OP, I wonder where you are now about thoughts of whether you think a RR might be suitable for your situation.
You have heard a number of perspectives on the breed. I am pleased to hear about some who are great farm dogs, as I have said some are, they do run the gamut as far as temperament. I have known some just as couch-potato, mild mannered, or even shy as you have mentioned the one you have known and liked is. However, I just did not want you to assume they were all like that or that that was the typical temperament of the breed, and you should not base your decision upon knowing that one animal.
I do think that one can get valuable information about the temperament of a breed from other than exclusively the owners of that breed. Sometimes owners have based their opinion upon just their own dogs or a limited numbers of dogs who may or may not be typical or representative of that breed. I think it is good to talk to owners, breeders, vets, judges, trainers, rescue organizations, behaviorists, and everyone about a breed, all can offer valuable information.
That is why a forum such as this can be very useful, you will get a range of opinions.
Here is what the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US, which is the parent club of the AKC, has to say about theirr temperament. Sometimes the parent clubs are a bit “romantic” and rosey about how they describe a breed, but on the other hand, they do not want their breed to go to situations that will not work out for the dog:
(I’ve edited out a lot, you can read the full account on the RRCUS website)
And I do want to say, I do admire the breed, they are so athletic and strong, and I have known some with remarkable characters.
From the RRCUS website:
Many times people see a breed of dog and fall in love with it’s looks, never considering that that breed may be totally unsuitable for their lifestyle, their facilities or their ability to train and control it. All they know is they’ve got to have one! Buying a dog on impulse is always a bad idea! As with buying anything, YOU must educate yourself first: find out what the breed is truly like, visit in the home of several people who have that breed and find out what problems they have encountered. Learn to ask the correct questions, not only about the positive aspects of a breed but the negative, too. And learn what questions to ask of the litter owners…think of it as finding out what the “warranty” covers and the “features” of the item.
Ridgebacks are not Labradors or Golden Retrievers in short coats. They are hunting dogs and have a high prey drive. Translation: They are quite independent – they don’t fawn over your every word, they can be oblivious to being called and require a lot of positive motivation to train them in traditional obedience. Many people are just not prepared for the stubbornness and hard-headedness in this breed.
Any dog ownership requires responsibility. Dogs are not something to decorate your home or yard, they are living, feeling creatures who should be treated as members of your family. This is especially true of Ridgebacks. They must be made to feel as part of your “pack”, i.e., your family, or they will strike out on their own. You should think of them as a new addition to your family and plan for them as you would a new child.
Planning for Your Ridgeback is Essential
Ridgebacks need plenty of exercise to stay happy and healthy. You’ll need to set aside playtime and time for training. Young puppies need a lot of socialization to be good companions. A weekly obedience training class and daily practice is a must for your Ridgeback to become a welcome member of the community!
If this seems like too much for you and your family’s schedule, then perhaps this is not the right time to get a Ridgeback.
Your Ridgeback Will Need Protection
Ridgebacks naturally want to hunt and have no sense of cars or yard when they go after a squirrel, rabbit or cat. A fenced yard is important for your dog’s safety. Once a Ridgeback starts after a squirrel or rabbit, nothing short of a six foot wall or fence may stop them. Ridgebacks at play are very energetic* - they need* lots of space, can knock down children and adults when they are roughhousing. . Take the time to research a breed you are interested in…visit in the homes of breeders or individuals who own that breed buy on impulse who most often find they can’t live with Ridgeback and decide the dog has to go…this is not fair to the dog! Often it’s these irresponsible owners who further burden rescue with having to take in the dog and rehabilitate it.
Again, take the time to read up on the Ridgeback, talk with several knowledgeable owners, check the Internet and try to visit in the home of several breeders. Try to go to some shows and talk with exhibitors, but most of all observe, observe, observe!
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The Drawbacks:
As puppies they have surgical – knife sharp teeth and the jaw power of a Doberman Pinscher…they should never be allowed to play roughly with humans of any age. They can do major damage to coffee tables, shoes and anything else they can find to chomp on. Crate training is a must to protect home furnishings while you are not at home. As juveniles, if left unattended, they can cause your house to self-destruct…at least, it may appear that way! If left in the yard, they will find things to chew on that you may not even know you own until it ceases working. A bored Ridgeback is a major disaster waiting to happen.
They are capable of digging ranch-sized holes, biting the limbs off shrubs and ripping up small trees People who love to garden must contend with the fact that their backyards will belong to the dog!
They are not fussy eaters and have cast-iron stomachs - and you thought this was a good thing – NOT! It also means they will attempt to eat anything that doesn’t eat them first. They are master counter-surfers…nothing is spared and they are fast. Ridgeback owners have a tendency to overfeed their dogs, causing gas - not the most pleasant aspect of dog ownership. Remember, a Ridgeback always thinks it’s hungry! You have to feed on schedule and stick to your plan.
Ridgebacks are “people” dogs, which means they should be treated as family and not made to live solely alone in the yard, otherwise, you wind up with a big, powerful, pushy creature of your making! An adult RIDGEBACK can clear a five foot fence if they want to. A bored dog is going to look for something to do, even if that means outside your yard. No one wants to live next door to someone who lets their dog out to eliminate on the neighbors’ yard, whose dog gets out and kills cats or scares the walkers, joggers and bike riders.
Ridgebacks grow to be big dogs and must attended obedience classes with you so he won’t become a “bad apple” and make an ugly impression of the breed on anyone. Learning to walk on a loose lead at an early age is essential – nobody should be drug around by a big dog.
Ridgebacks are intelligent…this too, has been said – what is means is they are fully capable of training you before you can train them. They are quite clever and can be willfully disobedient. The earlier the obedience classes the better. We can’t say this enough - A bored Ridgeback can be quite destructive and may develop bad habits of chewing, escaping crate and fencing, barking out of boredom and generally making a pest of themselves. It is essential that you have the time to put in with them, which can be as simple as having them in the house with you when you are home or spending time making sure they get a good amount of exercise…whether outside hiking, training, running or walking with them in safe areas.
Ridgebacks must be introduced to cats and even so, may be aggressive towards strange felines.
Before you get a Ridgeback, please consider the adult size of a Ridgeback and whether you and your family members will be able to properly keep the dog and to train the dog to be a great companion and a good canine citizen.
But…back to my original thought, lol…I don’t understand WHY when labs are supposed to be such wonderful all around dogs, I"d NEVER want to own one. I don’t like 'em…never met one that I would want to own myself. I’ve met some that were mostly tolerable to me, but many more that I couldn’t wait to get away from.