Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have lived in Indy now for just over a year, I have yet to see another RB anywhere. My local Vet says she has only seen one other one in her life. I was hoping to find more info on get Sheba ( my 4 year old female ) around some more RB's.

Here is some background info on me and my pup:
I am 28 years old contractor living on the northeast side of Marion county (were Indianapolis is). This is my second RB, fist being when I lived in Colorado but I was a little out of my realm there and he when to a great home after I had him for a little over 6 months. (I gave him up to go back to school). Sheba my current I have had her for all over her 4 years minus her first the 3 months. I was on my way to NC, to see my sister for Easter 4 years ago and stopped in WV at a mall to buy some pants and walked past a pet store and heard some one say how it would make a great hunting dog. I walked in the store and he was pulling on the ears of a liver colored female ridgeback. His next comment sealed the deal when he said he would just shave her back to try to get rid of the markings and crop her ears. The store wanted $1000 I walked out with the puppy for under $500. She is a great dog and I would do anything to make her happy.

I do have a question about the breed. How lazy are they. My first on was wild when I was around but when he was staying at my girlfriends he just sleep on the couch, till I gave him up. Now with Sheba she only sleeps and lays around. I don't know if she is depressed about not having another dog around or if this is just her. (I lived with a girl in Columbus Ohio that had a male Doberman and they got along great).

Anyways here is a picture of Sheba at her finest, and please reply if you know of any RB groups to get on or meet up with, I would love for Sheba to see there are more like her. (once I buy my house next spring I will be getting another RB (liver male if I can find one).

Thanks,
Jim

Sidenote:
Sheba is 27 1/2 inches tall and is just under 98lbs. To me that is a big female. She is not fat at all. I feed her 1 & 1/2 cups of food mixed with 1/2 cup of water in the morning and at night. (science diet adult light), my concern is that she is always acting hungry she walks up to me when I am eating and lays her head on my lap. How can I break her of this or is it that she just wants to be near me?

Hello Indy. Ohio Here!

HI! Jim,

Glad you found us. What a beautiful Lady you have.

Dog just like people may look similar but personality wise a whole different story.

There are energetic Ridgebacks, and placid Ridgebacks.
Hard-headed Ridgebacks, and sweet-natured Ridgebacks.
Serious Ridgebacks, and good-natured goofballs.
Introverted Ridgebacks, and Ridgebacks who love everyone

They are very people oriented and love being with you ALL the time.

Size wise a little out of standard, but who cares, just AKC opinion.
http://akc.org/breeds/recbreeds/rhodrdge.cfm

I wasn't able to find a club in Indiana, but I sure there must be one somewhere. Contact a rescue group and I am sure they could help you find a club. this one is in Illinois. http://canine-connections.com/cgi-bin/mods/showhtml/showhtml.pl?filename=clubs/rhodesian_ridgeback/usa/rhodesian_ridgeback_club_of_the_.htm http://www.ridgebackrescue.org/regions/greatlakes/index.html http://www.ridgebackrescue.org/regions/usa_map.html

Have you considered rescue? They do have adults, but also sometimes they do get litters of pups.

Stay away from of puppy mills and pet store, please. http://www.canismajor.com/dog/puppymil.html

Just in case you do get another here is a neat list of names. http://www-hsc.usc.edu/~jjmurphy/RRnames.html

I had two RR's myself, now I have just one. My male very single minded and bullheaded, but one of the best friends I ever had.

My female I still have was a rescue and the sweetest dog in the land.

Hope this is not to much info for ya. LOL If you have any other questions please feel free to ask. I don't have all the answers, but I can sure try and find someone that does. LOL

Feel free to post pictures and join us in chats http://gallery.pethobbyist.com/index.pl?cat=561&thumb=1
Chats http://www.doghobbyist.com/chat/index.html

Cheryl Cooper
Site Coordinator, Rescue & Adoption
PetHobbyist.com
phkeeper@pethobbyist.com

ya, thanks for the feedback. I didn't go looking for her in a petstore just found her there. I thought it was better for me to get her then some one that didn't know anything about the breed and end up sending it to the pound because she got to big, was not lazy, mean what ever. I love her so much and will never give up my love for her or the breed. I don't think I will ever have another breed. Dont get me wrong I think all breeds are great and each has their little things about them that make them who they are. But for me and who I am and how I live my life a RR is just right.

Thanks again for the feeback and the sites I look forward to becomeing a valuable part of the group here.

Enjoy,
Jim

Jgoodjr@dgbuildings.com - if you find a RR owner in Indy pass my e-mail along please, thanks.

sidenote, here is a picture from tonight of my baby girl, July 5th 2004 she loves to go for rides in the Audi, the wind in her face and sliding from side to side in the back set, for some reason she acts so happy when she gets out of the car, vs. riding in the van. Who knows!?!

Hi Jim,

Welcome!!!

Your girl is beautiful! I don't have RR's, but greyhounds. I do know that sighthound mentality, but as Cheryl said, each dog is such an individual.

There are other RR owners here, they just stop in occasionally. It would be greyt to get this board going again. Feel free to post to other boards too. You can often get good advice all over the place.
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Melody/PHFasDog
Email me at PHFasDog

My furkids:
Shadow, Jadzia and Lyta.
Kira waiting at the bridge.

Dogs come into our lives, and too quickly go leaving pawprints on our hearts, and we will never be quite the same again.