Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Good Family Dogs?

[@michellebohn2434]

You couldn't ask for a better dog. We had one that lived to 17 years old and died on her terms at home. My dad took her 3 times a week for arthritis laser treatments that was new. I have nothing but good to say. She had her own chair in the living room. I really miss her!

[@GJvdB74]

That is impressive rip mine almost turned 11 but died from cancer rip his name was mufasa

[@GJvdB74]

And the other one was 8 and died from cancer rip her name was Binti

[@GJvdB74]

Mine always gave me a big big smile 😃 I wish cancer didn’t exist

[@johnmaginn2748]

Awesome, Will, your family is wonderful. Quinn & Zero are an internet legend. His affection for your daughter is truly remarkable. We've been fans for several years now and so enjoy your posts. All the best!!

[@evewalraven2710]

Love how they have come together and get along great - yes there will always be bumps in the road or head! But it warmed my heart to see Zero's Paw lay ever so gently only top of Quinn's hand while he was chewing on his bone and nothing else was needed!! HUGS!

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

One of my favorite shots too! He is a big sweetheart

[@nevabeertje]

Watching your dogs and kids make me so happy. Everytime I see one of your videos, I remember my parents Ridgebacks. My parents had three when I was born. My mom has a picture of my late father with me (couple of weeks old) in his arms on the couch with our biggest male on his lap. All three of the dogs used to guard my stroller and my crib ❤️ They never once hurt me. Amazing family dogs!

[@manjahaanstra1862]

My two boys seemed to soften when my friends kids were around. Walk more slowly, only run outside (we had a big house, running inside was possible) watch with interest when the kids were playing with the water in their bowl, eat out of their hands, and allowing the kids to sleep in their 'nest'.With them in it as wel. I was so lucky with my two fantastic boys since I did almost no training for this (Bugger, now I miss them...) You did a great job, training them like this. Kudos.

[@mikes3827]

RR is my favorite breed, for a number of reasons. Start with the ridge, as it is no coincidence that the wild dog stock in the ancient Hottentot African dog, the locals recognized that the strongest, best-performing dogs were the ones with the ridge on its back. So the ridge on a RR isn't just ornamental, the breed was designed to take on the genetically strong dogs, and breeders favor their RR having a ridge. (Not all RR are born with ridges, still fine dogs, but the ridges are preferred.) Then when some dog specialist called the RR the "Navy seals" of the dog world, he was right. Already possessing the aforementioned ridge and "wild" Hottentot traits, the RR is also incredibly agile, long & strong muscles, TREMENDOUS endurance, as RRs are known to run with a horse for up to 30 miles. Supremely intelligent--but also VERY alpha--so a RR owner better make certain that the dog knows who is in charge, or that RR will own you, and display the breed's notorious independent streak if not harnessed properly. But all in all, with all the attributes you want in a dog, the RR has every base covered. That's unique among dog breeds. Then just their look, which is regal and beautiful to look at on a daily basis. And lemme tell ya, a "King Ridgeback" is ONE HELLUVA IMPRESSIVE ALPHA DOG. Ribbons of lean, bulging muscle is part of what makes up the "K R" male dog.

[@YouAreAsleep]

Do nothing training! Holy cow that is amazing! I'll have to be sure I train my future Ridgebacks to do this. I am hoping to get a Ridgeback when my wife moves to the US to help keep us safe but to make sure she has someone with her while we wait for her green card to be issued. Amazing information! Thank you so much!

[@amyleimbach5091]

You are soooo brilliant.....It all makes sense now, Thank you. She isn't an aggressive A-hole, she just wants to protect the ones she loves, and needs to be rewarded/deterred from it.... if that even makes sense...XOXOXO

[@dangildon-cormier9812]

Our Rhody/Boerboel mix is awesome. Such a personality and great with kids of all ages.

[@jasonmcmillan9554]

Mikey (our Ridgeback) was the greatest pet we EVER had and we miss him everyday!

[@alisenbogner9173]

Thank you for sharing your life with Ridgebacks. In August we brought home our first RR, and he is a gentle giant. I feel that your videos have prepared me to care for him, and train him so he can be his best self.

[@poppyseed0054]

You are right in your observation that it is not an accident that they avoid the baby carrier! RRs have an uncanny awareness of children. I have witnessed this in both my RRs. Whilst they do have to be trained when young to understand that this little person is fragile, they seem to instinctively know. If you watch carefully, they will protect the most fragile members of the family first; whether that be children, or the elderly. :) Thank you for another fantastic video!

