I'm Laura T., the breeder behind Alta Ridgebacks located in Albuquerque, NM. We do our best to breed with total care by primarily focusing on raising healthy, affectionate, and loyal companions. As a result of our efforts, we’re positive our puppies will become perfect family members and add just as much joy to your life as they have ours!
Q. & A. with Laura
Why did you start breeding?
After being on multiple waitlists for a Ridgeback, I agreed to show one of the pick females. I got hooked right away in the competition and found a new appreciation for the work it takes to curate quality Ridgeback puppies with sound temperaments, exceptional health and conformation. I love being a part of this process.
What makes your program special?
The first 8 weeks are pivotal to setting up puppy for success in future families. I follow a curriculum by "Empowered Breeder" similar to puppy culture with developing therapy dog temperaments. It combines daily handling exercises, noise and sight exposure, with daily activities. My goal is to breed only health tested Ridgebacks with exceptional temperaments and conformation, improving the breed.
What are the different breed coat colors in your program?
Our puppies include lt whtn blk nose, wheaten blk nose, wheaten, red wheaten, rd whtn blk nose, and light wheaten. Colors will vary depending on the parent dogs.
Where do your breeding dogs live?
They live in my home.
Matched dogs
These dogs are already reserved or have gone home.
GIRL (TEAL COLLAR)
Went home
Female
GIRL (GREEN COLLAR)
Went home
Female
GIRL (PINK COLLAR)
Went home
Female
GIRL (YELLOW COLLAR)
Went home
Female
GIRL (PURPLE COLLAR)
Went home
Female
BOY (TAN COLLAR)
Went home
Male
BOY (BLUE COLLAR)
Went home
Male
BOY (RED COLLAR)
Went home
Male
BOY (ORANGE COLLAR)
Went home
Male
Getting a puppy from Laura
Laura has been certified by Good Dog’s screening team for responsible and trusted breeding practices. When you’re ready to reach out, feel free to ask any questions about the breed, their program, or specific puppies.
Together, you’ll choose the puppy that’s right for you, stay in touch with regular updates, and plan how to bring your new puppy home.
Price
Puppy prices include a $300 deposit and between $2,200 - $2,700 final payment, before taxes & fees.
“This price includes health guarantee, first vaccines, microchipped, AKC registration, pedigree. Deposit is refundable if puppy is not available within 12 months.”
Contract & health guarantee
Laura may provide a written contract or
health guarantee when you purchase a puppy. This helps
protect both you and your breeder, ensuring that you
both have a clear understanding of the terms of your
puppy purchase. If Laura offers a contract
or guarantee, the details will be personalized by them.
If you have any questions or want to know more,
don’t hesitate to reach out to Laura directly.
Alta Ridgebacks meets or exceeds our community standards in these areas:
Responsible breeding practices
Health of breeding dogs and puppies
Puppy environment and enrichment
Buyer education and policies
Parent dogs
Koja, mom
Rhodesian Ridgeback
About Koja
Koja is a female Rhodesian Ridgeback about 5 years old. Carefully selected as a great representative of her breed, Laura decided to make her part of their program. Laura has passed Good Dog’s screening process, which involved a review of their breeding practices, environment, and the mental and physical health of their dogs.
Parent health testing
Breeder-Reported Testing
Good level
Alta Ridgebacks reports to performing the health tests below on their breeding dogs. Ask your breeder about the tests performed on the parents of your litter. Learn more about health testing for Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Hip Dysplasia
Hip testing reduces the chance of passing down hip dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause hip pain and the eventual loss of the function of the hip joint.
Elbow Dysplasia Finals (OFA, BVA, SV, FCI)
Elbow testing reduces the chance of passing down elbow dysplasia, which is primarily found in large breed dogs and can cause arthritis in the elbow joint and front leg lameness.
Eye Certification (CAER, registered with OFA)
Eye testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide range of hereditary eye illnesses including retinal dysplasia, lens luxation, and glaucoma, which can cause impared vision or blindness.
Cardiac Evaluation (registered with OFA)
Heart testing reduces the chance of passing down congenital heart disease, which can cause a range of symptoms ranging from trouble exercising to heart failure.
DNA Disease Panel, Degenerative Myelopathy (DM; SOD1A)
Genetic testing reduces the chance of passing down a wide variety of hereditary diseases of differing prevalence and severity such as Progressive Retinal Atrophy (an eye disease) and Von Willebrand's Disease (a blood disease).