Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of GB About to Do the Right Thing?
Published on April 18, 2008 by Ryan O'Meara · 10 CommentsFollowing our previous coverage of the Rhodesian Ridgeback club of Great Britain advocating the culling of healthy, ridgeless puppies
Breed Club Recommends Healthy Puppies Be Killed
RSPCA Condemns Deplorable Puppy Culling Advice from Breed Club
Kennel Club deeply concerned by culling of healthy Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies
it has not gone unnoticed that the club’s code of ethics page has changed from saying this:
Any mismarked puppies shall be described as such and sold as “not to be shown or bred from.” This shall be reflected in the price. Ridgeless puppies shall be culled at birth ;
to now say this:
Currently under review
Let’s hope this review concludes that it is not, in any meaning of the word, ‘ethical’ to advocate the killing of healthy puppies.
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i have been a life long fan of ridgebacks and own two ( one which happens to be ridgeless). i think its wrong that they are allowed to do this or even say cull them. It makes me feel sick that healthy puppies will be killed due to them not looking the part. I hope its stopped and healthy pups will go on to lead good lives
Im a member of the RR club of GB and I understand why they have said this, however that’s not saying that I agree with what is being said. The club, as any other breed club, has been set up to protect the breed standard of the RR, there are plently of dogs and breeders in the world however few breed to preserve the dogs lines. The RR club are worried that if people start breeeding these Ridgeless dogs that it would soon affect many RRs and there would be more Ridgeless Ridgebacks. As many dog owners would agree I beleive killing these pups is wrong, rather I think they should be spayed and neutered as soon as they are old enough.
It’s just plain disgusting that the kennel club have entertained the wording on this breed standard for so long. I have a Ridgless Ridgeback who is the perfect pet and I can’t imagine life without her. The sad fact is she’s show quality apart from her lack of ridge and everybody, including Ridgey breeders comment on how close to type she is. The Breed’s loss is my gain!!!
All that aside, the destruction of any healthy animal is wrong and any group claiming to be dog lovers that advocates the destruction of healthy pups needs to be stripped of any authority and influence!
With reference to Kate’s comment (21/8/08), I have a ridgless ridgeback who is the picture of health and a fantastic dog. He is so great that we are adopting another ridgeless on Monday! They are the perfect pets and it disgusts me to think that healthy ridgeless pups are being culled for the sake of a ridge. My dog’s breeder is fantastic and paid for his castration and she is always around if there is a problem, perhaps more should be like her! And as for being unable to bait lions due to lack of ridge I find this ridiculous!! How many lions do we have in this country?
From what i have been told ridgeless ridgebacks are much healthier dogs because the ridge is genetic defect that can cause Dermoid sinus(similar to Spina Bifida in humans)and also breed-specific form of deafness.
I think the kennel club and other dog clubs with these outdated and stupid looking breed standards should be done for animal cruelty.
In response to Ben’s comment which mentions ‘breed specific deafness’ I think perhaps he has been given some wrong information. From my experience (my parents have been breeding RRs for over 20 years) Ridgebacks do not suffer from breed specific deafness. This tends to happen to white dogs and dalmations. In over 20 years we have never had a deaf ridgeback. As for the ridgless issue courtesy of the awful and unresearched, ill informed BBC documentary, puppy buyers should research their breeders carefully and only go to fair, ethical breeders who are interested and breed for temperament…perhaps if you visit http://www.zejakridgebacks.co.uk you will understand why we haven’t been members of the RR Club of GB for years due to their politics and outdated policies. As for our own, very rare, ridgeless puppies – we ALWAYS find a good home for them. They don’t know they don’t have a ridge do they?!
I do not believe this
Does anyone know where we can get a RR puppy to adopt. We dont mind a ridgeless-especially if we are saving it! Are there any breeders out there who are happy to sell ridgeless pups too?
Amy
Your website is testimony to the fact that the beauty of the ridgeback is in it's expression, colour, and physical stature. Your dogs are astoundingly beautiful. The ridge adds nothing to them. But I have to suggest that in your post you contradict yourself. How, if the RR club has in your opinion poor politics and outdated policies, was the film poorly researched? As it suggests to me the opposite. Your opinion of the RR club "confirms" the findings of the excellent film. Which is why it is of such benefit to pedigree dogs and RRs in particular.
What is bumburbia?