RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK INFORMATION BOOKLET With compliments from: The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Western Australia (Inc) © RRCWA (Inc) 2013 Rhodesian Ridgeback Information Booklet ABOUT THE RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK The Rhodesian Ridgeback originated in Southern Africa where the early European settlers mated their imported breeds with the small, fierce hunting dogs owned by the Hottentots in order to produce a guard/hunting dog ideally suited to local conditions. The Hottentot Hunting Dog had a ridge of hair along its spine running in a reverse direction to the rest of the coat and this particular characteristic became a feature of the cross matings between the European breeds and the native dogs. These “Ridgebacks” were used as functional all purpose guard and hunting dogs and it was found that they surpassed any other breed when hunting lions. During the late 19th century the reputation of “Ridgebacks” in this field became established through the exploits of a famous big game hunter in Rhodesia named Cornelius Van Rooyen, who had a pack of these ridged dogs. Van Rooyen’s dogs were very similar to today’s Rhodesian Ridgeback. It was not intended that the Ridgeback should actually kill the lion, but rather keep it at bay until the hunter could shoot it. Ridgebacks would, however, kill lion cubs without hesitation and pull down lesser game with ease. The Standard of the breed was drawn up following a meeting of “Ridgeback” owners in Bulawayo in 1922 and this was accepted by the South African Kennel Union (now the Kennel Union of Southern Africa) in 1926. The Standard borrowed much from the Dalmatian Standard and envisages a “strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical in outline, and capable of great endurance, with a fair amount of speed”. Rhodesian Ridgebacks have adapted well to modern day life. They are highly intelligent and have a loving, loyal temperament with those they know, but are distinctly off-hand with strangers. They are good guard dogs, but do not bark unless there is a reason. They are quite happy to lie about all day doing nothing and yet are enthusiastic about walks or expeditions. No single breed of dog suits everyone and there are aspect of the Ridgeback character which would not endear them to some people. They can be strong willed, determined, independent and extremely obstinate. There is nothing slavish about a Ridgeback – the man/Ridgeback relationship tends to be one of partners rather than a master/servant situation. He never forgets love and understanding, nor does he lightly forgive harsh treatment. He is a dog of noble bearing whose physical attributes should reflect his role as guardian, companion and hunter. The adults do not require vast amounts of food. They are hardy dogs and routine care consists of checking the ears, cutting the nails, weekly grooming, and regular worming and inoculations. RRCWA(Inc.) 2013 Page 2 Rhodesian Ridgeback Information Booklet WHY HAVE WE SENT YOU THIS INFORMATION BOOKLET? Thank you for contacting the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of WA (Inc). The club has produced this handbook to introduce you to the Rhodesian Ridgeback and to help you choose the right puppy. In the following pages you will find information regarding: Page 2 - About the Rhodesian Ridgeback Page 4 - What the Rhodesian Ridgeback should look like: The Breed Standard Page 6 - What you can do with your dog Page 8 - What the Club can do for you Page 9 - Resource List Page 10 - Hereditary diseases and general health Page 11 - What you can expect from Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders Page 12 - The Club’s ‘Code of Ethics’ Page 14/18 - The answers to some commonly asked questions Page 19 - Specialist books written about the Rhodesian Ridgeback Please note that this Information Booklet is provided to guide you and, due to its size, cannot contain all the information you will need to choose a puppy. You will need to do your own research as well. The Club recommends that you view as many adult dogs and litters as you can and talk to as many Ridgeback owners and breeders as possible. RRCWA(Inc.) 2013 Page 3 Rhodesian Ridgeback Information Booklet WHAT THE RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK SHOULD LOOK LIKE All breeds of dog which are recognized by the Australian National Kennel Control have what is known as a “Standard”. The Standard is a detailed description of the various characteristics of the breed and registered breeders constantly strive to ensure that the dogs they breed conform as closely as possible to the Standard. The Standard for Rhodesian Ridgebacks in this country is that which is used all over the world. It is the “Country of Origin” Standard which was recently revised by the Kennel Union of southern Africa and