Pets & Animals

The history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog breed

Rhodesian Ridgebacks, also known as the African Lion Hound, are beautiful and strong pets to own and can be found all around the world. There are always dogs for sale at a reasonable price here in Sri Lanka. If you are interested in raising a puppy, there are many puppies for sale as well. To find out more about the loved Rhodesian Ridgeback breed and discover if these unique puppies are for you, please read further.

History of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgebacks originate from South Africa. This rare breed manifested after having been crossbred between native African pets of the local people and the Danish settler’s domesticated European breeds that had been imported into the country since the 1700s. Through crossbreeding the animals South Africans were able to develop a breed that could assist in hunting large game including lions and wild boars, while simultaneously serve as trustworthy and caring house pets. There have been rumors that the Ridgeback could single-handedly capture and kill a lion. This rumor is not true, considering there is no dog that would be able to kill a lion, but they are able to keep the lion at bay until the hunter is able to do so. In 1877 a Reverend Helm delivered two Ridgebacks to Rhodesia (now modern day Zimbabwe) to breed and cultivate Ridgebacks, and in 1922, breeders created a standard for the breed that has since remained unchanged. In 1955 Ridgebacks were inducted into the American Kennel Club’s registration loosely categorized as a ‘hound.’


Rhodesian Ridgeback Appearance
Ridgebacks are beautiful animals with a short, reddish brown coat with tints of gold that flicker in the sun light. They have a coat that is easy to groom, generally only needing to be brushed weakly and occasionally wiped down. They hardly ever shed indoors. Their name comes from a characteristic ridge that is located on their back that stems from the middle of their shoulders to their lower back. The ridge consists of whirls of hair that go in the opposite direction of the rest of the hair, giving it an indented or ridge-like appearance. Grown males are usually between 25 and 27 inches tall weigh about 85 pounds; grown females are between 24 and 26 inches and weigh around 70 pounds.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Training and Care
Ridgebacks are intelligent, calm and athletic. Keeping pet dogs will require you to both exercise and mentally stimulate your dog several times on a daily basis. They may become destructive and unbearable if they do not receive the proper care. If you are a first time dog owner, Ridgebacks may not be the best dog for you. He will need continued guidance and training started from a young age to ensure proper behavior. If you are willing to put the effort into his training, he will become a gentle and stoic dog. Though exuberant puppies, the dogs mellow out with age. They will be extremely protective and loving to their owners, but will be relatively apathetic to visitors or people with whom they do not have a relationship. Many Rhodesian Ridgebacks are abandoned once their owners die, separate from their spouse, or prove to be too much too handle for their owner’s lifestyle. If you are interested in buying an adult Ridgeback there are often many available that have already been trained.

If you have other pets, he or she should be socialized with them from the very beginning, or he his or her hunting instincts could prove dangerous for your other pets. Ridgebacks are usually slightly aggressive to foreign animals outside the home. If you have children, there is no problem, but they are too big, powerful and energetic for small children and toddlers.

Ridgebacks may live anywhere including small apartments, if given enough exercise throughout the day, but a large yard with an even larger fence is the best option-as it is for most pets who love to run. Be careful when unleashing your dog as they have the ability to jump over great heights. Dogs will only bark to alert you to an abnormality and they only really dig if they need a cool place to sleep, otherwise, you do not have to worry about these two issues.

Looking after dogs of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed is easy outside of the consistent and strategic training. As mentioned earlier, their coat is in need of weekly brushings and the occasional wipe down. They should have their nails trimmed and their teeth brushed as needed. It is recommended you feed them 2 3/4 to 4 3/8 cups of dog food a day, split between two meals.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are generally healthy pets, but as all pets do, may develop several conditions that you should be aware of. 1. Hip dysplasia is common amongst the breed. Most often, it is genetically passed down and results in the dog’s thigh not connecting well in the hip joint, thus causing pain or inability to walk. Surgery, weight loss and medication may help. 2. Dermoid Sinus is a congenital skin that is often found in the Ridgeback breed. Dermoid Sinus can be described as having a tube-like cyst or growth along the spinal chord. Naturally, many complications may occur including infection. You can choose to either euthanize your pet or opt for surgery.

When properly researching dog breeds to find the right fit for you it is common to come across many things that appear negative. Raising a dog is a lot of work and it is best to be prepared for the worst so that you can enjoy your dog at his or her very best. For centuries Rhodesian Ridgebacks have been loved by pet owners for their unique personalities, conveniently, easy up-keep and ultimate loyalty. If you choose to raise a pet of your own, the Rhodesian Ridgeback could be a wonderful addition to your family’s home. To speak with a local seller today, you may look at Ikman.lk.

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