Answer: No! The Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not hypoallergenic canines. These dogs do shed their fur in a good amount on a seasonal basis and they also produce a decent amount of dander.
Answer: Yes! Rhodesian Ridgebacks are extremely kid-friendly canines. These pooches are highly protective of small kids, especially those who are a part of their family. Ridgebacks always remain very careful and gentle with children of all ages and that is why this breed is considered to be immensely suitable for kids.
Answer: Well-trained and properly socialized Rhodesian Ridgebacks should get along just fine with other canines. These dogs require consistent guidance and training from their owners so as to become a bit more sociable with other pooches. If these canines aren’t trained and socialized properly, then they might not be that friendly with other dogs and instead can be fairly aggressive towards them.
Answer: Generally, Ridgebacks are not known to get along that well with other household pets such as cats. They mostly remain reserved with the members of the feline family, but if they have not received proper training, then they can also be a bit aggressive with other house animals like cats.
Answer: Yes! Rhodesian Ridgebacks are one of the best guard dogs that are present today. These canines have exceptional protective instincts that allow them to efficiently look after their home and family members. These pooches can defend their loved ones against most kinds of external harm or threats and thus are considered to be a great option for those people who are looking to raise a loyal and intelligent canine that can also be an excellent guard dog.
Answer: The Rhodesian Ridgeback can be a decent apartment dog if it remains well-exercised. If given proper work and movement, this pooch will adjust to the apartment lifestyle fairly quickly.
Answer: The Rhodesian Ridgebacks are seasonal shedders. They shed in a decent manner during the shedding season which comes at least twice every year and during this period, regular brushing of their coat is highly necessary for these canines as it can control the shedding process to a certain extent.
Answer: Rhodesian Ridgebacks require a lot of training and guidance from a skilled owner so as to become more comfortable and sociable with others and because of this, they are not very suitable for inexperienced and first-time owners. A novice owner should raise such a breed which is not that hard to handle and which is fairly easy-going in nature. Also, Ridgebacks’ exercise needs are quite high as well and fulfilling these needs on a regular basis might be a bit overwhelming for the first-time owners.
Answer: No! The Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not bark excessively or unnecessarily. They only vocalize when they want their owners’ attention or when they are guarding their homes, but apart from this, they don’t bark all that much.
Answer: It is important to fulfill the decent exercise requirements of these dogs as it will not only keep them fit and healthy but will also keep them happy and contented. Ridgebacks should be taken to long walks or jogs either in a park or in a garden where they can freely move and spend the large amount of energy that is present inside their body. They also enjoy running in open areas at good speeds, but they should only be allowed to do so if the area is safe and properly fenced. Brief play sessions are also fairly important for the Ridgebacks and should be provided to them on a regular basis.
Answer: Leaving a Ridgeback alone in the house for a few hours is fine, but if this pooch is left alone for long periods of time on a regular basis, then it can gradually become highly bored and restless. And this can lead to the development of various destructive traits in these canines like incessant barking, furniture chewing et cetera. Therefore, it is not a very good idea to leave a Rhodesian Ridgeback all alone for an extended period of time on a regular basis.
Answer: For an experienced and skilled owner, training this canine shouldn’t be that hard. Ridgebacks are a bit stubborn and independent in nature but if they consistently get the proper guidance and training from a knowledgeable owner, then they can slowly become a bit more obedient and compliant in nature. These dogs can learn a lot of things from their owners fairly quickly due to their sharp minds and their retention power is also quite excellent. This is an overall very fun breed to train, but it is important to start the obedience training of these canines when they are at the puppy stage only.
Answer: The grooming requirements of the Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very minimal. Their coat is only needed to be brushed once every week so as to avoid any matting issues. But the frequency of brushing should be increased during shedding season. Occasional baths (preferably once every month) will keep these canines neat and clean. Their nails should also be trimmed on a regular basis as overly long nails can cause a lot of pain to the canines especially while walking or running.
Answer: Ridgebacks’ have a great tolerance to heat. These canines can comfortably thrive in fairly hot and warm places and they don’t require a lot of protection and care from their owners like some other breeds do.
Answer: Their tolerance to cold is fairly mediocre. They can reside in moderately cold areas, but when it comes to extremely chilly and low-temperature regions, these dogs are not very suitable for those places.
Answer: Yes! Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very intelligent and smart canines. They have excellent learning and thinking skills and their decision-making abilities are also quite decent.
Answer: Ridgebacks mostly remain very reserved and quiet around strangers. These pooches don’t very easily trust the new people that they encounter on a day-to-day basis and that’s why they have a hard time in getting along with strangers. Proper training and socialization are of utmost importance for the Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Answer: No! The Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not excessive droolers. They only drool when they are excited or when they are waiting for their food. A small amount of drooling can also be seen after these canines are done with their food or water, but apart from this, they don’t slobber all that much.
Answer: Yes! The Rhodesian Ridgebacks are fairly expensive canines and their maintenance needs are also not that low. They require a good amount of exercise on a regular basis so as to remain healthy and happy. They also need constant training from their owners so that they could become less stubborn and more sociable with others. And, their feeding needs are also fairly high and due to all these reasons, the Rhodesian Ridgebacks are considered to be somewhat high-maintenance.
Answer: Ridgebacks are not very easily available in India. They can be found in some of the well-known cities like Mumbai, Delhi et cetera, but when it comes to most of the smaller regions of this country, the availability of this breed is still pretty low.
Answer: The average price of a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy in India is around ₹50,000 to ₹60,000. But there are a lot of factors that affect their price in the country and because of that, the cost of bringing a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy home can go fairly high.
Answer: Not all Rhodesian Ridgebacks like to swim or play in the water, but there are some Ridgebacks that do enjoy spending time in a pool or going to a beach. An owner shouldn’t force its dog to swim in the water, but if their pooch is happy and comfortable around the water, then it should definitely be allowed to swim in a pool or a lake (with proper safety measures).
Answer: Rhodesian Ridgebacks are only found in the following colors that are listed below:
Answer: Ridgebacks have a fairly average lifespan of about 10-12 years. But if they are consistently given proper nutrition, care, and exercise, then some of these canines might live longer than 12 years of age.
Answer: Most common health problems found in the Rhodesian Ridgebacks are Eye Anomalies, Hip and Elbow Dysplasia, Hypothyroidism, Thyroid Problems, Dermoid Sinus, Degenerative Myelopathy, and Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus or Bloat.