the Zimbabwe Kennel Club. FCI STANDARD No 146 dated 10/12/96. Adopted in Australia 1/1/98. UTILIZATION – The Rhodesian Ridgeback is still used to hunt game in many parts of the world, but is especially prized as a watch-dog and a family pet. BRIEF HISTORICAL OVERVIEW – The Rhodesian Ridgeback is presently the only registered breed indigenous to southern Africa. Its forebears can be traced to the Cape colony of southern Africa where they crossed with the early pioneers’ dogs and the semi-domesticated, ridged Hottentot hunting dogs. Hunting mainly in groups of two or three, the original function of the Rhodesian Ridgeback or Lion dog was to track game, especially lion, and, with great agility, keep it at bay until the arrival of the hunter. The original standard, which was drafted by F. R. Barnes, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, in 1922 was based on that of the Dalmatian and was approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1926. GENERAL APPEARANCE – The Rhodesian Ridgeback should represent a well balanced, strong, muscular, agile and active dog, symmetrical in outline and capable of great endurance with a fair amount of speed. The emphasis is on agility, elegance and soundness with no tendency towards massiveness. The peculiarity of the breed is the ridge on the back, which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. CHARACTERISTICS – The ridge is the escutcheon of the breed. The ridge must be clearly defined, symmetrical and tapering towards the haunch. It must start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to the hip (haunches) bones. The ridge must contain only two crowns, identical and opposite each other. The lower edges of the crowns must not extend further down the ridge than one-third of its length. A good average width of the ridge is 5 cm (2ins). TEMPERAMENT – Dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers, but showing no aggression or shyness. HEAD AND SKULL – Cranial Region: Skull – Should be of a fair length (width of head between ears, distance from occiput to stop, stop to end of nose, should be equal), flat and broad between the ears; the head should be free from wrinkles when in repose. Stop – Should be reasonably well defined and not in one straight line from the nose to the occiput bone. Facial Region – Nose – Should be black or brown. A black nose should be accompanied by dark eyes, a brown nose by amber eyes. Muzzle – Should be clean, closely fitting the jaws. Cheeks – Should be clean. EYES - Should be moderately well apart, round, bright and sparkling, with intelligent expression, their colour harmonizing with the colour of the coat. RRCWA(Inc.) 2013 Page 4 Rhodesian Ridgeback Information Booklet EARS - Should be set rather high, of medium size, rather wide at base and gradually tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head. MOUTH - Jaws strong with a perfect and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. The teeth must be well developed, especially the canines or holders. NECK - Should be fairly long, strong and free from throatiness. FOREQUARTERS - The forelegs should be perfectly straight, strong and well boned, with the elbows close to the body. When viewed from the side, the forelegs should be wider than viewed from the front. Pasterns should be strong with slight spring. Shoulders – should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting speed. BODY - Back - Powerful. Loins - Strong, muscular and slightly arched. Chest - Should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious; the brisket should reach to the elbow. Forechest - Should be visible when viewed from the side. Ribs - Moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel-hoops. HINDQUARTERS - In the hind legs the muscles should be clean and well defined with good turn of stifle and strong hocks well let down. FEET - Should be compact and round with well arched toes and tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes and pads. TAIL - Should be strong at the root and gradually tapering towards the end, free from coarseness. It should be of moderate length. It should not be attached too high nor too low and should be carried with a slight curve upwards, never curled. GAIT/MOVEMENT - Straight forward, free and active. COAT - Hair - Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly nor silky. COLOUR - Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes is permissible, but excessive white hairs here, on belly or above toes is undesirable. A dark muzzle and ears permissible. Excessive black hairs throughout the coat are highly undesirable. SIZE - The desirable heights are: Dogs 63cm (25 ins) to 69cm (27 ins) Bitches 61cm (24 ins) to 66cm (26 ins) Weight – The desirable weights are: Dogs 36.5kg (80lbs) Bitches 32 kg (70lbs) FAULTS - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportions to its degree.