*Please note that we do not give information about puppies which are available. A list of registered breeders of Rhodesian Ridgebacks can be viewed at http://www.dogswest.com.au and http://www.dogzonline.com.au
The RRCWA can’t direct you to specific breeders or direct you away from specific breeders. The Club’s role must remain impartial and can’t be involved in the sale of RR puppies from any particular breeder/s. Registered breeders are defined only as those who are registered with the ANKC member body in their State. In WA it’s DogsWest.
If you aren’t already, become familiar with the basic standard of health testing within the breed such as hip/elbow scores (re: dysplasia), JME (an inherited form of epilepsy), DCM (inherited heart condition), DM (degenerative myelopathy – spinal cord).
Some of the testing isn’t straightforward (not bombproof), but it’s good to be aware and look for a breeder who is aware of these inherited conditions and the sire and dam of any litter (and the family lines) are considered and tested.
You should expect that registered breeders are aware of these conditions and that the breeder is familiar with Dermoid Sinus. These diseases are not common, but they do exist and it’s only through careful breeding that these diseases are kept in check in the RR population in Australia.
You’ll find registered breeders listed on Dogzonline and on the Dogswest website. I’ll attach the links to Dogzonline and the RRCWA website.
Prices for puppies from registered breeders with health tested parents vary (individual breeders set their own price), but on average you would be looking at anywhere between $1500 – $2500 in WA. Be cautious in your search for a healthy puppy. We aren’t after “show dogs”, but it’s often these registered breeders (who just happen to show their dogs now and then), who are paying attention to their breeding and aim always for puppies who develop into healthy long lived adults. They often know health history of their lines going back some decades. We all want healthy RR’s. You can also meet a lot of breeders in one place (and see some of their dogs) at a dog show. But either way, have a really good chat with the breeders you call or meet with and assess for yourself from there. Consider also how the puppies are (or will be) housed and raised and make your own assessment re: health and socialisation, and the temperament of the breeding pair and if possible any relatives.
Have you had RR’s before? If you haven’t try and meet as many adults as you can on your travels (again, dog shows are good for that). The club usually has the odd social event – fantastic to see and meet lots of RR’s of different ages and sociability in one place and meet so many owners and breeders, but we tend not to do so much of that over warmer months.
You asked a simple question and got a long answer. I hope some of it is useful!
Best wishes,
RRCWA
Please note, all Dogs West members are bound by a Members’ Code of Ethics and strict Rules & Regulations.
Dogs West – the Canine Association of WA – offers no warranty of any kind in relation to the standard of any dog offered for sale by a registered breeder, or as to the reputation or skill of any breeder.
A dog’s Certificate of Registration is an extract of the details shown in the Registers of our Association, it is not a guarantee as to the quality of the dog named thereon.