Rhodesian Ridgeback Appreciation Thread

S

Shann

Joined
Sep 2, 2004
Messages
5,251
Since Gollnick and Blue Jays were giving me a hard time about complaining about my Rhodesian Ridgeback :p , I decided to start a thread about them. I don't know how to post pictures, but if I do, I will post pictures of the most beautiful dog of all time, my ridgeback Zoe.

RRs are a large hound about 80-90 pounds. Short hair with a tan to reddish coat. They are energetic, but they are either going 100 mph or are at full stop sleeping on the couch! Noted counter crawlers, they are tall enough even to get into the cupboards above the counter if you leave a butter dish in an open door.

Anyway, not to bore anyone, but I got my RR three years ago when she was a tiny little puppy I could hold in one hand, now she's just under 90 pounds. A breeder had sold her (for like 1,000 bucks) and then the owners returned her because she had a little problem with her legs. The breeder took her to the vet to be put down because she wasn't breeding stock!@!!! At least he didn't throw her in the river. Anyways, the girl at the front desk took his money but said it was awfull what he was doing. He said, well I don't care you can have her. She knew I was a sucker for a dog so I ended up with her.

I don't do enough with her, our work schedule and all, but she and my German Shepard\St. Bernard mix Baron (big boy!) have the run of our two acres with the benefit of underground fencing.

Thats enough for now, but I've got some great stories about her. Anyone with a RR or with an interest of them please post.

Also please check out www.ridgebackrescue.org for more information about these great dogs.
 
When our last Shepherd died, we wanted desperately to get a Ridgeback. We had "met" several, and done a bit of reading and research. Problem is, very few breeders around here, and very high prices. 1200.00 bucks on average.

So we got a labby.... The Shepherd is our 15 year old female, still hanging in there!

8106.jpg
 
Nice doggers. RRs are fairly rare. I haven't seen too many, only two or three. I was out walking Zoe one day and this couple stops their car and asks me what kind of dog she was. They had gotten a stray but couldn't figure out what kind of dog it was.

I'd pay anything for Zoe now, but I really wouldn't have paid $1,200 for her :eek:

Of course, my "free" dogs usually cost me an arm and a leg in Vet bills. :rolleyes:
 
"Of course, my "free" dogs usually cost me an arm and a leg in Vet bills."

LOL - Aint it the truth brother!

We have 2 Wiemaraners we got from pet rescues. They are wonderful dogs but 'free' is not a word I would use to describe them - not after all the $$ in Vet bills & meds!

Regarding Ridgebacks, they are beautiful dogs. I have always admired them and the few I've met have been good dogs. However, rumor has it that the strain available down here in FL is known for some temperment issues. Supposedly its quite pronounced when compared with specimens of the breed from elsewhere in the country...
 
Shann said:
Since Gollnick and Blue Jays were giving me a hard time about complaining about my Rhodesian Ridgeback :p , I decided to start a thread about them. I don't know how to post pictures, but if I do, I will post pictures of the most beautiful dog of all time, my ridgeback Zoe.

RRs are a large hound about 80-90 pounds. Short hair with a tan to reddish coat. They are energetic, but they are either going 100 mph or are at full stop sleeping on the couch! Noted counter crawlers, they are tall enough even to get into the cupboards above the counter if you leave a butter dish in an open door.

Anyway, not to bore anyone, but I got my RR three years ago when she was a tiny little puppy I could hold in one hand, now she's just under 90 pounds. A breeder had sold her (for like 1,000 bucks) and then the owners returned her because she had a little problem with her legs. The breeder took her to the vet to be put down because she wasn't breeding stock!@!!! At least he didn't throw her in the river. Anyways, the girl at the front desk took his money but said it was awfull what he was doing. He said, well I don't care you can have her. She knew I was a sucker for a dog so I ended up with her.

I don't do enough with her, our work schedule and all, but she and my German Shepard\St. Bernard mix Baron (big boy!) have the run of our two acres with the benefit of underground fencing.

Thats enough for now, but I've got some great stories about her. Anyone with a RR or with an interest of them please post.

Also please check out www.ridgebackrescue.org for more information about these great dogs.
Click to expand...



