PostmanPat
Well-Known Member
Has anyone used a rigeback as a stalking dog? Keen to hear experiences and how training went
Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Thread starter PostmanPat
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Koenig
Well-Known Member
I’ve not used an RR specifically, but have started with a Golden Retriever another non traditional dog for stalking.
I think give some thought to what you want your dog to actually do: do you want a general stalking companion or as the continental’s seem to do, a dedicated follow up dog that remains in the car until needed?
Mine falls onto the former group and now at 2.5 years old is slowly coming on. She knows that (when the rifle is out) it’s not a normal walk and to follow me and keep quiet. She also lies down when I fold my sticks out. She won’t chase deer despite obviously being able to smell them and so has the required discipline.
My next stage is to get her following up, something she shows interest in.
I don’t see why am RR couldn’t do the same, as long as they are ‘steady’ enough - which seems to mainly age related to me.
I think give some thought to what you want your dog to actually do: do you want a general stalking companion or as the continental’s seem to do, a dedicated follow up dog that remains in the car until needed?
Mine falls onto the former group and now at 2.5 years old is slowly coming on. She knows that (when the rifle is out) it’s not a normal walk and to follow me and keep quiet. She also lies down when I fold my sticks out. She won’t chase deer despite obviously being able to smell them and so has the required discipline.
My next stage is to get her following up, something she shows interest in.
I don’t see why am RR couldn’t do the same, as long as they are ‘steady’ enough - which seems to mainly age related to me.
Dunwaters
Well-Known Member
If you already have a ridgeback and are wondering if it’ll take to stalking, give it a shot you’ve nothing to lose, but if you’re thinking of getting one specifically as a deer dog I’d do a bit more research.
There’ll be damn few ridge backs from working lines available in the UK.
There’ll be damn few ridge backs from working lines available in the UK.
PostmanPat
Well-Known Member
Intention is to have it follow me stalking and be trained predominantly in tracking, should the need arise. I don't currently have a dog.
Agree about the working stock point. The other option I'm interested in is a working German Shepherd. There are obviously a number of good breeders over here. Not a traditional gun dog but they are excellent trackers.... Just so much bloody hair
Agree about the working stock point. The other option I'm interested in is a working German Shepherd. There are obviously a number of good breeders over here. Not a traditional gun dog but they are excellent trackers.... Just so much bloody hair
They are a guarding breed not a hunting or tracking breed
So did I.
Siggy
Well-Known Member
Some people consider them sight hounds and they are used for coursing/drag races.
If memory serves they were original used in the bush meat trade to recover antelopes that had been shot with black powder rifles...so I think that they would have no problem with a deer stalking.
Anecdotally they are popular crosses for the deer poaching fraternity.
They are big dogs, very patient and they can run down pretty big deer. Had one briefly, she was gorgeous - adored my wife, was okay with me, hated any strange males, so she had to to back to the rescue centre she came from.
PostmanPat
Well-Known Member
Part true. The breed was developed from a mix of workings dogs and its creator developed a breed standard which was then tested in multi-disciplined Shutzhund trials, which test protection, obedience and tracking. So although not primarily a hunting dog they are just as much a tracking dog as protection. That said I don't think it is really the point, they are very capable and can perform many roles.
Rhodesianjess
Well-Known Member
Correct to an extent, family orientated breed, it's a mistake to get out the Landover if the house owner isn't about
.Ranchers use them as a catch all dog, they'll guard as well as track buck,round up cattle and horses in the paddocks and generally be useful. Bit like collie's here,can do an awful lot of tasks if shown what to do.
Size wise, never seen a dog here even approaching the size of some we owned. However,we breed them to be useful so very mixed bloodlines. I've personally owned them with RR plus bull terrier,bull mastiff and bore bole in them.
Shouldn't think that it would make a "proper" deerstalking only dog, however better people than me can train their dogs to be better than mine! Even if it doesn't quite work out,at least the family and house is safe when you're not about.
Yeah don’t get me wrong, I grew up with them and love them as a breed but better choices of deer dog out there.Correct to an extent, family orientated breed, it's a mistake to get out the Landover if the house owner isn't about
Ranchers use them as a catch all dog, they'll guard as well as track buck,round up cattle and horses in the paddocks and generally be useful. Bit like collie's here,can do an awful lot of tasks if shown what to do.
