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rec.pets.dogs: Rhodesian Ridgebacks Breed-FAQ



 
 
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Old December 15th 03, 10:40 AM
Richard Gordon
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Default rec.pets.dogs: Rhodesian Ridgebacks Breed-FAQ

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Last-modified: 27 Feb 1997

=======
There are nearly 100 FAQ's available for this group. For a complete
listing of these, get the "Complete List of RPD FAQs". This article
is posted bimonthly in rec.pets.dogs, and is available via anonymous ftp
to rtfm.mit.edu under pub/usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list, via
the Web at http://www.zmall.com/pet_talk/dog-fa.../faq-list.html, or
via email by sending your message to with
send usenet/news.answers/dogs-faq/faq-list
in the body of the message.

This article is Copyright 1996 by the Author(s) listed below.
It may be freely distributed on the Internet in its entirety without
alteration provided that this copyright notice is not removed.
It may NOT reside at another website (use links, please) other
than the URL listed above without the permission of the Author(s).
This article may not be sold for profit nor incorporated in other
documents without he Author(s)'s permission and is provided "as is"
without express or implied warranty.
==========


Rhodesian Ridgebacks

__________________________________________________ _______________

Note: This is an unofficial document about Ridgebacks. The official
Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) Information
packet can be found on line at
http://rrcus.org/
__________________________________________________ _______________

Table of Contents

* Characteristics and Temperament
* Frequently Asked Questions
* Description (Official Standard)
* Recognized
* History
* Special Medical Problems
* References
+ Books
+ Publications
+ Email list for owners
+ Breed Rescue Organizations
+ Breeders
+ Breed Clubs
* Selected Other WWW Links of Interest
* Sources and Authors of This Document

__________________________________________________ _______________

Characteristics and Temperament

The Rhodesian Ridgeback, sometimes referred to as the African Lion
Hound, is a native of South Africa. Ridgebacks are sturdy,
low-maintenance, short-haired dogs, bred by Boer farmers for two
purposes: hunting lions and staying home with the family while other
members of the household were out hunting or farming. The breed is a
very good people dog, bonding well to a family if introduced into the
family in the first 4-5 years of the dog's life. Ridgebacks are
usually quite gentle with their family and with people their masters
introduce to them but are great watchdogs if people they don't know
appear or sounds they don't understand occur around their home.

Ridgebacks are very smart, responsive, and trainable. They can easily
master the basics of good canine citizenship: down, stay, come, no
jump, quiet. They are, like many hounds, independent thinkers. This
means that they are not traditionally seen competing for advanced
obedience titles (though some Ridgebacks each year DO get their UD
titles). Because they are large and intelligent, some obedience
training is necessary to keep them under control and avoid their
becoming a nuisance.
__________________________________________________ _______________

Frequently Asked Questions

_How is the Ridgeback around children? Other pets? As a watchdog?_

The Ridgeback is an extremely tolerant, excellent companion for
children, able to amiably withstand a great deal of abuse from even
the smallest of toddlers. However, no child should be left
unsupervised around any dog, as either may hurt the other, even
unintentionally. And due to its large size, younger and more
excitable Ridgebacks may knock smaller children over by accident.
The Ridgeback is a gregarious animal, enjoying the company of other
dogs. Beware of having several male dogs -- this can lead to
dominance struggles (as is true with several males of many breeds).
They can be good with cats if brought up with them, but fiercely
effective in defending their territory from stray dogs and cats.
The Ridgeback is an excellent natural watchdog and family
protector, requiring only that the owner has control over it.

_Are they noisy? Do they have any bad habits?_

Ridgebacks tend to bark only when there is something worthwhile to
bark at (unless one has fallen into bad habits out of boredom).
They are very athletic, easily able to clear high fences unless the
owner has taken proper precautions to see that this does not occur.
Proficient swimmers, they can be an annoyance if the owner does not
want them in the pool! They are not usually nuisance diggers, but
can create large pits to escape summer heat if left out of doors. A
Ridgeback can become a roamer out of boredom, often falling victim
to automobiles, so it is important to have a properly fenced yard.