[@ianp9177]

My family is picking up a Ridgeback TOMORROW! :D

[@jennagriffiths8227]

yay! I was so excited when I got mine xx

[@mem5567]

Nice congrats

[@Meggyys]

THE BESSTTTT

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Congrats - enjoy the adventure!

[@joekrypt7074]

Congrats !!! Mine turns 3 months on Sunday.

[@Jo-24-11]

Beautiful video, actually as always but this time the compilation over the last few years with your two boys and your comment, just awesome. That was really heartwarming this time! Great job!

[@ericjohnson4792]

Another one!!!!!! I tell people the best dog I’ve ever had was my Ramses . Ridgebacks are gentle as ever a dog can be. He played with 20 small kids on playground and never once accidentally knock one down. The parents loved to see us coming as did the kids. I just brought a home in Myrtle beach. And I’m getting another ridgeback. They are AWESOME

[@shteeb6667]

Thank you for this video😊 It brought back many memories of raising my two children with ridgebacks in our home. Your video was spot on with our practices of integrating our “whole” family in a safe, loving, and supervised homestead. We lived on 10 acres in Santa Cruz Ca. and produced 2 litters of ridgebacks with typically 2 adult females and one male. We also had 3 cats that lived harmoniously with the dogs in and out of our house. I highly recommend this video to anyone with both dogs and children in their home. Close supervision of infants/toddlers will of course need to be always maintained with dogs present, however, following this video’s recommendations should provide your family a very safe existence for all family members!

[@babyelisabeth]

Our rescued Rhody mix is the absolute best dog with our children! Sweet, loving, extremely tolerant, and protective. Great work with those pups!

[@EJWhiteBaseball]

RRs are amazing..your time and effort is applicable across all pet ownership scenarios. Have been blessed with RRs continuously since 1995.

[@Coopercaroline2000]

I agree 100%!! I used to train my ridgebacks everyday at being ok with my hands in their bowls while they ate, training them in being uber gentle when they ate something I gave them with my fingers (...skin and teeth don’t mix!), I also trained them in being ok with a little gentle pain such as lightly stepping on their tails, etc... it’s all sorts of things that inevitably happen when little humans live under the same roof as dogs! I think it’s amazing that you’re training everyone together!! I love your videos!! Thx for posting them!! I’m a big fan from New Caledonia !!

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Thanks so much! All that desensitization is such great training, regardless of whether you have kids or not. "Bomb proofing" a dog is one of the best things you can do to ensure they're comfortable and confident companions

[@BigPowerAL]

Watched this while having my first cup of coffee in the morning. It brought back so many memories and maybe a tear or two. I raised my two girls with two chocolate labs. My girls are grown up now and well, my beautiful labs have both passed away. The memories of those days though are so cherished.

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Like you, I find the photos, videos and memories I have are increasingly invaluable as time passes. I'm grateful for your reminder to both appreciate the moment and savor it to remember always.

[@thomasmccann9541]

I love my Ridgeback. She's the sweetest and smartest dog I've ever had. She's absolutely amazing with kids!

[@marcbarnett6]

This is a great depiction of what good training and the right attitude can do with ridgebacks and kids. Thankfully our boy is a gentle giant like yours and as you said does nothing when things are going on. Love your work!

[@frankfroberg1913]

I have a ridgeback puppy and I learn about him and how to live with him. Thanks for helping me and my dad

[@dat.v7100]

Thanks you so much for all the time and effort you put into these video’s! I’m trying to get my own Ridgeback and you are helping so much!

[@jennagriffiths8227]

they are the best. Tho very hyper-

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Glad to help! Feel free to email me with any questions you have along the way

[@marbatz4456]

These are always outstanding videos. Thank you so much.

[@kannkann224]

Thank you for the feel good videos. I love how Penny and Zero play but avoid Quinn. You are mastering the do nothing training and it's working well for your family. Keep the videos coming please.

[@SubramanyaSubramanya-j3m]

World's best guards

[@nikibobek6859]

It’s so rewarding to have the kids grow up with the pups! I currently have 2 boys (almost 2 and the other is 5 months) and 2 pups (RR dog and GSP puppy). The bond is absolutely incredible and my pups are endlessly patient. As you said you cannot account for errors, and the training needs to be in place when the parent makes an oops 😬. My biggest was leaving my youngest for just a moment on our expansive couch/chaise/ottoman and he double rolled to the right. I came back in the room to see my baby not on the couch but on the floor! No crying! The reason for that was my RR was laying in the corner of the bed-like couch and my boy landed face first on his side and gently rolled into his paws where Simba absolutely refused to move from cuddling my baby boy happily sucking on his hand. The only evidence was the milk puke that was on my dogs ribs. I did thank my Simba profusely and he was rewarded for protecting my boy despite my sleep-deprived slip in judgement and common sense. 🤦🏻‍♀️

[@scottcarl3086]

I love your videos! You have a beautiful family. Next month our baby boy is coming into this crazy world as well as our Ridgeback puppy. Keep up the great work. Thank you.

