Hi,
My brother and his girlfriend want to get a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy.Neither of them have lived with a dog since childhood and they have 2 young children(youngest is 8 months).They don't have access to the net so asked me to do some research.I found plenty but the overiding message was that they are not for the inexperienced or people with very young children.They insist that their children are well behaved with dogs(how you can tell at 8 months I don't know??)
They have read a couple of books and met one (Ridgeback)on a walk with the children and are pretty determined.I am a little concerned about their choice.
Are there any Ridgeback breeders who would be prepared to let a puppy go to a family in these circumstances?They are beautiful dogs and I can see why they are in love with the idea but I would value some opinions on the subject.If they do find a breeder prepared to let them have one will they be a responsible one?All advice gratefully received.................

Hello

Well I shall be interested to see your replies to this post.

I have a 6 month old boy and yet to come across any ridgebacks at CD. I can't really go giving advice as this is my first dog. However I will say that I have learnt the hard way as to why they maybe not the best choice for your first dog. Training has to be VERY consistant and some thought put into it beforehand but he is a good learner, I personally find him bloody hard work at times. Having said that he is a gorgeous dog and once you get past all that they a joy to own (so I've been told!!).

The books I've read say as long as they are trained to get on with children they love them but I have no kids so can't really comment on this.

The best thing I think they could do is get in touch with rr breeders/owners and go from there, making sure they do lots of research before getting a rr.

Where abouts do they live out of interest?

Good luck Rachel :)

Hi Rachel,
Thanks for your reply.I didn't know much about them myself untill we went to crufts,they were everywhere on the Saturday.What beautiful dogs.I am sure that they would be prapared for the training(although with 2 young kids I don't know where they'l find the time!!)and will make great dog owners.They have wanted a dog for years but have only just moved to a house big enough(in North Norfolk).
They did speak to one of the breed club secretaries and she did her best to put them off but they are still determined.Out of interest how much will a pup cost?Perhaps if that puts them off they might change their minds??

Hi There,
I currently own four R.R.`s, and have owned an R.R. for some time. I have always found them to have good temperaments with children and frail people, they often do well when brought up with children, but need respect, same as any dog. However as I am sure they`re aware they are a huge responsibility, and need good firm education and lots of exercise (not unlike children), and love peoples company. They have brought me years of pleasure and exercise. Good luck to your brother and family

I don't have RR's but have a good friend who is now on her 4th & 5th Ridgie. You can expect to pay from £500 upwards for a decently bred pup, £800+ from a good kennel....

As for children, I suppose it is like any breed, if they aren't socialised properly then they can be a handful. However from what I've seen of the breed, they are a strong breed physically & mentally, typical hound obstinacy!

Yeah a ridgeback owner hello to you

Four ridgebacks
Would love to know more about you and the dogs.

Rachel

though i agree that predominatly it is a socialisation thing for most dogs but my mother used to breed R.R. and she always kept them away from myself and my friends they were fine if she was around but they would not accept a child as being above them in the ranking which caused a lot of problems untill i was 12 or 13 at which point they would respect me and were fine but there were times when i was smaller that they bossed me and they went for my brother when he was a baby, but it was within a couple of days of him coming home from the hospital and their noses were out of joint the other thing we were trained not to do was lean over them they hate that

Thank you for all your replies.It would be enough to put me off but they seem determined for a challenge!Can anyone recommend any Ridgeback breeders?I will pass it on to them,many thanks,
Hazel

Well said.

I have had 2 RR's. One when I was a child. I was 6 when we got him and he was fantastic with me. Went everywhere with me, and was a my bodyguard. I also showed him as a child handler. We got him as a puppy and we grew up together.

The second one was a different story. Although he was my fathers dog, he had been in and out of my house all his life. When I had a child we started getting problems because he wouldn't accept him and would growl and back into a corner. Consequently we could never leave them alone together. Becasue of this and other problems I have recently had to rehome him. I suspect if he had been a puppy when my son arrived we would have been fine.

So there you have both sides of the coin.

I would say that I think they are fantastic dogs, being loyal, willing and active, but generally very quiet adn very good guard dogs. However as someone else said you have to determine the pack ranking very early on and stick to it as they will not just push the boundaries but charge them. Plenty of training is also required. I would not recommend one for a novice or first time owner.

Thanks for all the advice.I have emphasised all the points to them and nothing seems to be putting them off, they are off to see some pups tonight thanks to someones kind help on this board.We are getting our puppy in a few weeks and although they live quite far from us we have regular visits to the coast and the 2 puppies will hopefully be great friends.So if anyone sees a Boxer and a Ridgeback puppy on the beach between Sherringham and Cromer this summer you'l know it's us!

I know you've had a lot of info already - recommend that once your friends gets a puppy that she ensure she register at a reputable local dog training class - did wonders for me and my young male ridgeback (now 10months old). He's beautiful and a joy to have , but frimness and fairness are essential in the training - just ensure you avoid anyone who tells you to hit or punish a ridgeback( there are some unsavoury trainers out there still) - ridgebacks need respect ,they never forget and are too intelligent to fool for long. I actually got my ridgeback from a great lady based in North Norfolk, so if your friend wants to contact her , or would like advice from me - let me know.
Good practical books for new owners are Ann Chamblain Rhodesian Ridgeback ISBN 1902389271 and The Rhodesian Ridgeback , by Eileen Bailey ISBN1582450110
both have great tips and insights into owning and caring for Ridgebacks - including the uniqueness of the breed .

Hi,
Thanks for all the advice.They got their puppy last week from a breeder in north Norfolk.The breeder is wonderful and only 10 mins away so no worries there.They seem determined to make it work and are looking in to training classes.My main concern was that they got a puppy from the best source and they have done that thanks to Champdogs.Many thanks again,
Hazel