_Is the Ridgeback a good house-dog?_

The Ridgeback is an extremely clean dog with little odor, and
minimal shedding due to the short coat. In general, a Ridgeback
kept indoors sheds a little all year round, whereas an outside one
will experience seasonal shedding. They do not drool, except in
anticipation of food. They are generally easy to housetrain. They
will take over the furniture unless their owners discourage this
habit from puppyhood. A happily wagging tail will easily clear off
low coffee tables.

_Are there any special feeding problems?_

Most Ridgebacks would have to be dead before refusing to eat! They
can drool quite a bit when their food is being prepared. They will
inhale their food enthusiastically. Consequently, Ridgeback owners
need to monitor their dogs' weight and cut back to prevent obesity.
Sometimes a good cupboard lock is needed to keep a clever dog from
helping itself.

_How much exercise does a Ridgeback need?_

Like any medium-large dog, Ridgebacks need exercise--a daily romp
in the back yard or park and a couple of longer trips to the park
per week should be sufficient. More would be better, but Ridgebacks
do adapt to their people.

_Are they energetic or hyper?_

A young Ridgeback is a very energetic fellow. But as Ridgebacks
mature, most of them become much more laid back. One author calls
them the "kings of dozing." Some say that a mature Ridgeback is
happiest when either running flat out across a field or flat out
asleep at your feet. In general, they mature into lovely calm dogs
that do well when raised with children and other pets.

_Where does that ridge on their back come from?_

The Rhodesian Ridgeback's ancestry includes a dog native to
Southern Africa--a tribal dog, a companion and a hunter, with a
ridge of hair growing backwards down its back. European settlers
admired the hunting ability and temperament of the native dogs and
bred them with the dogs they had imported from Europe and North
African colonies. They found that the "cross-breeds" that had the
ridge had the most desirable hunting ability and temperaments and
began to breed specifically for the ridge. And thus the breed was
born.

_Were they really used to hunt lions?_

Yes, when the breed was imported to Rhodesia, the big game hunters
of the time found them to be excellent hunters and used them to
hunt lions. They were found to be the only breed of dog that could,
in a pack, keep a lion at bay for the hunter, and live.

_Are they good for general hunting?_

Yes. The Ridgeback has been used successfully in hunting bobcat,
mountain lion, bear, coyote, deer, wild boar and raccoon in the US,
Canada, and Mexico. There have also been reports of Ridgebacks
having been train to point upland game and retrieve game and fowl,
but their true talent lies in cornering the prey for the hunter to
finish off.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Description

OFFICIAL STANDARD FOR THE RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK

The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active dog,
symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome,
upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair
(good) amount of speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback
is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers.
The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back. The ridge must
be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed.

SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
A mature Ridgeback should be symmetrical in outline, slightly
longer than tall but well balanced. Dogs - 25 to 27 inches in
height; Bitches - 24 to 26 inches in height. Desirable weight:
Dogs - 85 pounds; Bitches - 70 pounds.

HEAD
Should be of fair length, the skull flat and rather broad
between the ears and should be free from wrinkles when in
repose. The stop should be reasonable well defined.

EYES
Should be moderately well apart and should be round, bright and
sparkling with intelligent expression, their color harmonizing
with the color of the dog.

MUZZLE
Should be long, deep and powerful. The lips clean, closely
fitting the jaws.

NOSE
Should be black, brown or liver, in keeping with the color of
the dog. No other colored nose is permissible. A black nose
should be accompanied by dark eyes, a brown or liver nose with
amber eyes.

BITE
Jaws level and strong with well-developed teeth, especially the
canines or holders. Scissors bite preferred.

NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
The neck should be fairly strong and free from throatiness. The
chest should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious, ribs
moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel hoops (which
would indicate want of speed). The back is powerful and firm
with strong loins which are muscular and slightly arched. The
tail should be strong at the insertion and generally tapering
towards the end, free from coarseness. It should not be
inserted too high or too low and should be carried with a
slight curve upwards, never curled or gay.

FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting
speed. Elbows close to the body. The forelegs should be
perfectly straight, strong, and heavy in bone. The feet should
be compact with well-arched toes, round, tough, elastic pads,
protected by hair between the toes and pads. Dewclaws may be
removed.

