Without strict and consistent training and socialization, Rhodesian Ridgebacks will likely develop behavior issues.
However, because these dogs become so attached to their humans, they are one of the most loyal and affectionate breeds if they are treated fairly. I absolutely DO NOT recommend or permit any of the puppies I place to be sent away for board and training sessions. Good trainers that know the breed will not accept this breed on that arrangement anyway. It’s vital for the owner(s) to train alongside the dog. Board and train sessions in this breed often produce insecure, fearful and reactive dogs, which is nearly impossible to correct once that behavior is established.Socialization, socialization, socialization!
Socialization is about way more than getting your puppy around other people and dogs!
Epidemic of Puppy Millers in the Carolinas
The Carolinas are unfortunately known in the ridgeback world for many puppy millers and dishonest breeders, with whom I refuse to be associated. These breeder always have litters on the ground, breed a multitude of other dog breeds, do not health test, or they only test hips or elbows and sometimes DM, but advertise their puppies as “health tested.” Such breeders have been known to continually produce litters from stock with known genetic issues, along with many other shady practices.
I don’t lower my standards in order to compete with the flooded market and people breeding cheap and poorly bred ridgebacks. While my expenses have increased drastically, I will continue breeding ethically and with pride in the health of my dogs and continued health testing of future dogs. Raising pups in an ethical manner takes an enormous amount of time, tears, money and emotional and physical energy. I threaten every year to quit breeding because making sure it’s done right is incredibly time consuming, expensive and stressful. I continue to do it because I sincerely love the breed, love (most of) the challenges, love raising puppies, enjoy the biological sciences involved, and love watching my puppies and dogs change the lives of their new families.
If you do not ultimately end up with a puppy from us, for whatever reason, but plan to go with someone else instead, then please be sure that the breeder screens their dogs with breed specific health testing (more than just hips and DM). They should offer any help and advice to the owners of the puppy for the entirety of the dog’s life.Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS)
As a general rule, if a breeder is a member of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS), then the chances of them being a decent breeder is pretty high. But please note that a great, responsible breeder doesn’t necessarily have to be a member of the breed club, just as every club member may not be honest. I am aware of breeders who have just as much integrity and responsibility toward the breed who are not RRCUS members, and their ethics, along with their dogs, are top-notch. I have also personally come across many RRCUS members who were not honest and ethical. Two of the most kind early mentors I had were club members, and I am grateful for the kindness they showed me early on. The breed club is a very small and competitive circle that is a great resource and advocate for the breed; unfortunately, a cut-throat culture of competitiveness within the club (club members are “show” breeders) leads to drama, jealousy and bitterness, which is especially, and often is, directed at any breeder not “in the club.” Yes, there are multitudes of non club “breeders” out there who do not have the breed’s best interest in mind; it’s important to be aware of that. I refuse to be associated with those people. I have no interest in drama, so I simply focus on my program and goals and the best interest of my dogs and the puppies I produce.The Goal
My goal and priority in breeding and raising RRs is to responsibly and ethically produce sound and healthy dogs that represent the breed’s standards. I want to provide the right people and families with healthy, quality companions that meet or exceed breed standards. I have strong, healthy and uniquely pedigreed dogs; I believe they can add great genetic diversity to other well bred lines, so I am also cautiously open to sharing my pedigrees with a very limited number of reputable and responsible breeders. While I’m happy to share the breed, and I enjoy seeing it get a bit of notoriety in recent years, I’m also very protective of it. I don’t want this dog to become as popular as some other breeds became over the past few decades, which were bred so much and with little regard for genetic testing that they still haven’t recovered.