The Rhodesian Ridgeback or lion dog is suitable both for hunting very large and fast prey, and for the company and defense of people.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback also said lion dog, whose name derives from Ridge = crest, back = back / back and from Rhodesian for its place of origin Rhodesia the current Zimbawe, is a large dog, brown in color with a particular aesthetic characteristic: the crest on the back formed by hair, which grows in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is currently the only recognized breed originating in southern Africa.
Its origins date back to the era of the first colonizations of the 1600s in the African continent, in the southern part: the settlers, with their caravans to defend, had the need to create a dog that protected them from both human and animal attacks. wild animals such as lions and leopards. For this reason they began to cross breeds such as pointer, deerhound or greyhound, bull terrier and the hunting dogs of the Hottentots, that is semi-domestic dogs that had the crest on the back. Thus was obtained the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a dog that had to perform the task of hunting, I knowespecially large prey including the lion, guard the property and farm animals and protect the family, especially children.
The original standard, which was drafted by Francis R. Barnes in 1922 in Bulawayo in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), was based on the Dalmatian standard and was approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1926. From that point on, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or Lion dog, became an official breed, even if its characteristics were used for a long time to follow the tracks of game, in particular the lion, leopards, baboons and fast game such as gazelles. They were mainly used to keep the lion busy during the hunt until the hunter arrived. It is no coincidence that it is also called “The Lion Dog”, the lion dog. They are also extraordinarily tenacious: some testimonies report that the Rhodesians have been waiting for days for leopards that had climbed the trees.
Currently the Rhodesian Ridgeback is used not only for big game hunting, but also for other activities, ranging from companionship to agility, from guard to sport research and other dog sports, for which it stands out for its strength and tenacity. The Federation Cynologique Internationale (FCI) has classified this breed in the Group 6 of bloodhounds and dogs for track. It is a dog with a great personality, very independent and intelligent, at times endowed with a certain amount of aggression and for this reason careful socialization and careful training are necessary. In fact, to this end, it is particularly recommended to participate in collective socialization and education courses from the first months, until the dog reaches physical and mental maturity.
The breed standard implies a desirable weight for males of 36.5 kg (80 lbs), while for females 32 kg (70 lbs). The desirable height for males varies from 63 cm (25 ins) to 69 cm, while for females from 61 cm to 66 cm.
In conclusion, it can be said that it should be emphasized that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog strongly linked to the family and that for no reason should he live in solitude, separated from human companions with whom he establishes a deep bond, made of loyalty, devotion and unconditional love. .