Our Indigenous Dog

The Rhodesian Ridgeback

Kay Bean

(17)

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is Africa’s only indigenous dog but its popularity has grown over the years and it can now be seen in most countries of the world. They were originally bred for hunting purposes Great hunters like Van Rooyen used them in packs to bay out lions. In his book “The Rhodesian Ridgeback — The Origin, History and Standard of the Breed”, T.C. Hawley explains this phenomenon: “The Ridgeback singly or in a pack, will silently track the lion to its lair and only on discovery of its quarry will it give tongue; tantalizing, fainting, darting in and out, just beyond the reach of those fearful slashing claws with the nonchalance of a matador; harassing and wearing it down until the majestic creature bewildered by such elusive impudence and _weary of trying to shake off its tenacious nuisance, presents a sitting target of injured majesty,

Such a performance postulates courage of a special kind, extraordinary agility and an uncanny discretion. Whilst no dog could tackle and kill a lion, a pack of ridgebacks will successfully come to grips with a lesser fry from the leopard and lynx downwards”.

Once you have owned a Ridgeback you are smitten with the love and devotion they give you. Like people, each and ever) one of them has its own personality. They are great family dogs and good with children. I grew up in Zimbabwe with a Rhodesian Ridgeback and can remember the man; happy hours spent with this lovely gentle dog. Whether playing in the garden or of in the bush where a favourite passtime was riding donkeys, he was always there to guard against any danger, never leaving my side. Once smitten, devoted for life: today we have five Ridgies, each and every one different but all loved by the whole family Today Ridgebacks are seen at breed shows — and many dedicated Breeder produce and show Ridgebacks of outstanding quality. Margaret Wallace of Zimbabwe has a bitch which, I am told, has gone Best In Show twice this year, so Ridgebacks can and do make it to the top.

The South African Rhodesian Ridgeback Club was founded in 1945 by a group of enthusiastic Ridgeback owners and it still flourishes today with the same enthusiasm and dedication to the Breed. Annual Trophy and Open shows are held and show training sessions take place regularly to help new members. Advice and help is also given when requested.

Bean, K.(1988, October) Our indigenous dog,
Heads and Tails, October 1988