Rhodesian Ridgebacks

[lute]

Great links =) I found a VERY good breeder right in my area, they are only a few minutes from the shelter. Thank you!

I doubt purchasing a puppy will happen anytime soon as my family is planning to adopt a shelter cat this summer. I have already checked petfinder.com for Ridgebacks in our area, that was actually the first site I went to and they didn't have any puppies. I'd want a puppy to train myself, as this isn't the easiest breed of dog to handle. I also checked the Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue site and they don't even have dogs in NJ, there is only 1 in PA and it's 7 years old. We just don't want to go through putting a senior dog to sleep again so soon, so if I were even to get a dog I want a puppy.

More than likely the only Ridgeback puppy you won't get from a breeder would be out of rescue. Animal Shelters never get Ridgeback puppies. They aren't an overly common breed. Keep checking rescues!

[Suki Wingy]

My aunt had a ridgeback mix that was very, very dear to them. She passed away from lung cancer about a year and a half ago now. She had her issues but she was a very loving dog. (Not to mention she wasn't really socialized)

[Aston]

Pls don´t beat me, but imo ridgebacks are not very smart dogs. I´ve had two and I have a very good friend that is a breeder of ridgebacks and share the same opinion, they are very independent dogs, very stuburn and very dificult to train.

[lute]

Pls don´t beat me, but imo ridgebacks are not very smart dogs. I´ve had two and I have a very good friend that is a breeder of ridgebacks and share the same opinion, they are very independent dogs, very stuburn and very dificult to train.

Some dogs may seen not too bright because they are hard headed and stubborn. BUT they are in fact smarter than you think. I have yet to meet a dumb Ridgeback. Chloe, my ridgeback mix has to have a reason to do something before she will do it. You can tell she is thinking before she acts. If I give her a command sometimes she looks at me as if to say "Why? This won't accomplish anything." The dogs are more or less out smarting YOU. I feel the same about Siberian Huskies. After owning Gracie she showed me that sibe's are not "crazy" as some people say. They simply need a very good reason to do something. I think there are some dogs that don't have it all put together. I believe there is mentally handicapped dogs. I don't think a whole breed is dumb though. You just have to look at things from the dog's point of view.

[Aston]

Some dogs may seen not too bright because they are hard headed and stubborn. BUT they are in fact smarter than you think. I have yet to meet a dumb Ridgeback. Chloe, my ridgeback mix has to have a reason to do something before she will do it. You can tell she is thinking before she acts. If I give her a command sometimes she looks at me as if to say "Why? This won't accomplish anything." The dogs are more or less out smarting YOU. I feel the same about Siberian Huskies. After owning Gracie she showed me that sibe's are not "crazy" as some people say. They simply need a very good reason to do something. I think there are some dogs that don't have it all put together. I believe there is mentally handicapped dogs. I don't think a whole breed is dumb though. You just have to look at things from the dog's point of view.

Hi lute

I understand and agree with almost all your comments. the problem (for Me) is that I don't like independent dogs that need a very good reason to do something. I like devoted, obedient and smart dogs that have pleasure just for pleasing their owners. I also understand that we normally use expressions like "he's not dumb, he only likes to do what he wants" to justify our hard headed friends - that's normal, no one likes to admit their dog is dumb. I'm almost 50 years old, I've been also a breeder and trainer of several breeds, and I´ve had dogs all my life, I think I can now after all these years know some genetic characteristics of the breeds ( at least the ones I've worked with). Apart from this, Ridgebacks are beautiful dogs.

[lute]

Hi lute

I understand and agree with almost all your comments. the problem (for Me) is that I don't like independent dogs that need a very good reason to do something. I like devoted, obedient and smart dogs that have pleasure just for pleasing their owners. I also understand that we normally use expressions like "he's not dumb, he only likes to do what he wants" to justify our hard headed friends - that's normal, no one likes to admit their dog is dumb. I'm almost 50 years old, I've been also a breeder and trainer of several breeds, and I´ve had dogs all my life, I think I can now after all these years know some genetic characteristics of the breeds ( at least the ones I've worked with). Apart from this, Ridgebacks are beautiful dogs.

I'm only 20 yrs old. I have had dogs all my life as well. I've rescued over 200 dogs in the last 6 years. I also show dogs in AKC conformation. I have shown many many breeds and have finished some AKC Championships. I have not bred my own litter as of yet, but work with some amazing breeders that teach me everything they know. I worked at a veterinary clinic for some time. Learned a lot about canine health and taught the vet a lot about different breeds and their characteristics. I learned to read from DogFancy magazines. I have literally dedicated my life to learning absolutely everything about the dog. It's movement, temperment, genetics, body language, etc. I think I should know a plenty about the breeds I have worked with.

The Ridgeback is not your breed. I like a challenging dog. That's perfectly fine and I'm not trying to start anything. But coming to this board with the "know it all" attitude will get you in trouble. Give advice. You have a lot to share. You may also learn something here too. Some of us here are not up there is age, but we know our dogs. I for one do not think my dog is dumb. She is not. She is hard headed. That is her breed characteristic. If hard headed dogs are dumb why is it that most Sibes, Mals, etc are the hardest dogs to train? Are these breeds dumb because of their hard headedness?

[Aston]

First of all, I think this is a board where we can share our opinions (Isn't it ???). I've started my intervention in this thread by stating imo ( in my humble opinion). So what's your problem lute? You can't be angry with everybody that doesn't share your point of view, calm down my friend, you are too young, life is hard and there's no need for this kind of resentments.