One of my Ridgebacks was upset when I wouldn't let her have a mobile phone. No, she's not precocious - she has a thing about plastic. In her first year she ate three alarm clocks. When we go to the Vet's people start laughing. On the other hand the younger of our two Ridgebacks is fixated on fabric and given half a chance will eat the clothes from your back. I'd better start at the beginning, hadn't I? You'll want to know a little bit about the breed. Well, it's generally considered to be a native of South Africa. Early in the sixteenth century European explorers in the interior of the Cape of Good Hope encountered a domesticated ...  Read the complete review

Im writing this review for anyone who finds themselves in a similar position to me three years ago - wanted to get a dog but what breed? The situation was I was moving from a third floor flat to a house and knew I would feel more secure if I had a dog. I have never had a dog growing up and whilst I loved them, I was scared of certain breeds and was generally a little wary. I am ashamed to admit it but I found certain breeds ugly and wanted a pretty looking dog - I say ashamed because now that I have had my beloved Ridgeback for three years I am SUCH a dog lover and think all dogs are beautiful in their own way! Anyway, at the time I was looking for cute ...  Read the complete review

I wrote this in response to Elaine's comments about Ridgebacks - but I think it counts as a review as well. I own two Ridgebacks. They are successful family pets. They are also effective guard dogs. Ours have seen off two burglars. I can understand why anybody who had a bad experience with a dog would have strong opinions. I sympathise and agree with some of the comments made be Elaine. Some of these issues are important for anyone to consider before taking on a Ridgeback or any other dog (large or small). But some of the comments are unfounded. They leave a misleading and unhelpul impression. Lets deal with them one by one. ...  Read the complete review

I am now able to announce that Plumptious the Mugcious has taken delivery of a Rhodesian Ridgeback pup. Ridgebacks were bred for guarding camps and rounding up lions for hunters to shoot. Dogs of this breed vary in size, from slightly taller than an Alsation to about the size of a small mule. The breed they most closely resemble is a boxer, with their smartly flopped ears and satisfyingly large paws. The most distinctive feature of a Ridgeback is its ridge. This is a thin swathe of fur growing the opposite way round to the rest of its fur. It goes along the spine, beginning below the shoulderblades and ending before the tail. There should be ...  Read the complete review

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are descended from Thai Ridge dogs, and were used by colonial hunters to hunt lions in packs. They are therefore extremely powerful, muscular hounds who thoroughly enjoy the great oudoors and require a lot of exercise. They can also be very effective guard dogs, as when they want to be, they're quite fearsome. Any potential owners should be aware of the fact that the cuddly pups grow into pretty big animals - larger than a Lab, but not as big as a Great Dane. Some people find them intimidating, but as long as they're well trained they are on the whole good-natured and extremely affectionate dogs. They of course have a ...  Read the complete review