They were used to flush partridge, take down injured stags, and guard farms from prowlers at night. This new breed was able to hunt by sight and sound, were devoted protectors, and could withstand the hot and cold temperatures that Africa had to offer. He was accompanied by his wife, their infant daughter, and Powder and Lorna, two presumably ridged female dogs said to resemble rough-coated Greyhounds. Eventually, the Continental breeds brought to South Africa by these colonists, who called themselves Boers – Dutch for “farmer” – crossbred with the native dogs. That particular dog died during the hunting trip Selous was recounting. Choose your favorite rhodesian ridgeback designs and purchase them as wall … If Cornelius van Rooyen were to see his dogs today, chances are he would not recognize them apart from those telltale ridges. During the mid-1600s, Dutch traders set up a colony and shipping hub at the Cape of Good Hope. Read this article to find out more. He hunted with the Khoisan tribe before being trained to hunt a lion. Cornelis van Rooyen was a big-game hunter who founded the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback bloodline. There is no doubt that a Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large and powerful breed capable of great speed and athleticism. The dog's short and shiny wheaten coat, meanwhile, helps the dog adapt to hot climates. This is why knowledgeable fanciers always refer to their dogs as “Ridgebacks” for short – not “Rhodesians.”. Though not particularly attractive with their pricked ears and jackal-like bearing, these ridged dogs were hardy and had a seemingly innate ability to survive encounters with African predators, in particular lions. This is most likely why this dog is known for its bravery. They are, however, the national dog of South Africa and are shown on the kennel Union of South Africa’s emblem. This can, however, be controlled with training and by socializing your Rhodesian Ridgeback at a young age. You should also expose your Rhodesian Ridgeback to as many of the natural noises in and around your home at an early age. Rhodesian Ridgebacks - the Lion Dogs of Africa The Rhodesian Ride back can also be called The African Lion Hound or African Lion Dog is a dog breed that is bred in Southern Africa. Nowadays, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is to be found in the hound group of the American Kennel Club, and in the top forty most popular breeds of the year, repeatedly, according to them. It’s not known if van Rooyen selected Lorna and Powder’s puppies based on whether there they had a ridge or not. Reflecting these diverse roles, in many cases the only thing these early Ridgebacks had in common was the ridge on their backs. (That is the biggest misconception about Ridgebacks and lions: The former never made contact with the latter, but rather teased and disoriented them, much as a matador taunts a bull.) So, please research the breed to see if a Rhodesian Ridgeback is the right breed for your family and life style. Then again, most pooches aren’t babysat by 19th-Century big-game hunters. "Liondogs" are our passion since 1998 when we met the first Ridgeback in Kenya. Indeed they are, in fact, one of the best! Can Rhodesian Ridgeback hunt? They were discovered by Europeans that were exploring that area and found the Hottentot tribes living with a semi-domesticated dog. As final recipes go, however, the Ridgeback was only half-baked. The Rhodesian Ridgeback, once known as the African Lion Hound, was developed in South Africa by Boer farmers. One of the few outposts on the way to the bustling settlement at Bulawayo, Hope Fountain Mission was an essential stopping place for travelers, weary hunters and fellow missionaries. Nov 5, 2016 - The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed developed in Southern Africa, they also known as the Lion hunting dogs. Lawrence tried to help his dogs -- both Rhodesian Ridgebacks -- which are bred for hunting mountain lions. A Boer living in British-centric Rhodesia, van Rooyen was a famed big-game hunter, arranging expeditions for the wealthy and influential, including English dukes and lords. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed bred in the Southern Africa region. