What We Believe
What You Get From Us
What We Ask Of You
- We believe that Rhodesian Ridgebacks should be appreciated and treasured for exactly who they are, and everything about them. This means that they become a part of your family.
- We do not believe that puppies should be altered. We do not remove our puppies dewclaws. This is a painful experience for the puppy, is not necessary and is not recommended by numerous veterinarians. Dewclaws serve a very important purpose to dogs, especially the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and they should not be removed unless there is a very good reason to do so, such as injury or disease.
- We do not believe that any companion should be subjected to unnecessary medical treatment. This includes OFA testing. OFA certification is difficult on any dog. The dogs are sedated with general anesthesia and placed in unnatural positions, which can result in injury and alter results. General anesthesia carries with it great risks for the dog and we believe that dogs should only be sedated when a medically necessary procedure or surgery is provided. Risks associated with anesthesia for dogs include anaphylactic shock and death. Additionally, OFA ratings are not accurate according to the American Veterinary Medical Association. Both false positive and false negative results are common as evaluations are rather subjective and specialists reviewing the imaging often do not agree.
- We believe that dogs should be respected, unaltered, and cared for lovingly. We do not show our dogs because we do not believe that some of the behind the scenes treatment demonstrates these qualities. We also do not house our dogs in a kennel, do not “cull” puppies, and do not re-home or sell our “retired” dogs after they can no longer reproduce litters.
- We believe that a Rhodesian Ridgeback must be properly cared for. This is why we try to match potential future owners to the breed with our Puppy Interest Application. Not only are we making sure you are ready to make a commitment to the dog, but we are also making sure that you are able to properly care for the dog. Doing so, can reduce the risk of common genetic health issues that may arise in the breed. For instance, both hip and elbow dysplasia can be caused by various environmental factors, such as obesity, improper diet, and limited physical activity. Hip and elbow dysplasia more often occur when the dog is in their elder years. The prognosis for dogs that later develop this condition is very good with proper treatment. To the best of our knowledge, our dogs do not have these conditions and these conditions are not in their bloodline.
- We believe that every person and family should have the opportunity to welcome a Rhodesian Ridgeback into their home.
- We believe that pets become a part of the family. Our Ridgebacks are our PETS and are wonderful companion and working dogs! They are also indoor/outdoor dogs, which has numerous benefits. Our puppies are AKC registered, come from beautiful and even-tempered parents, meet the breed standards of Rhodesian Ridgebacks, are raised in our home, and are kid handled from birth. Our puppies are introduced to their father around 3-4 weeks of age and are socialized from birth. Our puppies are given their first bath at 3 weeks of age and we start trimming their nails at 2 weeks of age. Our puppies (and dogs) learn that grooming is a positive experience and that being with us is fun and rewarding. We start house training our puppies as soon as they are ready but they are not likely to be completely potty trained by the time they move to their new home. Our puppies are also started on solid food around three weeks of age, ensuring that they are completely weaned and eating independently before they go to their new home. We are extremely involved with our puppies and truly LOVE them. This is why we must ensure that each home they go to is a perfect fit for their own personality and the breed.
- We believe that the mother needs time and respect of privacy to bond with her puppies. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a very protective breed, not only of their human family but also of their puppies. We do not allow anyone outside of our family to “visit” the mother and her puppies until 5-6 weeks of age. This gives the mother the necessary time to do her job, bond with her puppies, and take care of them. This also allows the puppies to come “into their own.” By this time, their personality and traits are apparent, and their physical appearance is clearer. We are happy to share photos and videos of our puppies prior to this age.
What You Get From Us
- You get the opportunity to welcome an AKC, breed standard, champion bloodline Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy into your home for a price that is reasonable, not overpriced! Our litters are AKC registered and puppies start at $1,500 with limited registration.
- You get a wonderful puppy that will make a great companion, protector, and working dog.
- Your puppy will be in good health when you pick him/her up. They will see our vet at 8 weeks of age and receive their first round of vaccinations, deworming, and a health check. They will also get their official health certificate at this time.
- You get a puppy that has been properly socialized and kid handled from birth. This helps ensure proper temperament and social skills.
- After selecting your puppy and paying a nonrefundable deposit ($350), you will receive regular updates on your puppy.
What We Ask Of You
- Make a commitment to your new puppy. Do not re-home your puppy unnecessarily. We ask that you never consider euthanizing your dog or transferring ownership to an animal shelter, pet shop, retail store, dog dealer, animal testing facility, or research facility.
- Keep your dog healthy! Your puppy needs proper veterinary care, including vaccinations and health check-ups. This includes visiting your vet within 5 days of picking up your new puppy. Make sure you provide a healthy diet and tons of play time for your new fur friend. Your puppy needs an adequate size shelter and should be properly trained.
- We ask that you adhere to the registration type that accompanies your new companion.
- Stay in touch with us! We love to see how our puppies have grown and how they have completed you and/or your family. Please share updates and pictures with us.
- All of these requirements are outlined in our Puppy Sales Contract. You will receive a hard copy of the contract once your puppy is delivered to you.
- Let us know if there is a problem. We will do our absolute best to help.