Information, Facts & Origins of the
Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog
The Rhodesian
Ridgeback
comes from
Zimbabwe ( previously known as Rhodesia)
in Africa and was bred originally to
hunt
large
game.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is also known by the other name of the
Lion Dog.
This dog is classified as one of the
Hound Dog Group which we
go on to describe in detail in the section at the bottom of this
page. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was first Registered by the AKC (American Kennel Club) in
1955. Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is often referred to in three
separate words as the Rhodesian Ridge Back and mis-spelt as Rodesian Ridgeback.
The
Rhodesian Ridgeback - A Scent Hound
The Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to the collection of dogs referred to as
Scent Hounds, which specialise in following the scent or the smell
of its quarry. It wasn’t until the mid 1500's that hounds began
to be classified according to their purpose, i.e. sight hounds,
scent hounds, etc. Scent Hounds have distinctive characteristics,
features and traits which are perfect for their purpose. They have
large noses which have deep, open nostrils and their lips are
loose and moist, designed to pick up scent particles and follow
the trail of an animal. Their ears are long which concentrates the
scent on the nose. Their bodies are designed for endurance, an
essential asset when following any scent trail. Hunting takes
different forms and as man opts for hunting their quarry either on
foot or on horseback the scent hounds have been selectively bred
to produce small legs, to enable a man to easily follow on foot,
or longer legs suited to keep up with a man on horseback. Most
scent hounds were used in packs - making a loud, deep baying noise
alerting hunters to their location.
Description
of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog and Puppies - Coat and Colours info
The Rhodesian Ridgeback's coat comes in a range of the following colours:
Light wheaten to red wheaten. The coat is
short, dense, sleek
and glossy.
Dog
Health information - potential health problems of the Rhodesian
Ridgebacks
All owners of dogs and puppies
are concerned about the health care of their pets and just as with
humans dog health issues arise from time to time. Resolving dog
health problems, including those of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, can prove to be
costly and it would be wise to consider the benefits of obtaining
dog health insurance. Diseases in dogs may occur because of
trauma, infection, immune system abnormalities, genetic factors,
or degenerative conditions. Common health problems and questions
occur in relation to the Bones, Joints, Muscles, Nerves, Ears,
Eyes, Teeth and the Mouth. Other, more serious, issues can relate
to the Digestive System, Heart & Respiratory Systems, Immune &
Blood Systems, Reproduction and Urinary Systems. Potential health
problems of the Rhodesian Ridgeback can include:
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
(abnormal development of joints referred to as CHD - Canine Hip
and Elbow Dysplasia)
Dermoid sinus
Online
Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems Please click the following link for additional
information which we have provided via our:
This describes the most common canine health problems concisely but simply without using medical jargon. A section on Dog and Puppy Vaccinations is also included offering information on each of the diseases, symptoms and effects for which immunization vaccines are available. Not sure of the name of the dog or puppy illness? A Dog Symptom Sorter is also featured. The Online Encyclopaedia of Common Dog Health Problems should only be used as an informational guide and when and if any dog or puppies health problems occur it is essential to raise any questions you may have with a Dog Health care professional.
Description
of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog and Puppies - Comparative Sizing
Pictures & info
The pictures above allow for a
useful sizing perspective between an average man (Five feet ten
inches) or an average sized woman (Five feet six inches) in
comparison to the average sized Rhodesian Ridgeback dog which we have
detailed above. These pictures are extremely important as they
provide an immediate and accurate visual representation of the
height
of an average Rhodesian Ridgeback compared to the height of a male or
female - essential information but unique to this
site. Use the pictures to help to estimate the size of this
breed of
dog to each the various growing stages of
children. Use the pictures to provide a guideline to the adult
size of Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppies. The pictures will also prove to
be invaluable when comparing the sizes and heights of other dog
breeds. The
dimensions will vary according to the sex of the dog or puppy.
Girl dogs, or bitches, are on average, 2 inches smaller than boy
dogs. Another useful piece of information when considering
puppies.
Information
on Grooming and Care of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Breed
The Rhodesian
Ridgeback requires a
minimum amount of grooming. Regardless of the
breeds, a certain amount of grooming
and care is necessary to keep dogs and puppies looking at their best.