Enjoy that dog ! We went to Halifax Humane Society in Daytona to get a mutt. Choices galore.Mind reeling with so many prospects, I leaned against an indoor-outdoor cage & fired up a smoke. I heard a slight teasing bark & saw a small honey colored pup & she had a ragged chew toy teasing me with it. After watching her a bit I called my wife over to look at this spunky little beast . She had made a choice & I had to use a ton of salesmanship & a little bullying to get her to agree to leash & look at the little girl. Wow. She was wound like a coil spring & she ran everywhere.
I won the argument over a year ago & trained the pup.Was surprised to discover our Hunts-57 was part Ridgeback . She has reached her adult weight of about 50 pounds & runs faster than any dog I've ever owned. The guess is Ridgeback 60 % & 40 greyhound.
It's like you said, full throttle or near collapse. She is 1/2 of a heartbeat from catching a squirrel at our new place bur did catch a male cardinal on the rise. An trying to break her of that but any alien object in HER yard is fair game.She is very intelligent,is as affectionate as a hungry tomcat & loves to ride in the new GMC that my wife bought so the dog,Honey[after her color ] can ride up front on a solid leather saet.She is the most protective dog I've ever owned.

Now my wife tells everyone what a smart husband she has !

There is a pure-breed kennel 20 miles away & I won't go near it. I'm as loyal to Honey as she is to us.

Uncle Alan :)
 
uncle Alan said:
It's like you said, full throttle or near collapse. She is 1/2 of a heartbeat from catching a squirrel at our new place bur did catch a male cardinal on the rise. An trying to break her of that but any alien object in HER yard is fair game.She is very intelligent,is as affectionate as a hungry tomcat & loves to ride in the new GMC that my wife bought so the dog,Honey[after her color ] can ride up front on a solid leather saet.She is the most protective dog I've ever owned.
Uncle Alan :)
Click to expand...


Its funny you mention catching a cardinal on the rise. Zoe has never gotten a squirrel that I know, but she's taken TWO birds that I have seen. I'm afraid one was a mother trying to lure Zoe away from her ground nest and Zoe was just faster than expected, the other was in flight and Zoe jumped into a mid-air collision with the bird. She spends most of her time hunting down the mighty t*rd, which seems to be her favorite food :barf: Then she wants to kiss my face. :barf: During the winter my wife and I call them "poopsicles"
 
Is this one? This photo was taken in 1952-53, and always wondered about the breed of the dog.
 
Mike Hull said:
Is this one? This photo was taken in 1952-53, and always wondered about the breed of the dog.
Click to expand...


It looks kind of big for one, almost like a mastiff, but that could be the size of the boy! Facially and markings look right. From that angle its hard to tell if it has the distinctive ridge of hair on the back, but not all of them do. Zoe's ridge is only a couple of inches long, while others have one almost the whole length of the back.
 
Years ago, I had the pleasure of caring for a RR named Tarra for about six months while her owners where on extended travel. When I first met Tarra, she was the fatest and laziest dog I'd ever met. I'm accustomed to walking English Springer Spaniels who love walks and always pull on the leash. Tarra pulled on the leash too, just the other way. You had to practically drag this dog on her walk. So, Tarra went immediately on a diet and exercise program. By the time her owners returned, Tarra was looking and feeling much better. She still pulled on the leash, but now in the "right" way. She became a whole new dog. I was a bit scared at what her owners would think, but they were delighted to have their old Rhodie back with all her energy.

Today, one of the suitcases I sometimes travel with is about the size of Tarra, about the same color, and has a pull cord to pull it behind you. I call that suitcase my Tarra Bag since it reminds me of walking with her... at least at first.


Tarra was always a gentle dog, very affectionate, and always excited to see me.
 
The best dog I ever had was a Ridgeback/Rott cross. He was the runt of his litter, and ended up at a grown weight of about 75 pounds. Looked just like a Ridgeback, except his chest was a little too broad, and his neck was too thick. I never had to discipline him, all I had to do was say no in a firm tone, and he never again did whatever I had caught him doing. He was protective in an interesting way, too. I never knew it until my landlord told me, but apparently whenever I wasn't home the dog would let my landlord into my yard to check the meters. However, when I was home, he wouldn't let anyone in the yard, which surrounded the house. The landlord told me that he'd petted my dog several times, but once when he went to open the gate when I was home, the dog nearly took his fingers off. He was a great boy. I'd love to have another like him.

