Kiwara Ridgebacks

Happy 14th birthday to Portia... The matriarch of our little Ridgeback family! You're looking old girl but we love you so dearly!

Soooo... So obviously my side of the bed is on the left and Miss Bilie's is everything from her butt to the other side of the bed.

Great News!! Driving to Michigan with Billie!! Not thrilled about the 19 hour drive but it is what it is. More details to follow but I thought I would keep everyone in the loop!
Fun fact for those of us that watch waaay too much Border Security - you can cross into the USA with dog food (normally meat products are prohibited) if it is made in the USA and in original packaging... Huge stressor off my plate after calling North Portal US crossing. I am sure they thought i was a complete weirdo for calling them with the question but the last thing I need is having no food for Billie AND being flagged every time I enter the US.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1Cwe59sqs6/

Yes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are intelligent dogs, but their intelligence shows up a bit differently than in breeds that live to please their owners.

They’re strong problem solvers. Ridgebacks were bred to think on their own while tracking and holding large game, so they’re good at assessing situations and making decisions without waiting for direction. That independent streak is a sign of real intelligence, even if it doesn’t always look like quick obedience.

They learn commands quickly, but they don’t blindly follow them. If a Ridgeback thinks a command doesn’t make sense, it may pause or ignore it. This often gets mistaken for stubbornness. In reality, they’re evaluating whether the request is worth doing.

They’re emotionally aware and observant. Ridgebacks tend to read people well and often form tight bonds with their family. Many owners notice they pick up routines fast and remember past experiences clearly.

Training works best with consistency and respect. Harsh repetition usually backfires, while calm structure, short sessions, and rewards keep them engaged. Once trained properly, they remember lessons for a long time.

So yes, they’re intelligent, just not in a robotic way. If you like a dog that thinks for itself and acts with purpose, a Rhodesian Ridgeback fits that profile well.

Happy Belated Birthday to Billie and her siblings!!

Our Princess is gone ... I know that everyone with pets knows how it feels but you are really never prepared for the wave of emotions and guilt. Were you a good enough pet parent? 13.5 years old and it is never long enough.

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1AN9rkRcxm/

🐾 Every breeder knows this moment, that little buzz on your phone a few days after a puppy goes home.

The message starts sweet, “we love him, but…”

And you already know what’s coming next. But he barks. But he nips. But he cries at night. But he’s just “a lot.”

And it breaks your heart a little every time, because what they’re describing isn’t a “problem.”

It’s a puppy.

A baby learning the world outside of their mom and littermates. They’re confused, overstimulated, excited, and scared…sometimes all at once. And that’s normal.

But people today want easy.

People want the version they see online…the one that sits calmly, never chews a shoe, and somehow knows “sit” by eight weeks.

They forget that behind every well-mannered dog is someone who put in the work, the patience, the boundaries, the grace.

People want the love without the learning curve.

Even the most beautifully raised puppies don’t come pre-programmed. They come ready to grow with you. To learn your rhythms, your tone, your energy. They don’t need perfection, they need patience.

Some people confuse an easy puppy with a good one. But the truth is, every puppy is good they’re just new. And new things are messy before they’re magical.

As breeders, we see it all. We comfort the ones who come back scared, unsure, wondering what they did wrong. We remind them softly, “you didn’t do anything wrong, baby.” Because it’s never their fault that someone wasn’t ready for the hard parts that make the best parts possible.

Raising a puppy isn’t instant. It’s sleepless nights, puddles on the floor, little teeth on fingers, and the sweetest bond you’ll ever build.

A puppy isn’t a project, or a phase, or something to “try.” It’s a commitment. A piece of your heart on four legs. If you’re not ready for the messy parts of puppyhood, that’s okay. Just wait until you can give your whole heart.

Because these little souls deserve nothing less 💜 🐾

Shared from another breeder 🐾