Finding a Reputable Breeder
When searching for a family companion Rhodesian Ridgeback, it is recommended that only dogs from reputable breeders are considered to ensure a dog of proper type, health and temperament. Responsible and reputable breeders are improving their chosen breed by selecting only the "best of the best" in their breeding program. They should be striving to breed dogs as close to that ideal of perfection as possible. The way this is done is by seeking independent opinions in the show ring by qualified judges. Rhodesian Ridgbacks should never be bred without conformation ring or performance venue lineage. Beware of inexperienced or backyard type breeders that have only a couple of champions in the lineage. Nearly every ancestor in the breed should have championship blood, otherwise such claims are merely to sell a puppy.
Reputable breeders will NOT sell their pups through someone else no questions asked. Be
prepared to be screened carefully, to assure your suitability for owning their breed. A
good Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder will ask you questions regarding your lifestyle,
your experience with dogs, your knowledge in caring for them etc. At the same time,
they are more than willing to answer any potential questions you may have about caring
for your dog, training, and veterinary care.
Knowledge of the breed
Good breeders are
the best repositories of knowledge about a breed. Ethical breeders are quite knowledgeable
about their breed, perform pedigree research and understand the genetic characteristics
inherent in the dam and sire's bloodlines. A reputable Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder
is constantly striving to produce better dogs with each eneration, and their selection
of dogs used for breeding is are the result of years of study and a thorough knowledge
of the breed. It is typical for them to be active in their local and/or national
breedclub, and they take advantage of the on-
Responsible breeders
are very proud of the pedigrees of their dogs and may have this posted on the website,
especially for a planned litter. They'll be very careful to closely study Ridgeback
pedigrees to make the best possible match. Be sure to ask about the pedigrees of
the breeder's dogs, and the planned litter. You must also be wary of the "irresponsible
breeding practices" of breeders, who couple any two Rhodesian Ridgebacks together
without consideration to their pedigrees, hips, eyes, temperament, and genetic disposition.
Personality
and temperament
A reputable breeder works very closely with their dogs, so that they
know the personality and temperament of each one. Responsible breeders also base
their breeding decisions in part on their dogs' temperament and personality, not
only on looks or the fact that they are purebred. They have determined what kind
of personality the dog has and will offer advice and training suggestions to help
the dog become a good member of the family. Good breeders know their pups well and
can match families with the pup having the desired personality traits. They want
to make sure the temperament of the pups matches the personality and lifestyle of
the family.
Health Testing
Puppy buyers should inquire carefully about health issues
affecting dogs in the breeder’s pedigree and what health testing has been done. All
reputable breeders do genetic testing of parent dogs to avoid passing on problems.
Don't think that just because you want a "pet" that it's parents don't need to have
had all the testing for genetic faults common in the breed. Be very leery of anyone
that tells you that all that health testing, showing and training is not necessary
since they are breeding "just pets". Beware of breeders who scoff at health testing,
saying their line is problem free. Responsible Ridgeback breeders will ensure healthy
lineage by doing the proper genetic testing to ensure that the parents of their puppies
are healthy.
Health Guarantees
I is very important to ask the breeder whether or not
they provide written guarantees against hereditary diseases. You should expect a
written sales contract that outlines the rights and responsibilities of both parties
and and that lists any guarantees. Well repected breeders usually offer guarantees
of this soundness in their sales contracts. There are tremendous variations in these
guarantees, but they should at the very least: a) set forth a period of time during
which the buyer may take the puppy or dog to his own veterinarian for inspection;
b) specify what recourse the buyer has if that inspection should determine an illness
or any defect of which the buyer was not forewarned. Dogs bought at most pet stores
and through newspaper ads usually offer no such guarantees.
Summary
Reputable Rhodesian
Ridgeback breeders are people who produce dogs with a firm commitment to preserving
the health of the breed and a realistic knowledge of everything that is involved
in breeding dogs. They never breed without careful consideration of the outcome. Look
for breeders that are happy to share any information about their puppies, about their
puppy's parents, their kennel practices and who enjoy sharing their knowledge. Good
breeders are more than willing to answer any potential questions you may have about
caring for your dog, training, and veterinary care. They are concerned for the welfare
of their puppies and screen potential buyers carefully -