Background

To understand the Ridgeback, first you must understand their background and the history to the breed. 

Being native to South Africa; drought ridden, dangerous, hard terrain, bush, rocks, mountains, blistering heat,- requires that the dogs have a specific combination of attributes to overcome such harsh conditions and changes of temperature between day and night.

The breed originates from early European sporting dogs mixed with hottentots which were domestic African dogs which were used for hunting.  The hottentot’s hair which covered the spine ran the opposite way to the rest of the coat which is what we now refer to as the ‘ridge’.

The breed was developed to meet specific needs,- given that the settlers required an adaptable hunting dog to assist with the elements of the wilds in which they lived, the Germans, Dutch and others who migrated to the area brought with them a number of breeds, Bloodhounds, Mastiffs, Salukis and others which combined with the local hottentot produced what we now know as the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

The Settlers required dogs which could protect, guard, and hunt without showing any signs of fear.  The dogs would have to have suffice stamina which would allow them to go for 24 hours or more, in addition they would have to go without water in drought conditions for long periods of time. The settlers required a loyal animal who showed allegiance to them and their family and have an element of sensitivity.

 The breed was recognised by a great white hunter in 1874 Van Rooyen, - he then went on to develop the breed by cross breeding with his own mixed hounds.  Due to conditions in Africa with flees and ticks and tsetse fly, the breed had to be short coated in order to reduce the coat infestation and infection. The attributes which Van Rooyen added were speed and scenting ability essential for hunting big game.

 The above has given the Rhodesian Ridgeback the ability to hunt and guard demonstrating a mixture of strength, agility, courage, stamina, endurance, tenacity and agility.

 In 1922 the breed was formally recognised and thereafter a breed standard was produced.

 

In 1927 the first recorded Rhodesian Ridgeback was imported into in this country by Mrs J. Player.