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Rhodesian ridgeback for foxing/rough shooting

  • 11-11-2010 03:16AM
    #1
    customrifle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 421 ✭✭


    Hi lads just wondering if any of ye knew of someone using this breed for hunting in Ireland successfully be it for foxing or rough shooting. Im considering this breed or a weimaraner. Are they easily trained to retrieve? I know they were used to hunt lions just wondering are they good on smaller quarry?
    I know it would be an unusual breed to see working in this country but was out sunday and just had 4 month old doberman pup with me for exercise/socialisation and i knocked cock pheasant in field of rushes, spent couple mins lookin for him with no sign when dob came out off rushes with tail wagging and dragging the pheasant.
    So it got me thinking if its in the dob to hunt surely it would be as easy if not easier train the ridgeback. Thanks in advance for your replies/comments


«1

Comments

  • #2
    pedroeibar1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭pedroeibar1


    How can you compare a Weimaraner and a Ridgeback? :rolleyes: Nor is there any similarity between what a Ridgeback does in lion hunting and retrieving birds or quartering ground.

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is specifically mentioned in the Control of Dogs Regs. – it must be kept on a short strong lead by a person over 16 years who is capable of controlling it and must be muzzled whenever it is in a public place.

    The only reason to have one in Ireland is if you are contracted to go out after those savage man-eating mink, mentioned in the other thread.:D:D
    P.


  • #3
    kildare.17hmr
    Closed Accounts Posts: 3,615 ✭✭✭kildare.17hmr


    Ridgbacks are very easy to train and very obedient dogs. Growing up my oul lad used to bread kerry blues and ridgbacks for showing. Made a fair few champions along the way too. me and the brothers used to ride them around like horses!!If your thinkin about gettin one think very hard as they are feckin huge things that need alot of space and a lot of exercise.

    Dunno how ya would fair with one for huntin foxes and birds, prob no bother trainin them but if he decided to bolt on ya one day you could end up in a world of trouble


  • #4
    customrifle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 421 ✭✭customrifle


    Thanks for your replies lads. I was looking for info on if they were bein used for hunting for foxing or rough shooting in this country as i have heard of them bein used successfully in aus and the states.
    I am also familiar with the control of dogs act as i own a doberman personally and at the home place there is a german shepherd and a japanese akita all off which are on the list and all off which would lick you to death rather than bite you. Its all how they are trained/socialised. Fear off these dogs all stems from hollywood portrayal off them being vicious, that and ignorance. A small yappy dog is more likely to nip you.
    The akita loves to be brought hunting rats and as i said the dob was showing an interest in hunting(it could be the diluted weimaraner thats in him from down through the lines of the dobs) and i was wondering had anyone any success here with the ridgeback.


  • #5
    Birdnuts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,087 ✭✭✭✭Birdnuts


    I'd go with a Wiemarnar - A RR-back sounds like overkill on many levels:eek:;)


  • #6
    customrifle
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 421 ✭✭customrifle


    Thanks birdnuts ill prob go with the weimaraner was just interested in the ridgeback breed


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  • #7
    The Big Fella
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 405 ✭✭The Big Fella


    I heard off a breeder last year that a weimaraner will not stay within 40 yards of you like a good spaniel will. This means they will be flushing pheasants out of your shotguns range. As the other lads say they need a serious amount of exercise to keep they happy.;)


  • #8
    Tackleberrywho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,590 ✭✭✭Tackleberrywho


    I was over birdwatching at lough Boora recently and I met a couple who had one. I did not notice a muzzle, I did notice the ridge and commented to the owner that it was a magnificant example of one. She was pleased.

    The main quality required in a retriever is a keen nose, and a mouth theat will cup a bird without damaging the meat

    I'm not sure if a RR would do this to a bird, however they are a beautiful dog. Not very friendly to strangers though.

    The onely dog I met had the sterotypical aloofness upon meating strangers


  • #9
    Eddie B
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 2,000 ✭✭✭Eddie B


    I've only heard of them being crossed with grayhounds to make a good fox lurcher!
    Apart from this, cant see them being ideal for any type of hunting really!


  • #10
    ssl
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 480 ✭✭ssl


    Weimaraner, unless your hunting lions...


