Customer Reviews

The Rhodesian Ridgeback: An Owner's Guide to a Happy Healthy Pet

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(3)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I have owned one Ridgeback who passed away a year and a half ago, and now currently own my 2nd. I have several other books about the breed and really enjoyed Eileen's book the best. It does repeat some of the info I have in other books, such as the history of the breed and breed standard, but lets face it any book on the breed MUST contain those topics. But in some of my other Ridgeback books they seem to either cover a lot of info that is geared towards dogs in general or they tended to cover a lot of information on show dogs throughout the world. But in this book I found the topics to be more unique to our breed & very informative and entertaining. The author goes into details of her own experiences with some of the topics, like sighting examples of her dogs' sense of humor, how they have amused themselves when left alone, how she has trained her dogs for obedience competition etc. etc. AND that is just in the third chapter of the book! The endless pictures she includes in her book are beautiful as well. I just loved this book!

This is a great book that introduces the reader to the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed. I found the book to be very helpful and insightful. My wife and I just got a puppy and this book has helped us out with him. We know what to expect from him which is extremely helpful with his training. It has also made us aware of the importance of vaccines and other medical emergencies that can occur and the proper way to handle them. The book is not an in depth technical look at the breed, but an overview of how great these dogs can be to a family, which is why it is so enjoyable. I thought the history of the breed was facinating, along with the descriptions on how gentle ridgebacks are to humans. The author also has a Q & A that is helpful and intersting. These insights really help the reader to familize themselves with these dogs. Also, the pictures were fantastic, they really provide a good look at numerous Ridgebacks and show the beauty of these dogs. If you are thinking about getting a Ridgeback or want an overview of the breed, this book is for you.

I read this book after having my Ridgeback puppy for one year and found the author's knowledge of the breed to be second to none. She obviously has devoted her life to assuring the happy, healthy furtherance of this exceptional breed. Chapters on history and ancestry are fascinating, but the most delightful parts (obviously due to the author's longstanding commitment to caring for Ridgebcaks) involve descriptions of the breed's personality and temperment. I found myself laughing out loud at some of the author's personal stories and anecdotes as they are so accurate and funny. Although this book is part of a series on all breeds and contains helpful chapters relevant to the basic health care, training etc.. applicable to all dogs, the Ridgeback specific chapters are a joy to read and would provide any (lucky) would-be Ridgeback owner with an insightful and interesting overview of this wonderful breed. Highly recommended!

I love how easy to read this book was and have been using it to give to my new puppy buyers as a learning tool about the Rhodesian Ridgebacks general traits. It also highlights the breeds sense of humor and traits we all know to watch out for like counter surfing! It is filled with pictures and information that will compliment anyones Ridgeback library.

I ordered this book last fall after getting my first Rhodesian Ridgeback and waited serveral months for it to come. While the information about the breed is accurate, it is also very vague. The bulk of the material is just generic information that applies to any dog. The Rhodesian is a lovely breed but is, I continue to learn, unusual in its intelligence, agility (especially when counter surfing), and sensitivity. It would have been nice to have the training information tailored to this breed. At the very least some information on finding a good trainer, who uses positive techniques rather that the traditional ones, would have been more helpful. Did like the section of the RR's sense of humor.

Learning about the unique characteristics of the Rhodesian was fabulous. It was very insightful for me as a first time dog owner, and in particular a first time Rhodesian Ridgeback owner! General training tips at the end of the book were very useful.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is an extremely intelligent canine full of fun, love, and stubburness. They live to love and be loved back and in return they will be your best friend, and family protector. An excellent family dog as they are very good with children. It takes a special person to raise a Ridgeback as they are very headstrong at times and are not for everyone. The author of this book covers everything you will need to know before you decide if a Ridgeback is for you.

I thought the first 6 chapters of the book were good, the first few great. However as you progress through the book the knowledge it presents is geared towards all dogs, to a point where I don't think that a RR was mentioned in the final few chapters, it was general knowledge about dogs.

Anyone considering bringing a Rhodesian Ridgeback into their family should read this book. It's got all the information you need and is a perfect primer to get you ready for your life with these fantastic dogs. The book strikes the perfect balance of just enough information but not too much. Many breed books make the mistake at times of overloading the reader with too much too soon. Eileen Bailey gives you all the essential information you will need. I really appreciated her sections at the end: Further Reading & Resources. The list is both specific and extensive enough to make an expert out of you if you continue your studies.

When I get my Ridgeback it will be in part due to the excellent work and love that Eileen Bailey and others have given this very special breed of dog. Thank you.

Tomas Anthony
founder
everyday athlete®

[...]

I haven't read the whole book, but what I have read is amazing. It is just what I wanted. It has the history of the breed, personality of Rhodesian Ridgebacks (RRs), how to take care of RRs, basic first aid, training, etc. The book is an overview (about 150 pages), so you get a lot of info but it doesn't take forever to read. I have had my first RR for a year now and when reading the book it describes my dog exactly; from her intelligence to her humor. If you are seriously looking into this breed, I would strongly recommend you read this book first before making a final decision. RRs are not for everyone, but if you can handle them they are great companions and I don't know what I would do without my RR.