From: mlinda@va.novell.com (M'Linda Taylor)
Newsgroups: rec.pets.dogs
Subject: Info Req. Ridgeback
Keywords: Info request......
Date: 26 Jan 93 17:19:34 GMT
Reply-To: mlinda@va.novell.com (M'Linda Taylor)
Distribution: usa
Organization: Novell, Inc.,  Austin, TX.

Hello!

I need to find out some breed specific information.

There is a fellow at work who feels that he doesn't have the
time his dog deserves (no flames, please) and is considering
placing the dog in a good home.  He will keep the dog if he
doesn't find what he feels to be a excellent home with someone
he knows.

The dog is a 4 month old Rhodesian Ridgeback and is housetrained
but not yet altered.  (That is waiting until he is 6 mo.)  I am
told that this dog LOVES to be with his people and is very sweet
natured.  He also weighs in at about 40lbs!!!  His current owner
feels that the dog will top out at over 100lbs based on his back
ground (the dogs, not the owners) %>

*My* background.  I know NOTHING about these dogs other than the
fact that they are some sort of African hunting dog.

My concerns:

I have two Shelties (Mindy & Ivan) that I DON'T want to displace.
Mindy is retired and just sits around being loved, hugged and playing
in the yard.  Ivan is 2 and is in the top of his advanced obedience
class.  He is so good that I am thinking (with encouragement by my
trainer) in putting a title on him.  In March he and I begin training
to become a therapy pet.

I also have two cats (Rio & Mouse), Rio tolerates the dogs and Mouse
enjoys them.

I'm concerned that while I could afford to feed another dog and pay
for shots and yearly check ups that any illness or injury could result
in my having to put somebody down.  I'm not sure how likely this is as
my "kids" are never left to run.  They are either with me on lead, in a
fenced yard or in the house.  They even wear seatbelts in the truck.
The AREN'T allowed to ride in the bed of the truck.  They are fed quality
food (Natures Recipie) and get no junk food.  (Unless the occasional bite
of banana, orange or broccoli count) 

I worry that I couldn't give 3 dogs and 2 cats the quantity of love they
deserve.

Reasons:  (Justifications?)

I *really* want another dog.  Mindy & Ivan don't bark.  At all.  So
much for the theory that Shelties are "yappy".  I live alone in a area
that isn't bad, but has had several break ins.  The only people that aren't
bothered have *big* dogs.  I would prefer a Dobi as I had one as my first
dog and it was terrific, but if this is a good dog and needs a good home
I'm not going to discriminate against it just because it isn't a dobergoof.

Questions:

People would take one look at my Dobi and decide they had pressing business
elsewhere.  She didn't even have to do anything.  Do Ridgebacks deter nasty
people?

Do Ridgebacks live in peace with small snack-size dogs and cats?

Should I just say to H*ll with it, hope he finds a good home elsewhere for
this dog and look for a Dobi?

Should I do the mature thing and ignore these wishes for another dog.  I
have read that Dobi's are the number one dogs that ex-burglers list as
deterents and I think I'd feel safer with a dog that was capable of
making people think twice about bothering me.

M'Linda
(Sucker for a pet in need of a home)
Ivan & Mindy's dog-mom
Rio & Mouse's cat-mom



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