lampinglurcher 36 Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 hey guys, just want your input on this breed of dog as a hunter in the uk. ive only ever seen 1 work, so im hardly an expert. how are they on all uk quarry? thanks in advance. matt Quote Link to post
Toni_Dave_17 0 Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 (edited) I THINK this breed of dog was bred for protection in the middle east... its bred into some breeds for its loyalty and durablity... But there are alot of throw backs to the breed, they suffer majorly from hip dispacier (cant speel it very well!!) and cronic joint pains... a relativly fast breed would enable it to catch some of the countries favourite quarry!! a sturdy breed and if i had the money, id wrap up plenty!!! IMO Toni Dave Edited July 12, 2006 by Toni_Dave_17 Quote Link to post
Guest baldie Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Rhodesian ridgebacks were originally kept/ worked in pairs for wounded lions in rhodesia, now zimbabwe. I,ve know several , and all were ferocious guards , with the bitches completely savage, if its a guard dog you need, they dont come any better, totally fearless, but they are like a loaded gun, they need proper handling and use, otherwise you have real problems.I wouldnt have thought they had much to offer a lurcher breed, if thats what you are after, a much better choice for a cross, is a german shepherd....now they are handy. Quote Link to post
Guest GB HUNTER Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 This is an excellent breed for hunting , i'm getting one my self next year but i would do your homework first tho so you don't get one with problems like hip or joint probs or eye probs there are alot of excellent breeders out there that i have the number of two thats got a litter around xmas but you need to establish the working kind from the more stable temperment type . remember this is a challenging dog to much dog for some poeple. if you need any info on the breed ill try to help i've been researching for a while. Quote Link to post
Squirrel_Basher 17,102 Posted July 12, 2006 Report Share Posted July 12, 2006 Couple of keepers around us have them for personal protection .That line down the back stands on edge when they are riled . Quote Link to post
lampinglurcher 36 Posted July 13, 2006 Author Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 ive done a fair bit of research on them, and ive dealt with guarding breeds before, so i know what im up against - i helped train my works guard dogs. they seem like the ideal breed for me, but i wanna know how they do on british quarry - fox deer rabbit etc as ive barely seen em on are natives. gb hunter could you pm me those numbers? where r u based? im down in cornwall. xmas would be a good time for me to get 1 as im training my gundog pup at the mo. matt Quote Link to post
Paid 935 Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 There quite a variable breed over here, some of the smaller more athletic types would be what i would go for, if choosing one for hunting. Seen a few vids of them coursing (lure) in ameria, and they certainly have the speed for a lot of quarry, but I'd imagin not fast enough for hares. Quote Link to post
Guest GB HUNTER Posted July 13, 2006 Report Share Posted July 13, 2006 yes they are in some parts of the country there racing them with greyhounds , a ridgeback are made up of greyhound, great dane, pointer, mastif, collie, airdale . these dogs certanly have the speed and they are very intelegent. There are one of the fastest, smartest, and toughest canines on earth. would i say are they good for hunting yes to me they are the best. Quote Link to post
Brummy 9 Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 A Ridgeback one of the fastest dogs on earth? I don't think so do you GB Hunter...................... What are your statements based on? As Baldie rightly states these dogs were used in Africa for finding lion and used predominantly in pairs. Have you seen one worked in the UK? To my mind they would only be good for one thing and even then we already have dogs that can do that job and a load more besides. Once again we are presented with a Plummeresque fantasy that will end in tears or passed on useless dogs. If it aint broke don't fix it INMHO Quote Link to post
Sorley x 32 Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Ridgebacks really aren't used much for hunting nowadays in africa, they are kept for protection, or a similar breed is. Ridgebacks are not a sighthound, they are related to the mastiff. They sure as hell fon't have collie or airedale in their breeding. I may be wrong but you will have to come up with some hard evidence to prove it. Fast..... yeah for a big dog heavy dog they are fairly mobile. They are not and have never been bred for speed, courage, loyalty and some brains yes. A first cross with a greyhound would certainly still be too clumbersome and a 3/4 bred - why bother. There are some far far superior crosses for waht you are after. Like Brummy says if it ain't broke don't fix it. Quote Link to post
J Darcy 5,871 Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Totally agree......this is a painting i bought a few years ago of ridgebacks and lion.... wasnt cheap then and the edition of 200 sold out long ago......wonder what it would be worth now???? Quote Link to post
Guest bigbird Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 About 10 years ago I had a ridgeback/greyhound cross. This was before I met my other half so was not acquired for hunting for anything other than a pet. Well as a friendly dog about the house couldn't have asked for better, as a guard dog absolute demon. binmen wouldn't come within 50 yds of house if dog was out. made us very unpopular with landlord at the time when he split the solid wood front door after several attempts to get to the postman. Prey drive was very high, when I met Mr BB he caught several different types of the larger british quarry all on the hoof, very quick, powerful and determined animal. a pleasure to own. when I got him obedience was a bit of a problem and he needed some intensive training and very strong handling, I was never quite up to the task so he only really came on leaps and bounds when I met Mr BB and he took over. I appologise for the quality of the photos they are about 10 years old and well before digital. Quote Link to post
Guest GB HUNTER Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Well check out this site i've just come accross just now read it its how it all come together. http://www.lady-ridgeback.sk/historyengla.htm#breeds Quote Link to post
Paid 935 Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 (edited) Sure some are large, and cumbersome, but certainly not all. The breed over here is very variable, some thrown like great danes, others throw a far more athletic type. this type I certainly wouldnt call slow, or cumbersome But this type and the one i once lived with, that took up a 3 seat sofa to himself, and couldnt out run a fat man, i would. do you really think the top dog pictured would not be able to take rabbit, deer or fox ? If brought on right. The if its not broke dont fix it thing is silly, and out of context. Thats the same as saying as ford make a userbal car, why get another make. Its horses for courses, and differnt strokes for diferent folks. If you like a breed, and it suits your needs, try it. Edited July 14, 2006 by Paid Quote Link to post
Guest Geordie Posted July 14, 2006 Report Share Posted July 14, 2006 Cant honestly see what the breed could bring to the lurcher world that isnt already there? Quote Link to post
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