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Congrats, good luck, and sleep while you still can!

[@scottcarl3086]

@@MarkingOurTerritory thank you! I will definitely try to get as much sleep as I can. Hahaha 🤣

[@louisewallace6434]

WOW...simply wonderful to be able to have created such a great bond with kids & dogs!...i hope lots more people will try your training...it makes total sense...& your little girl is so strong...playin tugowar already!!🙀😉😁🐕

[@katemarchel1747]

I was almost crying it is so cute.

[@francescacastiglione7094]

OMG... they’re both so sweet with your kids! Especially Zero with your baby girl. Quinn is so precious!

[@carolynlafontaine9966]

You are the best! Wish u could teach all people w pets who discard them when a baby comes! Bravo!!

[@karenthomas4223]

Thank you for sharing, Will. Great video! My Brisco (shelter dog presumed to be a RR mix) is great with my granddaughter, of course always supervised. I love how Zero makes sure Quinn’s face is nice and “clean”. 🤣

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

When other people tell me their floors are messy after their kid eats I have to pretend like I know what that's like

[@karenthomas4223]

Marking Our Territory who needs vacuums? 🤣🤣🤣 Wasn’t it one of your videos that showed a dog (Zero?) licking the surface of the high chair tray from underneath? That was so funny!!

[@TheAfrikaChika]

This is an awesome video! Kids and Rhodies can live in harmony with effort and training, consistently. Luckily Rhodies love doing nothing (once they’ve gotten their exercise lol). I’m one of those kids who grew up with these beasties. My parents trained them so well I could use them as pillows, drums, etc. They were thoroughly bomb proofed and we were taught to treat them right too. Done right, these are great family dogs. My parents too believed in planning all of us for failure haha.

[@gemmaanastasianaldi85]

U are right. U are the top parents

[@MultiChillidog]

I am a Dobermann guy, but with watching all your video's I am seriously thinking about my next dog being a Ridgeback. maybe getting a Ridgeback and a Dobermann puppies at the same time, might not be a bad combo or idea. Keep up with the wonderful vid's, your children are beautiful! (I am speaking about the 2 legged variety here)

[@philipblaustein4490]

Brilliant! Beautiful kids. Beautiful pups.

[@flatbushzombiejuice]

I´ll safe this for when i´ll bring home my first baby - great tips and beautiful shots, as always Will! Thanks!

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Thanks!

[@ALPHONSO_NANOOK]

Love to watch your videos, your dogs are fantastic and you have a wonderful family. God bless you all

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Thank you so much!

[@02Jetersgirl]

We have a Ridgeback & a 3 month old great-grandbaby. Ziggy (that's the dog) loves when the baby comes over. He kisses Michael & watches his every move.

[@Its_Faith_617]

I think I have a ridgeback pitbull mix but he also has no ridges he is adorable and loves everyone

[@sherriwalters6095]

You are Brilliant, Will!!! I sure love your Little Family ♥️😉 Ridges are the Loveliest of hounds 🙌💙

[@prabhnihalsingh]

The dogs looks so at peace when around the babies

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Zero especially is a total nanny dog and loves when he gets to spend time with his charges

[@roygordon9644]

Wonderful video , the best thing for children to grow up with 🦁

[@TKopra]

My dear mixbreed inka (her name) passed away 11 days ago. She came to us before we had kids, they loved eachother. She was so gentle with them and i was lucky to have her around for many years. My almost 6 and 7 years old children miss her. Now we are planning to have a RR to fill that hole our giant fur baby left. The house feels too empty 😔she was 36kg of pure love that loved to lie on top of people 😄

[@burgercustomcanes8540]

Great video and advise👍👍

[@joekrypt7074]

Amazing content!!! Thank you !!!

[@roxannetanner-mcmurray5397]

This is THE BEST and most beautiful, practical way I’ve ever heard of training dogs around kids and vice versa!❤️

[@christinal1736]

Hi..long time viewer here. Love your blog. Do you kennel your Rhodies when you and the family are not home?

