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The Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix is a blend of two highly active dogs that can be great fun for some owners but too much work for others. If you are considering getting one of these dogs for your home, keep reading as we discuss their temperament, grooming, exercise needs, health risks, and other factors to help you determine if they’re the best choice.
Breed Overview
Height:
22–29 inches
Weight:
55–106 pounds
Lifespan:
11–14 years
Colors:
Blue, brown, gray
Suitable for:
Large yards, active families
Temperament:
Sociable, active, intelligent
Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner is a mixed breed, you never know what parent your dog will take after, so it can be difficult to know what to expect. However, both parents are fairly large dogs with short coats. They have a great deal of energy and are good with children but are best suited to experienced pet owners because they need a significant amount of training and attention.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix Characteristics
Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix Puppies
Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix puppies are fun because they have amazing energy and will play from morning to night. They like running at high speed, jumping on furniture, chasing other pets, and playing with their toys. They need nearly constant attention, and you may even need to block off parts of the house, like stairways, to help keep them safe. It’s also important to socialize your dog with as many people and other animals as possible before they are 12 weeks old to help them be more friendly as an adult. You also want to get them into a training and grooming routine, so they will stick with it.
Temperament & Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix 🧠
The temperament of your Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix can vary depending on which parent they take after more. However, you can expect these dogs to be friendly and loyal toward their owners. They are also intelligent, curious, protective, and playful. They won’t bark too much but can suffer from separation anxiety, especially if your dog takes after their Weimaraner parent.
Are These Dogs Good for Families?🏡
Yes. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix is friendly, affectionate, and protective, making them great family pets. In fact, they are likely better suited to a large family that can help them get the attention and exercise that they need.
Does This Breed Get Along With Other Pets?🐶 😽
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix usually gets along well with other dogs, especially if you socialize them as a puppy. However, they can be more aggressive toward cats because both parents are hunting dogs that tend to see other animals as prey. However, early socialization with cats while your dog is still a puppy can help them get along, though they will likely still chase after cats and other small animals.
Things to Know When Owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix
Food & Diet Requirements🦴
Feeding your dog high-quality dog food with real meat, like chicken or turkey, listed as the first ingredient, will help them stay healthy and maintain their ideal weight. Limit your treats to no more than 10% of their daily calories, and avoid brands that use chemical preservatives, like BHA and BHT, or artificial colors. Follow the potion recommendations on the package carefully to avoid overfeeding, and try to limit the number of table scraps that they eat.
Exercise🐕
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix needs a great deal of exercise, and this is where many new pet owners struggle. You should expect to set aside at least 1.5 hours per day to play and walk your dog. You can break this up into several shorter walks throughout the day to make it easier, and a large yard where they can run around will help them burn off energy without you. These dogs usually love games of tug of war, fetch, and long walks.
Training🦮
Training is another area where first-time pet owners can struggle with the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix. Both parents love to investigate their surroundings and can have a strong will, so it can be difficult to keep the mix focused during your training sessions, which is why many people hire a professional for help. Even with training, they will chase squirrels and rabbits or wander off the property investigating a strange scent, so owners usually need to fence in the yard.
Grooming ✂️
Due to their short coat, your Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix won’t require much grooming. Brushing them every few days should be more than enough to keep them looking nice throughout the year. These dogs shed like other breeds in the fall and spring, but since they don’t have much fur, you won’t see as much of it around. You will also need to trim the dog’s nails if you hear them clicking on the floor and brush the teeth using dog-safe toothpaste as frequently as possible.
Health and Conditions❤️
One of a mixed breed’s biggest advantages over purebred dogs is that breeders can selectively breed out common health problems, producing a healthier dog. For instance, the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner is prone to only a few health issues.
- Early-Caught Dental Issues: A problem common to many dog breeds, including the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix, is dental disease, and some experts say that more than 80% of dogs over the age of 3 have some form of it. Frequent brushing with a pet-safe toothpaste and regular dental checkups can help slow its progression, as can eating crunchy dog food, which will help keep the teeth cleaner by scraping away the tartar as the dog chews.
- Degenerative Myelopathy: Degenerative myelopathy affects your dog’s spinal cord, causing the hind legs to become weak and paralyzed. It is similar to ALS in humans, and clinical signs include difficulty getting up, swaying when standing still, and walking on the knuckles. Unfortunately, there is currently no treatment.
- Obesity: Unfortunately, one of the most serious conditions that your Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix can face is obesity, especially since it can be so difficult to help them get enough exercise. Obesity can lead to several health problems, including diabetes, high blood pressure, kidney disease, etc. Experts suggest that more than 50% of dogs in the United States are overweight.
- Hypothyroidism: Hypothyroidism is a condition that affects your dog’s thyroid gland and causes it to slow their metabolism. A slower metabolism can lead to unexplained weight gain, intolerance of cold weather, thinning hair, high cholesterol, and a slow heart rate. Unfortunately, there is no cure, but doctors can treat it with hormone therapy.
Male vs. Female
Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner is a mixed breed, the parent that they take after will have a bigger impact on their size, temperament, and appearance than their sex. However, several owners report that males tend to be slightly larger.
3 Little-Known Facts About the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix
1. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix Is Rare
Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix requires so much attention to get the exercise that they need, there is not a big market for them, and it can be hard to find a good breeder, so they are quite rare.
2. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Parent Hunts Lions
The Rhodesian Ridgeback parent originally comes from Africa, where breeders used them to hunt large game, including lions, and locals called them the African Lion Hound.
3. The Weimaraner Parent Hunts Bear
The Weimaraner parent was bred to hunt big game. These German dogs specialized in hunting mountain lions, wolves, and bears.
Final Thoughts
The Rhodesian Ridgeback Weimaraner Mix can be a great family pet because they are friendly, playful, and protective. But they require plenty of exercise each day to stay happy and healthy, so they are a big commitment, especially if you don’t have multiple family members who can help. They also tend to be difficult to train because they have a short attention span and a strong will, causing many people to need a professional trainer, especially new dog owners.
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