RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK Breed Standards
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a native of South Africa. It is also referred to as the African Lion Dog. The Hottentot tribes possessed a half wild dog that hunted on the African veldt. Due to the nature of the prey, this dog was capable of withstanding the drastic changes in temperature of the climate, the heat of the daytime and the below freezing temperatures of the night. He was able to go a full twentyfour hours or more without water if needed to. The Hottentot dog was short haired, so that it wasn't eaten alive by ticks. And it was a strong, quiet hunter, rarely barking; it possessed keen eyesight and a good nose for scent. The Hottentot dog had one unusual feature that set it apart from all others, and that was a ridge of hair that ran down its spine, the hair turned forward in the opposite direction than the rest. The only other dog which was found to have this peculiarity was on the island of Phu Quoc, in the Gulf of Siam. What the connection was, if any, has been lost in the passage of time.
In the sixteenth and seventeenth century, the Dutch, Germans, and Huguenots immagrated to South Africa, bringing with them their families, and their hunting dogs. These breeds of dogs included: Danes, Mastiffs, Salukis, Bloodhounds and others. In 1707, South Africa was closed to emigration from Europe for more than one hundred years. The settlers could no longer bring in new blood lines for their dogs, either for hunting nor for family protection. They discovered that the Hottentot dog, this half wild feral dog, was supremely suitable for the conditions of the African veldt, and a tenacious hunter as well. The settlers started to cross breed the Hottentot dog with the dogs they had brought from Europe. They noticed that a dog that had the special ridge on its back as a puppy, grew up to adulthood to become an excellent hunter, of good disposition with the family, and a ferocious protector of the home and herds. The settlers became more selective in the breeding, and eventually the Rhodesian Ridgeback became a pure breed. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the only breed of dog that is known to keep a lion at bay, for the hunter to kill, and still live. The R.R. has also been used very successfully for hunting bobcat, mountain lion, bear, coyote, deer, wild boar and raccoon in the United States, Canada and Mexico.
SKILLS: The Rhodesian Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature
SIZE: A mature Ridgeback should be symmetrical in outline, slightly longer than tall but well balanced. Dogs - 25 to 27 inches in height; Bitches - 24 to 26 inches in height. Desirable weight: Dogs - 85 pounds; Bitches - 70 pounds.
COAT: Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly nor silky.
Color - Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes permissible but excessive white there, on the belly or above the toes is undesirable.
CARE REQUIRED: The smooth, short-haired coat is easy to groom. Brush with a firm bristle brush and shampoo only when necessary. This breed is an average shedder.
CHARACTER: Dignified and even tempered. Reserved with strangers.
EXERCISE: These dogs have great stamina and you will tire long before they do, but they will adapt to your exercise regimen.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOR: Rhodesian Ridgebacks will dog okay in an apartment as long as they get enough exercise. They are relatively inactive indoors and do best with a large yard.
TRAINING: Ridgebacks react best to an extremely consistent and equable approach to training. They are intelligent and learn quickly, but they are also strong and a bit stubborn. Training should be gentle and start young while the dog is still small enough to manage.