Grooming consists of not only brushing out the coat and bathing
but also giving attention to the eyes, teeth, ears, feet and
nails. A regular routine also ensures that any potential health
problems are identified as quickly as possible, especially
important in puppies and older dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Puppies info
The
following considerations should be taken into account when
choosing Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies:
Budget
- Purchasing, training, equipment, medication and feeding
costs of the breed
Convenience
and Grooming time e.g. long or short hair
Personal
situation - time available and medical conditions such as allergies,
asthma or back pain
Exercising requirements for the Rhodesian Ridgebackbreed
Living
Conditions for the breed - suitability for puppies
Family
- child suitability
Children and Puppies!
The pictures above allow for a useful comparison of sizes
providing an accurate portrait of the size of an average
Rhodesian Ridgeback- essential
information and unique to this site. It should also be noted that
the pictures feature adults. The size of puppies are naturally
considerably smaller and the full grown size of the animal can
easily be forgotten when confronted with cute puppies! The slogan
" A dog isn't just for Christmas - it's for life!" was necessitated
by well meaning people buying puppies at the Christmas, unaware of
the puppies growth rate. The pictures provided make it extremely
clear exactly how small puppies will develop and whether it will
suit the life and living conditions of the family.
Age
comparison between the Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Breed and a Human
Age
comparisons between dogs and humans are always a matter of
debate - we hope that the following information clarifies the
situation. After the first year of life, a dog is equivalent to
sixteen human years. After two years, they are equivalent to a 24 year old, at
three years a 30 year old, and each year after, add 5 human years to determine
a dog's age.
Life
Expectancy of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Breed
The life
expectancy for this particular breed is between
10 – 12 years.
Hound
Dog Breed Information
As implied by its name the Hound has been bred to chase a
quarry by sight or smell, or a combination of both senses.
Sighthounds have exceptional eyesight, combined with the speed and
stamina necessary to catch the intended prey once seen, typical
examples being the Greyhound and the Whippet. Hounds which rely
strongly on the sense of smell to follow the trail of a prey, such
as the Bloodhound, quite literally follow their noses, speed and
eyesight is of less importance.
Characteristics and features have been introduced and strengthened
by
breeding from animals who already demonstrated the desired traits.
Breeding for appearance was only introduced in the 19th Century.
Before this time dogs and puppies were bred to increase useful abilities and traits
helpful for the duties they were intended for. Thus, the
various hound breeds were initially introduced to help man
according to specific requirements such as:
Hunting and running down small quarry
Flushing out and Driving game
Vermin Hunting
Guard duties
Tracking
In
this day and age only a few hounds still undertake these tasks,
but nevertheless, they still harbour the skills and
characteristics that made the original Rodesian Ridge back dog
breeding program successful.
The
Hound Breed Group of dogs differ in that some hunt by scent and
others by sight. Many hounds are kept in packs, in outdoor
kennels. Any dogs and puppies belonging to the Hound breeds require a
significant amount of exercise as they have high stamina levels
suitable for hunting quarry. There are some breeds in this group
who make a distinctive ' baying ' sound - invaluable information
should be considering puppies. The pictures above allow for a
useful size comparison providing an accurate portrait of the size
of an average Rhodesian Ridgeback dog - essential information but unique to this
site.
Examples
of other Breeds within the Hound Dog Group
The Hound group of dogs includes the Rhodesian Ridgeback
and all of
the following breeds:
Afghans, Foxhounds, Basenjis, Bassets, Beagles, Black and Tan Coonhounds, Bloodhounds, Borzoi, Dachshunds, English Foxhounds, Greyhounds, Harriers, Irish Wolfhounds, Norwegian Elkhounds, Otterhounds, Petit Basset Griffon
Vendeens, American Fox hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Salukis, Scottish Deerhounds
and Whippets.
Name Facts and Dog Names: This dog's name is often referred to in two separate
words as the Rhodesian Ridge Back and mis-spelt as Rodesian
Ridgeback. Pictures and information about all of the above Hound Dog breeds,
together with all other dog groups,
may be found
on this website via the following links:
