How to Care for a Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is also known as the African lion hound because of its effectiveness in hunting lions in its homeland of southern Africa. As a puppy, the Ridgeback is extremely energetic, but as he matures he will slow down and be content to lie next to his owner. Ridgebacks do well indoors, but do need a big backyard to play in. Parts of this eHow are provided courtesy of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dental Kits (for Dogs)
• Dog Beds
• Dog Bones
• Dog Brushes
• Dog Collars
• Dog Dishes
• Dog Flea/tick Control Medication
• Dog Food
• Dog Leashes
• Dog Shampoo
• Dog Tags
• Nail Clippers For Dogs
• Dog Shampoo

1. Vaccinate your Rhodesian Ridgeback when you first get him and then get yearly booster vaccinations to maintain his immunity to diseases. Consult your veterinarian about flea-control products and establishing a heartworm prevention schedule.

2. Feed your Ridgeback high-grade dog food. The first ingredient should be meat. Crude protein should be no less than 30 percent, and crude fat no less than 20 percent. The fiber content should be 4 percent or less.

3. Brush and shampoo your Rhodesian Ridgeback only as needed. Because of their short coats, they need little grooming. They are medium shedders.

4. Check and trim toenails every two to three weeks.

5. Exercise your Ridgeback daily, if possible, although this breed is flexible and will adjust to your routine. Ridgebacks have a lot of stamina and make great companions for runners. They also love to swim.

6. Train your dog early on in obedience. Because of their size, Ridgebacks can injure themselves or others if not properly trained. They respond best to a gentle hand. You will need to be patient while training your Ridgeback, as these dogs tend to be stubborn.

7. Socialize a Ridgeback to be with cats, dogs and other pets from an early age. Male Ridgebacks tend to have problems with other dogs.

8. Make sure you have a fence that is more than 6 feet high around your property. Ridgebacks are very athletic and can jump fences.

9. Understand the health problems related to Rhodesian Ridgebacks. They are prone to hip dysplasia and dermoid sinus.

10. Be prepared to enjoy 10 to 12 years with your dog, as this is the average life expectancy of a Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Tips & Warnings

• Contact the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals to learn more about hip dysplasia.
• Ridgebacks make loyal watchdogs.
• Because it was bred to hunt in Africa, this breed has a lot of stamina and can go without food and water for more than 24 hours at a time.
• Ridgebacks may bark out of boredom.
• Ridgebacks need to be watched around toddlers so that they don't knock them over.
• This breed tends to be aloof with strangers.
• As with any dog breed, it is important to train and socialize your Ridgeback early, to ensure that he grows up to be an obedient, well-mannered and nonaggressive dog.

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[fearlessfox]

on 2/8/2008 Our RR took to the water with my sons like a fish and loved it! But his "dog-paddle" would claw us up if we got close, so it was always a game of "keep-away"!
And ALL dogs are pack animals and should never be secluded!! Why have a pet if you are going to make it live in a cage or back yard?!
Cisco is running around at the Rainbow Bridge now, but he is always in my heart and thoughts. What a wonderful, loyal, intelligent athlete he was!

[yawkar618]

on 11/18/2006 swimming- my ridgeback absolutely loves to swim. he was only a couple months old when you jumped off the back of the boat into the water... and we have to bribe him to get back in the boat. all other owners that i know say the same thing... their ridgebacks love the water as much if not more than our chakka!

on 6/30/2006 Try introducing your Rhodesian Ridgeback to calm waters first, like a lake or a pond. Give the dog an incentive to go in the water, such as a ball or stick.

I've yet to meet a Rhodesian Ridgeback that doesn't like water.

on 6/30/2006 My Rhodesian Ridgeback loves the water now, but it took a lot of short training sessions several times a day and determination on her part to keep up with the neighbors' Lab.

The first time she jumped off a dock and sank like a stone. I had to jump in after her and pull her to the surface. Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not have a buoyant chest cavity like Retrievers, webbed feet, nor a natural instinct for swimming. It was like teaching a child to swim. She watched the neighbors' Lab for hours on end, I spent weeks swimming with her and teaching her the dog paddle. 5 years later, she loves the water, but is not a strong swimmer. I still supervise her carefully and have to call her out of the lake when she gets too tired. I won't let her swim in water with a strong current or undertow.

I do not take her boating - floating on the water makes her very nervous. She's too restless, rocks the boat and tries to jump overboard. It's just not safe for either of us.

on 11/22/2005 I took my female 1yr. old to the ocean during the summer, and she would only try to "eat" the waves. I would swim in and she would only come if she felt I was too far away. RR are very protective of their owners. She came crashing through the waves when I put my head under water because she feared for my safty. If I had stayed closer to her, she would have never come into the water.