Rhapsody Rhodesian Ridgebacks

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a special breed of dog originating in Southern Africa in the prividence of Rhodesia (modern day Zimbabwe) where the first breed standard was written by Francis R. Barnes from Bulawayo and accepted by the KUSA in 1922. Also known as the "African Lion Hound" or the "African Lion Dog" because of their particular ability to harass and confuse large game, usually lion and keep it occupied (Known as Baying, or keeping the prey at bay) while awaiting their master to make the kill.

When Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies mature, the overall appearance is of a handsome dog, portraying strength, it is muscular and athletic, well balanced in outline, capable of great endurance with a good amount of speed. The mature Ridgeback dog is upstanding in stature. Its distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair along its back running in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat. The ridge is what sets this dog apart from other canines. It consists of a fan-like area formed by two swirls of hair (called "crowns") and tapers from immediately behind the shoulders, down to the middle of the hips. The ridge is derived from the ridged hunting dog of the Hottentots tribal peoples of about the 17th century.

On occasion, Ridgebacks can be born without ridges, and until recently, most ridgeless puppies were culled, or euthanized, at birth. Although this is the case with some breeders, Rhapsody Rhodesian Ridgbacks does not engage in this practice, as homes are abundant for dogs with such excellent temperaments as these.

Male Ridgebacks are typically 25-27 inches (63-69 cm) at the withers and weigh approximately 85 -95 lb , however some have been known to reach up to 160 lb, females 24-26 inches approximately 70-75 lb.

These dogs are typically muscular and have a light wheaten to red wheaten coat which will be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly nor silky. White is acceptable on the chest and toes.

Ridgebacks have a strong, smooth tail, which is usually carried in a gentle curve upwards. (Not held high, or in a "Gay" manner. The eyes should be more round and should reflect the nose and muzzle color, dark eyes with a black muzzle, amber eyes with a liver nose and either with a light wheaten. The liver nose is becoming more common for its importance in keeping the golden lion like colour in the coat (recessive gene) and is therefore not as common as a black nose. At Rhapsody Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppies we breed the Livernose back into our bloodline about every 3rd to 4th generation to keep the skin and coat pigmentation fresh.

The livernose has been in the past poorly represented in the ring and was extensivly bred out at one time, until its importance was recognised in the breed.

White on the feet and chest are common but it is prefered to not reach the shoulder or above the dew claws on the feet. The only disqualification in the AKC standard for this breed is ridgelessness.

Temperament

Ridgebacks are loyal, intelligent, gentle, and very independent. They are reserved toward strangers. This breed requires training and dedication and is generally only for the experienced dog owner. They are strong-willed, exceptionally clever, and many seem to be mischievous on occasion. Owners report them teaching themselves (and each other) how to escape crates and kennels, open even 'child-locked' cabinets and doors, and especially behind-your-back stealing of food. It is thought by many breeders that They do not make a good first dog, although these same antics that make them a challenge often appeal to the more experienced dog owners. (Of course a lot has to do with the type and care that goes into the breeding program)

They are generally clean about themselves, and in fact, their owners have said that they are as clean as cats. This breed does very well indoors, and they co-exist nicely with humans, not displaying too much activity in the house as long as frequent walks are administered.

Despite their athletic, sometimes imposing exterior, the Ridgeback are quite sensitive. Harsh training methods that might be tolerated by a sporting or working dog will likely cause irreparable setbacks if attempted on a Ridgeback. These dogs are very intelligent accepting properly administered correction as long as it is fair and justified, coming from someone he knows and trusts. Francis R. Barnes, who wrote the first standard in 1922, acknowledged that "rough treatment ... should never be administered to these dogs, especially when they are young. They go to pieces with handling of that kind."

The breed's lengthy history dates back to early in the 17th century when early European colonialists found amongst the Khoisan tribes a domesticated dog with the hair on his spine being turned forward. Later, to fulfill specific needs of the big game hunters of the late 19th century for a serviceable hunting dog, tough, resistant to disease, intelligent enough to avoid crocodiles and snakes, with tick repellent smooth coat, tight paw pads to protect against thorns and rough terrain, brave enough to face a lion or any other big game, but fast enough to stay out of harm's way of horns, claws and teeth. The main person behind this development was Cornelius Van Rooyen of Plumtree, Rhodesia.

As hunters, Ridgebacks in packs would keep a lion at bay while the hunters came to kill it. The dogs would work in revolving groups to keep the lion occupied until the hunter arrived; the dogs themselves did not usually kill lions, but there are stories of pairs of them being able to kill smaller/young lions, and the breed was often used to kill smaller, unwanted animals around Southern African farms. Female Ridgebacks were often used more than males as the females tended to be more agile.

When not used for hunting the dogs were beloved family pets, guardians of the property and able herders.

Health conditions known to affect this breed are cataracts, cancer, elbow dysplasia and hip dysplasia. Hypothyroidism is a growing concern, at least in the United States, where it is routinely screened for; the Ridgeback ranks number 8[3] in terms of most affected breeds recorded by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Average lifespan is from 9-11 years, but they have been known to live to nearly 16 years though this is very rare.

Dermoid sinus is a congenital condition that is known to affect this breed. It is hoped that it discovered at birth by the breeder or a knowledgeable vetinarian. These puppies should be culled, or at the very least, desexed & never to be bred from. It can be very painful for the dog & a very expensive ongoing problem for the owners.

Bloat or torsion in which the stomach twists around the longitudinal axis, thereby sealing off the contents, resulting in a buildup of gas which can be fatal.

There is some debate whether the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a sighthound or scent hound. Positions in this discussion usually mirror geography (and the body style of dog preferred), with Americans on the sighthound side of the debate and Europeans and Africans on the scenthound side. Perhaps both are correct: This incredibly versatile breed does not fit easily in either category. In general Ridgebacks pursue prey by sight, and if the prey is not in sight, Ridgebacks track by scent.