Ridgeback Puppy

Link to rescue site

Good luck

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Anyone have any experience with Ridgebacks?

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I have had Rhodesians my entire adult life they are great dogs. They have tons of energy (both mental and physical) that has to be used. They do have almost infinite stamina and can be wicked fast in a sprint, they are actually coursed in some countries. They will let you know if they aren't getting enough exercise since they are excellent diggers when bored.

They are great, loving, powerful and loyal dogs but they demand a strong hand during obedience training. They can be stubborn.

The first one I had I took to obedience training and it was in a large metal building, a few weeks in there was a boxer beside us in the class that kept barking at Shaka. Shaka rarely barked but finally he gave up and looked at the boxer and let out a signature bark (the one they bay lions with) it rattled around in the metal building and every dog and human there just froze for several seconds. The boxer didn't bark at him any more. The funny thing is Shaka never came out of sit, just turned his head and had a word with the boxer.

All my Ridgebacks have been big babies and loved meeting new people (some can be rather protective, mine have all been around dogs but not people) but I have had more than one person be deathly afraid of them at first, not because they were big dogs but because they thought the ridge was their hackles standing up.

They are used to hunt lions in Africa

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That has been my experience with them, except the ones I've known all love laying around instead of running everywhere

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Mine have all had a hound mentality, they will lay around the house and sleep all day but when they are outside they would never stop. I had two litter mates (a ridgeless bitch and a show worthy dog) that would hunt squirrels all day. Nandi would get in front of them and keep their attention and Bantu would work his way behind them until he was close enough to pounce, I lost count of all they caught.

As for children, dogs and skittishness, it comes down to training and socialization. Mine were socialized young around lots of people, kids and dogs and the only trait I ever saw was they didn't like unattended dogs. So if a random dog showed up without a human he or she was going to leave the property. I have never seen a Rhoaddy that was skittish that had not been abused, they are one of the fearless dogs by breeding. Some are definitely aloof around strangers though. They are large, powerful extremely agile dogs that I think it was the show Dogs 101 that dubbed them the SEALS of the dog kingdom so they need to be trained and be fully aware that they have a boss (or bosses). An untrained or poorly trained Ridgeback will rule and possibly ruin your life. They are not apartment dogs you can just feed and water and have a bed for them to sleep in all day long.

Beautiful dog. Thanks for all the replies! I'm looking.