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC) , the breed is thought to be a combination between Africa’s Khoikhoi dog and several other breeds. This is probably especially true of African countries where the threat of predators preying upon farmers’ livestock remains the same. In 1922, a meeting of Lion Dog owners in Bulawayo turned out a dizzying assortment of dogs that ranged in appearance and size from Bull Terriers to Great Danes. https://www.akc.org/subscription/thank-you. The famous hunter and explorer Frederick Courtney Selous convalesced there after walking – and partially crawling – 400 miles from the Zambesi River in a feverish delirium. Doggie day care usually doesn’t result in a new breed. Rather, you want them to warn the threat off in a non-violent manner causing whatever the threat is to retreat. The original breed standard was drafted by F. R. Barnes, in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia, in 1922. This name alone, gives the idea that they were indeed used to take on lions. The Ridgebackis a relatively recent breed, dating back to the early white settlers in Africa, to fill several roles; They wanted a large, powerful and agile dog that could be used in hunting, particularly for lions; but that would also be a family - friendly dog around the home , AND be an intimidating guard dog to protect the family and homestead from marauding animals and human bandits. Several large dogs of European origin, including mastiffs, and hounds like the Great Dane (considered to be the closest cousin of this br… To make sure this does not happen to your Rhodesian Ridgeback you should introduce them to lots of different people and lots of different experiences. Essential info about dog health, training, sports and more. During the time they were widely used, mid to late 19th century until the early 1920s, the Rhodesian Ridgeback had a wonderful reputation for being an excellent guard dog and protector that was wholly devoted to its family. We are so proud that they send pictures back to us. Today, although we aren't hunting lions, we can all be nefit from the character, nature and physical attributes that the early pioneers and hunters relied on. Pretty much like the prey drive which still exists within the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the protection gene is still there too. Rather, they were used to chase, harass, and corner lions until the human hunters could get to them and shoot them. The Ridgeback was able to perform a variety of tasks – coursing and bringing down large antelope, fending off baboons, herding the occasional ox, and protecting the kraal, or livestock pen, at night. Greetings from The Lion Hounds of Kushinda! If they are not well socialized, they can end up being fearful and showing fear of aggression. 1. Hi! For the Rhodesian Ridgeback, this is socialization and prey drive since they have a tendency to be standoffish with strangers and love to chase prey! Borrowing liberally from the Dalmatian standard, which described a dog that, like their own, needed to be able to trot alongside a horse or wagon all day, these early fanciers crafted the Ridgeback version. Other breeds were brought into being by specific cultures or classes of people. With their courage, intelligence, strength, and agility, they became quite useful with South African Boer farmers in hunting large animals like Lions and hence started to be known as African Lion hounds. By the 1920s there were so many variants of the Rhodesian Ridgeback that a meeting was held to elucidate the most desirable traits of the breed. Founded in 1884, the AKC is the recognized and trusted expert in breed, health, and training information for dogs. Rhodesian Ridgeback Lion. They are considered the most popular dog breed in the world The cost of adopting a Labrador depends […]. This site is owned and operated by Sviat Oleksiv. I challenge you to find any list on the internet which discusses good guard dogs and does not include the fantastic Rhodesian Ridgeback. The decisions made at this meeting would become the ‘breed standard’ and are pretty much unchanged today. I’m Sviatoslav Oleksiv and this web-site is the place where I nerd out about Pets. That’s how brave they are. But can they actually capture, take down, and kill the king of the African jungle, the mighty, ferocious lion? It is important to remember that a good guard dog does not equate to an aggressive or vicious dog. Egyptian tombs from around 4000 BC, for example, displayed a painting of hounds with drooped ears and distinctive ridges on their back. The Rhodesian Ridgeback (also known as the ‘African Lion Dog’, ‘African Lion Hound’, and ‘Van Rooyen's Lion Dog’ for its capacity to harass lions) was bred in Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and is named for the distinctive ‘ridge’ on its back, which is formed by hairs running in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat. The origins of the Rhodesian Ridgebacks’ ancestors are unclear with both Asian areas and African areas having evidence of hounds that resembled them. This is due to their attractive looks, fantastic personalities, and absolute loyalty. He changed everything in our life, he was always with us. