While RRs have steadily gained in popularity over the last decade, many individuals want one based solely on their physical appearance - it is not until they have the puppy in hand that they realize that this really is not an easy breed to live with.
So you (think you) want a ridgeback?
Some (not so) random musings about things to think about BEFORE you get a puppy...
THE BREED
Apart from the fact that they are short coated larger dogs with a cool feature running down their back (note: approximately 5% of RRs are ridgeless), how much do you really know about the breed? Please take your time and LEARN about the breed (beyond its physical attributes) BEFORE you decide you want an RR.
Did you know that RRs were bred to work (in a pack) independently of man? Working independently of man has resulted in a breed that is an independent thinker that is programmed to achieve its goals, not yours. Do you know why you should care about this trivia? You should care because it affects how you train your dog and should mitigate your expectations and understanding about the breed. If you put dog breed personality on a circular scale, if you think of where you would put breeds like Golden Retrievers or German Shepherd dogs (or any other breed that was designed to work closely with man), find the point on the opposite side of the scale (diametrically opposed) and that it where the RR would be found. When you are working with/training RRs there has to be something “in it” for them or they will simply shut down... this is one of the reasons that punishment /negative training does not work well for this breed.
RRs are master manipulators (it goes back to the concept of them pleasing themselves), be it about food (more on that below), getting on the furniture, getting their toenails done (oh the drama) or simply walking nicely on lead. Put the time in and work with your dog.... there is no shortcut with this breed. This is NOT a breed that you bring home and forget... they are NOT a short haired Golden retriever that you can bring home, do very little and still end up with a nice social family pet. This breed requires LIFELONG work and socialization. Ignore your RR at your own peril as you may come home one day to a house that is destroyed or (even worse), a dog that has become fearful and phobic of things it does not know - this includes having their toenails done!!!!!!!
Sadly in ~ 25 years of ridgeback rescue, I have seen too many ridgebacks that were inadequately trained and socialized that became fear biters. Here is the deal with fear biters, once a RR has figured out that it can stop whatever it doesn't like or make the person/animal that it doesn't like go away by putting its mouth on someone or something, it WILL do it again. Trust me when I tell you that there are few things scarier than a fear aggressive ridgeback wanting to stop something it doesn't like... remember my comment about the breed wanting to please itself, not you.
RRs are a very physical breed and are nasty little vampires as baby puppies that will bite any and everything that comes close to their mouths... while most puppies (any breed) will do some biting, RR puppies are biters on steroids. This is the #1 complaint of all new puppy owners.
They WILL bite you and your children... they will also body slam you and your family - especially young children who run and scream around the puppy. This is why many RR experienced owners and breeders will caution against getting a puppy when you have toddlers and younger children in the home. With time and consistent training, this too will pass..... BUT.... you have to live through /survive the first few months of a RR puppy life.
RRs (most) are prey driven hounds. Apart from being an interesting fact, do you know why you should care? First ... while there are going to be people who tell you that they have dogs in an unfenced backyard or use e-fencing and that they take their dogs on wonderful off leash walks, the reality is that they are the exception, not the rule. The vast majority of RRs will not respect an unfenced yard and/or an e-fence and will chase any and everything that runs. The thrill of the chase applies equally to off leash walks - most RRs should NOT be trusted off leash in an area that is not completely secure. This is also not a breed that should be walked by children.... while I occasionally see pictures of children on the end of a leash of a RR, the breed is too strong and the prey drive is too high in most dogs to make this safe... I dont care how well leash trained your dog is.
Food... the master manipulator can go one of two ways: you have have a “I am starving” RR that will eat until it explodes or the I dont want that food, give me something else picky eater. RRs are supposed to be lean athletic hounds - they are not supposed to have the outline of a lab. There are waaaaaay too many people that have obese RRs that are in denial.
Hopefully these musings will help set your expectations about the breed ... there is one thing that I didnt mention, to lovers of the breed, RRs are like potato chips or peanuts, one is never enough!!!
At Priorpark we take a great deal of care when planning our next litter. We research, seek out and wait for the correct pairing to try as best as we can to introducing the healthiest of puppies. A lot of preparation goes into finding the right pairing for personality, temperament and health never-mind the attention to the breed standard.
Visits are made to the stud dog; walks are done before the intended mating has even been agreed so both dogs have met previously and both bitch and dog owner can see them both in their natural environment.
