UNDERSTANDING RHODESIAN RIDGEBACKS

When you first meet a Rhodesian Ridgeback, two things are immediately obvious: the striking ridge of hair along the back and the imposing stature. This is a strong, dignified, muscular breed and member of the Hound Group. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not likely to be the first dog that strangers reach over to pet and cuddle. Those in the know, however, appreciate all of the qualities that make the Ridgeback beloved by fans.

[orioles]

I will be walking Bruno and people stop to tell me what a great looking dog he is. At 61 Bruno was my first dog just for me and the one thing that surprised me the most is his strength. All you hear and read is they are strong with no comparison of what that means. He kept getting stronger until about 30 months and he just turned 3. I can’t explain how strong he really is, but it’s over the top, like a super weightlifter. His muscles bulge from his body. You slap him on the side it’s like slapping a piece of oak. But he is as gentle as you can get. Little children 2, 3, 4 come right up to him and hug him and he is as sweet to them as can be. As long as you have time and energy getting a ridgeback as your first dog is fine just prepare yourself the best you can.

[johnnydenmark]

Some of the most well-rounded dog breeds you could get

They are so well-bred they have all the best mix of biological features.

Great sence of smell
Strong
Athletic (agility, pace and stamina)
Great family dogs.
Brave

My next dog will be a ridgeback. No doubt about it. This is a super breed in my eyes. If one can train to optimize all its biological features youll have one heck of a dog.

[TheVortex]

This dog is great i found mine abandoned in a little cave he was so scare and i took him home and i didnt know his breed. He had onle like two month and he learn to sit and give you his paw. I was going true a depression and this dog love help me alot he is so grateful that he cant leave my side he is really the meaning off the dog is the man best friend. Know that i understand his breed i am becoming more understanding off his ways he is the best thing that happen to me if you have one please take a moment to understand him and look for info.

[lynnegreaves]

Beautiful. I’m into my 4th ridgeback. My best friend

[tomrisolio]

We were so lucky . . . 4 weeks after our lab/pit passed out vet called us - she had rescued this dog off the street & labeled him a Pit/Boxer mix . . . He was 1 year old and bouncy and lovable !!! His ridge was prominent tho so we didn't know what he was . . . Till months later my wife had a animal magazine laying out and I read an article on the Ridgeback - they nailed the personality & found out that ridgeless ones used to be put down . . . When he turned 3 - all of a sudden he became this stoic dog!! Like the puppy just left him over night . . . Best friend ever !!! He was prob RR/Boxer mix tho . . . He had a keen site and smell abilities that was just amazing. . . I miss him :)

[ChipsTimesFried]

The most perfect breed to the owner who is willing to put in the required effort. 🙌

[FergusScotchman]

These magnificent dogs are definitely not for inexperienced dog owners, and they need a ton of exercise and a range to roam. My uncle has a ranch here in Texas of about 1000 acres, and he loved being a rancher. There were about 4 or 5 ridgebacks of differing ages and only one male, and they frequently saddled up to move cattle to new feeding areas, get them corralled in the springtime, etc. The ranch abutted the property of a farm prison, and they actually would get an escapee on the property once in a while. Hence the choice of Ridgeback. All the dogs followed alongside our horses, trotting along for a few miles in the scrub and then back to the stable. They could do that all day.

Males and females are quite different in temperament. Females are guarded but less challenging. Big males can dominate the environment all around the ranch house area, and they will challenge anyone coming into their territory. My uncle had a big male named Red, and my dad and I (about 7yo) met Red one day. Mind you, I've never seen my father be intimidated by anything, except that experience. We open the gate to my aunt's yard, and go to walk 100 feet to the door, and about halfway there, a 100# athletic dog which had a gaze like Sauron, trots up between us and the house, giving us a quiet growl. We were Fkd. Then my dad slapped his leg and said something like, "come on Red come on boy" in a greeting voice. Red kind of ambled over sniffed us and turned around and walked off. I was a small kid, but I just remember that being the most intimidating thing I've experienced.

[RoyalAdventuresTheRoyalLife]

That was a great interview beautiful ridgie🩷🤍🩷

[MassachusettsTrainVideos]

Best part is you will be with your dog forever because Rhodesians never die.

[Loopy_Kick]

She said they were bred to hunt lions. This is not the first time I have heard that. I heard it on Dogs 101. By hunting, do they mean tracking and letting the hunters know, or do they mean attacking to hold the target still? =o

[joekrypt]

This is a repeat!! When will you do a new Rhodesian Ridgeback doc. Come and find me and RR Zviko and we can do a short documentary.

[smudgealdrin]

I have a Dalmation Ridge x, ,, she is a sweetheart xxx

[paintedwolf]

I have a ridgeback pitbull mix. Rescued him. He's such a good family dog but he doesn't have much patience for visitors. He snaps at them sometimes out of the blue. I can't figure out why.

[stendaalcartography]

I have a 9 year old Rhodesian. She's super friendly with humans. She likes to patrol the parameter of the house EVERY night. She's on guard almost every night lol.
She's really strong and high in constitution. Very tanky lol. Smart and utterly loyal.

I wouldnt mind getting another Rhodesian in the future.

[willthebeans]

My ridgeback keeps trying to chew my couch and he's like a couple months old but he's so cute

[__blue--blood__]

My uncle owned a male Rhodesian ridgeback in South Africa and he was very aggressive . He use to get his meal every night at 5pm . If he didnt get that meal at that time he went ballistic biting the back doors wood chewing on it . Digging holes and just going insane. My uncle locked us 5 kids out in the front of house as we were misbehaving. I needed to take a piss after 20 minutes so I jumped over the front wall leading to back yard . I was around 13 and started walking in back yard on the side of house . I couldnt see the whole back yard once over the wall . I just started hearing a running sound . And fuck ! There it was a charging ridgeback at top speed . My fight or flight must have kicked in as I jumped that wall less then 3 seconds . If I was slow or slipped on the wall I would have been done . I my have screamed but my uncle my have or my have not heard me . Never jump a wall if you dont know whats on the otherside lol

[nizarfakhoury]

Great video. Where can I find a similar lure coursing set for my Ridgeback?

[KimmieB]

My Java rarely barked. She was gorgeous.

[silverduk]

We live in the middle Of the U.S and never adopted a dog, but we still have two dogs the first showed up in 2017, a few months after we moved and the second is the Rodigen ridgeback a few months ago. If we didn’t live in an open area we would be screwed

[andersdavidsen]

A first timer on Rhodesian Ridgeback should not be the one telling how the breed is.