  • #11
    johnner1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 245 ✭✭johnner1


    why dont you just stick with the doberman pup he looks more promising, seems to know what it's all about:cool:.
    if you get a ridgeback he might work well for feral/domestic cats without a collar:D;)


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  • #12
    Tackleberrywho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,590 ✭✭✭Tackleberrywho


    ssl wrote: »
    Weimaraner, unless your hunting lions...


    Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar.The Weimaraner breed was originally bred for hunting Lions. Today's breed standards developed in the 19th century, although dogs having very similar features to the Weimaraner have been attested as far back as 13th century in the court of Louis IX of France

    Maybe a Ridger is not that odd!


  • #13
    pedroeibar1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭pedroeibar1


    Tackleberrywho wrote: »
    Grand Duke Karl August of Weimar.The Weimaraner breed was originally bred for hunting Lions. Today's breed standards developed in the 19th century, although dogs having very similar features to the Weimaraner have been attested as far back as 13th century in the court of Louis IX of France

    Maybe a Ridger is not that odd!

    Tack, Wiki is notoriously inaccurate. ;) Not too many lions around Weimar:D:D

    Anyone using a Ridgeback for hunting is irresponsible IMO.
    P.


  • #14
    johnner1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 245 ✭✭johnner1


    pedroeibar1 wrote: »
    Tack, Wiki is notoriously inaccurate. ;) Not too many lions around Weimar:D:D

    Anyone using a Ridgeback for hunting is irresponsible IMO.
    P.


    why is that?
    i used to use my german shepherd on occasion, he was grand as long as he was not at your heal when you lef off a shot, it used to cause short term deafness in him, if he was out infront of me there was no problem;)


  • #15
    pedroeibar1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭pedroeibar1


    johnner1 wrote: »
    why is that?

    Why? It's like using a .375 H&H for bunnies.:rolleyes:


    By law the dog has to be on a short lead when in public.There are justifiable reasons why it is on the ‘Dogs’ list. These are from an owner’s site :-

    The breed is usually friendly toward family and friends but does not really care for strangers.

    He is a strong willed dog that often stands his ground, and it is very important that he understands that his owners are the dominant members of the family. Timid people or ones that tend to allow the dog to rule the house should consider a different breed.

    A devoted and loyal dog to his family, the ridgeback can be aloof and possibly aggressive toward strangers. When taken outside, the ridgeback should be leashed or kept in a secure yard with a tall fence since some dogs are not too fond of strangers.
    http://www.petplace.com/dogs/choosing-a-rhodesian-ridgeback/page1.aspx


    P.


  • #16
    johnner1
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 245 ✭✭johnner1


    fair enough, but a ridgeback or shepherd for that matter if out hunting in the field on private property with the land owners permission dont have to kept on a lead;)

    i was once cornered in a bus shelter at around 2.30am by a large dog ridgeback about 20 years ago while walking my way home from a disco:D
    i will never forget the agression of the dog only for a car that sounded it's horn and distracted him i might not be here to tell the story :eek::D


  • #17
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 11,254 ✭✭✭✭John_Rambo


    pedroeibar1 wrote: »
    ;) Not too many lions around Weimar:D:D

    Big game hunting in Africa was massive, there would have been a huge number of German ex-pats and colonies and their dogs, I have come across Weimaraners in Africa and India, could be recent imports though.

    I have experience with the Ridgebacks, they are fairly standoffish with strangers, but no more standoffish than my Weimaraner. Very very similar dog in temperament. I guess their size and strength has then on that list, but in the right hands they are an amazing dog.

    I don't know about the hunting aspect, the one I dealt with retrieved with enthusiasm and was not at all afraid to chase cats and squirrels, dunno if that's any help.


  • #18
    Tackleberrywho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,590 ✭✭✭Tackleberrywho


    pedroeibar1 wrote: »
    Why? It's like using a .375 H&H for bunnies.:rolleyes:


    By law the dog has to be on a short lead when in public.There are justifiable reasons why it is on the ‘Dogs’ list. These are from an owner’s site :-

    The breed is usually friendly toward family and friends but does not really care for strangers.

