The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the only breeding dog originating from Africa. Their trademark is their distinctive eel-line on their back. Ridgebacks are courageous animals, that are very friendly towards people, but need a confident owner.
The origin of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback type of breed began with semi-wild African dogs. They were kept by tribes in the south of Africa and were used for hunting and protection of the settlements. Later, the white settlers took over the Ridgeback and began breeding them systematically.
In order to preserve the long, slender build of today's type, they probably crossed them with various European hunting dogs.
In 1922 the British Francis Richard Barnes presented the breed standard for the first time in the colonial zone of South Rhodesia. Only a few years later, the African section of the Kennel Club officially recognised them as a new breed. In the meantime the Ridgeback spread all over the world.
The breed characteristics of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
To this day, these dogs have remained something original and wild. A Ridgeback radiates a confident kind of strength and at the same time a sense of calmness. They are the perfect guard and protection dogs, attentive, but never overly aggressive or eager to fight.
You will recognise this type of dog immediately by its elegant posture, their light to rusty-red coat and their distinctive markings on their backs. This line, called the "Ridge", which always runs against the direction of the coat, gave the animals their name and is also said to be the origin of their individuality.
Other things you should know about the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Unfortunately, this type of dog also became the target of dubious keepers at some point. Their muscular appearance and the eel-markings were considered chic by questionable owners. Therefore they ended up being listed as a dangerous breed in Bavaria for several years. In the meantime, the Ridge has been rehabilitated nationwide and the keeping of them is allowed everywhere again.
This is very similar in Switzerland. Only in the canton of Glarus the keeping of them needs to be permitted.