Rhodesian Ridgebacks

[lizzybeth727]

I know there are a few ridgeback owners on the board....

I have a friend who has a ridgeback, a female, about 11 or 12 months old now. The family did have an elderly male sheltie, who just passed away, and now the family wants to get another dog. They want me to help them figure out the best breed to get.

The ridgeback did boss the sheltie around, she was very pushy, but from what I can tell she was never aggressive. She's also very reactive to other dogs when out on walks in their neighborhood, once jerking the leash out of the owner's hand to chase another dog about two blocks down the road (that owner was able to get his dog out of the situation before the ridgeback got there).

So basically, I don't know much about ridgebacks. Do they generally get along with other dogs in their family? Any thoughts on what breed would get along with a ridgeback?

My first suggestion will be to not get another dog. Frankly, this family can't really handle the one they have, and adding another dog when they already have a bossy adolescent female sounds like a disaster. I'm going to tell them to wait until their dog is at least two years old, and then reevaluate whether or not they are ready for another dog.

But do you guys have any suggestions about what breeds might get along with a ridgeback??

 

[monkeys23]

As long as they get a male they should be fine, though I've known same sex RR households that did okay.

How about another RR?

 

[Dogs6]

I had a thread on RR's a while a go, I don't think breeds that would get along with a RR was mentioned but here you go in case it can be of any use. http://www.chazhound.com/forums/t133171/

 

[lizzybeth727]

I had a thread on RR's a while a go, I don't think breeds that would get along with a RR was mentioned but here you go in case it can be of any use. http://www.chazhound.com/forums/t133171/

Thanks for the link. I thought I remembered a thread about RRs but I wasn't sure.

 

[MicksMom]

... Frankly, this family can't really handle the one they have, and adding another dog when they already have a bossy adolescent female sounds like a disaster...

For that reason, I wouldn't recommend another RR. Last thing they need is another big, strong dog they aren't able to control.

I work with a teacher who has a female RR (she's about 4 1/2 now) and 2 older male Collies. The RR doesn't mess much with "the boys", as the teacher calls them. Personality wise, they're rather aloof. They don't greet people like Labs do, but rather just stand and observe. My co-worker said her RR would stand between her & me if we met on a walk and just watch me. The ones I've met at class are like that, too- they don't approach you for petting. If you're talking to their owner, they just stand there. If you want to pet/talk to them, fine, if not, they're also fine with that.

 

[lizzybeth727]

For that reason, I wouldn't recommend another RR. Last thing they need is another big, strong dog they aren't able to control.

I work with a teacher who has a female RR (she's about 4 1/2 now) and 2 older male Collies. The RR doesn't mess much with "the boys", as the teacher calls them. Personality wise, they're rather aloof. They don't greet people like Labs do, but rather just stand and observe. My co-worker said her RR would stand between her & me if we met on a walk and just watch me. The ones I've met at class are like that, too- they don't approach you for petting. If you're talking to their owner, they just stand there. If you want to pet/talk to them, fine, if not, they're also fine with that.

That's good info. I'm thinking about suggesting a greyhound.... They're also usually aloof with other dogs, and I think the family could handle one. Maybe.

 

[grayada1]

i have a two year old male RR. He is great around dogs, but i wouldnt trust him around another dog that he hasnt spent alot of time with. RR are very big strong dogs and if one is pushy that can be dangerous unless theere has been alot of supervison between the two animals (im thinking years).

My RR is great around most dogs. loves to chase, wrestle and play. He isnt food aggressive or toy aggressive, but he doesnt like other dogs who are.

My sister has another RR who is a little food aggressive and if there is food and my sisters shows any aggressive behavoir that will trigger my dog.

I guess im just trying to say RR are very serious dogs and being as large and strong as they are i would be very careful adding another dog to the mix, because i wouldnt be comfortable leaving them together unsupervised for a long time...

 

[Ridgeback Guy]

Man, I must have a very weird Ridgeback. Bruno just wants to be best friends with everyone and every thing! He has never once showed aggression towards anything. He even play bows to the squirrels in the yard.

Or maybe its just that his breeder turns out dogs with that personality. :dunno: I met a lady a while ago that said Bruno looks and acts exactly like her sons dog. We got to talking and it turned out her sons dog was from the SAME litter as Bruno.

 

[grayada1]

my sisters RR from the same parents as mine is alot different than mine. he loves people where mine is very aloof with strangers. the only thing ive noticed about mine is that he doesnt like being growled at and reacts to that.

he loves dogs and goes to day care and has never been a problem. just something ive noticed about his personality that i now keep a close eye on. He does live with two cats and while he bugs them all the time he has never come close to hurting them.

 

[Ratboy]

Man, I must have a very weird Ridgeback. Bruno just wants to be best friends with everyone and every thing! He has never once showed aggression towards anything. He even play bows to the squirrels in the yard.

Or maybe its just that his breeder turns out dogs with that personality. :dunno: I met a lady a while ago that said Bruno looks and acts exactly like her sons dog. We got to talking and it turned out her sons dog was from the SAME litter as Bruno.

I've had friends with RR's, and all four of them were about the opposite of "aloof". The last one, Buddy, was in love with anyone, except for any stranger who was drunk. He didn't like them one bit. I used to dread going over there, as he would climb on top of me and want me to hold him like a baby. At 110 pounds, those elbows seemed to always end up in painful places. He sadly went young, he got liver cancer at age 8, and went downhill very quickly. I've had a couple of friend's dogs love me, but none of them loved me as much as Buddy did. The other three would bring me their toys and tugs and want me to play with them, almost to the point of being obnoxious about it, but at least they didn't want me to hold them like Buddy did.

 

[samsa]

My Ridgeback gets along great with other dogs, so long as they're willing to put up with his sometimes-annoying desire to play. My Ridgeback, for all intensive purposes, is a big giant goofball. When he plays, it typically involves a lot of "boxing" and "mouthing" around the ears & neck.

Some dogs take it the wrong way, and then the dynamics between the two can often turn aggressive. But other dogs who are accustomed to playing that way usually LOVE my dog and become best friends forever.

My dog's current best friend is a little 8 month old shih poo. He's a feisty little guy who enjoys being chased by a 90lb Ridgeback at full-speed...so all the power to him. The two of them get along great. Also, my parents have a 75lb bloodhound/shepherd mix who also enjoys the "mouthing" type of play that most Ridgebacks are known for. And those two are essentially inseparable! They sleep on one another and give each other kisses...it's enough to make you sick!

Anyway, I hope this helps. Best of luck!

 

[Pops2]

ridgebacks should be able to hunt in a pack. it may just take a little stronger hand to settle the nonsense.

 

[ThePackLeader]

I've always loved Rhodesian Ridgebacks. I find the ridge the most ultimately charming about the breed. But I was wondering, are Rhodesian Ridgebacks aggressive towards dogs of the same sex? I know dogs aren't like betta fish where you put two males together and they immediately fight to the death, but over time, will Rhodesian Ridgebacks fight with another dog of the same sex and family to the death, like in the case of Bullmastiffs? Bullmastiffs are notorious for that.