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a remarkable animal; smart, sensitive, incredibly loyal, elegantly beautiful. Answer a few simple questions and find the right dog for you, Compare up to 5 different breeds side by side, Browse the AKC Marketplace to find the right puppy for you, Browse our extensive library of dog names for inspiration, Find out the best and worst foods for your dog and which to avoid, Rhodesian Ridgeback History: Hunting Lions & Fending Off Baboons, iy_2021; im_01; id_07; ih_15; imh_36; i_epoch:1610062575904, py_2020; pm_12; pd_13; ph_23; pmh_04; p_epoch:1607929451975, link-block-publisher; link-block-publisher_link-block-publisher; bodystr, pn_tstr:Sun Dec 13 23:04:11 PST 2020; pn_epoch:1607929451975. All adoptions are conducted per AKC COVID-19 recommendations. In short order, these early fanciers also changed the name of the breed from African Lion Dog to Rhodesian Ridgeback, because while any dog can, in theory, hunt a lion… Welcome to Lionshare Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The Rhodesian Ridgeback, alternately known as the African Lion Dog, has a muscular, well-built distinguished appearance alongside a loyal, intelligent, confident and strong-willed disposition. Not surprisingly, van Rooyen’s Lion Dogs, as they became known, developed quite a reputation, becoming so noteworthy that Selous mentioned them in his famous 1893 book, “Travel and Adventure in South East Africa,” including a dog that resembled a “mongrel deerhound” that van Rooyen “would not have parted with at any price.”. However, they found that these breeds of a dog did not adjust well to the temperatures of Southern Africa and were looking to breed them with their African counterparts. This site also participates in other affiliate programs and is compensated for referring traffic and business to these companies. They are characterized with a ridge on their back. The Rhodesian ridgeback—a crossbreed with both European and African roots— is a large, athletic, and sturdy dog breed known and named for the distinct ridge along its back. They are also loyal, protective, and intimidating when the situation calls for it. Because spay and neuter was hardly a priority in the African bush, the females interbred with von Rooyen’s pack, which was believed to include Greyhounds, Irish and Airedale terriers, Collies and Bulldogs, which were longer-legged and more agile than the breed we know today. Since no one dog that was present fulfilled all the criteria of their emerging standard, these dog men took a buffet-like approach, selecting the ears of one, the tail of another, and on and on. https://www.akc.org/wp-admin/admin-ajax.php. The farmers needed a versatile hunting dog … Anything and everything that you can think of sound wise that is not a threat to your puppy should be heard by them. Though we often don’t think about them in this way, dogs are really about people — those long-ago (or, sometimes, not so long-ago) figures who developed particular breeds for particular tasks. Play music, turn the TV and radio on and up, vacuum, use the dishwasher, let them hear traffic, knocks on the door, and the ringing of doorbells. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed developed in Southern Africa where it was used (amongst other things) to hunt lions. Although the colony flourished, the settlers wanted to start over as farmers. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was used for lion hunting, but its loyal and affectionate characteristics soon made it an attractive family dog, allowing its popularity to spread to other countries. Mar 6, 2019 - Art and collectibles about the Rhodesian ridgeback dog. We are a KUSA registered breeder and lovers of Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs - always striving to produce quality Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies with an excellent temperament, occasionally available to loving homes. They also, despite reports to the contrary, have never been used to do so. George ~ 1 st Veteran Dog 7-10yrs Class & Best Veteran in Show Reuben ~ 1 st Puppy Dog Class and Puppy in Show Juno ~ 1 st Open Neuter Bitch Class and Neuter in Show Kara ~ 2 nd Puppy Bitch Class AKC actively advocates for responsible dog ownership and is dedicated to advancing dog sports. We have been breeding, raising, training, handling, and showing Rhodesian Ridgebacks for over 35+ years. (Though that country in southern Africa is now known as Zimbabwe, the breed’s original name abides. These are some of our Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies that have been adopted over the years. Additional information provided on our website www.LionTamer-Ridgebacks.com. Instead, nature was likely the ultimate arbiter, because in the end only the strongest and smartest survived. However, that is not strictly the truth. In short order, these early fanciers also changed the name of the breed from African Lion Dog to Rhodesian Ridgeback, because while any dog can, in theory, hunt a lion, not every dog has