James
 
My sister had a roommate with a ridgeback, and that is where I fell in love with the breed. Phil was a sweet gentile giant, who loved my sister, except when it came time to kick him out of her bed, which was one of his favorite spots. He and I were pretty good friends, but whenever anyone knocked on the door, he would let out one or two big barks (usually from where he was lying on the couch) and had enough authority in them to make my blood run cold. Never snapped or growled at anyone that I know of, but if you weren't on his "A" list, he was ALWAYS keeping an eye on you.
I am not home enough to care for a dog right now, and our place is kind of small, but I have promised myself that one day I will get one of these fantastic animals.
 
My wife and I have wanted a Ridgeback for several years, but can't afford $1,500 for one in the lower 48, plus the cost of shipping. There's a lady here in Alaska that raises them, but after taking a look at the care and maintenance of her grandchild, I'd been left feeling somewhat doubtful of her ability to care forand raise animals.

We wanted one because of thier high energy, intelligence, and protective nature, all while not looking mean and scary to the neighbors. Seemed like a good choice for a boys dog, and to protect the family. Not that I at all believe in "attack training" a family dog, I believe it just comes naturally when they love their family. (know several instances of this happening, actually)

Instead we wound up adopting a Pitbull/American Bulldoggish neighborhood stray :rolleyes: As it turns out he's everything we wanted in a family dog- loyal, playful, great personality, protective, easy going demeanor, with the exception that he scares the ever living crap out of our entire neighborhood. heh....go figure, my wifes been bitten by one neighbors mutt, the other ones run uncontrolled all over the neighborhood, but if I throw a ball for my "pitbull" in my front yard they all roll thier eyes stamp thier feet and tremble in fear... :rolleyes:

In any case the Ridgeback hasn't happened for us yet, but we'd still love to get one if we ever have a chance. Definitely a breed I have alot of respect for.
 
Runs With Scissors said:
My wife and I have wanted a Ridgeback for several years, but can't afford $1,500 for one in the lower 48, plus the cost of shipping. There's a lady here in Alaska that raises them, but after taking a look at the care and maintenance of her grandchild, I'd been left feeling somewhat doubtful of her ability to care forand raise animals.

We wanted one because of thier high energy, intelligence, and protective nature, all while not looking mean and scary to the neighbors. Seemed like a good choice for a boys dog, and to protect the family. Not that I at all believe in "attack training" a family dog, I believe it just comes naturally when they love their family. (know several instances of this happening, actually)

Instead we wound up adopting a Pitbull/American Bulldoggish neighborhood stray :rolleyes: As it turns out he's everything we wanted in a family dog- loyal, playful, great personality, protective, easy going demeanor, with the exception that he scares the ever living crap out of our entire neighborhood. heh....go figure, my wifes been bitten by one neighbors mutt, the other ones run uncontrolled all over the neighborhood, but if I throw a ball for my "pitbull" in my front yard they all roll thier eyes stamp thier feet and tremble in fear... :rolleyes:

In any case the Ridgeback hasn't happened for us yet, but we'd still love to get one if we ever have a chance. Definitely a breed I have alot of respect for.
Click to expand...


The good thing about a mutt is that when the insurance company asks you what kind of dog you have, you can honestly tell them its a mutt, and not have them refuse to insure you if you have a "dangerous" pitbull or rotty. :rolleyes: Its all in how you raise and treat the dog.
 
Cool!! :cool: We have a Rhodesian Ridgeback too. Ours is named Jessie! She is one of the sweetest, most affectionate dogs I have ever known. She is an the small side for a Rhodesian, we think she is mixed with some sort of pitbull terrier. Her ridge only stands up when she is excited.
Her and her sister, our Border Collie Sadie have declered open season on all squirrels. Both of our dogs are great dogs. Neither one barks hardly at all, unless there is a squirrel involved :) . I would definitly like to get another Rhodesian if ever we were to get another dog.

Both of our dogs are rescue dogs.
Jessie
jessie1.jpg


Sadie
sadie.jpg


The girls together
jessie2.jpg



Nick
 
Shann said:
It looks kind of big for one, almost like a mastiff, but that could be the size of the boy! Facially and markings look right. From that angle its hard to tell if it has the distinctive ridge of hair on the back, but not all of them do. Zoe's ridge is only a couple of inches long, while others have one almost the whole length of the back.
Click to expand...

The boy was very small for his age, 8-9. All the kids in that institution were. Lack of nutrition!:barf::mad:
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top