    He is a strong willed dog that often stands his ground, and it is very important that he understands that his owners are the dominant members of the family. Timid people or ones that tend to allow the dog to rule the house should consider a different breed.

    A devoted and loyal dog to his family, the ridgeback can be aloof and possibly aggressive toward strangers. When taken outside, the ridgeback should be leashed or kept in a secure yard with a tall fence since some dogs are not too fond of strangers.
    http://www.petplace.com/dogs/choosing-a-rhodesian-ridgeback/page1.aspx


    P.

    More than wiki P.
    http://largedogbreedz.com/large-dog-breed-directory/weimaraner/weimaraner-breed-origin-and-history.html

    A mate of mine was breeding Weimaraners 25 years ag when they were almost unheard of here.
    Rhodesia or now Zimbabwe has developed a fine animal.

    I have a friend who has an alaskan malamute which is not on the dangerous breeds list. Yet it would whip many a German Shepard. So dangerous breeds aside.........

    .375 on bunnies, not my cuppán tae but I have popped many a bunny with the .308 (head shots of course):D

    on topic......
    I've heard of a breeder near me with RR's, I might ask santa for a pup!

    Mate of mine used a german shepard to flush out birds for him. all dogs will hunt, just some are specialists.
    It depends on the owner what dog suits best.
    Some pointers won't go in water, some retrievers won't stop running about when you want them to keep still.


  • #19
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 11,254 ✭✭✭✭John_Rambo


    Oh... forgot to mention, they make a cracking guard dog. Noisy, brave, fast and strong, probably a consideration with gun theft and general burglaries on the rise.


  • #20
    landkeeper
    Closed Accounts Posts: 1,181 ✭✭✭landkeeper


    okay enough of all the wikipedia links and stuff lads we can all use google :D
    the way i see it is simple these dogs are bred or were for specific types of hunting none of which are applicable to ireland :rolleyes: . the other thing that seems to have been forgotten is that most of these dogs have been bred for show and or protection work i very much doubt if any breeder of gsd or dobermans or rockies or rrb use them for hunting and certainly would never take hunting ability into account when breeding a litter here in ireland
    so why not stick to proven working breeds and pick a pup from a proven working bloodline within that group you'd have a much better chance of getting what you want than trying to think outside the box inmho


  • #21
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 11,254 ✭✭✭✭John_Rambo


    landkeeper wrote: »
    okay enough of all the wikipedia links and stuff lads we can all use google

    Yeah, lots of copying and pasting. My experiences are with real RR... not a show or protection or hunting bloodline, just a few enthusiasts.


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  • #22
    Tackleberrywho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,590 ✭✭✭Tackleberrywho


    John_Rambo wrote: »
    Yeah, lots of copying and pasting. My experiences are with real RR... not a show or protection or hunting bloodline, just a few enthusiasts.

    I have hunted with labs, springers, pointers, weimarners and a terriers.

    The weimarners were the best followed closely by the pointers, except the weimarner would plough through water


  • #23
    John_Rambo
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2, Paid Member Posts: 11,254 ✭✭✭✭John_Rambo


    Tackleberrywho wrote: »
    The weimarners were the best followed closely by the pointers, except the weimarner would plough through water

    Really... that's amazing. I didn't know they were that good. I must have a look on youtube and see what exactly they are like doing what they were designed to do.

    I'd say you'd last eight seconds with my fella before blowing his head off. (kidding)... he's a companion dog.


  • #24
    Bullseye1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,731 ✭✭✭Bullseye1


    The RR is the Navy Seal of dogs. Brilliant for hunting but probably overkill for hunting bird game. Deer, Wild Boar sure. Probably better to go wth a mote traditional retriever type.


  • #25
    tfox
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 1,004 ✭✭✭tfox


    kildare.17hmr wrote: »
    Ridgbacks are very easy to train and very obedient dogs. Growing up my oul lad used to bread kerry blues and ridgbacks for showing. Made a fair few champions along the way too. me and the brothers used to ride them around like horses!!If your thinkin about gettin one think very hard as they are feckin huge things that need alot of space and a lot of exercise.

