Brief History of the Rhodesian Ridgeback                 

                               

                                       

       

The Rhodesian Ridgeback enjoys the unique position of being the only true South African dog to have been recognised. The breed's history dates back to the early 16th Century when the first Europeans explored the interior of the Cape of Good Hope and found, with the Hottentot tribes, a domesticated dog with the hair on his spine being turned forward in what is now termed the Ridge. The foundation stock of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed by the first European settlers in South Africa, to fill specific needs for a serviceable hunting dog in the wilds.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred and raised to survive the rigors of harsh country and climate where only the fittest survived. Rhodesian Ridgebacks had the stamina to travel long distances over varied terrain, and once game was sighted, to have enough remaining endurance to corner it and be agile enough to escape injury while holding the quarry at bay. The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a keen nose and good sight.

               

                                       

       Characteristics and Temperament                                

                                       

The Breed Standard states that Rhodesian Ridgebacks should be "dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers, but showing no aggression or shyness", and this sums up the Ridgeback temperament. Their intelligence and understanding is awesome but they have an independent spirit, and this should be respected. Ridgebacks love to please; they will be your friend and equal, but never your slave; they are too clever for that. This is a dog that can think for itself and it may be quite stubborn in exerting its will. Ridgeback strength of character comes across in their impressive dignified demeanor. They are not noisy dogs that bark continuously but they have a deep resounding bark, and they use it when there is something that needs to be investigated. For this reason they make formidable protectors; they will warn you if there is anything amiss, but if you welcome a stranger into your home, they will accept your evaluation and respond accordingly.

Ridgebacks become particularly attached to their owners and family, and as protector of the home and property the Ridgeback has proven invaluable. Reserved with strangers, although not aggressive or treacherous, their friendship once given, is for life.

Ridgebacks, like any dog of their size, need some exercise. They are very receptive to long runs in the country, jogging, bicycle exercise, wagon or cart pulling, agility, fly-ball, retrieving, lure coursing and obedience work but will be just as content to lie quietly while indoors or snoozing outside in the sun. A Ridgeback is tremendously adaptable and can be a loyal one-person dog or a perfect family pet.

Ridgebacks are an extremely tolerant, excellent companion for children. However, no child should be left unsupervised around any dog, as either may hurt the other, even unintentionally.

The CKC Breed Standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback         

                               

                                       

       

The hallmark of the breed is the ridge on the back, which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge must be regarded as the escutcheon of the breed. The ridge should be clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It should start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to a point between the prominence of the hips (haunch bones), and should contain two identical crowns opposite each other. The lower edges of the crown should not extend further down the ridge than one-third of the ridge. Refer to diagram below for examples of correct and incorrect ridges.                

                                        

The muzzle should be long, deep and powerful. Jaws level and strong with well developed teeth, especially the canine or holders. The lips clean, closely fitting the jowls.

The eyes should be moderately well apart, and should be round, bright and sparkling with intelligent, their colour harmonising with the colour of the dog.

The ears should be set rather high, of medium size, rather wide at the base, and tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head.

The nose should be black or brown in keeping with the colour of the dog. No other coloured nose is permissible. A black nose should be accompanied by dark eyes, a brown nose by amber eyes.                

               

Neck and shoulders; the neck should be fairly strong and free from throatiness. The shoulders should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting speed.

Body, back, chest and loins; the chest should not be too wide but very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like a barrel (which would indicate a want of speed), the back powerful and loins strong, muscular and slightly arched.

Legs and feet; the forelegs should be perfectly straight, strong and heavy in bone, elbows close to the body. The feet should be compact with well arched toes, round, tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes and pads. In the hind legs the muscles should be clean, well defined and the hocks well down.

The tail should be strong at the insertion and generally tapering towards the end, free from coarseness. It should not be inserted too high or too low, and should be carried with a slight curve upwards, never curled.

The coat should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly or silky.

Colour light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes permissible but excessive white here and on the belly and above the paws is undesirable.

Size; a mature Ridgeback should be a handsome, upstanding dog, dogs should be of a height of 63.5 to 68.58 cm (25 to 27 in) and bitches 60.94 to 66.04 cm (24 to 26 in). Minimum bench standard. Dogs 63.5 cm (25 in), bitches 60.96 cm (24 in).

Weight (desirable) dogs 34.02 kilos (75 lbs), bitches 29.48 kilos (65 lbs).