I've always had dogs and grew up with different dog breeds in the family.
My first was a Terrier when I was seven years old. Unfortunately, he was soon lost when he was hit by a car.
After that were several Beagles that stretched into my early years in college.
Then a couple of Irish Setters that started off as a compromise.
When my first wife and I divorced, I kept full custody of both kids. At the time my daughter was 7 and my son was 2 and I wanted them to grow up with a dog, but I didn't want to deal with a lot of necessary dog grooming. I also wanted a dog that would be protective enough that my daughter could walk it on her own, big enough to be somewhat visually intimidating, but gentle and laid back at the same time.
We did some research, attended a few dog shows to check out different breeds and decided on a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
They proved to be the perfect breed for us. The kids are both now grown, on their own and I'm currently on my fourth Ridgeback - the last three have all been rescues. I'm in SoCal but have driven north of San Francisco for two of the rescues.
I recently saw the following description online and it's 100% accurate...
Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred to hunt lions—yes, lions—so bravery runs deep in their bloodline. These athletic and independent dogs are calm in demeanor but quick to act when danger arises. They’re protective of their families without being unnecessarily aggressive, and they tend to assess situations before reacting. Ridgebacks are also known for their intelligence and quiet confidence, which makes them excellent watchdogs who don’t need to bark every five minutes to prove their point. In short, they know they’re tough, and they don’t need to show off.
Each of ours have also been very loving family members.
My first was a Terrier when I was seven years old. Unfortunately, he was soon lost when he was hit by a car.
After that were several Beagles that stretched into my early years in college.
Then a couple of Irish Setters that started off as a compromise.
When my first wife and I divorced, I kept full custody of both kids. At the time my daughter was 7 and my son was 2 and I wanted them to grow up with a dog, but I didn't want to deal with a lot of necessary dog grooming. I also wanted a dog that would be protective enough that my daughter could walk it on her own, big enough to be somewhat visually intimidating, but gentle and laid back at the same time.
We did some research, attended a few dog shows to check out different breeds and decided on a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
They proved to be the perfect breed for us. The kids are both now grown, on their own and I'm currently on my fourth Ridgeback - the last three have all been rescues. I'm in SoCal but have driven north of San Francisco for two of the rescues.
I recently saw the following description online and it's 100% accurate...
Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred to hunt lions—yes, lions—so bravery runs deep in their bloodline. These athletic and independent dogs are calm in demeanor but quick to act when danger arises. They’re protective of their families without being unnecessarily aggressive, and they tend to assess situations before reacting. Ridgebacks are also known for their intelligence and quiet confidence, which makes them excellent watchdogs who don’t need to bark every five minutes to prove their point. In short, they know they’re tough, and they don’t need to show off.
Each of ours have also been very loving family members.
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