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About The Breed
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a member of the hound group, and as such is well suited to being a family pet. - being a very chilled lazy companion when required, and well up for an exciting adventure if you are going out.
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They have a natural affinity for children, having been bred to look after the family as well as hunt game for food. We originally chose a Ridgeback because we wanted a large short coated breed that would fit in with family life, we never regretted our decision because they did jut that! We had toddlers when we got our first one, and she fitted in perfectly.40 years later we now have tree grandchildren living with us, and know that they are trustworthy and loyal.
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As for input – they need training from 8 weeks, probably a couple of 10-minute sessions per day as well as a couple of 10-minute walks, that by 6 months become 30 mins, and a year 45 plus. They would be happy with more, but take it easy whilst very young. If you are having a busy day, they will happily chill on the couch.
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If you work from home, they are the ideal companion, walk first thing, then chill for a few hours until the next walk.
Training, as I said above, you must start early with this breed, and make sure everyone in the family, plus visitors are “Singing from the same song sheet!”
I always recommend getting a personal trainer and putting the effort into that first year, your pup will benefit enormously, plus you won’t be getting yourself into trouble in the park! Classes are ok for socialising, but Ridgebacks are notoriously nosy and easily distracted.
The online training from www.willathertonacademy.com is working well for lots of my owners.
Size & Appearance:
*Height: 24–27 inches (61–69 cm)
* Weight: 70–85 pounds (32–39 kg)
* Build: Muscular and balanced
* Coat: Short, dense, and sleek
* Colour: Light wheaten to red wheaten - we specialise in the darker Red colour
* Special Feature: A distinct ridge of hair along the back that grows in the opposite direction of the rest of the coat
*Temperament: Very loyal family dogs. Intelligent, can be independent thinkers, so need consistent training, especially for the first year.
To sum up, I think the ideal owner for a Ridgeback is home a lot, someone who likes walking, training and putting the effort in to make a well-behaved dog.
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They eventually require a couple of 40 min walks a day, or more if you like. In between they will sleep!
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If you are a runner / rider/ or cyclist they would love to run alongside you. They will think it’s their “Best Day Ever”!!!!
History
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is presently the only registered breed indigenous to Southern Africa. It’s forebears can be traced to the Cape Colony of Southern Africa where they crossed with the early pioneers’ dogs and the semi-domesticated, ridged Hottentot hunting dogs. Hunting mainly in groups of two or three, the original function of the Rhodesian Ridgeback or Lion dog was to track game, especially Lion, and, with great agility, keep it at bay until the arrival of the hunter.
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The original standard, which was drafted by F.R.Barnes, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, in 1922, was based on that of the Dalmatian and was approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1926.
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The Rhodesian Ridgeback originated in Southern Africa where the early European settlers mated their sporting breeds with the small, fierce, hunting dogs, owned by the Hottentots, in order to produce a guard/hunting dog ideally suited to the local conditions.
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The Hottentot Hunting Dog had a ridge of hair along it’s spine running in a reverse direction to the rest of the coat; the historian, George McCall Theal, was the first to describe this characteristic when writing on conditions in Southern Africa before 1505.
Possibly the only existing illustration of Hottentot dogs, which actually shows ridges on their backs, in to be found in Dr David Livingstone’s book, “Livingstone’s Missionary Travel in Southern Africa”, published in 1857. There is no way of knowing for certain which of the European breeds do feature in the background of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The breeds that have been recorded as being in Southern Africa during the 1860’s and 1870’s are Bloodhounds, Deerhounds, Greyhounds, Bulldogs (much longer in leg than today), various Terriers, Mastiffs, Pointers (possibly responsible for the brown nose) and, occasionally Foxhounds.
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The ridge of the Hottentot Hunting Dog became a feature of the cross matings between the European breeds and the indigenous dogs.