Dogs are known to be the domesticated descendent of the wolf and are man’s most loyal companions. Dogs form the most outstanding emotional bonds with their caregivers no matter the circumstances and are one of the first species to be domesticated by men. Dogs come in various breeds, and above 200 breeds are known to exist. Each of these breeds has its unique features and characteristics. Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog breed and has traits unmatched by any other.
The appearance of Rhodesian Ridgeback
In the Southern Africa region, these Rhodesian Ridgebacks were bred and grouped as a large dog breed. Its forebears were famous for their ridged hunting and as guard dogs of the Khoikhoi. Hence the Rhodesian Ridgeback appears to be a robust muscular dog. Their colour ranges from light wheaten to red wheaten. They have short coats and thus don’t need much maintenance and appear in one colour shades only-wheaten. Some of them have white markings or black masks on their chest and toes. They have black or brown noses and kind, intelligent brown or amber eyes, which are heartwarming.
Characteristics of Rhodesian Ridgeback
Ridgebacks were initially bred to pursue lions, and hence they are terrific hunters. They have a superb instinct that enables them to track their preyand hold quarry at bay. They have a well-known history of helping humans to hunt lions in the savannah, and hence they were named the African lion hound, a title they rightfully deserve. They require a lot of guidance, patience and experience from the owner because of their dignified and strong-willed personality. If they receive adequate training and care, they tend to be highly affectionate and faithful towards their owners. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are incredibly devoted to those they love; they are protective and will guard their loved ones against danger with their life.
Living Needs of Rhodesian Ridgeback
These dogs were bred to hunt, and hence they have a very high prey drive unmatched by any other breeds; therefore, they need to be kept in secured fenced-in areas or should always be kept on lease. They are potent runners and quick on their paws as these pups were bred to out-manoeuvre lions, the jungle kings. Therefore, these high-energy breeds require a moderate amount of exercise and love spending their time outdoors, but they can also adapt to most living conditions.
Breed Profile of Rhodesian Ridgeback
Throughout their growth, Ridgebacks can reach a height of 24-27 inches. They can also weigh around 70-90 pounds and have a life span of about ten years. They have a large breed size, around 61-100lbs and belongs to the breed group of hounds. Their energy level is relatively high as they are an active breed; also, they have high intelligence, which is proven by their history of hunting. They have an occasional shedding amount as their coat length is relatively short. Another of their unique feature is that they have extreme tolerance to hot weather and hence hunting in Africa is a piece of cake for them.
