How to Locate a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Finding a the right Rhodesian Ridgeback can be a challenging experience. Although Ridgebacks have grown in popularity over the last ten years, they are still not as common as some breeds. Still, with a little legwork, you should be able to find a Ridgeback that perfectly fits in to your family.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

1. First, do your research. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not a breed for everyone. They can be stubborn, dominant, and destructive, when not given enough attention or trained properly. Make sure a large, active dog like a Ridgeback fits your lifestyle before taking the plunge.

2. Decide if you want to locate a puppy or an adult. Puppies are usually easiest to acquire from breeders, and adults from rescue organizations.

3. Check out your local shelters. Purebred Rhodesian Ridgebacks can and do sometimes pop up in shelters, as well as a variety of Ridgeback mixes. Make sure you are well acquainted with the Ridgeback's appearance before going to the shelter, since some Ridgebacks do not have the hallmark ridge and can be more difficult to identify. Also, shelters are not always reliable at identifying Rigebacks correctly.

4. Get online. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) has links on their website to breeders in every state. Typically, these breeders are ethical and health test their breeding stock. Also, the RRCUS website has links to national Ridgeback rescue organizations, if you are interested in rescuing a homeless Ridgeback.

5. Make some calls. Once you've found your area breeders or rescue organizations, start calling them on the phone. Be prepared to be wait-listed for puppies by breeders. Sometimes, it can take well over a year. Also, most breeders will want to meet you prior to selling you a puppy. Both breeders and rescue organizations will want you to fill out questionnaires, and rescue organizations will do a home check as well, to make sure you and your home are properly equipped to add a Ridgeback to your life.

6. Look up Rhodesian Ridgeback clubs in your area. Sometimes, reputable breeders will not be members of the national Ridgeback club, but will belong to the local club.

Tips & Warnings

• Be patient. It can sometimes take awhile to locate the perfect Rhodesian Ridgeback, but it's better to find the right dog then to settle.
• Be flexible. If there aren't any puppies in your area, be willing to talk to rescue organizations and breeders in other states.
• Never buy a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy from a pet store. Many of the puppies sold in pet stores come from puppy millers, and they typically do not come with the same health guarantees you would get from a reputable breeder.
• Never buy a puppy online, sight unseen. Always talk to the breeder and meet their dogs before purchasing a puppy.
• Be very cautious about buying a Ridgeback puppy from the newspaper. Always check to make sure the breeder has health tested the parents of the puppies for hips, elbows, and thyroid, at the bare minimum. Also, make sure to meet the parents to assess their temperament.

Resources

• Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States
• Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue, Inc.
• Ridgeback Rescue of the United States
• Etosha Animal Rescue
• Texas Independent Rigeback Rescue