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Thanks! From the day I bring them home through sometime in late adolescence, I crate my guys when we are not home. Once they're past their angsty teenage phase (exact point depends on the dog) I begin to work with leaving them out. These days, both dogs have free reign of the apartment when we leave

[@jubbly_yt7122]

all of the comments are so wholesome abt their dogs lol

[@krishtayable]

Just got our new member of the family Maya, a pure RR.. she’s like a hurricane in the morning.. haha

[@africagonzalez58]

I AM FINALLY GETTING MY RIDGE THIS SUNDAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[@xxhalfbakedgamingxx7644]

I have a rhodesian ridgeback pittbull mix

[@pearlburkett7394]

Congratulations on your growing family. Such beautiful kids ... all four of them :))). Wink wink

[@bettyalford1364]

My dogs just naturally accepted each of my children when they were born, honestly never even thought about it, our dogs are all large breed mutts and just seem to know to be gentle

[@Soft-Shell]

Rhodesians are known to be protective of women and children We had a couple of them growing up DeeDee and Pedro and they were both wary of grown men but super sweet to their wives and kids when we would have parties at the house they could all be in a family group and deedee would growl at the husband but wag tail at the wife and kids

[@ORION2180]

Beautiful!

[@johnr2466]

Thank you for this story, I know it's a 'team' effort, but you and your wife look to be doing an amazing job raising your human children along with your canine ones. I'm looking to get a RR soon and this topic is a big area of concern for me. While I don't have small children, I do expect to have small grandchildren over frequently and I was wondering about the risks. My grandkids may not be in daily contact with our dogs, but we will work to find ways to have them interact with small children (safely of course) so that when the time comes for visits, we will feel much better about their safety and interaction. On a side note, I have to ask - what camera do you use for your filming? Love the quality of your videos.

[@karenlofthouse6639]

My Ridgeback was such a softie had no mean streak what so ever. The only thing I would recommend and this would be for any large dog is desexing to calm them down especially being a large dog. Its the size and boisterous nature that would be a issue knocking kids over by mistake or being a little too rough. Little kids and dogs should always be supervised regardless of size.

[@stacyfalcone692]

Love it.

[@AjachMabil]

I really like you video's man. I was once given a Ridgeback puppie when I was 13 years old and I was heartbroken when I was forced to take it back. Are you officially a Ridgeback breeder, if not can you tell me the name of the breeder you got you dog from?

[@irenecurtis2639]

These videos are wonderful. I am looking for a pure bred female like Penny. Please guide me with your experience to find kennels I can trust.

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Start by checking out the breeder directory at RRCUS.org for breeders in your area. Best place to find ethical breeders

[@Maharachi1980]

What do you feed your dogs ?

[@Janeway1269]

I was trying to find your old "Just a dog" video. It seems to be gone. Am I wrong?

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

That video was from when my videos were posted over on the Petcentric channel, but they seem to have taken them down! I'll have to see if I can dig that up and reupload. Thanks for the heads up

[@loralii]

I have a female 💜. She is a big baby! But protective 👍. Never bit anyone even tho she had been abused! I found her in the street.😢. She was 4mths old. She is 9 now. My baby 💜💜💜

[@mathewpoulton1992]

I've met one she is 10 .my sisters whippet wont go for walks with me.lol.the ridgeback goes with me all the time when I visit.she loves fuss too.im in love with her.allways wanted to meet a ridgeback

[@petrcodatrans530]

very nice

[@lukehayes8947]

Hey I have been watching since before eko unfortunately passed I love your videos keep up the good work my family also has a Ridgeback who will be 6 very soon👍🏻👍🏻

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Thanks so much for sticking around through all the ups and downs. The best part of this journey is sharing it

[@lukehayes8947]

@@MarkingOurTerritory totally agree have a nice day👍🏻

[@borz7860]

Did you guys crate train your dogs and if so do you reckon in the future you could make a vid explaining it

[@Jay818Jay]

Hey I love all your videos about Penny and Zero. My little one Remy is about 5 month old now and I can't imagine live without her anymore. But I Do have one question... You have a female and a male dog. What do you Do when Penny is in heat? Do you keep them seperated from each other for the time being? I was just wondering😊... Kisses to both dogs from Germany... 🥰

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Zero is intact, but Penny was spayed after her first heat cycle so we fortunately don't have any trouble in that department! For breeders who do have that issue, it can be a long few weeks trying to keep them apart. Many will send one of the dogs to live with a friend for that time because it makes life better for everyone.

