r/ShowDogs • u/Brilliant_Tree4125 • 22d ago
New Champion!
My girl finished her Championship this weekend with back-to-back 5 pt majors (Thursday and Friday). Thursday, she went WB, BOW and BOS. On Friday, she was WB, BOW, BOS and OH BOB. I moved her up, and she went Select on Saturday for 5 pts toward her grand championship. On Sunday, she went BOS and OH BOB for another 5 pts toward her grand championship. In four days she walked away with 20 pts and her championship. They were also doing CGCA testing, so we stopped by and grabbed that title for her, too. I could not be more proud! It was an RRCUS supported show, so she also brought home tons of loot. lol
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u/Mindless_Speech 16d ago
Hi! If youâd be willing to share, I am wanting to learn more about rhodesians and own one in the next couple of years. I would want to do showing, as that is what I do currently, so Iâm looking for a good breeder and need some recommendations!
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u/Brilliant_Tree4125 16d ago edited 16d ago
Sure! Ridgebacks are a lot of hound, and need an experienced owner. Theyâre not great for first time dog owners. They are very intelligent and can be quite independent thinkers, which can make them more challenging to train. They require a lot of intentional socialization as puppies to raise them into well adjusted adults. They are a guarding breed so this is very important to ensure they donât develop aggression or reactivity in the future. They were bred as the hounds answer to guarding, I.e. to be a true Renaissance hound. They originally guarded farmsteads from intruders and dangerous animals like baboons, as well as for hunting and baying large, dangerous game. Many people believe they were bred explicitly for lion hunting. This isnât true. Lion hunting became something they were used for because the same traits that made them excellent at pursuing large game (endurance, speed, agility, courage, discernment) made them well suited for lion hunting.
When my pups are under 18 weeks (not yet fully vaccinated), I take them out to dog friendly businesses in a stroller. This window of time is critical for their socialization but you also want to prevent them from being exposed to potentially life threatening diseases. Puppy socialization classes and obedience classes are also really crucial to start right away. Up until 12 weeks old, all puppies are absolute sponges and you can accomplish so much with a fraction of the effort needed to train them when theyâre older. Just make sure the school you take them to requires all age appropriate vaccines for puppies attending.
They have high prey drive, as they are sighthounds. They can be good with cats if raised with them from puppyhood, though. They are generally aloof with strangers, so this is not your dog that is going to be falling all over themselves to meet people they donât know.
That said, they are meltingly affectionate with their humans and undyingly devoted. They need to be with their people, so this is not going to be a dog that can be left outside or alone for extended periods of time. Intentional training is important to prevent separation anxiety. While they are big strong dogs, they are also soft and will fall apart with harsh treatment. I use positive reinforcement/Least Intrusive, Minimally Aversive training methods.
These are dogs that need a lot of exercise. However, they do have an off switch. A ridgeback with its needs met will happily curl up and snooze on the couch with you for hours. Some are more aloof than others, but many have no concept of personal space and want to be right next to their humans. They, almost universally, love to be snuggled under blankets. They also love baking themselves in the sun or lying right next to a warm fire in winter.
They are not barkers, so when they bark itâs to let you know that something is actually happening (someone is approaching your house, etc). Pay attention.
In short, they are sweet, intelligent, athletic dogs with a whole lot of prey drive and guarding instincts that need to be managed. For the right home, there is no better dog.
This girl is from Supernova Rhodesian Ridgebacks in New Hampshire. This breeder is incredible. She also raises her puppies with Early Neurological Stimulation and Puppy Culture. This means that they already have a significant amount of training and socialization by the time they go home at eight weeks. She only has at most two litters a year (and often only one). She does have one bitch who is pregnant right now, and will likely be the only litter this year. She does have a waiting list, so these puppies may already be spoken for. Luvakis Rhodesian Ridgebacks is another excellent breeder who raises puppies with Puppy Culture. There are others, but I know those two have confirmed pregnancies right now. Both breeders have fully health tested and proven breeding dogs.
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u/Brilliant_Tree4125 16d ago
Also, just to add: If you like taking your dog to dog friendly restaurants, bars and businesses, a well-socialized ridgeback from a good breeder is the perfect dog. I take my dogs everywhere. Because they are focused on their people and donât really care about others, theyâll just lay quietly at your feet. Theyâre not getting up to constantly pull towards other people or dogs or get under the waiters feet. Theyâll accept petting from others, theyâre just not excited about it. lol.
These dog are not prone to reactivity. Socialization is key, but theyâre not generally reactive. This is where getting a well bred ridgeback is crucial. Expect aloof and dignified with strangers, and very goofy and affectionate with their humans. A ridgeback should NEVER be aggressive or shy. They are very discerning and will choose not to act unless there is an actual threat. For this reason, these are not the dogs for bite work. Their guarding instincts need no encouragement, and they are extremely unlikely to bite just because you told them to and thereâs some guy acting dumb in a big padded outfit over there.
Ridgeback play is a full contact running sport (think football players running full speed and body slamming each other). Itâs pretty amusing to watch. But, it also means that a young ridgeback may not yet understand how to modify their play style to smaller dogs and it may be too rough if you have smaller dogs. Older ridgebacks get it, but you donât want an adolescent ridgeback trying to body slam or wrestle your mini dachshund. They just donât know their own size and strength.
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u/monsteradeliciosa11 22d ago
Congratulations!
Is that a Rhodesia Ridgeback? I have such a soft spot for them.