Rhodesian Ridgeback litter renunion party

Rhodesian ridgeback clip – my second video which I was done… Sorry but I was changed music in rhodesian ridgeback clip (Fireball – Deep Purple) Old version: www.dailymotion.pl This version with music: Moth by People In Planes xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Ihave a dream … I would like to do something useful for mankind… If you like my videos… If you like my ideas… Help me to realize the idea… If You believe in my imagination… If You believe in me… In 1978 y I was reading about Stirling engines. I found that existing solutions are too complicated… I’ve devised own type of engine … And I forgot about it for 30 years… A year ago, I remembered my old idea… I have not yet come across a similar solution I would like to run my “patent” with your help in September… www.paypal.com To all friends who help me, I will send a set of DVDs with all my videos…

An 8 week old ridgeback puppy plays with 18 month old weimaraner.

No baby gate can hold Brandy back!

Dog picture taken by bunchadogs & susan.

Dog picture taken by FastPhive.

Some pictures and movies from the first year with our lovely Rhodesian Ridgeback!

Best friends Rhodesian ridgeback Akila and baby Vanessa perro

Cornelius Van Rooyen was a well known hunter who lived in Southern Rhodesia in the late part of the nineteenth century. He was particularly well known for hunting lion and it was this that sparked the need for a special sort of dog. Perhaps it was the way lion stalk their prey that led him to want dogs which warned him of just such an occasion.

My friend lived at Van Rooyen’s Rest, a 1000 acre farm on the outskirts of the village of Plumtree. The farm was named after Cornelius Van Rooyen who had settled there after retiring from his very active hunting career, many years earlier. He was a well known lion hunter and it was this aspect of his career that involved him in the breed of dogs which became known as Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Mr. Van Rooyen himself does not seem to have played a part in the perpetuation of the breed – his intention appears to have been confined to breeding dogs to assist him with hunting, not breeding for breeding’s sake.

Hunting in the early days of Rhodesia was both a sport and a means of providing food. Dogs were used to track down and harry the prey. Whatever Mr. Van Rooyen’s reasons were for hunting lion, both male and female lion make formidable opponents.

A male lion weighs in at around 200 kg and the females at 120 kg. A lion hunting alone stalks its victim slowly and silently, trying not to be seen. (If you do happen to catch its eye, the menace of it’s intent can be virtually paralyzing). From a distance of about 30m, it abandons cover, bursts into speed, grabs its prey and throws it to the ground. Death comes by biting the back of the animal’s neck or sinking its teeth into its throat to suffocate it. With some large animals, where the neck is high off the ground, lions have been known to start their feast on the hindquarters while the animal is still alive.

It’s possible that some of the lions Van Rooyen hunted were man-eaters, in which case the local tribespeople would have welcomed the efforts of an experienced marksman with a trained pack of dogs to rid themselves of these troublesome beasts.

The story goes that Cornelius had visited nearby Hope Fountain Mission, which at that time was in the hands of Rev. Charles Helm who had brought with him, from the Swellendan region of the Cape of South Africa, two dogs of small-to-medium build, brown in colour, smooth-haired with a marked ridge of opposite-lying hair along the spine, from above the shoulder almost to the base of the tail. They were probably derived from a breed owned by the O Khoikhoi people, indigenous to that part of Africa, crossed with a larger, sturdier type imported from Europe.

Cornelius crossed his own hunting dogs with those of the Reverend Helm to establish a type that became known as Van Rooyen’s Lion Dogs, large, muscular, intelligent and energetic, retaining the characteristic ridge of hair that later earned them the official title of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. They are often of a tan to dark color with a short coat, do not shed much hair and are practically odor free. They usually only bark if they have a good reason to do so.

The actual way in which the dog was used to hunt lions seems to have been to use them in rotating packs to harass the lion and bring it to bay, when it could be shot at close range.

The breeding program of Rhodesian Ridgebacks still exists in South Africa and in other pockets all over the world though sadly it no longer seems to exist in Zimbabwe (which used to be called Rhodesia).

It is not really a water dog but it is adaptable so should you own a Rhodesian Ridgeback and go anywhere with it on the water, you may be interested in buying a Life Jacket or Flotation Device for it – these days commonly known by the initials PFD. They come in various shapes and sizes and protect it against unforeseen long periods in the water. Of course, it is also important that you yourself take the precaution of wearing one.

