I don't want a show dog, just a family pet. Why does it matter whether or not my puppy's parents have their AKC conformation championship titles?
A conformation show is more than just a doggy beauty contest. When the judge looks at a dog in the ring, he or she is judging that dog against the breed standard, which is an official document put together stating what a Ridgeback should look like. There is a reason behind this standard ...ultimately a Ridgeback should be able to do the job it was bred to do. The dog should have correct front and rear angulations, shoulder layback, etc in order to ensure endurance and agility. A correctly-structured dog has bones, muscles and ligaments in place to help keep joints healthy and strong.

What is the difference between a "hobby breeder" and a "puppy mill?"
A "hobby breeder's" main concern is with the long-term health and integrity of the breed. This breeder will only breed a litter if he or she feels that the breeding would improve upon past generations. Often times a hobby breeder will make no money at all from a litter because everything goes towards health testing for the dogs who will be bred, showing all dogs to their conformation championships, proper pre-breeding testing, proper prenatal care, proper postnatal care, and the list goes on. A "puppy mill" or "back yard breeder" on the other hand, is usually most concerned with the bottom dollar. They will skip health testing and conformation championships, they will breed often, and they will sell their puppies on a first come, first served basis rather than carefully screening homes. Many times a "back yard breeder" will also breed either to "see the miracle of life" or to recoup the price of his or her dog.

Do Ridgebacks suffer from health issues such as hip and elbow dysplacia? What health testing do you perform?
Ridgebacks are a relatively healthy breed, but the Code of Ethics for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States requires all members to test dogs for hips and elbows (OFA or PennHip) at a minimum. Many breeders (including Dominion) also test for thyroid (MSU), cardiac (MSU) and eyes (CERF). We don't do this because problems run in the breed, or in our line, but instead we do it because we want Ridgebacks to remain a healthy breed for generations to come.

If I get a puppy from you do I have to spay/neuter the dog?
All of our "pet" quality puppies are sold with spay/neuter agreements and limited AKC registrations. We feel very strongly that a Dominion dog should never contribute to the pet overpopulation problem, so a dog who will not be considered for showing or breeding purposes should be spayed or neutered.

What is the difference between a puppy sold as "show" quality and one sold as "pet" quality?
There are several faults that would make a puppy "pet" quality that are apparent from birth: more than two crowns on the ridge, one crown on the ridge, tail kink, etc. Barring obvious cosmetic faults, our puppies are evaluated by us as well as other breeders when they are eight weeks old. At eight weeks the puppy enters a brief stage where you can predict what its adult structure will look like. After the evaluation we determine where the puppy falls on the conformation scale and whether or not to place it as a "show" or a "pet." Pet quality puppies are not defective in any way, though.

Where are your puppies raised?
Our puppies are whelped and raised in our home and spend much of their time doing normal doggie stuff with us and our adult Ridgebacks (snuggling on the couch, watching TV, playing outside, etc). From day one we start doing "early neurological stimulation" with the pups. This is not as much of a science experiment as it sounds like, and involves several brief exercises (i.e. tickling between the pup's toes with a Q-tip) that allow the puppy to experience a new situation and then quickly return to the normal comfort it is used to. As the pups grow older they are exposed to a variety of new surfaces, sights, smells and noises. All this helps the puppy to adjust to new and changing situations as an adult.

How long do you keep your puppies before they can be sent to a new home?
We keep our puppies with us until they are eight weeks old. This time period gives them time with their dam and their littermates to start learning doggie manners.

Why is your puppy application form so detailed?
The more we know about you, your family, your lifestyle and your expectations the better we are able to talk to you about the potential of a Ridgeback in your household.

I hear a lot about "socializing" a dog. What does this mean?
We recommend that all of our puppies meet 100 new people in the first four months of their lives. The more people your dog meets early on the easier it will be for you to confidently take your dog places when he or she is an adult. Also make sure to socialize your puppy with safe dogs you know (a good positive reinforcement obedience class is a GREAT way to get off on the right foot when it comes to socialization).

