We will be spending Labor Day with Blue again and I cant wait! And while Blue had played all day with Junior and Sulley, being cooped up in that one-bedroom apartment for more than 10 min was more than he could take. I think that Ridgebacks can be very energetic. The zoomies, wrestling and hunting are all very core to who he is as a Ridgeback. Im so happy that youve had such wonderful experience with this breed. Yes, great point. 18-24 months - they tend to turn into this dog that is keen to go do stuff with you, but if it is horrible outside they will just snuggle up and sleep. Reserved and dignified? When a person came into the house, our dogs might lift their head up. Fearless, yet fearful not quite sure which of the X-breed was dominant? Growing up, his neighbours were (and still are) one of the most reputable Ridgeback breeders, and they apparently insisted that their dogs are lazy sweethearts, a la Great Danes. I agree with you 100% No idea what he is. However, they are not high energy dogs all the time. I would love to see pictures when you get her! Maybe. 370 pounds of wrinkle was no match for this 40 pound dyna-Rho! 6-18 months - depending on the dog you get to see some bits of the dog they will become and the famous off switch may start to show up. From what I've seen (there's a breeder that lives locally and takes her dogs to the same swimming/trail system that I take my dogs) is that they can be pretty high energy when they're younger and then become much more adaptable as they get older. The equivalent of a marathon runner, they just go and go and go. When walking with me they made sure nobody got to close to me when a certain look was obvious to them and then when close obvious to me. When I look into Sulleys and Juniors eyes, I see stuffed animals and cheese. This is not a breed that I believe will thrive in a basic obedience class in which the most advanced skill taught is a down-stay.. Rhodesian Ridgebacks Are Not Labrador Retrievers. Thank you, MaryKay! And I wouldn't expect our Plott to be okay with this lower activity level for months on end. Great running buddies. They're a dog with a lot of endurance so they can handle large amounts of exercise but they can also be fairly chilled out (once they're out of puppyhood). I don't know anything about the breed, so I did some cursory research, and from everything I read, they have high energy requirements and need a lot of exercise and mental stimulation. They are aloof, and at best dignified, toward strangers. Often on the weekends we go for 2-6 hr hikes and even some overnight ones. A bored Ridgeback will get destructive, which means craters dug in your manicured lawn, barking incessantly or constantly chasing your little kitty. With superior power and intellect, Rhodesian ridgebacks are deliberate about everything they do. I am thrilled you found my blog! document.getElementById( "ak_js_1" ).setAttribute( "value", ( new Date() ).getTime() ); This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. For the record, we are not in a position to get a dog that has high energy requirements at this time. Most of the tests Ive seen are fairly inexpensive for the information they give you. Our Ridgeback is perfectly happy sleeping for most of the day, but needs at least one good walk (but ideally two/day) with some time off leash to run around the park at full speed. In addition to being used for hunting, the Rhodesian ridgeback is an avid competitor in a variety of dog sports, including agility, lure coursing, obedience, and tracking. I said, well, of course, he does, he just doesnt care that we are calling him.. I am an anthropologist and I know a few things about human and animal behavior. Your blog is just impressive. He took control of Sulley and Junior almost immediately. He was smart and he knew it. Are they wrong? Haha! They have a low tendency to bark, so dont expect frequent conversations. It is really important to keep their brain well worked too. The Rhodesian ridgeback is dignified and reserved by nature with strangers. My sighthound princess loved her zoomies, wrestling with Scout, and playing huntress (birds and bunnies who visited our yard did so at some risk). Great article on RRs. https://bigdogmom.com/questions-breeder-buying-puppy/. You can get away with not much exercise but they definitely do well in active homes that are willing to give them that level of exercise. My guess is he is a healthy mix of couch potato and guard dog with some added prey drive mixed in. We paid a ton of money with a trainer to get some more control, but at the end of the day it is the day-to-day interaction, love, discipline, and interaction that got us to where we are now. They get a 20-30 minute leash walk each morning and a run in the evening (southern hemisphere so heading into winter at present)- the evening run can be going for a leashed run with me or my other half, dry land/urban mushing, or off leash on a walking trail. Let me summarize it this way. Rhodesian Ridgebacks arent fussy they will do well in a house with a large patch of green or a large apartment with barely a plant, provided they get their daily dose of exercise. My friend still struggles with Blue getting on counters. They will love it if you get them out at least once a week for a decent off leash hoon. We had a blast with Blue. At home though, they are pretty content laying at my feet or on my bed. The Ridgeback is protective of his home and a discriminating barker who can be counted on to alert you to trouble. Rhodesian Ridgebacks: Gentle Hound Or Fierce Hunter? Id love to send a pic of him to some of the breeders on this post to get your opinion. They tend to be going at 100 or 0. A Rhodesian Ridgeback will live for around 12 years. Great Rhodesian Ridgeback Resources For More Information, DNA Testing: Unlocking The Key To Your Dogs Health, Buying a Puppy: The Gap Between Desire and Reason. Ive had two Ridgebacks thus far and Im hoping to have at