    Dunno how ya would fair with one for huntin foxes and birds, prob no bother trainin them but if he decided to bolt on ya one day you could end up in a world of trouble

    My Dad had one when I was very young living in Rathdowney, Laois. Me and my sis used to ride him around like a donkey !! But woe betide anyone who tried to come upto our house uninvited, imagine a very big agressive dog that can eyeball you sitting in your car without getting on its hind legs, very unnerving :eek:

    But on another note he used to bring it shooting along with the munsterlander, not sure how it was on retrieving but would hunt up and flush game !!

    Would love to have one but if I was only allowed one dog think I would go for something more shooting specific, pointer, springer, lab etc


  • #26
    pedroeibar1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭pedroeibar1


    Tackleberrywho wrote: »

    .375 on bunnies, not my cuppán tae but I have popped many a bunny with the .308 (head shots of course):D

    I'd have expected nothing less.:rolleyes:
    P.


  • #27
    pedroeibar1
    Closed Accounts Posts: 5,105 ✭✭✭pedroeibar1


    Quote:
    Originally Posted by pedroeibar1 viewpost.gif
    wink.gif Not too many lions around Weimarbiggrin.gifbiggrin.gif
    John_Rambo wrote: »
    Big game hunting in Africa was massive, there would have been a huge number of German ex-pats and colonies and their dogs, I have come across Weimaraners in Africa and India, could be recent imports though.

    At times I wonder why I bother. :rolleyes:
    I’ve not read such a BS thread in a long time. He to whom the Weimaraner is attributed per Tacklebud - (Karl August, Grand Duke of Saxe-Weimar-) lived 1757 to 1828. At that era there were a few German installations in West Africa – roughly where Ghana is today - and those were shared with the Brits and Dutch. At that date most of Africa was a blank page, German expats were few and far between, and the few that were in West Africa were interested in trade, mainly slaves, not hunting. The Ridgeback was a much later development, late 1800’s.



    Anybody bringing an unmuzzled, unrestrained RR onto land is asking for trouble and they would deserve what they get. It is sad that the dog would be the one to suffer.

    I’m out of here.
    P.


  • #28
    Birdnuts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,087 ✭✭✭✭Birdnuts


    The RRB makes for a serious guard-dog - I know from some scary experiances with a near neighbour(Its a long storey but lets just say I called "unexpectededly"):(.


    PS: The brother was telling me about a chap who hunts with a giant Poodle and swears its the best dog he ever had - No joking!!


  • #29
    Tackleberrywho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,590 ✭✭✭Tackleberrywho


    Birdnuts wrote: »
    The RRB makes for a serious guard-dog - I know from some scary experiances with a near neighbour(Its a long storey but lets just say I called "unexpectededly"):(.


    PS: The brother was telling me about a chap who hunts with a giant Poodle and swears its the best dog he ever had - No joking!!

    Poodle are a great gundog, most would not recognise on that was not shaved.
    Mate of mine is a dog breeder and he has made several labadoodles Poodle lab crosses and they are savage gundogs

    Although P will probably disagree !!


  • #30
    Tackleberrywho
    Closed Accounts Posts: 8,590 ✭✭✭Tackleberrywho


    John_Rambo wrote: »
    Really... that's amazing. I didn't know they were that good. I must have a look on youtube and see what exactly they are like doing what they were designed to do.

    I'd say you'd last eight seconds with my fella before blowing his head off. (kidding)... he's a companion dog.

    Any of them I have seen were very well trained, they are a seriously intelligent dog.
    I had a pointer that had a great nose, soft mouth but would not go into water


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  • #31
    Birdnuts
    Registered Users, Registered Users 2 Posts: 10,087 ✭✭✭✭Birdnuts


    Tackleberrywho wrote: »
    Poodle are a great gundog, most would not recognise on that was not shaved.
    Mate of mine is a dog breeder and he has made several labadoodles Poodle lab crosses and they are savage gundogs

    Although P will probably disagree !!

    Yes - they were bred originally in France prior to the French Revolution by the aristocracy for that very purpose. Its just today people associate them with some of the more extreme elements in the showdog industry.

    PS: It would be funny all the same turning up at a crowded serious shoot with a stratigically shaved, pink dyed, poodle:D


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