No standard can ever teach you to understand a Ridgebacks. This sentence from the expert Stig Carlson explains well what awaits a hunter when he confronts and trains a Rhodesian ridgeback. It is aboutonly indigenous race of the South Africa recognized. His ancestors come from Cape colony of South Africa, where they were crossed with the dogs of the first pioneers. Generally hunting in groups of two or three, the ancestral function of the Rhodesia Crested Dog or Lion Dog, was to follow the wild, especially the lion.
The Origins of the Rhodesian
The origins of the breed are not certain, many are linked to legends. The main feature of the hound is to have one crest in the center of the body, according to some it is actually a lion's scratch.
Most likely their origin dates back to the crested dogs following a Middle Eastern population, i Khoikhoi or Hottentots. After centuries of migrations, in 1500 reached the coasts of southern Africa, in the Cape area.
Dogs represented for the population a fundamental help in everyday life. Perfect as guardians for small villages, they were adept at hunting large prey such as the lion.
In 1600 the Cape territories came colonized from the first Boeri who arrived in the territory with the Pointer, the Greyhounds e Bulldog. These intended for hunting were as adept as the local dogs, but not suited to the climate of Africa. So to have skilled hounds, but resistant there was thecross between Boeri and Rhodesian.
THEevolution as a race real happened only in the800 when the hunters arrived on the territory, they began to appreciate its characteristics. To make a more targeted selection, they were transferred to the area of Zambia and Zimbabwe rich in prey.
The decision to move them to the new territory was up to the religious Helmet, mission director of Hope Fountain. His expeditions to Africa were frequented by elephant and lion hunters. Among them was Cornelius van Rooyen, who decided to cross them with his own races.
Over the years, the characteristics of the dog became more elegant, the cloak was shiny, the crest had sinuous shapes and above all he kept his skills as a guardian.
Thanks to Francis R. Barnes in 1922 in Bulawayo in Southern Rhodesia, the first official standard. Only in 1926 il South African Kennel Union officially recognized the breed giving it the definitive name: Rhodesian, the state in which it was born, and ridge = crest, back = back, the main characteristic.
With the outbreak of the Second World War, spread throughout central Africa. At the end of the conflict, many soldiers decided to bring a specimen home. This ensured its presence in Europe and the United States. In Italy, however, its diffusion dates back only to a few years ago.
Physical characteristics
Il Rhodesians is an extremely elegant dog. Although they are large animals, they have a linear and well proportioned body, which over the centuries has adapted to the nature that surrounds them.
Despite his important build, he doesn't have a heavy gait, but he is oddly enough fast, tireless and adapts well to both heat and cold.
La large head it ends with a strong dentition with sharp teeth, capable of producing a powerful bite.
Il trunk, muscular and solid, is characterized by long and powerful legs, able to withstand races and gallops even on the most difficult terrain.
Il coat, short and shiny, ranging from light beige to intense fawn, is characterized by the crest on the back. This starts from the shoulders from which two crowns of hairs start in the opposite direction to those of the coat.
Character
Il Rhodesian temperament reflects its place of origin. If we get in touch with him in a neutral ground, usually ignore people you don't know. His character is very practical, does not like frills and especially the owner must be aware of that he will never have his submission. This does not mean that he will not respect him, he will simply have dedication and collaboration from him.
Raising and managing it is not easy, you have to be able to deal with a autonomous character, hard and unwilling to affection.
To gain respect and obedience is good get used to children, other dogs and strangers. To win his trust it is good placing commands without ever resorting to violence, but with decision also resorting to rewards.
Rhodesian is one dynamic breed, who cannot live alone. If bored, he would become difficult to manage and whipped.
Il hound is not just a hunting dog, therefore it has several characteristics, especially as a guardian, thanks also to the imposing physical appearance that can inspire fear.
As far as the 'hunting activity, the Rhodesian thanks to its African origins is able to easily face dangerous animalsi like lions, antelopes, baboons, subjects that can hardly be addressed directly. The hound with his skills has learned to face them and stop them. Sometimes he launches to stop "the enemy" even with his chest alone, waiting for the hunter to arrive on the spot.
Its main feature is that of locate the prey and once it is done, he will give it no respite. The houndin fact, it follows the animal's heels, even for several hours. One of the tactics is also that of put on hold for days. For example, it is able to wait for the leopard for days under the tree. The Rhodasian is a very dog intelligentin fact, it stops the prey from a distance so as not to be injured.
The hound over the centuries has adapted to the African territory, so it is capable of hunt within the local nature, managing to find the track and hunt on sight without being disturbed by the surrounding nature.
As previously mentioned, the dog is widespread in Europe and North America and is mainly used for hunting the boar, the puma, the deer. In Italy it is less used because its considerable size limits its use inside a suit.