While Im not sure about the Ridgebacks, my boss breeds Newfoundlands and those puppies are always barking to get their way.. we think it has alot to do with that the mother is a spaz and barks alot, so in the womb them became conditioned to barking??? That and they dont have much excitement in their lives.
Anyway, Ridgebacks by nature are quiet dogs. In fact, at work when we're out playing (we are perched right along a highway).. if a person walks by or rides by on a bike EVERYONE generally runs to the fence barking.. Stormy always stays behind and just watches. They say Ridgebacks can "tell" what poses a threat and what is worth investigating, that said, we do have a Ridgeback who loves to chase loud semi's and HE will run and bark at almost anything (other than normal car traffic) that comes or stops by the fence.
That being said, if you live in an apartment and have a window facing a populus street or sidewalk or something, I would venture a bet that you may hear more barking depending on how close people (or animals) are passing by your house. When I lived in Florida, the dogs would go CRAZY barking and jumping at the windows for the mailman... everyday... (our mailbox was attached to our front door) but people walking by on the sidewalk would generally only get a look. We had a row of windows facing our front yard so the dogs loved to sit there and be lookouts. But, unless someone CAME onto our property, past the sidewalk line, they wouldnt bark. Of course, having 2 dogs feed off eachother's emotions and actions plays a big part there as well.
I do think that some dogs just LOVE to bark since they have nothing better to do, as Kelley said. So as long as you are interacting with puppy, giving it lots of exercise so it comes home and SLEEPS, and during down time has a few toys to play with or chews to keep them occupied, I think you'll be just fine!! Now, barking because of separation anxiety is a WHOOOOLLLLLEEEE nother story!!
