Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not background pets. They are intense, intelligent, and deeply attached to their people. Before you bring one into your life, it helps to understand what kind of presence you are inviting into your home and into your routine.

1. They are independent thinkers, not mindless followers

Ridgebacks were bred to work at a distance from humans, making their own decisions in serious situations. That history still lives in them.

They often pause, weigh your command, and then decide whether it seems reasonable. This is not defiance in the simple sense. It is a dog with a mind of their own. Training works best when you treat them as a partner, not a machine that is supposed to obey without question. Calm consistency matters more than volume or toughness.

2. Real exercise k

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