Possible choices could be:

Pet Saver Deluxe Dog Life Vest
Marine Technologies Cordura Dog Vest
Riptide PFD for adults
NRS Chinook Fishing PFD

You may like to look at these and other articles at
http://www.theboatingstore.co.cc

Some of the information for this article – the brief history – came from the website murenga dot com.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback is a breed of dog that shines not only because of its characteristic ridge of hair, but also because it is one of the few dog breeds that hail from Africa. The Ridgeback is believed to be a result of inbreeding South African dog species and the dogs of settlers, which include Great Danes, Greyhounds and Mastiffs. Like many other breeds, a Ridgeback is a natural born hunter-guard dog but they were also meant to live life on the tough African terrain. The requirements for a dog that lived in this type of climate and environment require a certain combination of physical strength, intelligence and power.

With an acutely developed sense of smell that comes from its days as the African Lion Dog, the Ridgeback used to hunt for lions on the African savannah. Most Ridgeback owners notice the dogs have a strong prey drive from the very start. With the ancestral origins still very much evident in its temperament, the dog requires an alpha owner who knows how to show the dog respect but knows about handling a breed of this type. The Ridgeback is a fiercely loyal dog breed and very protective of its home and territory, particularly males of the breed. New Ridgeback owners are advised to have their dog heavily socialized from the very start to eliminate any jealousy or aggressiveness that may be displayed in their temperament.

The Ridgeback is a smart and responsive dog which trains rather easily. The dogs are quick to master such basic commands as sit, stay, no, down and come. Obedience training is recommended from an early age as the dogs grow quite large and it is advisable to keep them under firm control.

One of the most defining traits of a Ridgeback is the tufts of hair that run from the shoulders to the hips. Commonly called a “ridge,” the hair is present right from birth though it is possible for the dog to be born without the trait, it is quite rare. The hair is the most distinguishing feature which is required of the breed standard as designated by reputable kennel associations from all over the world. Other than to make the dog recognizable as one of the two world dog breeds that have a ridge of hair, the ridge serves no other constructive purpose.

One of the most desirable and attractive features that draw people to the Rhodesian Ridgeback is their lack of bark. As a hound, the dog can bellow and vocalize, but they are not prone to obsessive barking and do not normally bark unless there is a valid reason. A seasoned Rhodesian Ridgeback owner knows from history that when the dog does bark excessively, there is a good reason for it. The excessive barking is what gives the Rhodesian Ridgeback such an effective and stellar reputation as a guard dog. Just like their webbed toes, a Rhodesian Ridgeback was used to walking on sand and the trait has remained present in the dogs even now. A Rhodesian Ridgeback has no trouble being a member of a loving home, and an owner will grow to love the dog for all of the qualities that make them so truly endearing and quirky.

Dog picture taken by hherbzilla.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback can live in an apartment if given sufficient long walks. They do best with a properly fenced in enclosure. This breed needs to be extensively socialized early if it is to get along with other pets and dogs. They may not get along with children, especially young nagging ones. As a rule, they are great watch dogs and very protective of their master and family. As a reminder, never leave a child unsupervised with a puppy or dog.

*Approximate Adult Size. The approximate adult size (two years old or older) of the male Rhodesian Ridgeback is 25 to 27 inches to the withers (highest point of the shoulder) and 80 to 90 pounds. The female ranges from 24 to 26 inches to the withers and 65 to 75 pounds.

*Special Health Considerations. Most dog breeds have certain inherited health problems associated with that specific breed and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is no exception. They are considered to be a very hardy and healthy breed. Be on the lookout for sinus problems, cysts and Canine Hip Dysplasia (genetic based looseness in the hip joint that can lead to arthritis pain and lameness). This disease list is an informative guideline only. Other diseases may also be significant threats, please contact your veterinarian for a complete list.

She should visit the veterinarian several times in the first year for shots, boosters and check up. Then, as an adult, she should visit the veterinarian yearly for shots and check up. As she gets older, six years and on, she should visit the veterinarian twice a year for check ups and shots. Remember; avoid feeding your dog sweets.

*Grooming. The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a short, sleek, glossy and dense coat. This easy to care for coat should be brushed regularly. Brushing will help her maintain a clean and healthy coat, avoid mats, help you keep a closer eye on her health and strengthen your emotional bond with her.

Her teeth should be brushed at least twice a week with toothpaste and toothbrush designed for dogs. Brushing removes the accumulation of plaque and tartar which can cause cavities (rarely) and periodontal disease. Dog periodontal disease can lead to pain, loss of teeth, bad breath and other serious disease.

Her toenails may need to be examined for growth and clipped regularly. The toenails of the rear feet grow slower than the toenails of the front feet.

*Life Span. The Rhodesian Ridgeback can live between 10 and 12 years with proper nutrition, medical care and excellent living conditions.

*History. The Rhodesian Ridgeback comes from Zimbabwe where they were used to hunt big game including lions. They were first registered by the American Kennel Association in 1955.