HINDQUARTERS
In the hind legs, the muscles should be clean, well defined and
hocks well down. Feet as in front.

COAT
Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but
neither wooly nor silky.

COLOR
Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and
toes permissible but excessive white there, on the belly or
above the toes is undesirable.

RIDGE
The hallmark of this breed is the ridge on the back which is
formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the
rest of the coat. The ridge must be regarded as the
characteristic feature of the breed. The ridge should be
clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It should start
immediately behind the shoulders and continue to a point
between the prominence of the hips and should contain two
identical crowns (whorls) directly opposite each other. The
lower edge of the crowns (whorls) should not extend further
down the ridge than one third of the ridge.

GAIT
At the trot, the back is held level and the stride is
efficient, long, free and unrestricted. Reach and drive
expressing a perfect balance between power and elegance.

At the chase, the Ridgeback demonstrates great coursing ability
and endurance.

TEMPERAMENT
Dignified and even tempered. Reserved with strangers.

SCALE OF POINTS

General appearance, size, symmetry and balance 20
Ridge 20
Head 15
Legs and Feet 15
Neck and Shoulders 10
Body, Back, Chest, and Loin 10
Coat and Color 5
Tail 5

TOTAL 100

Disqualification: Ridgelessness

Approved by The American Kennel Club and effective September 30, 1992

Recognized by

American Kennel Club
Canadian Kennel Club
FCI
Kennel Club of Great Britain
Kennel Union of Southern Africa
__________________________________________________ ______________

History

The Dutch, German, and Hugenout people who emigrated to South Africa
in the 16th and 17th centuries brought with them Danes, Mastiffs,
Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, Terriers, and other breeds. Then, in 1707,
European immigration to South Africa was closed for a hundred years.

The native Hottentots had a hunting dog that was half wild with a
ridge on the back formed by the hair growing forward. The only other
known dog which has such a ridge is found on the island of Phu Quoc in
the Gulf of Siam. It is unclear whether ridged dogs appeared
spontaneously in two parts of the world or if they first appeared in
Africa and then, through commerce, moved with humans to Asia.

Interbreeding between these dogs and those of the settlers eventually
established the foundation stock for the present day Ridgeback.

The abilities the farmers were looking for in their dogs included:
flushing a few partridge, pulling down a wounded buck, and guarding
the farm from maurading animals and prowlers at night. They needed to
be shorthaired to withstand ticks, able to go 24 hours without water,
and hold up under the dramatic day-night temperatures on the veldt.

In 1877, Reverend Charles Helm introduced two Ridgebacks into Rhodesia
where the big game hunters found them outstanding in the sport of
hunting lions on horseback. They raised and bred these dogs with an
appreciation of their exceptional hunting qualities. In 1922, a group
of Rhodesian breeders set up a standard for the Ridgebacks that has
remained virtually unchanged since.

No one knows when the Ridgeback was first brought into the United
States. A few were imported prior to 1940, possibly as early as 1912.
However, after World War II, quite a large number were imported, not
only into the US, but also into England and Canada. The Ridgeback was
admitted into AKC registry in 1955.
__________________________________________________ _______________

Special Medical Problems

Hip dysplasia

Ridgebacks can come down with hip dysplasia. As in many breeds,
serious efforts are under way to eliminate the problem. The most
common tool is by rigorously certifying breeding stock by OFA,
Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. Good statistics are hard to find,
but according to some, there are fewer cases than Saint Bernards and
many giant breeds as well as medium sized breeds such as Golden
Retrievers and German Shepards. This is partly because of the relative
rarity of the breed. You should make sure that both dam and sire of
your prospective puppy have their OFA certification.

Dermoid Sinus

This condition occurs when the skin is not completely closed along the
dog's spine. While hard to detect at puppyhood, it can be done by
those experienced in the breed. If dormant, this condition causes no
problems and the dog can lead a normal life. Unfortunately these
sinuses or cysts don't often remain dormant. They become inflammed and
infected. The surgery to correct the sinus is expensive, painful and
frequently not successful. Most breeders euthanize puppies with
demoids as soon as they are detected. This condition is fairly rare.

