What does a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy cost?
The cost of a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy can very wildly. Breeders can charge anywhere from 1200.00 to over 5000.00 for a puppy. Some of the factors that can determine the price of a puppy is based on a variety of things such as blood lines, health testing and genetic health screening.
Blood lines or lineage
Often price can be based on the championship heritage of the puppy. 
Although this may not seem to be of concern for someone buying a family companion, the fact is, that it can make a noticeable difference in what a puppy grows up to look like, the temperament of the puppy and its long term health. If you want a well balanced, handsome Ridgeback with good temperament, then you can expect to pay more.
Health testing.
Health testing – and more specifically, “genetic health screening” is a very important factor in the pricing of a puppy. A puppy that costs more has had more capital investment by the breeder to insure soundness of health. Conversely, it is a virtual guarantee that a puppy that is priced lower will not have genetic health testing.
Almost invariably, breeders who are actively showing their dogs are also performing a variety of genetic health testing on all of their dogs. These breeders have a definite self interest in making sure all of their dogs have a clean health record because this directly effects the quality of their dogs and the future of their breeding program.
Interestingly, breeders are often puppy buyers too. The extra cost of showing and genetic screening also creates possible relationships with other reputable breeders that may have a desirable puppy in the litter.
Additionally, breeders will sometimes look outside of their own kennel for good quality stud dogs to breed to. For example, even though we have stud dogs with championship bloodlines with excellent health already, we will occasionally look for good breeders with stud dogs that we like. It is important that those dogs hold championships and an outstanding health record. We like having the option of getting a certain attribute added to our own stock that we feel is favorable to our breeding program.
The cost of a puppy from pet stores.
Pet shops often have puppies for sale at prices approaching that of reputable breeders. It is rare that the puppies from such enterprises have parents that have been health tested at all. This is even true of some breeders who sell pups at the top end of the scale and yet have neither shown their dogs in competitive AKC events, nor have they had genetic health screening done. This is why it is important to ask the breeder for evidence of such testing before making a decision.
How much should I pay for a Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy?
You should be realistic about what you should expect to pay for a quality Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. As the old adage says, you should compare apples to apples. Hereditary diseases are a real possibility with substandard breeding practices and this is usually reflected in the cost of a puppy.
What you pay for a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is based largely on risk. If you are looking for the best price that you can get a Ridgeback puppy for, you might want to reconsider getting one. The long term risks associated with your purchase may be too great to make such a decision rational.
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