surchinmy
Ultra ALPHA
Jun 4, 2004, 9:50 AM
Post #12 of 18
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Re: [ACJ] Looking For Rhodesian Ridgebacks
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Hi ... I guess the best way to learn how to rear a RR is to visit good Rhodesian Ridgeback websites ... Here are some links that will take you to most of the best RR sites in the World ... /starridge_rr/links.html www.rhodesian-ridgeback.net/ mitglied.lycos.de/Karoskloof/ Since these links will tell you all you need to know about the rearing of RR, perhaps I can tell you a little of what we have learnt about Rhodesian Ridgebacks ... WHAT RIDGEBACKS ARE NOT: (A) RRs are generally not recommended for first-time owners RRs are large dogs and very strong. They can be territorial. They require firm but fair handling and training. You cannot bully a RR into obeying you. You need to earn a RR's respect. A RR's natural standoff-ish manner can also make it a difficult dog for a first-timer. Usually, new dog owners expect their dogs to be warm & affectionate, like Labradors & Golden Retrievers ... Kinda like having Lassie around all the time. But a RR is simply just not that kind of dog. A RR can quite happily spend hours doing its own thing. But that is not to say that a RR is not affectionate or loving ... RRs can be VERY affectionate & loving, just that a RR is affectionate & loving when it wishes to be ... (B) RRs are NOT difficult to train RRs are not difficult to train ... But don't expect to train a RR like you would a Labrador, GSD or Doberman ... As tracking dogs, RRs often worked in packs and away from their owners ... so RRs were bred to think independantly and to use their own initiative. RRs are also very intelligent. When you combine all that intelligence and independant mind-set with the characteristics of a hound ... you have a breed that requires quite different training methods ... RRs do not appreciate adversive handling and they do not appreciate repetitive or monotonous training either. With some breeds, you say, "Jump" and the dog will go, "How high?" ... With a Ridgeback, when you say, "Jump" ... the Ridgeback will ask, "Why must jump?" ... and you'd better have a good answer ... ... To effectively train a RR, the owner has to use imagination and innovation. But we have discovered that the best way to train a Ridgeback is to live with your RR everyday ... and let the RR train you ... (C) RRs are NOT outdoor dogs. Strangely for a hunting & tracking breed ... the RR is not a dog you can leave outside your house, even if its in a kennel. A Ridgeback left outside is going to be a very miserable Ridgeback. RRs love their families, and by their very nature ... they are happiest when they are living together with their owner & family ... They are particularly happy when allowed into the kitchen ... ... WHAT RIDGEBACKS ARE: (A) RRs are intensely loyal You do not own a RR ... You earn a RR's respect. And once you have earned that respect, the RR is an intensely loyal friend. A RR is very much a one person dog. RRs are not fickle ... when the love - they love for life. (B) RRs are intensely family oriented And once you have earned your RR's respect, your RR will not only be faithful & loyal to you, but also to your family ... this is a particularly wonderful trait of the RR. The originators of the breed bred RR not just as hunters and trackers, but also to guard their families in the African outback. And in well bred-lines, this loyalty to family remains intact & instinctive. And for such a large dog, they are incredibly gentle with babies & children. (C) RRs are funny dogs RRs have a sense of humour you won't believe, especially if the joke is on you. It is not strange for a RR hide one shoe, and then wait and watch while you look for the missing shoe. Maybe the original breeders of RRs were also comedians . Generally what I will say is this: If you want a cuddly & warm dog - get a Labrador. If you want a dog that is easy to train - get a gundog or a pastoral dog. If you want a dog to drive you up the wall ... get a Beagle (... joking ) ... But if you wish to have a dog with personality as complexed as your own ... if you wish to find a dog to grow with ... then maybe the Rhodesian Ridgeback is your kind of dog. A Ridgeback is like a bottle of good red wine ... wholesome & full-bodied ... it needs time ... it needs respect ... it's flavour is refined, almost an aquired taste ... but once savoured, the flavour remains long after the bottle is empty, and you will never ever forget ... Cheers
(This post was edited by surchinmy on Jun 4, 2004, 10:01 AM)
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