Posted: 4/5/2008 7:43:07 PM EDT
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Does anybody have one of these or know much about them? We have been discussing getting a dog lately and have yet to decide on a breed. I encountered one of these today at a customers home and really took to it. This dog seemed to have the perfect temperament for me and from the reading I have done this would seem to be the standard. So any of you guys have any experience with this breed of dog you could share? |
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One of my customers has one and brings it in the shop everyday. It's the same age (2years old) as my Heeler/Husky mix and they really like each other and play very well together. The Ridgeback is very quite and you can't tell that he's a young dog by the way he carry's himself. He's very mild tempered but he's huge... He probably weighs somewhere around 120 lbs... He'll knock you over if he runs by you! I have heard him bark at my dog when they play and he really lets you know he's there. My customer told me that you have to really dominate them or they will take control as his did to the previous owner... that's about all I know! Pretty cool dog! - Clint |
<--- 9yr old 90lb female RR Anything in particular you want to know? My wife saw the thread and helped with the following: - They are hell on wheels (attitude/energy wise) for the first year or two, then mellow out dramatically. - Once they pass puppy hood, they tend to be aloof towards strangers and other dogs. - Very smart, and form/need very strong attachments with the family. - They are not 'kennel dogs', and are happiest when always underfoot. Ours follows us from room to room. - They tend to be very clean, even cat-like fussy about staying clean... - They are very trainable, but not the 'snap-to' response like one expects from a lab/shepherd/etc. - They will obey, but expect them to offer a complaint or slow response if they don't feel like doing what your asking. - They 'train' better from food bribes than force or threats... try and force them and they will either shutdown or call you on it. - They are very vocal, but not barkers. They don't nervous bark, so if you hear them, something warrants checking out. - They fight with their paws, and can sneak a round-house from nowhere that will bring a tear to your eye!  |
Thanks this confirms what I have read on them and the vibe I picked up from the customers dog. How are they around children? I have a six and two year old and do not want a breed that is prone to snap at chidren. From what I observed with the dog I encountered today this breed seems perfect for me as long as they do well with kids. |
As previously stated, they are loyal to their 'pack' in the extreme. You must assume full responsibility for training and assuring your place as the 'Alpha'. Once you've done this your children have nothing to fear from the dog...Hell, after you've established your dominance, the only fear will come from someone stupid enough to threaten your children! |
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I always recommend people checking out a rescue organization first. They have them for all the breeds. www.ridgebackrescue.org/ |
They aren't a very nippy breed in general. And I've never heard of any issues with the breed and kids, especially when raised with children. Ours wasn't raised with small children, but is around them a few weeks a year at extended family gatherings and always suffers their attention stoically. That said, they are big dogs and biting aside, their tail is like a whip, punches pack a wallop and they mule kick from the rear, so we always keep a close eye on her when around the munchkins. |
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I picked one up (adopted) from my local humane society shelter, neutered, when he was 8 mos. old. Not purebred(I think) but close - he's got enough in him to have the right color and that famous 'ridge' when alerted or agitated. Behavior and temperament also closely resembles the breed. Best dog I've ever had the privilege to know. One year later, he's Extremely loyal to the core, loving and patient. I have an 8 yo and a wife that is a little shy around dogs, but "Ridge" has never, ever even insinuated a growl or aggression toward *any* human being, even strangers. I do, however, maintain dominance reminders on a regular basis, like moving in on his food to test reaction. He's 65 lbs. now, VERY energetic(exercise mandatory), curious intelligent stare - wants to know everything I'm doing and be everywhere w/me; extremely PLAYFUL & obedient, runs like the dickens even on his own(give him a stick), robust/muscular - aesthetically a beautiful dog to watch run and do his thing patrolling the perimeter. Barks only when there is truly another presence is sensed, so he's very tolerable in the house. WE absolutely can't stand yappy dogs. Ditto on their tail! Very strong like whip, but nice form. Also, ditto on the fact that these are TOUGH and BRAVE dogs. Bark scorpions don't faze him (I read they're immune to poisonous insect bites). Shakes his muzzle a few secs and like nothing  He also hunted down a few in my living room. Last week he ran off away from me before I could react and dove into a pack of eight javelinas  (OH lord, please help him!) but after only 2 seconds worth of scrapping came away almost unscathed except for three deep puncture wounds on his butt that I'm keeping clean and disinfected daily. HE could've had some serious open gashing wounds. He never even whines/yelps when in pain.To sum up, a fantastic dog for an energetic owner/family who has no qualms about making sure they show him who's boss. Cons - The Few I can think of: (as in many dogs) LIKE TO CHEW/WILL CHEW THROUGH ALMOST ANYTHING! - watch for that. For some reason cows - and the mere sound of cows - really gets his attention. Once he sees a cow, I can't call him back. They're irresistible. Somewhat delicate stomach in my experience. Try to feed a measured regular diet with as few changes in food or feeding times as possible. Vomiting and diarrhea can result. Do not overfeed this breed. They will eat like there's no tomorrow if you allow them. I hope this was of some help.  Now go get one of your very own. I'd have FOUR of these dogs if I could afford them. |
