When looking for a puppy of any breed there are several important factors to consider:
- Are the parents excellent examples of the breed? Most breed clubs have formulated a "Standard" which describes the "perfect" dog of that breed.
Responsible breeders try to breed within the guidelines of this standard, to make sure that 20 years from today Ridgebacks will still look like Ridgebacks. Study
the Standard - when you visit the home of the breeder you will be more informed about what characteristics are correct in the breed and what are not.
Standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States
- Have the parents been health tested? The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals was created to be a repository of health clearances for dogs and other
animals. You can look up health records on dogs in their system by using registered names or registration numbers. The OFA will not certify hips/elbows to be
free of dysplasia before the age of two years - so dogs who are younger than two do not have permanent OFA dysplasia clearances and should be bred only in
very rare circumstances and with extreme care. If your breeder says his/her dogs do not have a problem with dysplasia and therefore testing is not needed - run
away as fast as you can! All breeding stock should be tested and cleared from these extremely debilitating diseases. Other health tests are very important in this
breed: OFA Thyroid clearance (should be done yearly), OFA Cardiac clearance (preferably by a veterinary cardiac specialist), CERF eye disease clearance
(should be done yearly, and of course the new Degenerative Myleopathy DNA test.
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals
- Are the parents (or at least one) conformation champions with the American Kennel Club? Obtaining an American Kennel Club (AKC) or Canadian
Kennel Club (CKC) championship title requires at least 3 impartial judges to validate the structural and temperament qualities of a dog. Other registry
organizations like the UKC or the IABCA also hold dog shows; championship requirements from these lesser registries are much easier obtained so are not
necessarily an indicator of quality. Dog shows were first instituted as an evaluation of breeding stock - people with dogs of the same breed would come together
to meet and have friendly competition, and to have a chance to see what others were breeding. If breeders are not showing their breeding stock, I would ask
"Why?" Are their dogs of inferior quality? Does the breeder just not want to invest money in dog shows? Or does the breeder think their dogs are perfect in
every way and they don't need to prove that to anyone else? A "yes" answer to any of these questions is a red flag. Breeding dogs is not a money making
proposition, if done responsibly. Breeders who health test and show their breeding stock have invested a lot of time and money into these endeavors; by making
careful breeding choices these breeders are doing a service to the breed by preserving the temperament, health and structure of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Breeders who don't do these things are most likely breeding for money, not the betterment of the breed. For information on conformation shows please visit:
American Kennel Club - Conformation
- Has proper care been taken to socialize the litter? Early socialization is super important for Rhodesian Ridgebacks - make sure your breeder has arranged
for puppies to be around all sorts of people, take car rides, meet other dogs. These early experiences are vital in producing well-adjusted pets that are easy to
live with. Socialization continues after the sale; new puppy owners should be prepared to get their pups out into the real world and give them lots of safe
experiences with new sights, sounds, people, and other dogs.
- Does the breeder have a breed club affiliation of any kind? Although this will not guarantee that the breeder is truly reputable, it does give you a body of
people to complain to, should you have a problem. Being kicked out of a club would cause a breeder to be greatly embarrassed among his/her peers and could
hurt the sale of any future puppies. Breeders who are members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) are required to do proper health
testing and to abide by a strict Code of Ethics when breeding and selling puppies. For much more information on the breed, visit:
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States
- Understand that you are buying a breeder, as well as a puppy. A good breeder will be there when you have questions or need advice. You need to feel
comfortable that the breeder you have selected will keep in contact after the sale and be a good mentor; buyers should feel comfortable contacting the breeder if
they have problems. Good breeders will offer a health guarantee against hip/elbow dysplasia and dermoid sinus, give written instructions on the care of the
puppy, and have a firm contract requiring spay-neuter of pet quality pups and pups that won't be shown. Make sure you carefully read the contract and are
comfortable with the requirements for new owners and the guarantees offered by the breeder. Responsible breeders will require any dogs they have bred to be
returned to the breeder in the event that you have to give up your dog at any time.
RRCUS Code of Ethics
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