What is the difference between "positive reinforcement" training and "negative reinforcement" training?
A positive reinforcement obedience class trains a puppy with treats and praise for getting a command right rather than punishment for getting a command wrong (as it is with negative reinforcement). Ridgebacks should ONLY be trained using positive reinforcement! You should never use a choke, prong or shock collar on a Ridgeback.

Do you recommend crate training a Ridgeback?
Absolutely. A crate should NEVER be used as punishment. Instead, it should be a safe haven for your puppy or dog to retreat to where no children or other animals are allowed. Crate training your dog also eases potential stressful situations for you and your dogs, such as overnight vet visits, boarding and travel.

I am a runner and I'm looking for an athletic dog. Do Ridgebacks make good jogging partners?
Adult Ridgebacks can make excellent jogging partners (although keep in mind that they are sight hounds and are often time easily distracted by their environment). However, you should NEVER job with a Ridgeback (or any large breed dog) before it is two years old. Larger breeds develop more slowly, so give those joints, muscles and connective tissue time to finish growing before you start a jogging routine with your Ridgeback.

I loved the Golden Retriever my family had when I was young, but I also love the way the Ridgeback looks. Are these two breeds comparable?
Both breeds are large dogs, but that's where the comparison ends. Ridgebacks are sight hounds; they are smart, independent and fast. They are not the type of dogs who will do what you say simply because you command it. Instead, you earn their trust and respect through fair, consistent, firm and fun training starting from the day you bring your puppy home. If you expect Ridgeback to play fetch, cover your face with kisses and do nothing more than wag its tail at the sight of guests then you might be better off considering a Lab or a Golden Retriever. If a dog who is more independent, cat-like and intelligent appeals to you then you're on the right track.

I have young children...is a Ridgeback a good breed for a growing family?
It depends. ANY breed can be wonderful with children and ANY breed can be a nightmare depending on your actions and expectations. A puppy needs to learn the rules of its new home, but by the same token children need to learn the rules of having a puppy in the home. Both need supervision around each other and patience while they figure out how to treat each other with gentleness and respect.

Do Ridgebacks do well in an apartment or townhome or do they need room to run?
Both! Adult Ridgebacks tend to be very laid back when inside, but both puppies and adults need access to a place where they can stretch their legs. Dogs who live in the city have the advantage of getting lots of socialization on frequent walks, but make sure you know of a safe park where the dog can run, sniff and play. Dogs who live in the country already have plenty of room to run, but their owners must make sure to take frequent field trips into more crowded areas so that their dogs gets proper socialization.

Can I let my Ridgeback off leash in an area that is not fenced?
Once again, Ridgebacks are a sight hound. For the most part, you can count on your dog seeing that squirrel, rabbit, deer, cat, etc long before you do and taking off before you can snap a leash on. Every dog is different and there are exceptions to every rule, but you should always make sure an area is safe and that you have done plenty of recall work with your dog before letting him off leash.

I'm thinking of adopting a Ridgeback from one of the National Rescue programs, but I'm worried that a rescue dog will come with "issues."
While it is true that some rescued dogs may have issues, there are a great many benefits from rescuing a dog from Ridgeback Rescue. From transport to evaluation to fostering, usually there are many people coming in contact with the dog who have the ability to help evaluate temperament and demeanor. Just be honest with the rescue organization you choose regarding your lifestyle, pets and children and they should be able to match you with a dog who will be forever grateful to be in a kind and loving home. There are two major national rescue organizations to check out: Rhodesian Ridgeback Rescue and Ridgeback Rescue of the United States.

I've heard that Ridgebacks are an aggressive breed...is this true?
ANY breed of dog can be aggressive if not properly trained and socialized. Please keep in mind that Ridgebacks are a large, intelligent breed, though and need to be trained with positive, patient consistency. One of the things Ridgebacks were bred to do was to protect a household, but this protective nature is instinctual and should never be fostered or developed. When a Ridgeback thinks something is wrong he will give a warning bark, but if you have fostered a working bond between yourself and the dog based on mutual respect and fairness then he should always look to you to handle any situations that might arise