Size wise, never seen a dog here even approaching the size of some we owned. However,we breed them to be useful so very mixed bloodlines. I've personally owned them with RR plus bull terrier,bull mastiff and bore bole in them.
Shouldn't think that it would make a "proper" deerstalking only dog, however better people than me can train their dogs to be better than mine! Even if it doesn't quite work out,at least the family and house is safe when you're not about.
Point taken, but my pint was the majority of modern working lines, particularly in the UK will be bred for the guarding/protection traits.
PostmanPat
Well-Known Member
I'm not sure. No doubt many are but I know a fair few quality breeders that themselves are primarily interested in Shutzhund (or IGP now) and pups from their lines go to both sport and police/protection roles. I would be confident the dogs would be capable of being a decent stalking companion. The only thing stopping me from that route is all the hair! I would love a short haired non malting German, which is what lead me to the Rhodesian's - they are potentially another kind of half way house, capable of tracking but also with some decent guarding instincts.
As a serial RR owner, I find this thread quite entertaining.
The RR was created as has been alluded to from a whole mix of breed attributes. The original intent and use was as a bay hound. A pack would hold a lion at bay, defending the territory, herd etc. The attributes give it the capabilities of the guard and the SA Police have long used them as general-purpose dogs.
They are not specialist trackers but can. They are incredibly stubborn, but also steady. A right mix will make an excellent general-purpose working dog. I have a new pup who is showing all the right tendencies and I shall be starting with the peppermint teabag before long to see how she gets on. I know of a couple of people who have them working successfully.
In terms of GSD, I had a retired police dog, that was OK. I even got her picking up, but not to a standard I would have taken her on a formal shoot, much as I would have loved to have done for effect!
In summary - a RR is not a 'first dog'. They are quite particular, but amazing loyal creatures. They certainly have the capability, when the mix is right, to be effective in the space. What I cannot commit to is that the breed in general will be good - but then of course, that can be true of any breed.
The RR was created as has been alluded to from a whole mix of breed attributes. The original intent and use was as a bay hound. A pack would hold a lion at bay, defending the territory, herd etc. The attributes give it the capabilities of the guard and the SA Police have long used them as general-purpose dogs.
They are not specialist trackers but can. They are incredibly stubborn, but also steady. A right mix will make an excellent general-purpose working dog. I have a new pup who is showing all the right tendencies and I shall be starting with the peppermint teabag before long to see how she gets on. I know of a couple of people who have them working successfully.
In terms of GSD, I had a retired police dog, that was OK. I even got her picking up, but not to a standard I would have taken her on a formal shoot, much as I would have loved to have done for effect!
In summary - a RR is not a 'first dog'. They are quite particular, but amazing loyal creatures. They certainly have the capability, when the mix is right, to be effective in the space. What I cannot commit to is that the breed in general will be good - but then of course, that can be true of any breed.
PostmanPat
Well-Known Member
That is great to hear. Do you know of any breeders you would recommend speaking to? I have owned dogs before, worked with military dogs, have a few friends that compete in IGP so I feel like I could give training a RR a decent go
alberta boy
Well-Known Member
I know of one guide who has a Ridgeback in his pack of Cougar hounds . He isn't that good on a cold scent but once the scent gets hot , he takes the lead . He's actually right up there with the Plott and Redbone hounds for capability on cats , which is a bit of a narrow field to be honest . He's from South African hunting dogs , not the more popular , and larger , versions available in western countries . He's not big , but he's game and has mixed it up with a few big Toms that won't tree and prefer to stay on the ground and fight it out . Unlike the Plott hounds , he makes a good family dog . He's not aggressive , but he is more than capable of defending the family . A great general purpose breed if you find someone with good bloodlines in their dogs .
AB
AB
I own a German sheperd dog 3 years old and they are a tracking dog mine will track anything I command him to, he arrived at 16weeks old from czech with in a week he would track my son approx 500 yards across field over small stream in to wood .I have 2 gwps and the german sheperds nose is a long way better than there's I sent him to find a shot roe buck and since then he marks unshot deer on the wind ,also hell of a protection dog 
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