Some Registries:

* Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of America

*UKC United Kennel Club

*NKC National Kennel Club

*CKC Continental Kennel Club

*APRI Americas Pet Registry Inc.

*AKC American Kennel Club

*FCI Federation Cynologique Internationale

*NZKC New Zealand Kennel Club

*KCGB = Kennel Club of Great Britain

*ANKC = Australian National Kennel Club

*ACR = American Canine Registry

Litter Size: 7 to 8 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies

Category: Hound Group

Terms To Describe: Dignified, muscular, strong, athletic, handsome, balanced, endurance, devoted, affectionate,

*SPECIAL GOOD POINTS

Very good watch dog.

Very good guard dog.

Very intelligent.

*SPECIAL BAD POINTS

Need to be obedience trained.

Need an experienced owner.

Must be socialized with pets and dogs.

May not like children.

*Other Names Known By: African Lion Hound, Lion Dog, Ridgeback,

*Every dog is an individual so not everything in this information may be correct for your dog. This information is meant as a good faith guideline only.

The modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, sleek handsome hound that possesses exceptional qualities as a hunter, protector as well as companion. But this was not always the case, at least as far as the large size and lithe refined looks were concerned. The fact is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog of today actually originated from very humble beginnings. It is believed that the Rhodesian Ridgeback heritage harks back to the pariah dogs of the nomadic Khoi Khoi people (Hottentots).

The Khoi dogs were typically small, slender and somewhat jackal-like in appearance. These dogs seldom attained a height in excess of 171/2 inches and were so far removed from the appearance of the latter day Rhodesian Ridgeback dog that Kolb, a German settler in circa (1705 – 1712) was moved to observe that “…he is such a piece of ugliness, of the dog kind, as is not to be seen, perhaps in any other part of the world. Tho’ he has a thousand good qualities, you see nothing in his features that is indicative of ‘em. Appearance never gave such a lie as it does in him…”

Kolb was not alone amongst those early settlers in his unflattering observations that ridiculed the native dogs of the Khoi Khoi people, but as one they all had to concede that they had never come across a dog that exhibited such exceptional bravery, courage and loyalty. Moreover the “ugly” looking dog possessed a unique versatility in dogs being watchdog, hunter, herder and protector all rolled in one. So it was no surprise that they deemed it extremely desirable to crossbreed their larger imported breeds from Europe with the fierce native local breeds.

Such a heritage goes a long way in explaining the African Lion Dog’s (Rhodesian Ridgeback) legendary courage with respect to confronting much larger foes such as lions.

Origins Of The Ridge Of The Rhodesian Ridgeback

There are various schools of thought postulating how the characteristic ridge found on the back of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog came into being. This ridge of hair for which evidently the dog breed is named, grows along its back in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat; which is to say the hair found on the ridge grows towards the dogs head not its tail. As for the origins of this ridge, it is more than likely that it was another trait passed on from the Khoi dogs when crossbred with the larger European dog breeds.

The real mystery however, leading to the differing school of thoughts, is in explaining how very different dog breeds found on different continents and separated by large masses of water, both came to possess such a distinguishing and characteristic ridge of hair on their back. In Thailand on the island of Phu Quoc there exists a breed of dog that also has a dorsal ridge which however is quite distinct from that of the Rhodesian Ridgeback in that it has a long head, erect ears and typically its eyes are reddish in color. The hair found on the ridge of this dog breed is substantially longer, coarser and darker than that of the rest of its body.

This paradox of two distinct dog breeds both sporting a dorsal ridge of hair yet separated by thousands of miles has led some researchers to conclude that Phu Quoc dogs or some ancestral derivative was responsible for exporting the trait to from Thailand to their African counterparts in the southern portion of Africa. This theory has been widely embraced by many much in part to the fact that their was significant sea traffic trade passing through Phu Quoc.

Yet an equally strong argument and perhaps more accurate is that the characteristic ridge of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was actually indigenous to Africa (indeed for thousands of years several African dogs have sported ridged backs) and was exported to Phu Quoc in congress with the human cargo that was part of the booming slave trade between both shores.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Temperament

As mentioned earlier, the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback dog comes from a long line of canines that were legendary for their courage and versatility in duty performance. Thus it should come as no surprise that today’s Rhodesian Ridgeback dog possess many of the same qualities.

Not too long ago the Rhodesian Ridgeback was referred to as the African Lion Dog or the Rhodesian Lion Hound because it was actually selectively bred to hunt lion. Now don’t get me wrong, contrary to many a misguided belief, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not, and never was a lion killer. Fact is it would be the most exceptionally dog indeed that could kill an adult healthy lion (male lions weigh up to as much as 500 lbs and lioness typically scale in at 260lbs). Simply put there isn’t a dog alive that is a match for a full grown lion.

