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Our Rhodesian Ridgebacks
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Health
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A low maintenance dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback requires no special care but will thrive on a quality diet of premium pet food and regular daily exercise. There are a number of high quality foods on the market today, and we recommend that you avoid foods with corn, wheat, soy, sorghum, meat by-products, animal digest and other low quality ingredients.
They love vigorous exercise and will do well romping at the dog park, on the beach, and in open fields, meadows and woodlands. They thoroughly enjoy playing, both with people and with other dogs.
There are two health issues that the RR is prone to: hip dysplasia and dermoid sinus
HIP DYSPLASIA
Many large breed dogs are prone to hip dysplasia, a condition characterized by abnormal joint structure. The muscles, connective tissue, and ligaments that would normally support the joint become lax, causing the surfaces of the bones lose contact with each other and drastically changing the size and shape of the bones' surfaces.
Most dogs with hip dysplasia are born with normal hips but the soft tissues surrounding the joint develop abnormally. Several factors, including genetics, can cause this condition which may or may not affect both hips. Competent breeders will have their breeding stock and offspring checked for the condition and will provide OFA certification. For more information, visit the Orthopedic Foundation For Animals.
DERMOID SINUS
Dermoid sinus is a genetic disorder characterized by a cyst beneath the skin, usually along the spine, that often forms while the puppy is still in utero. Carried by a recessive gene, both parents must have the gene in order to pass the condition to their puppies.
Not all puppies in a litter are affected by dermoid sinus, and some may be carriers but show no signs of the disease. The rate of incidence in Rhodesian Ridgebacks is about 5%.
According to several studies, folic acid in the bitch's diet during pregnancy helps reduce the incidence of the condition. Because of this, we provide 5 mg of folic acid to each pregnant bitch from the start of the heat until the birth of the puppies.
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