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The Hinks
Sharing our passion for Ridgebacks from our home to yours
Who We Are
Welcome to Southern Rhodes Rhodesian Ridgebacks. We’re Marissa and Michael Hinks! We have three boys and are in Huntsville, Texas on 10 acres. Our journey with Rhodesian Ridgebacks began in 2021 when we brought Zuri, our first Ridgeback, into our family. Since then, we’ve fallen in love with the breed’s loyalty, intelligence, and affectionate nature. This experience inspired us to start breeding Ridgebacks that are not only healthy and well-socialized but also make excellent family companions. At Southern Rhodes, our dogs are family first and always. We believe that responsible breeding starts with love, respect, and a deep commitment to every dog in our care. Unlike many breeders who house their dogs outdoors, all our dogs live in indoor runs with air conditioning. Our dogs are exercised daily, receive one-on-one training, and get regular, meaningful interaction. This isn’t just about producing puppies—it’s about giving our dogs the best quality of life, every single day. Our females are also only bred one time a year to allow their bodies enough time for recovery and healing. When it’s time for one of our females to retire from breeding in the future, she will stay with us. We do not rehome our dogs simply because they’re no longer producing puppies. Every dog we raise is a lifelong commitment, not a business asset.
How We Raise Our Puppies
At Southern Rhodes, we are dedicated to raising healthy, well-adjusted Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies who grow into confident, loving companions. As participants in the Badass Breeder program, we follow a proven, hands-on approach that emphasizes early development, resilience, and socialization. From the third day of life, our puppies are gently handled to foster trust and comfort with human interaction. Throughout their time with us, they are exposed to a structured curriculum of new sights, sounds, and experiences in a safe environment. This exposure helps them develop adaptability and confidence. At six to seven weeks of age, each puppy undergoes temperament testing, allowing us to match them with families whose lifestyles and needs align with their unique personalities. Our puppies are raised in a family environment, surrounded by children and regularly exposed to livestock and a variety of settings. This combination creates calm, balanced dogs that thrive in both rural and family-oriented homes. We place equal importance on health. All of our breeding dogs undergo PennHip testing to ensure strong structure and sound hips, along with comprehensive Embark DNA screening for more than 200 genetic conditions. These safeguards allow us to make informed breeding decisions, reduce hereditary risks, and support the long-term health of every puppy. Finding the right home is our top priority. For this reason, we reserve the right to decline placement if we feel a situation is not in the best interest of a puppy. Should a placement ever fail, we will always welcome the dog back, at any age, to ensure it never enters a shelter. Our commitment extends for the life of every dog we raise. Thank you for considering Southern Rhodes. We look forward to helping you welcome a Rhodesian Ridgeback into your family.
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