Responsible Ridgeback Owners (Rhodesian Ridgebacks)

Member Name: ridgeowner

Product:	Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Date:	09/01/04 (807 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Devotion , Family pet, Guard dog

Disadvantages: Training, Exercise, Time

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.

Like any other living creature (including human beings) no dog is 100% predictable in its behaviour. Any dog owner who blindly asserts their pet is "bomb proof, harmless" etc is suffering from a dangerous delusion. Before I bought my first Ridgeback I consulted my friend's father who was a retired Vet. His response was "It wouldn't be my first choice with young children but ... I have been bitten by more Spaniels". All dogs have to be taken seriously. Big dogs more seriously. If you want to buy a Ridgeback never forget it.

Our male dog is as placid as any Lab or Retriever. He is the most lethargic, easy going dog I have ever met. Far from being cruel to deny him an African habitat I can't imagine any place where he would be more unhappy (no tv, no sofa, no central heating). I never take him for granted. He weighs eight stone. He has a headfull of sharp teeth and he has the potential to make a nasty mess of someone if he chooses. Our female dog is more awkward. She is more intelligent, more alert and has a suspicious nature. She regards most new things as a threat and she takes a serious approach to her role as family guardian. She is neurotic. Very similar to a Border Collie I once owned. She has been through the same socialisation programme as the male, b
ut she required significantly more training, which included one on one lessons for dealing with a dominant dog. The end product is an animal which is very rewarding to own. Her devotion, ingenuity, intensity, affection have enriched our lives. But she knows her place in our pack. She is the most important non human being in the household. When we have visitors she has to be reminded that all human beings are above dogs. This is a straightforward procedure that works very effectively.

I am very sorry Elaine had a bad experience - but please don't blame the breed or its hunting instincts or African origin. If the dogs that bothered Elaine could not be controlled the fault lies with the owner. I totally agree that this is a major problem with a dog as big as a Ridgeback. I wish there was some way of licensing owners of large dogs.

With adequate training and a sensible owner it is possible to avoid situations where a dog might "turn". But even this is no excuse for complacency. Dogs are dangerous animals and owners (even royal ones) must never shirk their duties. You are always responsibile for your dog's behaviour or potential behaviour. The responsibilities are multiplied in the case of a large dog - but for Ridgebacks there is no excuse for allowing them to upset or bother visitors. Ridgebacks have a termperament that is especially well equipped to combine the role of guard dog and family pet.

The nature of the breed is to be sceptical and assertive towards strangers. This is exactly what I want as I live in a secluded location and have to leave my family when I go on business trips. The main reason we selected Ridgebacks ahead of other large breeds was because of their ability to switch off if they are properly introduced to visitors. Our procedure will be familiar to all responsible Ridgeback owners. Firstly, we approach the gate and ask the person what their business is. If they are legitimate and need to come in
, we ask them how they are with dogs. This is a serious question. We are alert to the possibility that the answer might be false. Some people are reluctant to admit their nerves. Nervous behaviour is easily transmitted and is unsettling to a dog. It makes the person unusual and suspicious. The opposite is also true. The over familiar person who asserts their confidence and familiarity can also be a problem. Dogs are pack animals. They don?t appreciate visitors who are too cocky. Whatever the profile of visitor the next step is always the same. Before we open the gates we say. "Look these are very big dogs. They are perfectly ok if you do what we say. If at any point you feel uncomfortable with them let us know and we will lock them up".

We make sure they have listened and understood. Then with the gate still closed we say.

"When we open the gate just stand still. Don't reach down to them. Don't move suddenly or quickly. Let them come to you. They will sniff you and then they will just walk away. They aren't really interested in strangers once they have been introduced. If you really like dogs you can give them a biscuit. They will like that. They never forget anybody who has given them a biscuit".