that telltale cowlick up its back that attests to its roots in the rocky headlands of the Cape of Good Hope. The name was also changed from ‘lion dog’ to Rhodesian Ridgeback in an attempt to stop them from sounding so savage. To find out more about proper training, consider these 10 helpful tips. After all, they are all bulldogs, right? They added the details of the all-important ridge, as well as words to indicate this unique African breed needed speed as much as endurance. However, type Rhodesian Ridgeback lion killer’ into Google and you will come up with many threads, sites, and videos that are not helping, or are still asking if it’s the truth. © The American Kennel Club, Inc. 2020. Many owners praise their affectionate yet sassy personalities. When thinking about getting a French Bulldog, it’s easy to mistake them with other Bulldog sub-breeds. Like the German Shepherd, a Rhodesian Ridgeback also boasts of a beautiful brown coat. Enjoy them as we have! Rather, they should be subjected to all-round training and socialization when they are young. In ancient Africa, Rhodesian Ridgebacks were successful in chasing and harassing lions … Returning from his expeditions with horns and hides, he also captured wild animals and sold them to European zoos and wildlife parks. If civilization is the intersection of a group of people with their environment, so too are their dogs: With coats that evolved to survive the local climate, body styles developed to navigate native terrains, and characters that fit into the social mores of the day, our purebred dogs are living, breathing moments of history, reflections of the far-flung cultures that developed and nurtured them. Each week, without even leaving our couches, we travel to a different place and time to meet the people who developed the snoozing bundles of fur at our sides. Shop for rhodesian ridgeback art from the world's greatest living artists. Unlike many breeds, the Rhodesian Ridgeback will not benefit from specialist guard dog training as this can encourage them to become over-aggressive. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a true clash of cultures. However, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has developed into far more than just a guard dog, it has also been welcomed into many people’s homes as a pet, and part of the family. These people of German and Dutch ancestry came to be known as Boers (a Dutch word meaning “farmers” or “husbandmen”). They are naturally inclined to protect their family and also their homestead too. Lion-hunting required a specific set of both physical and mental skills: The dogs had to be strong enough to withstand the physical rigors of the hunt, but have ample agility to dart out of the way of slashing claws. Visit the post for more. Such quirks aside, the most valuable quality that persists in the dog under the ridge is the very same one that caused a seasoned hunter like van Rooyen to mourn each time he returned from a hunt without one of his Lion Dogs. That uniqueness has its advantages and disadvantages, however, and it’s important to know both before getting a bulldog. The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog's distinctive feature is its well-defined ridge, which begins at the shoulders, with two identical whorls and tapers to a protrusion of the hipbones. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a rare and valuable breed with origins going back to the 16th-17th century. Another professional hunter and close friend of Selous also knew the Mission well. Before we get to the dog-sitting episode that brought these famed lion-hunting dogs into being, we have to turn back the clock and head south, to the tip of the continent. There, in the mid-1600s, the Dutch East India Company established a port at the Cape of Good Hope where ships could refuel and restock on their way to and from the tea markets in Asia. Cornelius van Rooyen – “Nellis” to his friends – was married there four years after the Helms family arrived. Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback tends to be loyal to the point of being mistrustful and standoffish with strangers, they need to be socialized well and from an early age. 55 th Rhodesian Ridgeback Specialty Championship 7/8 Oct 17. “All we have and are is a gift of grace to be shared.” Indeed, you do not want your Rhodesian Ridgeback to cause bodily harm to someone or another animal. All rights reserved. A mix of African and European breeds, these fearsome hunters once went head to head with lions. Whilst the hunting gene may have lessened in the Rhodesian Ridgeback over time, it is still there. Previous litters. This fierce, bold breed has been mixed with a whole lot of purebreds to create several designer breeds. They do this intrinsically by growling, barking, and placing themselves between their family and the threat. And traces of that genetically imparted wisdom are in evidence even today: No matter where they live, Ridgebacks will almost universally refuse to leap into a standing body of water, because such an impetuous act in their native Africa would likely result in being lunch for a crocodile. Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback has now been kept as a pet, rather than a working dog, for approximately a hundred years it would be understandable to think that the hunting instinct would have become extinct in this breed. (Even today, a certain percentage of Ridgeback puppies are born ridgeless.) Through them, we rediscover our globe’s cultural diversity and heritage. Whilst near Rasape, in Zimbabwe, a cave painting was found displaying the burial preparations for a chief. Grace ~ Awarded: The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Perpetual Trophy - Pointscore winner for 2017. They possess the extraordinary ability to keep a lion at Bay in anticipation of their master’s return. While never intending to create a breed, van Rooyen nonetheless did, taking a hallmark trait that was commonly found among the first dogs his Boer ancestors had encountered, and making it indelibly associated with the kind of fortitude and savvy needed to survive in their beautiful but dangerous new homeland. The hunting gene or prey drive as it is commonly known, in the Rhodesian Ridgeback may cause them to chase other animals such as squirrels, rabbits, birds, mice, and even other domesticated pets such as dogs and cats. Welcome ro Thabatemba Ridgebacks! The ridgeback was bred for a specific purpose in the wilds of Africa. With their short, wheaten coats ranging from pale flaxen to rich red, handsome heads and marble-sculptured physiques, modern Ridgebacks are indisputably more polished than their frontier-bred progenitors. Of course, this will be to varying degrees throughout the breed with no particular specimen being the same. But as time progressed it became clear that the ridged dogs were more successful hunters, likely owing to their native Khoi dog blood. Undoubtedly there will still be many Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are being used as working dogs. They were not, however, expected to, nor did they kill lions. 9 Things To Know Before Getting A French Bulldog Puppy, 15 Things To Know Before Getting A Bulldog Puppy, 15 Things To Know Before Getting A German Shepherd Puppy, 9 Things to Know Before Getting a Labrador. The Rhodesian Ridgeback became so good at this that they were given the name ‘lion dog.’. Rhodesian ridgeback Lion-hunting dogs. Once known as the African Lion Hound, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, who hails from southern Africa, was originally created for hunting purposes. Van Rooyen too died before his time, at age 55 of pneumonia. Despite that description, European settlers saw many interesting features in these African quadrupeds. It didn't took long and Animo, the first Ridgeback male joined our family. The first reason that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has gained a reputation as a lion killer is probably due to the name they were originally given which was ‘lion dog’. It turned out that there was much bravery, but also cruelty in them. In the 1870s several of these dogs were taken to Rhodesia for the purpose of hunting lions. Enjoy our Ridgeback-world with us! The first reason that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has gained a reputation as a lion killer is probably due to the name they were originally given which was ‘lion dog’. But he would undoubtedly recognize the old souls beneath. Some breeds — like the Doberman Pinscher, Teddy Roosevelt Terrier, and Cesky Terrier — owe their existence to just one visionary person. Our Rhodesian Ridgebacks are loved like our children, and our passion and our love for our dogs is evident in the following pages on this website. No Zimbabwean Zipperbacks here.). The Rhodesian Ridgeback is nicknamed ‘the Lion dog of Africa’. We have been members in good standing of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) since 1984. Now, let’s get into the typical aesthetic traits of … Dogs are not born naturally knowing these things and have the need to be guided. Located in New York City The Dutch inhabiting Southern Africa in the 16 th century used to describe these dogs as “ugly”. Some breeds also need concentration in certain areas of training as they have a tendency to struggle with them. Failure to provide this may result in your Rhodesian Ridgeback becoming standoffish with people and protective when not needed. Basic training should be offered to your Rhodesian Ridgeback which includes things like safety commands, walking on a lead, and any rules you may wish to impose. 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