Regarding personality–As a hound with keen sight and scent, has the breed stayed true to its origins or has it evolved?
These hounds have very strong instincts, which must not be underestimated. They are still keen to hunt by both sight and scent. They are for the most part true to their original functions as hunter and family guardian. A drawback is that, due to their intense prey drive, the leading cause of death in adult Ridgebacks is hit by car. Fencing is an absolute must. If they see something, they will go for it, with no regard to traffic. Natural instinct often overrides sensibility and in a world full of vehicles, this is a problem. Off-leash is most often not an option. Obedience training with an emphasis on recall is crucial. These dogs are not for every American family. They have boundless energy and are by nature in great physical condition. Regular exercise is absolutely necessary to their mental and physical well- being. The nice thing is, once you’ve worn them out, they’ll just curl up and sleep!
