The first thing you should do when looking for a Ridgeback puppy is to go
to the website of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US (RRCUS) at www.rrcus.org and click on the "Breeder's List" link. While I would not personally recommend
every breeder listed in that directory, it is a great place to start.
There are many things a dog breeder does that differentiates one from another.
Remember, you are expecting to spend the next 10-15 years with this new puppy you are buying. Your experience with your
new puppy can be greatly influenced by its breeder in many ways.
Genetics - Did the breeder
require the appropriate testing for genetic diseases on both the father and mother, as well as earlier generations?
Hip displaysia, elbow displaysia, thyroid problems, heart disease, and blindness are all genetic issues that Ridgebacks can
be tested for. While testing never guarantees there won't be a problem, it certainly helps minimize the possibilities.
Temperament - Genetics
do play a part in temperament, so it is important that both parents have sound temperaments. After genetics, early nuerological
development is one of the most important aspects of qualifying the breeder of your new puppy. What the breeder does...or doesn't do... in the first 8-9 weeks of your puppy's life can determine the rest
of that puppy's life...even more than genetics.
Studies on performance horses have proven that about 30% of their abilities are from genetics...the rest is
environment and training.
A responsible breeder should be educated about behavioral issues because
they are just as important as health and conformation. Click "HERE" for an article written by Karen L. Overall, VMD, Ph.D., Dipl. ACVB, for DVM Newsmagazine that describes an example of a Ridgeback breeder who
does our breed, and the general public, a disservice by not educating themselves about behavioral issues.
Early nuerological stimulation
has been proven to have a significant impact on the rest of the dog's life.
Socialization and environmental enrichment programs should be part of the breeder's regular protocol for raising these puppies.
We now have significant proof of the impact of social and environmental deprivation
in human children. Apply that knowledge to dogs and you can make similar parallels. Here are three examples of
how puppies are raised prior to you taking them home. You decide which puppy you believe would make the best companion
for you and your family.
Example 1: The puppies are raised in
concrete pens and the only interaction with people is when they are fed and the pen is cleaned (most of the time the puppies
are hosed along with the kennel run). If sold to pet stores, they are taken away from their mother and siblings
at 4 weeks old and shipped in boxes (3-4 to a box depending on their size) to a holding facility for health checkups until
they can be shipped to pet shops all over the U.S. at 8 weeks old. If sold directly to homes, most state laws mandate
that puppies cannot be sold prior to 8 weeks and are kept in cages until that time. They can be shipped to
you anywhere in the world.
Example 2: The puppies are lovingly
raised in a home with some interaction with the family ( if available). They are somewhat isolated for fear of exposure
to viruses. They are kept in an 8x8 exercise pen most of the time where they must play and poop in the same place (making
house training more of a challenge.) They have plenty of good food and toys and are exposed to normal sounds in the home.
The are lovingly raised, but had minimal socialization. Homes are appropriately screened and puppies are placed with
spay/neuter contracts.
Example 3: The Breeder Who Goes The Extra Mile
- .During the first four weeks, the puppies are put through early neurological stimulation exercises, with tons of handling by the breeder and others. At four weeks
of age, they are raised in an environment where they have a separate potty area to use. They have an environmental
enrichment area with elevated climbing toys, tunnels and sounds, to give them early exposure to all kinds of objects,
surfaces, textures and sounds. Starting at 4 weeks old, the breeder schedules at least weekly puppy open houses
for people to stop by and just play with puppies. This provides the opportunity for the puppies to meet all kinds of
people, all sizes, cultures and ages. By the time they are ready to go their new homes at 8-9 weeks of age, they
have already met at least 25 new people (including children) who have handled them extensively.
The third example of how a puppy is raised is obviously the optimum to ensure
your puppy gets the best start possible; however, it will not guarantee you will not have temperament issues...but it sure
is a good place to start. Many times, the breeder doesn't realize the puppy may have a "fear" issue...something very
prevalent in Ridgebacks these days...and the puppies were not socialized during their first 8-9 weeks. If you,
as that puppy's new owner, are not prepared to try to make up for this lack of socialization during the first month
you own the puppy...or just plain don't know about it or understand the importance of it..you could have a real problem with
a dog with fear issues that can, and do, lead to biting problems.
It is just plain common sense that a puppy who is exposed to as many different
stimuli as possible during its first 8-9 weeks of life will be better equipped to deal with all the new things they will be
exposed to in their new homes than ones who are not.
Additionally, any breeder who raises their puppies like the third example
are also probably better equipped to help you with any temperament issues you encounter during the dog's life. They
have probably taken canine behavioral seminars, breeding seminars, and have had experience working through these issues with
their puppy buyers.
Bottom line, breeding dogs is a crap shoot at best when it comes to the genetic
portion. But we, as breeders, can stack the odds in our favor on temperament issues by working a little harder during
our puppies' first 8-9 weeks of life. So do your homework,
and make sure your breeder has done theirs. It is much easier to just ignore the research and data
and just raise puppies
