What’s Up guys! Im Dr. Lindsay Butzer a small animal veterinarian and I have always wanted to Own a Rhodesian Ridgeback!

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Most people want to own a Ridgeback because they are majestic, muscular, strong and athletic dogs and have a cool history of being are used to hunt lions! ☝However, they are large dogs and can weigh up to 85 pounds and may be too much hound for the average dog owner!

MYTH ABOUT RIDGEBACKS:
So you might have heard that Rhodesian Ridgebacks are African Lion Hounds and hunted lions in South Africa where they are from, and this is true, but they did not take down lions, they are used in packs to hold lions in one place for hunters to then approach them. And as a Hound this dog was also used to take down Antelope, fend off Baboons and herd the occasional Ox.
And what should this mean to you? That the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a hardcore dog!!

THE RIDGE:
As most people know the breed is cherished by their ridge of hair that grows in an opposite direction along the dog's spine usually topped by a couple of swirls of hair, at the withersend of the spine, called “Crowns”.

ORIGIN:
The Ridge originated by their African ancestor dog's, some of whom had ridges, such as Mastiffs, Grey hounds, and Great Danes. But the real reason the ridge is so cherished is that the dog's with ridges would always come back after helping to hunt lions, and so the belief began that the dog's with ridges were better hunters. Sadly, after this became a spiritual belief puppies without ridges would be euthanized to create the breedstandard, thanfully this is not happening anymore, and I have seen many ridgebacks without a ridge.

PERSONALITY:
Ridgebacks personality includes being, Stubborn, courageous and intelligent as well as a very loyal and protective of their owners. They have a strong instinct to guard their territory and make good watch dog's. They do have a lazy couch potato side to them when they are tired and don’t always require a huge house if they get adequate exercise.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a highenergy dog and excellent running partner who enjoy playing fetch or other games for mental stimulation. They are capable of great endurance with a good amount of speed too! They are beautiful and majestic which is why most people adore them and want one, and do get them, however, they may be too much hound for a novice dog owner.

TRAINING:
For training they require firm and consistent training from an early age to ensure good behavior and obedience. I always tell my new Ridgeback puppy clients to start early with their training and discipline when they are small, because they will be big and strong soon.

HAIR COAT AND GROOMING:
Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a short and dense coat that requires minimal grooming. Their coats come in only one color, “wheaten”, which spans every shade seen in a wheat field, from pale flaxen to the burnished red of a maturing crop. Ridgebacks also have two nose colors: black and the less commonly seen brown.

HEALTH AND LIFE SPAN:
They are generally healthy dogs but can be prone to hip dysplasia, elbow dysplasia, and certain types of cancer. Since they are a large breed dog their lifespan is from 9 to 12 years old.

And there’s another health issue I must mention which is a classic developmental disease in ridgebacks called a Dermoid Sinus (DS) which is a developmental defect of the spinal cord and skin causing a pinpoint hole or even bigger hole, exposing the spinal cord. These can become infected if deep all the way to the spine.

If you are a committed and responsible owner who can provide plenty of exercise and attention, a Rhodesian Ridgeback can make a wonderful and loyal companion!

Thank you for watching this video. Don't forget to subscribe to our channel for more informative videos about dog breeds, ownership tips and pet health care! ~ Dr. Lindsay Butzer