Rhodesian Ridgeback

[Ryelady]

Not sure if I'm in the correct section but hope you will forgive me if I'm not. Hoping someone will be able to give me some advice. After having lost our German Shepherd last August we now feel ready to get another dog. I've done some research on the Ridgeback breed and have found a breeder via the Kennel Club. There are two bitches available but they were born at the end of November. The reason they are still available is that they have no ridge. This is not a problem to me personally as I want a pet not a show dog. However, does anyone have any advice? I'm going tomorrow "just to look". My daughter-in-law says I will come back with one but I'm determiened not to be persuaded by heart. Any help that anyone can give would be most appreciated.

[skunkstripe]

Hi Ryelady and welcome to the forum. It sounds like you might be asking if there is a serious problem because the pups do not have ridges? Or am I reading too much inbetween the lines? :)
The AKC standard mentions ridglessness as a disqualification for shwoing, so apparently there is such a thing as a ridgeless Ridgeback.
http://www.akc.org/breeds/rhodesian_ridgeback/index.cfm
Other than that there is some info on a breed club site that might be helpful to you
http://www.rrcus.org/club/breedinfo/For_you.htm
and also from Ridgeback rescue in the US
http://www.ridgebackrescue.org/things_to_know_about_ridgebacks.html
Hope that helps!

[Doberroo]

Hi I have two differnent friends that have these dogs. one of them have a ridge and the other doesn't. Great dogs. As with most dogs training is very important and to socialize these guys. Good luck!!

[Borzoi mad]

Hi Ryelady and welcome to the forum.

If you don't wan't to show then the lack of a ridge is not important.
Think it is more important that the temperament is good and since they are around the 4 month mark you should be able to see that for yourself. It would also be helpful if you could see one if not both of the parents so you can see what their temperament is like. RR 's are lovely dogs and the majority of the one's I have met have been outgoing and friendly.

Hope it all goes well for you and do report back and let us know the outcome.

[Kyllobernese]

Many long years ago my husband and I had a Ridgeback. I showed her to her Championship and Obedience degree. They are a nice dog, just make sure that the parents have good temperaments and at four months you should be able to tell what the pup's temperaments are. I had a couple of litters out of my Ridgeback and had never heard of one without a ridge. Some of them had mismarked ridges where the swirls were not in the right place for show but they all had ridges.

[Ryelady]

Thank you all for your quick and helpful replies. We went yesterday to see the pups. As always all puppies are all georgeous and the mother had a beautiful temperament. The two bitches left were born in November last year and do not appear to have been socialised or have any leash experience. Having said that they were adorable. Still not sure and as we want to make a right decision have decided to hold fire for the time being. I think my husband is set on having another German Shepherd, don't want to rush and make a big mistake. Will let you know how things work out.

[skunkstripe]

Good for you. I don't want to jump to any conclusions, but I wonder about a breeder who has pups at least 4 months old that have nto been socialized. :rolleyes: It sounds like you are going into this with your eyes open.
Good luck with your search!

[Borzoi mad]

Hi Like Skunkstripe I too think you are right to be hesitant I too would wonder why 4 month old puppies had not been socialised.

Hope all goes well and that you get the right puppy for you and your o/h soon.

[Aussiepaws]

Taking one's time to get another dog is the right way to do it. If something doesn't feel right than it's best to not jump at the first pup you see. You sound like you're using the right approach.

I remember when we were looking to add a second Aussie to the family. Zephyr was about a year old at the time and his breeder didn't have anything available but referred us to a breeder with a litter of pups They were nice puppies but we just didn't feel a bond toward any of them. It was hard to walk away. I heard later that the pups from that litter had temperement issues.

Zephyr was three when we got Odin from the same breeder that we acquired Zephyr from. Odin came from a bloodline we knew well and had been wanting all along. I will never be sorry we waited to get him. He's been perfect fit in our lives.

[Dusty]

:( I would be careful if the pups have not been socalised at that age.. pups really do need to be at an early age or you could have problems as others have said:(