Viewer Discretion Advised

A while back, on one of the Ridgeback lists I'm on, there was a person who was looking for examples of dogs playing at a dog park, something to do with pitbulls and how they play and get along with other dogs. They were asking if examples of Ridgebacks playing should be used ... the answer from the majority was "Uh ... I don't think that's a good idea." I understood the mentality immediately. Have you ever seen Ridgebacks play? See, Ridgebacks, when they are engaged in the activity we call 'play' ... other people can mistakenly interpret as 'dog fight'.

Here we see Archer and Leeloo engaged in a furious round of King of the Hill. Archer has his big bluff on and is flashing those pearly whites with some ferocity. Leeloo isn't taking any of that crap from this young pup. Going for the sweet spot. When Leeloo fights she's no lady ... she's an Archer eating machine.

There are so many elements to this photo I'm not sure where to begin. They both seemed to be made of rubber bands.

Despite the gnashing teeth they rarely connect with skin and injuries are even less common. I have seen the rare tooth mark and missing hair but these play games almost never end in blood shed.

Oh for doG's sake ... that is brand new collar! Leeloo has the high ground and she's not giving it up. This is a moment of 'chat' - another reason that Ridgeback play should not be an example of normal dog interaction since the sounds they make are as fierce as the play appears. So, a person can see how Ridgeback play could be mistakenly identified as two dogs trying to kill one another. Even new Ridgeback owners have been known to worry about their dog's method of play but as they get to know the breed it becomes clear that it's not just their Ridgeback who plays as though its life depended on it ... they all do. Ridgebacks take their playtime very seriously indeed.