More about the dog

Dog picture taken by Edelman ~ p h o t o g r a p h y.

Dog picture taken by CranstonReid_806.

Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the perfect dog for hound lovers that not only appreciate the breed’s hunting abilities, but one that also makes a trusting protector and an affectionate companion. These hounds rate high on all votes when it comes to being good around children, friendliness towards other pets, and as a fearless guard dog.

Loyal to its family, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an independent, strong-willed personality. But this head-strong attitude will not get in the way of training as these dogs take to obedience training quite easily. They do, however, need the handling of a dominant owner to keep them from trying to dominate the family pack.

A Brief History Of The Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback has been around since the 1800s and its area of origin stems from South Africa. European Boer settlers had arrived in South Africa during the 16th and 17th centuries and needed a dog that could hunt in both hot and cold temperatures, withstand rough brush, work on limited water -- all while being a trusted guard dog.

The Settlers created such a dog by crossing the breeds they had brought with them (namely the Greyhound, Pointer, Mastiff, Staghound, Bloodhound, and Great Dane), with the native breed of the local area – the Hottentot tribal hunting dog.

These new dogs were not only excellent hunters that could use scent and sight to track down prey, they were also supreme watchdogs and family protectors. They were so fierce on the hunt that during the 1870s several of the dogs were documented as having hunted down Lions in Rhodesia.

They were known then as “Lion Dogs” and had a distinctive ridge of hair that ran down the top of their back. They became so popular as successful hunters that many people had owned them. But eventually too many varieties of the Lion Dog had emerged so a specific breed standard was created during the 1920s, which is the bases for today’s standard.

Part of the criteria was to change the name to the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The breed was introduced to the United States and England during the 1930s and in the 1980s was officially recognized as a sighthound, thus allowed to compete in sighthound field trials. Today the Rhodesian Ridgeback is one of the more popular hounds and is enjoyed by households all over the world.

Upkeep Requirements For The Rhodesian Ridgeback

Like all members of the Hound Group, the Rhodesian Ridgeback must have plenty of exercise to keep up with its high energy levels. They are also happy when being mentally stimulated through dog training and games. Hiking with its owner is one activity that the breed enjoys the most.

The ideal living arrangements for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is to sleep inside at night with the family but have daytime access to a large fence-in yard to run and play. They can tolerate both hot and cold temperatures but not to the extreme. Grooming requirements for the breed calls for a light brushing every couple of weeks to remove dead hairs.

Health Concerns

The average lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is between ten and twelve years. There are no major health concerns and the only minor health issues are elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism, and CHD. Rarely seen in the breed is dermoid sinus and deafness. Veterinarians suggest that Rhodesian Ridgebacks get specifically tested for elbow, hip, thyroid, and dermoid sinus.

History

The other name for this breed is the African Lion Dog. The Hottentot people had a canine that could hunt in the veldt. It possessed the quality of surviving the intense daytime heat and the extreme temperature drop at night. It could handle abstaining from water for more than a day. It hunted quietly and had a strong nose. The hair down its back made a ridge going backwards from the other fur.

During the 16th and 17th centuries emigrates from Holland, and Germany moved to South Africa. Their Terriers, Great Danes, Greyhounds, and Bloodhounds came with them. These Europeans bred their dogs with the Hottentot dogs and the basis for the current Rhodesian Ridgeback was established.

Reverend Charles Helm took two of these dogs to Rhodesian in 1877. The large game hunters tried them and found them to be excellent dogs for hunting lions, while the hunters were on horses. The hunters bred the dogs and Rhodesian fanciers introduced a standard for the Rhodesian Ridgeback in 1922.

Some Ridgebacks were brought to the U.S in 1940 and when World War II was ended a lot more were imported to Great Britain, Canada, and the United States.

General Looks

It is a big, muscled, and powerful hound. Their fur is short with the exception of the tuff that stands up and opposite of the rest to the fur. This line of fur runs down the back’s center.

Is This Your Breed?

The Rhodesian Ridgeback doesn’t shed much. It needs infrequent baths and brushing once a week. It needs frequent exercise. The Ridgeback is fond of running. It has high endurance and is fast. It likes to be near its people, but needs to be socialized while it is young..

Coat

It is thick, short, and shiny.

Color

The colors are red wheaten and pale wheaten.

Locomotion

It has a lengthy, free, and efficient movement and is judged when trotting. It is agile.

Personalty

It is a bit standoffish with strangers. It is a smart, faithful, and independent dog. The male is aggressive towards other male dogs. It doesn’t naturally act aggressive to people. They are highly trainable.

Rhodesian Ridgeback video:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=Di5QTtfcnck