Grooming
For the most part, grooming a Rhodesian Ridgeback is pretty low maintenance and won’t require frequent trips to the groomer. In fact, you can probably take care of most of their grooming needs yourself. (Hey, more time for play!) Here are grooming tips for your Rhodesian Ridgeback:
Brushing: They are relatively light shedders compared to other dogs, but they do shed year-round (even in the wintertime). Brush them weekly to remove loose fur and to keep the coat glossy. Using a rubber bristle grooming brush is best.
Ear cleaning: Check their ears for debris and any redness or swelling. If you notice anything, speak to your vet. If your vet recommends at-home cleaning, follow this step-by-step guide on how to clean dog ears.
Bathing: Bathe them occasionally—at least once a month is recommended, though they can go up to three months without a bath. With their super short fur, they can be easily wiped down between bathing times with a towel and grooming spritz.
Nail trimming: If their nails don’t wear down naturally, regular nail trimming will help avoid discomfort and issues when running and walking. Many Rhodesian Ridgebacks don’t like nail clippers, but are okay with nail grinders.
Dental care: Brush their teeth daily to avoid tartar buildup, and don’t forget to book your Rhodesian in for their annual professional teeth cleaning with your vet.
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Training
Obedience training for a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is necessary to get a handle on basic commands like sit, stay and come, plus leash training, as they tend to be strong pullers. Impulse control training, including commands like leave it, can help curb some of your pup’s adventurous instincts. But remember, you’re the proud owner of a pup from the plains of Africa, bred to protect, hunt and guard, so you’re never going to rewire them totally. And why ever would you want to?
Rhodesians are whip-smart, but also quite sensitive to emotion. Communicating with them in a neutral, even-tempered attitude is the best way for them to learn and respond. Focus on recall training, teaching your puppy to come to you because they know you’re a safe place to be. This will help them regularly return to you when called, but it’s not gonna happen all the time—that roaming and chasing instinct is too strong. Practice in a fenced-in yard for best results. Even in a fenced area, you might find a long line useful to contain their instincts to roam too far while practicing recall and advance their training outdoors. Despite your best efforts, sometimes you will need help. If so, enroll your Ridgeback in professional training classes.
It’s best for your dog, and you, if you socialize them with people of all ages, as well as animals. Use positive reinforcement, rewarding their good behavior with praise and treats. Be patient, but firm. Get them used to common noises, such as music, television, doorbells, honks, traffic, the dishwasher, the vacuum and knocks, so they don’t bark and react each time they hear these sounds. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a smart and independent companion who works best with confident and experienced pet parents who can guide them.
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Diet
A Rhodesian Ridgeback food and diet plan isn’t all that different from other active, athletic dogs. Because Rhodesians are so energetic, high-quality commercial dog food is recommended. When purchasing dog food, get a formula that aligns with the dog’s stage in life (puppy, adult or senior). If your dog is gaining weight or seems to have an allergic reaction to food, consult with your vet for lower calorie and allergen-free options. Treats are great for positive reinforcement when training, but be sure to feed them to your dog in moderate amounts to avoid obesity and the health problems that accompany it, like heart disease and diabetes.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do like to surf the kitchen counter to snatch food, so be careful about leaving leftovers out in the open unsupervised. There are a lot of human foods that are harmful to dogs, and some Rhodesians can have sensitive stomachs. Consult with your veterinarian, as they are in the best position to help you pick the right food for your Rhodesian Ridgeback based on their required nutrition and individual needs.
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Exercise
Right at birth, Rhodesians enter the world with high levels of energy that need an outlet. When you’re considering your Rhodesian Ridgeback’s exercise needs, remember that as a puppy, the recommended activity level is five minutes per age in months. So, a 3-month-old pup would exercise for about 15 minutes. As for an adult Rhodesian Ridgeback, the recommended activity level is two to three 30-minute walks a day. And don’t forget obedience command practice for added mental stimulation.
Tracking exercises and nose work are also great activities for them to partake in. Rhodesians are natural runners who will have no problem keeping up with you as you hit the running trails. But be warned: A Rhodesian Ridgeback’s speed is quite fast, so unless they’re in a fenced-in area, keep them on that leash. There’s no holding them back once their prey drive takes over—unless, of course, you feel like partaking in a sprinting workout. They also love sport dog activities, like lure-coursing, which is right up their alley as they were bred as hunters and trackers. Rhodesian Ridgebacks love long walks and hikes, though they tend to have more energy as a puppy and slow down as they get older.
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Environment
As large dogs with a penchant for being in the great outdoors, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are best suited for homes with a good amount of space to be active. Because they like to run—and are dizzyingly fast—it’s best for these hounds to be in a fenced-in area when they’re not on a leash. Translation: They are not suited to apartment living.
They love family life but need an experienced pet parent who can take the time to socialize them properly from an early age, particularly with smaller kids and babies who don’t yet understand the importance of boundaries.
With the Rhodesian’s instinctive prey drive, cats or smaller pets will be tempting targets—these dogs do best without them in their home. Make sure you introduce your pup to a variety of sounds they are likely to hear at home, as a Rhodesian’s protective nature can lead to barking in order to notify you of potential danger. However, they can adapt to different living situations as long as you provide them with the outdoor exercise and walks they need to stay happy and healthy.
When it comes to navigating Rhodesian Ridgebacks’ energy levels, the No. 1 thing to remember is that they absolutely need to be able to burn off some energy! It’s non-negotiable in this pup-pet parent relationship. Without that release, it will be hard for them to be well-behaved at home. But as long as they get their quality time to blow off steam, they’ll have no problem curling up on the couch, watching a little TV and dozing off right by your side.
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