[@martelindbergsli9779]

This so good! You guys made a plan on how to make it work!

[@tracyprice3807]

I love it, grand theft Elmo 🤣 I have one Ridgie, lost my second a few months ago to lymphoma. We will be bringing home a new ridgeback pup the first week in August and as much as I can't wait to fill that void (not sure you ever can) I'm especially excited to see my girl light up again. Shes been pretty mopey. Just out of curiosity, how did Eko die, I've been wondering for years because it seemed so sudden. I lost a male ridgeback to bloat several years ago and it was pretty tragic. Love all your videos by the way!

[@MarkingOurTerritory]

Nothing ever fills that loss, but we can learn to live out the legacy of their love by sharing it with another. I'm so glad to hear you guys are doing just that. It was one of the best decisions I ever made. There was no confirmed cause of death for Eko, but after multiple consultations the best guess is that it was an acute cardiac event

[@tracyprice3807]

@@MarkingOurTerritory I'm so sorry, he was such a beautiful dog :( I feel fortunate to have had an extra 3 months with our girl but it's still one of the hardest things I've had to deal with in my whole life. They really are like our kids ❤

[@dragongirl2172]

Rhodesian ridgebacks are extremely tolerant dogs and excellent companions. Ridgebacks are gregarious animals, enjoying the company of other dogs; but families should be cautious about having several male dogs in one household, because this can lead to dominance struggles. These dogs can be good with cats if brought up with them. They are good with children, but both child and dog must learn to behave around one another. Because of their size, younger and more excitable ridgebacks may knock over small children by accident. Ridgebacks are protective of children and other household members. These are excellent natural watchdogs and family protectors, but they do need to know that the caregiver is in charge. Ridgebacks are not barkers, but they will be an alert watchdog to anything unusual. Athletic dogs, they can be climbers and you may find their natural curiosity taking over when there is something interesting on the other side of the fence! Not natural diggers, they may, however, create some cool summer "caverns" in your backyard if left unsupervised. Rhodesian ridgebacks are extremely clean dogs with little odor and minimal shedding. They can be termed an "easy keeper" when it comes to food, but you may have to monitor caloric intake to keep them from overeating and becoming obese.

[@thecapricorn1031]

my sister baby came and my rideback protected it

[@myinspiration6043]

I believe all dogs are good family dogs. Ive got a German shepherd, and he was crazy as a puppy but now is such a good boy. Check him out in my channel.

[@ellenbartak2783]

I liked your video, I have no children no grandchildren I do got two cats I love dogs as much as I love cats can they get along with cats can you give me a ballpark range a guesstimate how much is a pet quality Rhodesian Ridgeback cost?? And are they a good protector as will they attack on their own I was raped and stalked I have severe stress traumatic disorder I also am disabled and I have brain problems I want to train the dog as a service dog and have a harness on this way I can walk with the dog and if I fall he will protect me until help comes there'll be a lot of training he needs to get the TV changer for me he can find my stuff I can lean on him so I can grab onto the harness so he can pull me up when I fall and he can protect me when I'm laying on the ground and can't get up j

[@ColdDayInHell]

I want to adopt one near me so badly, just not sure our current doggo would accept him.

[@michelehaase5197]

When our Rhodie was around children, especially a baby, she automatically became calm knew naturally to be gentle and tolerant. Even when she was still a rambunctious one year old. We were amazed. We of course were cautious, and concerned how it would work out, but she innately new to be gentle. We reinforced the behavior by saying “gentle baby“ and then whenever we needed her to be gentle, would use that phrase successfully. I think this is part of the ridgeback protector quality. She would lie there perfectly still, while the baby pulled an ear, tugged on the skin while trying to stand, poked their little fingers in all the wrong places… RRs are the best!

[@manjahaanstra1862]

Yesss! Same here, no training, but the gentle behaviour seemed natural. Just a little reward in the form of a treat when they were supersoft and that was it. Love them!

[@cocoagirl6693]

I like Irish Setters

[@gerryroush8391]

They can be over protective❤

[@iris4275]

i also have one all of mine has no streak on his back he failed😂🥺❤️ I love my dog Boyco❤️

[@legacyrosey4674]

Ridgebacks are the best

[@sachins2447]

If my ridgeback fought mike Tyson, Mike Tyson would bite first. She’s the sweetest

[@joolme5803]

I am second

[@Lucas-ub3fy]

Hi I’m firs

[@LittleMissRaeRae69]

Great theft Elmo xD