All health checks are carried out well in advance, a vet check, DNA test, and hips and elbows are x-rayed and scored and only then do we start planning……. it’s a rollercoaster of emotions and not for the faint hearted. Endurance, patience, determination and a good sense of humour is required, the best laid plans do not always go to plan, so quick thinking is a must.
All our litters are born and raised in our house, they want for nothing as it should be, we give them the best start any puppy could have. Round the clock surveillance for at least the first 2 weeks, we don’t see our own bed for approx 5 weeks until we are sure that mother and babes can cope without us watching.
They are weaned and then raised on the best raw food we can purchase alongside our own butchers’ offerings, we are rather popular in our butchers, can’t think why! We expose our babes to as much environmental daily experiences that is physically possible, sound, vibrations, other family dogs, children, adults, lots of cuddles, outside activities, the lawn mower!
When old enough or puppies are treated to a car ride to have their health checks and micro-chips administered at our vets. They are given their 1st vaccination and are ready to leave the nest after 8 weeks old. Prior to that though we open our doors and let our prospective homes visit more than once and wherever possible to be able to have a choice of 2- 3 pups to choose from, that is not always possible as mother nature sometimes has a different idea when it comes to choosing the sex of the pups.
But very importantly we ask to meet all families and couples or individuals long before the puppies have arrived so we can get to know you and you us along with our dogs. Its critical we all feel comfortable as this is a relationship between us as breeders and you the new owners and it’s so important to maintain and nurture that. On the understanding that both parties are comfortable all information packs are forwarded onto you with everything you could possibly wish to know or need from diet to exercise, vaccinations to training and general information. We are Assured Breeders with the Kennel Club so we have been inspected, visited and approved and our standards are all way above acceptable with all our animal’s welfare at the top of our list.
We do not and will not accept deposits for puppies, no pressure is applied and in doing this you have the right to change your mind with no obligation. Payment is only due just prior to collection.
We are here 24/7 an email, phone call or visit away, you may want to be in touch often on just on anniversaries, we accept either, just as long as we know our puppies and dogs are happy healthy and living their best life…then our job is done…until the next time!
To our lucky puppy owners....
Congratulations on acquiring your Rhodesian ridgeback . Please find the instructions for your particular model listed below:
Although your Rhodesian ridgeback comes fully assembled, due to particular issues during production, we do occasionally have issues with components such as screws. They invariably are either loose or missing altogether.
Mode 1: This is the sleep mode, activated for the majority of the day as the RR ages. This is normal and you should not worry about it, just accept the peace and quiet while you can.
Mode 2: Anarchy. Although we have tried to ease the effect of anarchy mode, it’s not always possible. There are inherent issues with the timer settings of anarchy mode in regards to there being none. Should your RR suddenly go from comatose to running around the walls, we cannot stop this feature.
Sunlight: Do not allow your RR to stay in the sun too long. They can burn if left unattended but they also recharge. Too much of a charge and mode 2 can be activated without warning. Removing RR from sun spots can prove difficult
Energy consumption: This has been an ongoing issue as their energy consumption is too direct. We have tried to put baffles, non return valves and diversions in place but none seem to work adequately. Safe to say what goes in comes out, in both solids and gas. The gas, although noxious, can only inhibit breathing of the owner for up to ten minutes.
Naming: Your RR comes untitled as we feel owners should use names of their own. If you are unsure, we have listed below a few names our owners like to use:
Knobhead
You’re kidding me
Don’t you dare
Put that down
Drop It
Get that out of your mouth
The zipper: We ask you not to try to open the zip on their back as this will invalidate your one hour warranty. Rumours that they are merely toddlers in a dog suit is highly contested.
Software: Your RR is pre-installed with the highest software and hardware. This includes the loyalty chip, the love every one chip, fun chip and, of course, the highly popular mayhem chip. They are all running on the Whatthehell operating system 12.2. Although this has been in circulation for many years, we have found it simply cannot be improved upon.
Should you have any queries you can reach us on 118-what-did-I-do
Thank you.
We hope you have many years of enjoyment with your Ridgeback.
Please be aware that by the time you have read this, your warranty will have run out.
Unfortunately, we do not renew warranties and we do not offer refunds or returns...ever. It’s your problem now.
