Having had both Ridgebacks and a Cattle dog....I
would personally choose the cattledog were I to run into Cougar or
Bear.
My ACD did once run a bear off when I was
jogging. They will always want to go with you, are tough as nails, don't
care about bad weather, etc. If they fall out of a truck, get run over by
a horse trailer or get their skull stepped on by a horse, they pop back up (only
kidding) The only unfortunate thing I have found about mine is that she
loves heeling so much I have a very hard time with her chasing the
horses.....
As far as Ridgebacks, here are MY
experiences. If it is raining, they want to sleep on the couch. IF
you want to jog, they want to sleep on the couch. If you want to go riding, they
want to sleep on the couch. If you want to hike, they want
to sleep on the couch. But. they WERE bred to hunt African
Lions and were extremely successful in keeping African Lions off our
property.
Get a good dog to go with you. A good dog will
take care of you and will deter most of the big cats. They are looking for
easier targets.
A Ridgeback comes to mind initially. Tough,
strong and agile dogs. Not aggressive but sure look that way. But, I'm not
sure where you are located. I have a cattle dog. She's not so agile anymore to
be able to go out with me at speed. But, she will go out if I
walk.
