want chasing my ass.
All I know is they were originally bred to hunt lions. That pretty much tells me all I need to know.
That poor showdog with the poof cut would get devoured before her owner could lift her face up from the carton of Wendy's cheese fries.
A buddy of mine had a ridgeback/pitbull mix. She was an awesome dog and very friendly/mellow believe it or not.
Good friends of ours have one. Two small children...4 and less than a year. Higgins is just a big horse but Audrey - the 4 year old - shoves him out of her way. Great dog but his tail can break bones when it’s wagging.
I have a purebred ridgeback. Her temperament and personality are pretty much exactly as you will find it described when researching the breed. They are not a dog you would want to get as a first dog. You will need to spend time training them or they could be dangerous...if for nothing more than they could run you over or pull your arm out of socket with that 100lb, athletic frame. She is food-driven like a lab though so she's been fairly easy to train.
They make great exercise companions. She can run endlessly - although she's picked up a few lbs in her later years and she stalls a lot now with "pee breaks."
One thing I simply haven't been able to break her from is barking and appearing aggressive to strangers at the door. It can be annoying when new people we know are coming over but that said, I don't know that I mind that much. No one will be coming into my house without invitation while she's in it unless they've got a death wish.
She has the run of the house when we're gone and is a fantastic family dog. Got her when my kids were small and she's never been anything but great around them as they've grown into teenagers.
In summary. Great dog, would buy again.
They make great exercise companions. She can run endlessly - although she's picked up a few lbs in her later years and she stalls a lot now with "pee breaks."
One thing I simply haven't been able to break her from is barking and appearing aggressive to strangers at the door. It can be annoying when new people we know are coming over but that said, I don't know that I mind that much. No one will be coming into my house without invitation while she's in it unless they've got a death wish.
She has the run of the house when we're gone and is a fantastic family dog. Got her when my kids were small and she's never been anything but great around them as they've grown into teenagers.
In summary. Great dog, would buy again.
I think they’re a fantastic breed. It does take a lot of patience. Although it doesn’t take them long to become housebroken, they seem to keep a puppy-like mentality longer than most breeds. Most dogs kind of become grown up sometime around 1, with ridgies, it’s more like 3. They are absolutely amazing around kids. They just want to be part of the family. The exercise requirement is very high, but if they get it, they’re pretty chill the rest of the time. Watching them run and jump is fantastic.
The ones I’ve been around actually bark less than most dogs. If a stranger (to them) comes to the house, ridgebacks like to put themselves between their owner and that stranger. Subtle intimidation. Courage is not lacking with this breed.
Make sure you have a big yard. And make sure that yard has a very high fence. These dogs love nothing more than a good chase and will always try to make one happen.
The ones I’ve been around actually bark less than most dogs. If a stranger (to them) comes to the house, ridgebacks like to put themselves between their owner and that stranger. Subtle intimidation. Courage is not lacking with this breed.
Make sure you have a big yard. And make sure that yard has a very high fence. These dogs love nothing more than a good chase and will always try to make one happen.
We had one when I was growing up. He was great. Very protective of the yard, any animal came in ended up chased or dead, very strong prey drive. Very large, very strong. Someone would knock on the door, he'd hit the door paws up, which was shoulder height. Cleared many a solicitor off the front porch if the main door was open and the glass let them see in when he ran to the front door. Huge teeth when exposed, like two+ segments of your pinkie.
He was a very sweet dog once you were part of the pack or a known quantity. Till then, he'd stare at you with his gold eyes and he was focused. Never attacked a person though, but no question that he'd go after anyone who broke in. He needed SOME exercise, but not a ton. Definitely needs training, because they are VERY strong and pretty big. And they know it. But make great dogs IMO. Next dog I get, they are on the list as an option.
Ours was thicker/heavier set than this beauty
He was a very sweet dog once you were part of the pack or a known quantity. Till then, he'd stare at you with his gold eyes and he was focused. Never attacked a person though, but no question that he'd go after anyone who broke in. He needed SOME exercise, but not a ton. Definitely needs training, because they are VERY strong and pretty big. And they know it. But make great dogs IMO. Next dog I get, they are on the list as an option.
Ours was thicker/heavier set than this beauty
