MALE OR FEMALE RIDGEBACK?

We will assume that you before you start to communicate with the breeder have studied the breed well, done exhaustive research, met some Ridgebacks and their owners and asked them everything what interest you and that you know approximately what awaits you in your future life with your Ridgeback.

​Once you have prepared yourself and are ready for the challenges of this wonderful breed, you can start thinking about whether you want a female or a male.
We are experienced breeders and we will suggest you is it for you better choice a male or female for you depending on a puppy temperament as well.

Female

Male

Ridgebacks are powerful strong athlete dogs.

When we speak of the differences that may really exist between male and female Ridgebacks, it must be understood that these are all generalities, excatly like with human.

While a male or female may be more likely to possess a certain characteristic or behavioral trait, this does not mean these generalities apply on every dog.
​
This is why its so important to evaluate puppies dispositons accurately and carefully.

We evaluate every puppy and make a record of individual personalities through observation and later with Volhard's aptitude test to confirm what we already know. 
Based on that we make a decision  what puppy will best fit a particular lifestyle.
The personality differences that may between individual dogs have a much wider margin than that which might exist between the sexes.

Already in puppy age the power is present. Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies are like small machines

ARE THEY FROM A SAME PLANET,
​OR LIKE HUMAN FROM VENUS AND MARS?

 Males can be more dominant, territorial, and easily distracted than female dogs.
They are bigger and stronger and more muscular than females.
But, also tend to be more demanding of attention, affectionate and focused on human beings than female dogs.  Females are generally are more independent and inconsistent in their focus on their human companions, but not in every case.

Females can be every bit as loving but after gaining their owners affections awhile, they may prefer to go off on their own. They have thein own business to do.
This doesn’t mean that females aren’t affectionate, but they seem to be more “choosey” with their moments of cuddles and kisses and might be more reserved, similar how the cats act.

Just imagine how it is in the nature.
​Females are the ones that go to hunt and bring the food, and males are just resting, going around and protect the pack when they have to. This tells a lot about male and female attitudes.
​
Males are "simple", comparing to females which are bit complicated especially when they are in the heat.
This occurs twice a year for two to three weeks when the ​dominance and territorial behaviour can also be seen in females.
Because of the heat you will have periods when you will have to be careful when walking your bitch.
It is better to walk her in areas where there are not many dogs. 
Males are going to smell the bitch and they will try to hop on your girl, especially when the heat is in its zenith. Any unneutered male dog will be boisterous and persistent, at best, and accidental mating is always a possibility. 

Nothing can stop hungry or the horny one.
These are two main instincts of animals. It is all about to eat and mate. And yes..."the heat" periods are much more hard for male owners. If you have a bitch, you just go away from other dogs and are a bit more careful, but male owners will have males that sing, do not eat and are pretty crazy if they smell the lady with perfume somewhere around.

If your male dog is not neutered, you need to make sure he has an area to exercise in that he can’t escape from – especially if there are female dogs on heat nearby.

Bitches also have often false pregnancies after heats and this is why we wrote that you will have hormon storms from time to time. Males leave more urin marks around, when they walk than females, but in the heat, bitch is marking with urine much more. She is leaving the invitation cards everywhere so the pretty guys may find her easier. It is her instinct, she wants to be mated.

When it comes to trainability, there are mixed opinions.
Some say that females are easier to train because they mature earlier, are smarter, and don’t get as easily distracted as males.
On the other hand, males desire to please their owners significantly more than females, which sets them up to learn and obey commands more willingly especially when they know they will get a treat.
They are more dependent on their owners, will require more guidance, direction, and are more attentive to their owners in general life.
An example of this difference could be a female’s ability to remain completely focused on herself and what she’s doing throughout the day. In contrast, a male will typically be right by your side, perhaps even following you around, wanting to know what you are doing. ​

Males are "attention whores" :)
They have a tendency to remain like goofy, playful kids their whole lives.

On dogshows, males dominate more because they are more attractive. They show off more, they cooperate better with handlers, they are easier to be stacked, and mostly they win over females for the BOB titles (Best of breed) title because they are more attractive. 

Ridgebacks play hard. People sometimes think it is a fight

Male Ridgebacks are easier to raise for first time owners.

The females can be more challenging because they are more aware of pack “hierarchy” and in many cases are a little smarter; meaning, they can problem-solve without much input from their owners as well they will do things without much input from their owners ;)

Male dogs don’t have much parental instinct, and so they tend to view children as potential playmates rather than strangely shaped puppies!
This can make things a little boisterous at times, and it’s important that young children don’t become intimidated, giving the dog the idea that’s it’s a rung or two above them on the pack ladder. This varies a lot from breed to breed, however, and some male dogs can be every bit as loving and protective of children as a maternal she-dog.

Both male and female ridgebacks make excellent watchdogs and have a protective nature
that will make any family feel safe.  .

Males in puberty could become a bit arrogant but this is just a period and if you train them and lead them properly and correct the behaviour, the arrogance will fade away.
​With bitches it is a bit different. While maturing they become more arrogant in some way and they are more resentful and vindictive.
When two males fight, they fight for the state....ego is pumping with lot of noise around. 
Evidence suggests that male dogs are more likely to posture, threaten and challenge as part of social ordering behavior. However, this is often a show that doesn’t result in an attack. Fights between two male dogs are often ritualistic and cause little harm. And yes, males can easily forget that there was a fight comparing to females which will save the file.
Females have a stronger tendency to enforce their dominance in the social hierarchy.
​They want to finish the job - they want to get rid of their opponent.
In the fight they are much more hard than males and female fights are typically more damaging.

Although personalities can vary, it’s nearly always the males that grow to be bigger,
stronger, and more powerful and are significantly larger than females..
This is certainly an important factor to consider when choosing which sex
will be appropriate for you and your family.

The average range for MALE ridgebacks:
Height:  (65-69 cm)
Weight: (40-47 kg)
​
The average range for FEMALE ridgebacks:
Height: (60-66 cm)
Weight: (31-39 kg)

​Males will usually continue to pack on muscle until around 2,5 years old, with most females stopping by around 18 months.

So both male and female have pros and cons.
These pros and cons are not general  because every dog is an individual, has own perosnality and spirit, and on the end the most important thing is to purchase the dog from responsible breeder.

Responsible breeder will never combine & mate agressive or unstable, unsecure dogs, so this character will not end up in progeny and in your home!So ih you have a stabile dog, it will be easy to juggle with these differencies no matter you will end with male or female on your sofa! 

Lot of details we see already in puppy age, and we always suggest owners which puppy is best for them depending on an experience and their lifestlye.
For us the most important is the "perfect match"
​with the owner no matter if is it male or female Ridgeback.