Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks family/kid friendly?

[Joe Bob]

Does your dog bite?

It's not my dog.......

[gtc]

I wouldn't let my kid near a Ridgeback. This guy I know from the intarnet heard a story about a ridgeback that might have growled at someone one time. Too scary for me!

[stevepaa]

Had both a huge shephard and a ridgeback with the kids.

The shepard was blind in one eye and always bumped my 4 year old boy down when he turned.

The ridgeback was docile with our family but protective about others.

Sometime the better question is would you leave dogs around children who might do something stupid, like pull on his tail or try to ride him.

Dogs and children should never be alone together.

[URY914]

I have two Pugs.....

[Head416]

Originally Posted by stevepaa

Dogs and children should never be alone together.

That's pretty much how I feel. (Note, I don't have kids yet.) If the dog is raised right there shouldn't be a problem. But you can never be sure, so you can't leave them alone together.

[Garp]

Originally Posted by mikez

Does your dog bite?

It's not my dog.......

[holtjv]

I've had two rhodies and their disposition and character matched all the things you'll read about them: couch potatoes until you want to play, then they love to play; one family dogs, quite protective; low care; hounds, so you need to train them well; smart enough; some congenital issues you need to check for.

Although this thread really isn't about rhodies (gtc, are you for real?), I highly recommend them.

Attached is Hank, who sadly contracted bone cancer at 14 mos, died at 16 mos. Our first, Tucker, lived 12 years, old for a big dog.

Hank

[dd74]

Originally Posted by cantdrv55

Would you leave your kid with a family who lets a dog like this roam about?

You're kidding, right? Short answer: no!

Here's another question: is this daycare licensed? Does the state know it has an unleashed dog on its premises? I'd check the laws about that if I were you.

[Dana Norris]

I understand they love children, think they taste like chickin.........
just kiddin.........

[teenerted1]

my neighbor runs a daycare from her home, they have the most unsocial black lab i have ever seen. seems the lab has been rescued 3-4 times before they brought her home, about a year before they had their own kid. so they dont want to return her again. the lab is lousy around other dogs but seems to be great around people.

none the less when the kids are there the dog says in one of the backrooms or in the backyard. they arent going to take any chances.

i dont think there are any bad dogs, just good dogs in bad situations, and thats what turns them against us.

if the dog is kept separate i would see few issue unless alergies are involved.

[gtc]

Originally Posted by holtjv

Although this thread really isn't about rhodies (gtc, are you for real?), I highly recommend them.
...

I was just being sarcastic! I have a coworker with a rhodie, and he's a big sweetie.
Nice looking dog, btw.

[cantdrv55]

Thanks everybody. Just the fact that I am questioning it let's you know I am concerned. It is a private facility and the surroundings/environment is high end. Very low adult to kid ratio so they charge quite a bit. I didn't see the dog but my wife did and she said it is big. I had a choc lab/rottie mix that was about 120lb. My wife said the Ridgeback was easily taller but sleeker. She did say the dog looked like a couch potato as it did not move about too much but he was free to roam. Anyway, I've decided against it so thanks for getting back to me.

[m21sniper]

A dog that big, if it wants to, can kill a child before anyone can even stop them. I think i'd be very leery about sending my kids there, even if the rest of it was perfect.

Unless i didn't really like them...

[holtjv]

I am totally hijacking this thread to celebrate my rhodie, Tucker, who died a couple of years ago.

Now, I would NEVER let a strange dog near my baby.

But here's Tuckie, my favorite dog--freakin came unwound when he died--with Grace, about 2 or 3 at the time.

[Jandrews]

We have two male Rhodesian Ridgebacks (Mason and Moses) who are actually related as first cousins from the same mother and two different litters. They are both over 100 lbs and we raised our kids from birth to their current ages of 5 and 8 around these dogs. Mason and Moses are simply the best pets we have ever had, and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone for great family companions and excellent behavior around children.

All that said, I would NEVER leave my kid unattended with any dog, even my own. There is too much to lose and anything can happen extremely quickly. I don't think this has anything to do with breed, as I know of a 5 lb Yorkshire Terrier that disfigured a little girl's face by lunging at her and biting her. Add in the lack of control and uncertainty of a lot of other kids and a Day Care, and this is not even something that should be remotely considered.

JA

[holtjv]

Originally Posted by Jandrews

We have two male Rhodesian Ridgebacks (Mason and Moses) who are actually related as first cousins from the same mother and two different litters. They are both over 100 lbs and we raised our kids from birth to their current ages of 5 and 8 around these dogs. Mason and Moses are simply the best pets we have ever had, and I would absolutely recommend them to anyone for great family companions and excellent behavior around children.

All that said, I would NEVER leave my kid unattended with any dog, even my own. There is too much to lose and anything can happen extremely quickly. I don't think this has anything to do with breed, as I know of a 5 lb Yorkshire Terrier that disfigured a little girl's face by lunging at her and biting her. Add in the lack of control and uncertainty of a lot of other kids and a Day Care, and this is not even something that should be remotely considered.

JA

JA, I'm willing to take the hit and make this a rhodie thread, as the OP hasn't chimed back in and it was a bit silly.

So, where are the pix of Moses and Mason????

Jack

[Jandrews]

Oh, hell yeah, Jack! Let me dig one up and I'll be back.

JA