Breed portrait: Rhodesian Ridgeback

Lion hunter in the living room? It is actually no wonder that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is becoming ever more popular: the large, red-brown dogs with the characteristic ridge of fur on their back simply look incredibly majestic, so that it is hard to resist their fascination. Accordingly, the number of owners who want a Rhodesian Ridgeback also rises from year to year. Unfortunately it is often forgotten that this breed, with its impressive appearance, was bred for one very specific purpose – and is therefore only very conditionally suited to being kept as an easy-care family dog.

A brief history of the breed

The Rhodesian Ridgeback does not only look impressive, it also has an impressive history: this very old dog breed comes from southern Africa and was kept there to protect the villages and to hunt big game – lions in particular. Their muscular build and their lightning-fast reactions made it possible for them to corner the big cats and hold them at bay until the people came up to kill them. The colonial rulers were thrilled by these powerful hunters, yet it took a long time before they also gained a foothold in the Old World.

The appearance of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

On the outward appearance of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the ridge along the back is the most striking feature: the hair here stands up in whorls, as if the dog were aggressively raising its coat. Added to this is an impressive size of 60–70 cm at the shoulder and a weight of 30–40 kg. The coat colours permitted for breeding range from wheaten to red; the coat is dense, short and smooth. Harsh selective pressure from the African climate and well-defended game turned the Rhodesian Ridgebacks into a powerful and frugal breed.

The character traits of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Like its build, the character of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is through and through powerful: these dogs have a strong personality as well as a pronounced hunting and guarding instinct that must be carefully guided from puppyhood on. They are loyal and brave, although this bravery sometimes goes so far that no conflict is shied away from – diplomacy is not the Rhodesian Ridgeback's strength. They also have a pronounced tendency towards independence: without a strong leader, the Rhodesian Ridgeback likes to take over both the distribution of resources (obtaining food, resting places and the like) and the decision about who may enter „his“ house on his own, and can thus quickly become a true household tyrant. Especially since these impressive dogs know no serious obstacles: whether a closed door or a high fence – once the Rhodesian Ridgeback has decided that he wants to go somewhere, nothing will stop him.

However, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is also a real late developer in personality development: only at around 3 years of age has the individual dog's final character fully developed – until that point, owners can expect constant surprises, be it the suddenly awakening hunting instinct or the decision to keep certain people away from „his“ pack.

Not a dog for everyone

The Rhodesian Ridgeback already delights through its majestic appearance. And its typically watchful and loyal nature also makes him the absolute dream dog for lovers of the breed. However, precisely this attentive and protective streak in the Rhodesian Ridgeback also needs to be carefully guided, otherwise it can quickly become unpleasant: his muscular build and his independent nature make the African lion dog a dangerous weapon without appropriate leadership.

In addition, owners must always ensure that their Rhodesian Ridgeback is sufficiently kept busy. Otherwise it can easily happen that a bored lion hunter instead displays unwanted hunting behaviour – be it towards game, pets or, in the worst case, through the aggressive cornering of people. These mighty dogs are not to be trifled with. While you can let a Yorkshire Terrier dash off yapping after the hare a little way, in the knowledge that it will never catch it anyway, things look different with a Rhodesian Ridgeback: through their instincts these dogs are fearless hunters and, through their powerful build, forces to be reckoned with. It is therefore in any case better to keep a Rhodesian Ridgeback sufficiently occupied: plenty of exercise helps the red giants to find their peace of mind.

One thing is certain: the African lion dog is not suitable as a dog for keeping in a flat or even as a city dog. He needs sporty people who are prepared to train him consistently and who can offer him plenty of exercise and an appropriate plot of land to protect. The character of the Rhodesian Ridgeback does not necessarily make him a dog for beginners. But if you are prepared to train him from the outset with time, patience and consistency, his character traits also make him a wonderfully loyal companion in all situations of life.