We have had a ridgeback for 7 years now. For the first two years I was not sure we could train her as she got bigger and bigger. She would jump on visitors and knocked one over once! Then one day...just like that...she behaved perfectly. We were always persistent with her training. She has been an excellent loyal dog for us and the best guard dog. She can smell anyone 200 feet away and hear anyone 500 to 700 feet away. Her bark varies on the kind of threat she thinks is out there. We live on the beach and she has a special place she sits and peers. If anyone she does not know comes within 75 feet of our home, she goes ballistic!!! Usually folks see her and turn around and walk the other way. If someone she does not know enters through the gate invited, she stands between that person and my wife. Don't get close or reach out your hand!! If she knows you are a friend of ours, she will just wags her tail. She can recognize the sound of your car coming and knows who it is. All the smells of our friends and visitors over the years have been burned into in her memory permanently, so if you have been here for a visit 3 years ago.....she remembers. It's quite something. My wife can sit in her chair near the beach and whisper"..."who's coming...who is that? She will go ballistic and check out the entire property. Scary growl, scarier bark.....never bit anyone ...yet! We do not have children around much ever and she does not seem to like small children running around. We take a precaution and put her inside the casa. I would imagine that if we did have small children around when we got her...that would be different. Awesome dog she is!