Then we open the gate. During this dialogue we have been speaking in a friendly way to the visitor making it obvious that the visitor is a friend. If one of the dogs is too inquisitive - maybe muzzling or sniffing our guest too closely we make the dog aware this is not acceptable. The admonishment needed is nothing more than a sharp mention of the dog's name.

After this the dogs usually slope off back to their sleeping position - but we are never complacent. Ridgebacks have infallible memories and recognise people who have visited before. They greet familiar guests with affection. But - and this is very important - no visitor is fully trusted. We repeatedly remind our guests to be considerate of
the dogs. Ridgebacks don't like loud and unruly behaviour. They are on their guard if a guest appears to be threatening. If we have lively guests who cannot moderate their behaviour, the dogs are locked up. Usually in the Dining room. Although I am confident we could control the dogs I am certain this is the right thing to do. It is unfair to subject dogs to human behaviour they do not understand or feel comfortable with. I can think of two incidents that illustrate the risk of unforeseen confrontations. On one occasion I was doing the washing up when an electrician who had been working in our house (who was happy to be lefit on his own with the dogs ) suddenly walked into the kitchen towards my back carrying a large screwdriver. The female dog stopped him in his tracks. She jumped up barked got between him and me, lowered her head and growled. That was the end of it but it was a great lesson in dog logic. The second occasion was when a builder approached my wife carrying a shovel over his shoulder. As he stopped to talk to her he swung the shovel off his shoulder in a gesture that looked aggressive to the dogs. They both barked their heads off at him. The girl dog put her mouth around his foot - but did not bite. On each occasion we reassured the dogs but did not punish them. They were doing their jobs correctly and when they had the burglars to deal with this was exactly the behaviour we wanted. The important thing is that we could control them because we had taken the time and trouble to train them.

From what Elaine describes I doubt whether the owner of the Ridgebacks in the review was conscientious enough to own the breed. It is also worth noting that all dogs are harder to control if they operate as a pack. Owning and controlling two Ridgebacks requires more attention and effort than owning one. To own three is a major undertaking. Ridgebacks are intelligent and they are Hounds. They are guaranteed to exploit a weak or inattentive owner. T
here is a lady living near us who runs six Ridgebacks off the lead in a woodland area which is frequented by mountain bikes and horseriders - but she is a leading breeder and an expert in the field. Most people would struggle to maintain order and discipline with three Ridgebacks. I do not allow our female dog off the lead in public. The boy will come back immediately on command. I wish I could say the same about many of the dogs we meet on our walks.

It is incorrect to assert that because they came from Africa they are too large or untamed to live in this country. They are not big cats. They are not even farmyard dogs. They live inside - with the family. By comparison with most hounds they are incredibly well domesticated. But they do need exercise. Ours get two hours a day. Their behaviour declines rapidly if they are shortchanged. When they are not on duty they are content to lounge around and sleep. They like to sleep in front of the fire and they will tolerate all kinds of disruption to retain their position. They will doze through tv, karaoke, Playstation, musical instruments etc, but they will instantly react to the first sound of food being prepared - or to the sound of tyres in the drive. Sometimes they come into the garden when we play football - but they seldom join in. They like tug of war with a rope but they will not chase a ball of fetch a stick. Their preference is to chase rabbits and search for trails. All of this means it is perfectly feasible to own Ridgebacks in a normal British family home - just so long as you live up to your responsibility to give them proper mental stimulation, affection and exercise.

Owning Ridgebacks is one of the great privileges and experiences in my life. But you have to love your dogs to own one. Like any relationship you will be repaid in proportion to the effort you invest. In fact I would go beyond that by saying that no mere human being could ever match the level of devotion that is so free
ly given by a Ridgeback. They demand loyalty in return. I have never put ours in kennels or left them all day on their own. When we go on holiday we have housesitters (the same people come back year after year). We never go out all day on trips to London or the coast. But we don't want to. We love our dogs. They are fully paid up members of our family and they get the same level of respect.

Ridgebacks are truly superlative but you should not take on this breed if you are not prepared to give them the time and attention they deserve.

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