Am I crazy to want a Rhodesian Ridgeback?

I currenlty own two Rhodesian Ridgebacks and they are the best dogs. Bella & Koda love walks along the river, swimming, cuddles and sleep inside on the end of my bed.

+ like Faith D, I also had to put up a electric fence to keep them in, they can jump really high.

Ridgebacks are loyal, intelligent and strong-willed. They are aloof to strangers, and can be territorial and aggressive without proper handling. This breed requires training and dedication and is only recommended for the experienced dog owner.

But if you have the time to properly train your dog i think you should go for it.

A ridgeback offers a unique dog experience. I've never been more happy and more troubled with a dog breed before, so it's hot and cold like that. The goods: My ridgeback is very friendly towards people but I absolutely know that she will defend me. She's easy to care for, very little shedding. Very intelligent and ridiculously agile. Definitely the most agile dog I've ever had, compared to my collie, shep, pit, small breed dogs.. Very affectionate. Most affectionate breed I've ever come across, these dogs cannot live without their master. The bads: Very domineering animals. Most difficult dog I've ever had to train, not because they're stupid either. They will be good all day and then something as simple as telling her to get off the counter institutes an immediate bad behavior response. Even though I am alpha and she completely submits to me, she just has a bad attitude sometimes. She's also not great with other dogs when playing, she's rough and tough and plays that way. The toughest part about her is her loyalty and love of the alpha comes with a terrible separation anxiety, and hounds do what they do- they HOWL. This dog is EXTREMELY loud. Do not have neighbors if you have this dog. So there you have it, a modern animal with a big medieval streak in it.

There's a world of difference between your Beagle and a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Challenging? Yes.

Space? Lots.

Training? Oh, boy ... YES.

Ridgebacks are not typical hounds. They DO have the sighthound capabilities, but are more like large working breeds than sighthounds. If you'll notice, they don't even LOOK much like a hound. Not a guard dog? I wouldn't approach a house with a Ridgeback!

If you're interested in the breed, read and learn all you can about it. By all means, talk to people who own them. I won't try to talk you into or out of anything, but it's not a breed for an inexperienced dog-owner.

I had one for 13 years. One of the best dogs I ever had. They are very much so guard dogs. Excellent climbers and smart enough to always keep you on your toes. A very energetic breed. I can not stress enough the importance of obedience with this type of dog. I had to run live stock hot wire to keep him in my yard. Tramp was very much loved and truly missed.

I've been a fan of this breed for a long time. It would probably be my "third breed", if I had the time for one.

The best way to find out more about owning a breed is to talk to breeders and do your research. Here is an excellent place to start:

http://www.rrcus.org/assets/html/breedinfo/index_b...

I don't think you are crazy, as long as you are willing to put in the time and research to learn what is expected of the owners of these dogs, and you make sure your lifestyle can fit those demands, I don't see why not.

Just don't go out, get the pup and not offer the extensive exercise it demands, them get mad and throw him in the yard when he becomes destructive as so many people do.

Yes you are. Ridgebacks are not the best dog out there for companionship. They have a natural aggressive streak (they were bred to hunt lions you know)- I would keep a close eye on them - it may just be a matter of time before there is an unfortunate incident.

why not?

i think they're gorgeous dogs :-)

xx