One of the most important things you bring with you on a trip in the mountains is a friend. Hang on before I hear all about the benefits of a solitary walk, yada yada..I am referring to bring a four legged companion/friend with you.
I lost my dog, Jackson, to cancer a year ago. I could go into what a terrible experience that was and how I cried for days. (I still choke up sometimes). Jackson was a Redbone Coonhound, and was a great dog. He had a few shortcomings that caused a some headaches but I’ll go into that more latter. Needless to say I was not ready to think about another dog for a while.
After a while I started to think, “If I was to get another dog, what would I get?” I took into consideration that I wanted to spend more time in the mountains. Coonhounds are a wonderful breed but their hunting instinct is overpowering. NOSE ON, EARS OFF! I wanted a dog that I could at times have off leash and not worry about them running off after every smell.
One of the dog breeds I had looked into before getting Jackson was the Rhodesian Ridgeback. It seemed the dog had almost everything I wanted except I read 2 things that were of a concern. 1. Can be a little to “playful” around small children. ( Rhodesia’s are a large and well-built breed.) 2. Can be aggressive. (That speaks for it’s self). 14 years ago, when I was looking for a dog, I was in a different place in life. My wife and I had 4 kids ages, 8, 5, 2 and 1. So #1 was a bit of an issue. #2 was just a no go! (I have learned better about #2 and how it may be a little “blown out of proportion.”)
So I found a Redbone puppy and brought him home on Memorial day 14 years ago.
FAST FORWARD »»» to 2016
While I was recovering from the loss of my dog I spent a lot of time trail running at a local park here in Colorado Springs (Palmer Park). While on the trail I had the opportunity to see and interact with many breeds of dogs on the trail. I saw the standard breeds: Labs, Goldens, Australian Sheppards, Vixslas and Labra-Doodles. But one one fateful day I saw a Ridgeback on the trail. It was a great looking dog and so well-behaved! I remembered that I had once looked into the breed years ago. I thought it was time to look into it again, and I’m glad I did.
I started looking at everything I could get my hands on about RR’s. I looked in every book store and read everything I could online about them. (Yes, I even watched Animal Planet’s Dog’s 101….) I read the good and the bad because I wanted to know what I might be getting into. Then I found this video blog about a guy and his 2 Rhodesian’s
https://markingourterritory.wordpress.com/ (shameless plug)
It was great! The dog’s were by no means perfect but they looked perfect for me. So I started looking for breeders in the US. (I thought that since I have only seen 1 dog in 14 years it must be impossible to find.) Well guess what I found that there were a few breeders in my area?!!! What how is that even possible, and yet I never see the dog anywhere?
I stalked 2 kennels for about a month before I made up my mind that I wanted to know more. Yeah, it takes me a long time to make a decision that will impact my family. I had to know was this the right dog for us and, almost as important, were we the right type of family for this dog? (Do not underestimate that last question.)
I contacted Sovereign Rhodesian Ridgebacks and filled out a questionnaire that was required before I would be considered for a puppy?!!I thought “Are you kidding me?”. No they weren’t and now I understand why.
- This is not the “right” dog for everyone.
- Not everyone is “right” for this dog.
Don’t get me wrong Rhodesian’s are fantastic dog’s, FOR THE RIGHT PEOPLE. That cannot be said about Labs and Goldens who love everyone it seems. (That has it’s place also btw.)
I asked the owner, if it would be possible for me to visit and see a few of the dogs. She told me that she only had 2 and it would be better to visit with a good friend and mentor to her at a different Kennel, Lionridge. (That so happened to be the other kennel I had been looking at.) With a “meet and greet” date set we headed out. Ok, on a side note I may or may not have told them I was planning on bring my entire family with me including my son and his new wife. But, remember I saw this as a decision that would effect everyone.
When we got to the house (That sat on 20 acres!! of wooded land, SUPER JEALOUS!!) We met the owner. She brought us out back to an enclosed area where we could meet her “kids”. I cannot even say ho impressed I was with the dogs. My wife immediately feel in love with the biggest one there, a male Rhodesian named Rigs. 110lbs of muscle and fur! i got down to see him “face to face” and he leaned into me so I could give him a good scratch. When I say “leaned” imagine a bulldozer giving you a slight push!! You cannot imagine the strength underneath that “slim” exterior. I can tell you that they are big dogs but it belies the strength below the surface. (I found out latter that same thing applies to their personality)
The entire family fell in love with the breed that day. So I told them to “sign me up”
Our “little” Dublin came home with us 3 months ago. When I say “little” at 5 months he weighs 70lbs.
I cannot bring him on long trips (he is still a puppy) but as we start our adventures in the mountains, I’ll post updates.