What happened in the third pic? |
One of the things is you must assert that you are the master or you will get walked all over. That is true with all dogs though. |
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I friend of mine has one. He is a great dog. He is very smart and a good protector. The poor guy got out of the yard when a cable repairman left the gate open. He was missing for 37 days during the winter. We looked for him every day. He was found by a woman walking her dog. He was in a patch of bushes...frozen to the ground. A vet came to the site to free him. It was a rough 2 weeks before he got better. He now has a few scares, but he is the same old dog as before. I would get one but I have many dogs in my home already. |
She had 6 months of chemo for lymphatic cancer, which has been in full remission for several years now. The sutures were from the removal of several tumors that seemed to develop as a side effect of the treatments. |
Some great points here! Ours was never a chewer... but is a grass eater and a compulsive paw licker.  Cows huh? Ours has the exact opposite reaction... she goes into complete denial of the presence of any cow. It's the weirdest thing. She won't even look at them as if she doesn't want to make eye contact. I think it's guilt from all the beef she eats. Now horses are a different matter. I think she believes them to be longer legged Rhodesians and she'll run with them as long as we (or the horses) let her. And you are spot on with the 'sensitive stomach' note. They need good quality, consistent feed, otherwise you will be rewarded with projections from either (or both) ends. We have gotten damn good at recognizing her pre-puke 'Joker face' and can usually get a trash can under her in time to save the carpet. |
Holy crap! They are pretty cold sensitive to begin with, he must have been hating life for those 37 days! |
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Ive had Zouga 52Kg male for four years I can't imagine a more loyal companion and definately the best dog I have ever owned. as mentioned before he doesn't bark but lets out a low growl when he senses something and is allways on watch protecting his folks. he was the first thing to greet my new born son when he came home from hospital and now lives for him they are best buddies forever. he loves to be near you touching is better though. they will try to take an oponent down with a shoulder barge when playing making you look a complete idiot you aint going to out run a RR. a very smart breed capable of problem solving and team work. check out Imbali ridge backs in the uk a good resource for RR info and Sue Craigie has writen a great ridge back training programme. IM me if you have any specific questions Nick |
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Kallnojoy, How in the heck did javilinas make it to Virginia....or is your screen name reflecting that you now live in Kalifornia............they are all along the TXMeX border -- and they will try and kill any dog they can get to......some killed a tethered dog at a campsite in Three Rivers State Park about two weeks ago here in TX -- guess the tourists did not now that if you feed javilinas at campsites, they will come for any food....... AS for RR's -- I have been around quite a few -- great dog and my next dog when my current protector/friend passes on in a few years..its true that IF they bark, they mean for you to come check out what is happening....... |
stickbow, you didn't know Virginia is crawling with Javilinas? They were first brought here by early Spanish explorers as concubine substitutes and were released to the wild when the Dutch arrived and showed how superior geese were. That, or you are mistaking me for M4C and his post above his RR in Arizona. |
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I had a friend who has three. As everyone has said - they are very intelligent, very loyal, and they are large. My friend also said they were doggie racists...and that if you put 100 random dogs in a room who'd never met, the two ridgebacks would link up, find another dog, start circling, bully it, etc. If I were in the witless protection progran, I would want to have a Ridge around. |
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Ditto to what has been said so far. Best dog I have had so far (out of Labs, GSD, and Collie). Mine loved to hunt and picked up hand signals in an afternoon of training. Watching her belly crawl across an open field to try and sneak up on a jackrabbit was amazing. All you could see moving was shoulder blades. She never actually caught one like that, but got within six feet dozens of times. They have a loud bark, like a stun grenade going off. Also, their short hair is very oily. If they sleep against a chair or sofa you will see a dark oil stain on it after a while. Tough to bathe, as the water runs right off. Make sure they are properly socialized with small children, as the hunting instinct is strong and spastic little munchkins look like rabbits. |