So you’re decided that a Rhodesian Ridgeback is the breed for you. Now what? The next step is to find a responsible, reputable breeder that you feel comfortable with and who is available to answer your questions, and who can help you find the right puppy to fit your lifestyle. While Rhodesian Ridgebacks are still a relatively unknown breed in the United States, there are quite a few reputable breeders who are members of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS), and subscribe to the RRCUS Code of Ethics. This Code includes several important provisions that are intended to assure the continued improvement of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed, and also to protect puppy buyers. These provisions include the following:

An ethical, responsible breeder:
• Does not engage in the overbreeding of dogs for profit without regard for quality and health of the dogs.
• Studies and assessed the faults and attributes of both proposed parents, becoming well informed of those considered genetic (inheritable). An ethical breeder is sincere in the intent of not breeding dogs with defects that are likely to cause impairment of the health of the dogs or offspring and are concerned about producing sound temperaments.
• Informs his/her buyers about the dermoid sinus and how to detect it.
• Is available to buyers for consultation even after completion of a sale and for the duration of the puppies’ life.
• Conducts appropriate health screens on proposed breeding stock including x-ray the hips and elbows and will use only dogs certified clear of hip/elbow dysplasia for breeding. The breeder will obtain an OFA (Orthopedic Foundation for Animals) certification or an OFA preliminary x-ray and will provide a copy of this certificate to a puppy buyer, on request.

Avoid buying puppies from pet shops. These dogs are typically produced wholesale by "puppy farms" where the sole purpose is producing a salable product, and often the parents and puppies are kept in horrific conditions. Although pet shop puppies usually have AKC registration papers, you should know that this registration implies absolutely no guarantee. Puppy farms are in the business of wholesale production and typically do not care about possible inheritable health issues like the dermoid sinus, hip dysplasia, and temperament and therefore the puppy buyer has no health history to rely upon when that cute little bundle arrives in their home.

Most reputable breeders make a distinction between "show-potential" and " pet-quality/companion” puppies and price the dogs appropriately (show-potential dogs are usually 30-50% more expensive than companion dogs). Show-potential means that the dog has no obvious faults that would make it difficult or impossible for the dog to achieve an AKC championship. The most common faults are a defective ridge (too short, less than or more than two crowns) and excessive white or other color faults. Other faults that might be present are a kinked tail or imperfect bite. Faults of this sort are usually cosmetic rather than functional and do not affect the health of the dog. Remember that the breeder is making a decision that a puppy is "show potential" at a very young age (usually seven or eight weeks of age). It takes a fair amount of experience to make these kinds of predictions with any confidence, which is a compelling reason to buy from a breeder who either has considerable experience in the breed, or who has a network of friends who can serve as consultants. Additionally, “companion” puppies may be eligible to compete in other AKC events such as lure coursing, obedience, and agility trials and these pups come from the same background and parents as a "show potential" puppy.

Often you will see Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy ads in the newspaper or on websites. Sometimes these ads are placed by reputable breeders. However, often these ads are placed by "backyard breeders." These are people who have acquired a male and one or more females and crank out litters of puppies for the sole purpose of profit. Do not be sold by a slick website because “puppy mills” and “backyard breeders” are as capable of glitsy marketing as anyone else. Do your research and ask questions! You can spot one of these backyard breeders in several ways:

• If the seller has trouble remembering details of the pedigree of the puppies for sale or is reluctant to share the pedigree, beware. Breeders who are breeding with the goal of improving the breed will be very familiar with the pedigree of their puppies, and will be able to tell you the AKC names of sire and dam, grandparents, and usually even great-grandparents. Be cautious if you are told that the pedigree is “not important” because people who are just in the business of selling puppies for a profit will often "not remember" these important facts while trying to sell you on their dog's "superior" lines. Also beware of the slick marketers who advertise their "top ranked" show dogs but fail to disclose that these rankings are from non-AKC events. The pedigrees of the breeding stock should have AKC Champions in multiple generations, denoted by a "Ch." in front of the dogs' registered name. Also, be cautious of people who claim "ribbons are not important" and do not participate in AKC conformation events with their breeding stock. A solid temperament is critical to earning an AKC conformation title and "a ribbon" demonstrates that soundness.
• If the seller does not know what a dermoid sinus is, beware. This is a common genetic problem in the breed and is present at birth. Knowledge is required to detect it and while a dermoid sinus can be removed surgically, the operation is rather major and costly. It is a genetic condition that may occur in the most well-bred litter so do not fall for the trap that “it’s not an issue”.
• If the seller tells you that "hip dysplasia is not a problem in Ridgebacks" or that it "is not a problem in my line," beware. Reputable breeders have made strides in minimizing hip dysplasia in the breed, but it can still occur. The probability of a puppy having hip dysplasia is much reduced if both parents and all four grandparents have been x-rayed and certified clear of the condition by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals so if the seller tells you that OFA is “a waste of time and money” you should be concerned. Reputable breeders also screen for elbow dysplasia, as well as other genetic issues. They are knowledgeable enough to discuss the health issues and trends in the breed. 
• If the seller will not provide a written health guarantee, beware. There are enough reputable breeders that you can certainly find a guaranteed puppy, so there is no need to take one with no strings attached and then find in a year that you have a $600 vet bill to remove a dermoid, or even worse a $3000 hip replacement surgery on a young dog.
• If the seller does not ask YOU questions about your lifestyle, living arrangements, and plans for your new puppy, beware. A responsible breeder is looking to make the best match between puppy buyer and puppy, and a Ridgeback is not a breed for everyone. A few questions up front can save a lot of heartache later on.
• It is a myth that if a puppy "doesn't have a ridge yet, it will come in later”. It is possible that a Ridgeback puppy may be born without a ridge, but it is either there at birth or not and is readily visible. A puppy that does not have a ridge will never have one. Ridgelessness occurs due to a genetic fault and many reputable breeders will place ridgeless puppies in companion homes at a discounted price.
• If the seller tells you that they "don't make a distinction between show-quality and pet-quality puppies," beware. Reputable breeders seek independent confirmation from an objective source that their future breeding stock is considered an excellent representative of the breed, as measured against the breed standard. The purpose of dog shows is to obtain this independent judgment. While there may be perfectly legitimate reasons a dog has not achieved an AKC CH title, this is an opportunity to ask the breeder about the reason. Back yard breeders often tell potential customers that "show dogs" are inbred and have genetic problems that will result in poor health, or they will try to tell the buyer that dog shows aren't necessary to prove their dogs are "quality". This is a damaging myth because the truth is exactly the opposite. When you buy a dog whose sire and dam, along with their extended family members, are AKC champions (as evidenced by "Ch" before the name on their names on the registration application), you know that at least three different judges (and usually many more) have measured these animals against the breed standard and awarded championship credit. AKC conformation events provide a venue for experienced evaluation of the correctness and conformation to the breed standard and those who claim that validation is not important may not be breeding good representatives of the breed who are capable of fulfilling the breed's function.