Despite the worry lines in her face, Zella has a happy-go-lucky personality and a sweet disposition.  She is curious, intelligent, sensitive, assertive, extremely alert, and downright charming in her bearing and behavior (you’ll see).  Like most ridgebacks, she can be aloof and jumpy with new people.  She may even bark at strangers who approach her suddenly (she does not ever bite).  She’ll warm up to you quickly, though, and will appreciate lots of physical attention. 

Zella is a bit of a princess and likes to prance around and have people pay attention to her.  She very much likes to have everything her way and for people to do what she wants them to do.

She is interested in cats (and everything else) but doesn’t typically chase them or make a big fuss over them.  She has a healthy distrust of horses.  She has poor judgment when it comes to automobiles and should be kept away from busy streets.  She’s a great hiking companion with incredible stamina. 

Where’s the ridge?

Most Ridgebacks have a very distinct feature: A line of backward growing hair running from near the base of their tail to their shoulder blades.  Zella is a rare ridgeless Ridgeback, one of a small percentage of the breed born without the ridge.  It doesn’t grow in over time, they’re either born with one or not. 

It used to be that all ridgeless dogs were culled (culled means killed) so that they didn’t pass on defective genes.  Today, most breeders will let their ridgeless dogs go as pets, although they will make you sign a contract agreeing to have them spayed or neutered.  Unless you are a professional breeder, you should be spaying or neutering anyway. 

Mannerisms

Oh, boy, mannerisms.  Zella has a number of idiosyncrasies.  First and foremost is that she has an absolutely voracious appetite.  You have to see it to believe it. 

She’s a notorious counter surfer.  She is extremely quick and WILL steal food that’s left in her reach, even if you only turn your back for a second.  She is very, very clever.  She knows how to open containers (including Tupper wear), boxes, crates…  She has learned to open a number of different sliding doors.  She even learned how to open the glove compartment of my old truck with her paws.  She ate the dog treats that were stored there, plus my registration and proof of insurance.  My new truck has a recessed handle on the glove compartment that seems to be Zella-proof. 

Most people are astonished at how skillful she is at stealing food and usually only learn their lesson after they’ve been victimized.  General rule of thumb:  If a five year old with exceptionally strong fingers can figure out how to get to your food, Zella can figure out how to get to your food. I am not exaggerating. 

Zella is a bed hog.  She will take up the entire bed or couch and is annoyed at being asked to make room.  Once you shove her aside, she will promptly rest her head, or her head and shoulders, and sometimes her entire body on top of you as though you were simply a heating pad that has been thoughtfully added to her place of rest. Another odd quirk: She can rest comfortably at impossibly odd angles.

Hobbies

Zella’s favorite thing to do is play with other dogs.  She likes to play rough and wrestle, and she loves to run fast after other dogs, or have them chase her.  She may chase a ball if she doesn't have anything better to do, and may, on very rare occasions even bring it back to you, but she'd rather run around after other dogs. 

She likes hiking.  She likes driving in the back of James’s truck.  Unlike most Ridgebacks, she genuinely enjoys meeting new people, although it takes several minutes for her to warm up to strangers. 

She especially likes to eat tasty treats.  She enjoys her training, primarily because it involves people paying attention to her and giving her treats. 

She is an exceptionally talented actor.  She is very good at conning people into believing her Dad is starving her to death and that they should give her part of their lunch.  If you don't fall for the act, she’ll wait for you to turn your back.  Please do not feed her people food. 

Zella's friends

Coming soon.