least one more before I die. I used to take him for run down the back streets, chasing him in my half-ton pickup. Have you considered doing a DNA test on him? She has decades of experience as a big dog owner, over 30 years of which has been devoted to health, nutrition, and behavior of large and giant breed dogs. Press J to jump to the feed. Blue is in his prime wild puppy stage right now. So many breeds top my Big Dog Mom Favorites list: Mastiffs (of course), Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Great Danes, and Bloodhounds. They are also intelligent and independent, making them easy to train but it will take some time. It was the running joke of the visitors. The rest was triggered by the behavior of others. Blue was such a good boy, but one look into his eyes and you could feel the intensity. And a little bit jealous. Amazing to hear stories of these dogs being able to take down a big cat! She shares her life with her husband, two children, and the inspiration for Big Dog Mom, her two Mastiffs, Junior and Sulley. However, this large, muscular breed may not be best suited for little children they might end up playing bump without realising it. They are easy to groom with the distinctive ridge of hair on their back. Thank you so much for your comment, Kim! I cant thank you enough for this! Our Plott was used to getting 90+ minute runs 4+ days a week. Back off or youll have hell to pay. I have a big boy named Max who is, interestingly enough, a bullmastiff and ridgeback mix. So, in 100 degrees Arizona heat, I carried Blue up and down three flights of stairs and walked him around the apartment complex four separate times during the course of our 3-hour visit. Nutritional Supplements and Medications For Dogs, 5 Facts To Consider About The Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog, 1. Embark DNA is one that I have heard great things about. I think they come with a far better built in off switch. She is all black , just wondering how big she will actually grow? I would love to chat with a breeder to get a better sense of the ridgeback. Blue needed to get out of there! Rhodesian Ridgeback: Gentle Hound Or Fierce Hunter? All three are wonderful with children and love other dogs. Like any dog breed, there are differences between each dog. We're not even looking to get another dog. Again, this is a different hound breed than a Rhodesian Ridgeback, but hounds tend to be largely similar in their energy-expenditure needs, so you might be able to glean some insight from the experiences of another hound owner. Showing all the classicsymptoms of zoochosis; pacing, carpet digging, door scratching, and counter surfing. For Blue, we knew Sulley and Junior had his attention, so as long as we had their attention, we had his. Age 8 weeks to 6 months. As long as they get enough exercise, your pet will be happy in an apartment. I might have been a bit unfair to Blue and the breed in featuring so much of the energetic side. Overall, we've been quite pleased with her ability to adapt to a lower activity level with the baby here. This is the beauty of the RR. They need quite a lot of attention and training in impulse control and socialisation and just basic training. I didnt know anything about ridgebacks when I got him, as the shelter said he was mixed with German Shepard (we quickly realized that isnt true), and this post really helped me to understand that side of him better. Dogtime has a description that I think is spot-on: Exuberant and active in puppyhood, he matures into a quiet dog with moderate exercise needs. Also because he is a puppy. It's also the reason so many Danes end up in rescues - people simply aren't prepared for the amount of exercise they require (and the amount of destruction they can cause if they're bored). Required fields are marked *. My husband is an avid dog-loving cat guy who used to own and train Ridgebacks. Given his expertise in the breed, Im just thrilled he like this post! No better dog out there. A couple of short walks or runs, or playtime in a yard or park and your buddy will be happy. It is so wonderful to meet fellow big dog owners, especially fellow writers like yourself, through BlogPaws and other social networks. The greatest quality Id observed on these dogs was their uncanny ability to recognize danger around them. Yes. Ridgebacks are a very determined breed, thats for sure! With the characteristic ridge along their back and stunning red coat, Rhodesian ridgebacks are a stand out in the hound group. Crates and dog proofed areas are you best friend at this stage. Also, throw into the mixture that he was on the streets for two weeks before being taken to the humane society and you get some doggie PTSD too (apparently had a broken tail and is scared to death of hissing noises and brake sounds). He's reserved with strangers but gentle and affectionate with family members. There is NO ADDED COST to you should you use these links. You cannot let a RR railroad you and boy will they try. Is Google wrong? Their Innate Release Mechanism (read about Animal Ethology) is particularly well developed. Structured training is a MUST, but it must be with a gentle approach and firmness. My daughter asked a few times if Blue knew his name. With a BS in Microbiology, an MBA, and a passion for writing and big, slobbery dogs, Stephanie is committed to serving large and giant breed dogs by empowering, educating, and inspiring the people who love them. Thank you! Advice on this forum is not a substitute for advice from a trained and credentialed professional. Are differences between each dog and hunting are all very core to who he is a! Animal behavior we will be happy in an apartment big cat pacing, digging. Few things about human and animal behavior, they are pretty content laying at my or. A lot of attention and training in impulse control and socialisation and just basic training about human and animal.... 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