Rhodesian Ridgeback: And the Meaning of Our Lives

by Ann Chamberlain, Jennifer Aftanas (Photographer)

The experts at Kennel Club Books present the world's largest series of breed-specific canine care books. Each critically acclaimed Comprehensive Owner's Guide covers everything from breed standards to behavior, from training to health and nutrition. With nearly 200 titles in print, this series is sure to please the fancier of even the rarest breed!

Genres: Nonfiction, Animals, Dogs

155 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 1, 2000

Reviews

[John · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a well written history and what to expect guide for anyone with or considering a Rhodesian Ridgeback. I have my first and she's 8.5 months old as of this writing and I can't imagine owning another breed. Yes, they are stubborn and a handful at times (sometimes I crack up laughing at how human they can be), but they are affectionate, playful, loving and protective ALL of the time. This book gives a great insight into the Ridgeback and is an easy read.

[Minna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Solid information, at least in the beginning; the end devolved into basically your 'here's how to care for your new puppy' generalities. I could have done with a little less about the conformation requirements of a Ridgeback and more breed-specific information and recommendations about habits, training, general care, etc. I suppose, however, that in order to fill an entire book, the extra has to be added.

Some of the breed-specific tidbits were right on topic, though. I'm glad the author covered feeding (SO important not to free-feed this breed; our first vet recommended measured canned food and free-feeding dry food. Luckily I had read this first, and ignored his recommendation, or my puppy would literally have eaten herself to death. On the occasion when she chewed through a sealed 30-lb bag of food left on the floor while we were gone, she ate 14 pounds at one fell swoop.). It was also nice to see mentions of the importance of positive training, couch-surfing, and other Ridgie habits.

Here's what I have to add, to augment the book, if you are interested in a Ridgeback:
1. You will never have total dominion over your couch, ever again. Ridgebacks prefer soft places to lay (they don't have a lot of cushion) and will happily take over your couch if they are allowed up even ONCE.
2. The thing about Disney eyes is no joke: they always act like they're staaaaaaaaarving.
3. I don't know about Ridgebacks liking water... perhaps swimming. But baths? Fuhgeddaboudit. Neither one of mine likes baths and one actively hates them. (Baths are accomplished with LOTS of bribery.)
4. Some Ridgebacks are truly "velcro" dogs... and some are very catlike. My male is a velcro puppy. ALWAYS has to be involved, wherever the action is, hates to be left behind, and loves everybody. My female is like a cat-dog, does not enjoy being petted, likes to sit apart and be aloof, and dislikes most people, tolerates a few, and loves only one. Prior to having dogs I had cats (no cats anymore!) and honestly my female dog behaves more like a cat than some of my cats did.
5. Pay extra and get the good food. If their coats aren't shining, they're not getting good food.
6. Ridgebacks are NOT GOOD OFF LEASH. Even if they're well trained, if they see something small and furry, they are gone.
7. They are hard to train (the book does say this) but almost every skill can be learned with food. However, Ridgebacks are very clever (at least my two are) and try and figure out short cuts. Look out for that.
8. They are diabolically clever. My male figured out how to open lever-handle doors. My female figured out how to open the step-lid trashcan, how to thrown down her Kong to knock treats out without having to work hard, and how to get into her previous food box. If you don't keep an eye on these dogs you might be surprised what they get into!

[Lenka Jadrnickova · Rating 2 out of 5]

I expected much more informations about the specific breed and during the reading asked myself many questions which were never answered. If you buy any other "puppy" book you'ľl get actually almost the same amount of informations as i did with this book.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Helpful in understanding Toots' outrageous aggression when approached by a stranger while sitting in the car. Nice section on the history of the breed.

[Audrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reference for our new puppy!