Are you Prepared?
We as responsible Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders, can spend up to a year researching the background of the dogs and bitches and their pedigrees being considered for a breeding. We try to be personally familiar with the temperament and physical characteristics of all parents, grandparents, and many of the great grandparents of these puppies.
Genetics and breeding have inherent risks, the combination of genes and the creation of a new life even with the great knowledge we now posses contains certain risks, perfection is impossible.
We ask that you very carefully consider this breed, become familiar with both the positive and negatives characteristics.
(Information provided by The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States)
Please read the following questions…. And consider each one very carefully.
Am I… (we) prepared to:
| Take full responsibility for this dog, and all of it’s needs for the next 10-15 years? This is not a task that can be delegated to children to accomplish. A dog is not just for a whim, or for a Christmas or Birthday present, but a dog is for life – the life of the dog. |
| Invest the amount of time, money and patience required to train this dog to be a good companion and family member? Just as with children this does not happen by itself!!! You must invest your time and efforts. |
| Always keep this dog safe – provide a safe, fenced area where it can exercise, never permit it to run loose, never permit it to ride in the back of an open pickup truck or be chained or tied up outside, permit no teasing or abuse by children or others when the dog is playing in it’s own yard (or any other time) such as poking sticks through the fence, yelling at it, tossing things at it? |
| Give this dog enough attention and exercise and firm but loving discipline as is given to human children? Puppies need a lot of TLC each day and as they grow they also need exercise along with the TLC and firm discipline so that they may learn right from wrong and become good canine citizens. |
| Live with shedding, and the small amount of grooming needed for a Ridgeback such as nails, brushing, bathing, cleaning of teeth, ears, ect. And keeping it parasite free for the next 10-15 years? |
| Spend the amount of money required to provide proper veterinary care, including but not limited to: vaccines, heartworm testing and preventative, spaying/neutering, annual checkups, medications required for any illness they may contract? Or the surgery required if the dog swallows something that could injure his internal organs? (somewhat common in RR’s) |
| Keep the breeder informed and up to date on the dogs’ accomplishments and problems? |
| Take questions to the breeder or other appropriate professionals before they become problems that are out of hand? |
| Have the patience to accept and enjoy the trials of Ridgeback puppyhood, which can last for up to two or three years, and each stage thereafter? To become educated about the proper care of the breed and correct training methods? |
| Continue to accept responsibility for the dog despite inevitable life changes such as new babies, kids going off to school, moving. ect? |
| Resist impulse buying and instead have the patience to make the responsible choice of a puppy? |
If you answer "yes:" to ALL of the above questions you are ready to start seriously contacting breeders.
Start early because most responsible breeders have a waiting list ranging from a few months to a couple of years remember the right puppy or adult dog is worth waiting for!