The Ferocious Lion Hunter and Triumphant Survivor, Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog

May 14th, 2009 by Tanza Tripp

by Cameron Houston

Everyone knows that when a lion gets mad, it wrecks unimaginable and irreversible havoc that's why only those skilled enough and experienced hunters can face and elude this creature's wrath. Humans and animals are known to shiver in fear over the sight of a lion gone mad but not this one breed of dog. Instead of running for its dear life, it unabashedly challenges and faces the king of the jungle's fury and succeeds at it most of the time: this is the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, majestic, and strongly-built type of hound that is native to the safari lands of South Africa. For centuries, the native tribes kept with them a ridgebacked dog breed that had been used as hunting companions and watchdogs. The modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback is said to be the result of the Boer natives' cross- breeding of the said indigenous ridgebacked dog, Khoikhoi dog, Mastiff and Deerhound.

A man named Reverend Helm introduced two of these new breed to Rhodesia, now called Zimbabwe, in 1887 and it is there that this breed gained additional popularity as an excellent lion hunter. The first standard for this breed was written in 1922 in Rhodesia stating that this breed is of the game hunting kind. This distinction brought about several debates as there are different classifications for big game hunting and small hunting and it turned out that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is excellent at both.

The ridgeback name serves appropriate for this dog for indeed it possesses a distinct ridge-looking growth of hair on its back. This clump of hair grows symmetrical along its back with an opposite growth direction with the dog's overall coat. This breed appears in either red wheaten or light wheaten colored coat.

This breed is inarguably fierce in hunting but inside the home it is steadfast, soft-hearted and obedient. It is naturally good-natured, playful with children and protective of its master. In fact, this breed is a superb watchdog as it would intently and vigilantly look after its household and properties against suspicious people.

Moreover, you can say that this dog is intelligent, cunning, self-sufficient and stubborn that's why training sessions can be a pain sometimes. In imposing rules to this breed, you need to do it firmly, patiently and consistently as these are the best ways for it to be able to trust you. Meeting strangers is not a favorite of the Ridgeback for it tends to be indifferent with people it just met or doesn't know.

It is also a suitable dog for apartment living so long as it is provided with an everyday lengthy and fast-paced walking or jogging. Inside the house they are relatively dormant but once outside they tend to be energetic and eager huge pets. Their exercise needs to be done in an open space such as large backyards or parks.

Because this dog originally came from the south of Africa, it is adept in living with harsh conditions such as flaring temperatures and scarce food and water resources. Left outside during hot or cold weather conditions, this dog will undoubtedly survive. It can withstand insect bites and in fact is unfeeling to them and can go on for over 24 hours without food and water.

About the Author:

Cameron Houston has been creating numerous of helpful ideas about the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed for years and an ardent of the breed himself. Read all his works on his website now and discover numerous of information on breeding, training, and grooming the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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