Ridgelessness

Ridgelessness is not a "medical problem" per se, but a genetic fault.
That is, some Rhodesian Ridgebacks are born without ridges. Again,
many breeders euthanize these puppies, a subject of some controversy.

A puppy's ridge is very visible when he or she is whelped, but may
sometimes become harder to judge for estimating "show potential" for
the puppy's first several weeks of life (i.e., the ridge remains
clearly visible but the "crowns" or "whorls" may become indistinct for
a few weeks). However, the ridge does _not_ disappear and reappear.

Further, a Ridgeback's ridge will _not_ develop later in life, so do
not believe the breeder that tells you the ridge will "come in later."

If you buy a ridgeless puppy or one with a short or imperfect ridge,
you should expect a lower price and a spay/neuter contract.

__________________________________________________ _______________

References

Books

_Guide to the Rhodesian Ridgeback_. Published by the RRC of Great
Britain. Write to RRC of Great Britain, Miss P. Barber, 22 Queensway,
Old Dalby, Melthon Mowbray, Leicestershire LE14 3QH, England.

Hawley, T.C. _The Rhodesian Ridgeback, The Origin, History &
Standard_. Hardback. $25 plus postage. Check or money order payable to
Natalie D. Carlton, 5630 N. Abington Road, Tucson, AZ 85743.

Helgesen, David H. _The Definitive Rhodesian Ridgeback_. 2nd edition,
paperback. DH Helgesen, Box 141, Pitts Meadows, Brisish Columbia
V341AO, Canada.

Murray, J.N. _The Rhodesian Ridgeback 1924 to 1974_. Hardback.
Available from the author, 5 Melbourne Road, YEA, Victoria 3717,
Australia. Write for cost and postage.

Nicholson, Peter and Janet Parker. _The Complete Rhodesian Ridgeback_.
Howell Book House. ISBN 0-87605-295-2. 1991.

Woodrow, Ann. _Rhodesian Ridgeback_. Paperback. Write Mrs. J.G.
Woodgrow, Crookswood Std Farm, Horsleys Green, High Wycombe,
Buckinghamshire HP14 3XB, England.

Publications

_The RRCUS Annual of Champions_ (a club sanctioned publication). Years
1965 to 1988 available from Joe Berger, 12564 Huston St., North
Hollywood, CA 91607. Write for availability and prices.

_The Ridgeback_: Bi-monthly official publication of the RRCUS.
Available only with membership.

Pamphlets and RRCUS membership applications are available from RRCUS
(25198 E. 19th Street, San Bernardino, CA, 92404) Send $2.00 to
receive the following:
* Breeder Directory including Code of Ethics
* 10 page information packet including
+ History of the Breed
+ Dermoid Sinus
+ Frequently Asked Questions
+ Puppy buying tips
+ Hip Dysplasia

_Rhodesian Ridgeback Quarterly_ (an independent publication). Four
issues per year. RRQ, 4401 Zephyr St. Wheat Ridge, CO 80033-3299.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Email list for owners

There is an email list for owners, future owners, former owners, and
other fanciers of Rhodesian Ridgebacks. This list is maintained by
Richard Gordon, and has been in existence, in one form or another for
about 4 years. On Februaru 13, 1997, it moved to

pobox.com

To join, send email to with
subscribe rr-folk
end

as the first two lines in the body of the message. As of February
1997, there are over 580 subscribers to this mailing list.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Breed Rescue Organizations

Your best bet is to contact the regional Rescue coordinator for your
state.

RRCUS Rescue Regional Coordinators

New England (NERRC) (Maine, Mass., Vermont, N.H., Conn. R.I.)
Kathy Milby (401) 397-5919

Mid-Atlantic (GVFRRC) (N.J., DE, Eastern PA & Southern N.Y.)
Edna Gilbert (609) 384-2903

Capital (MD, VA., West Va, & DC)
Melody Himel (804) 678-7378

Southeast (N.C., S.C., Georgia & Fla.)
Barbara Busch (704) 754-5961

Erie (RRAWNY) (Western & Northern N.Y., Western PA.)
Kelly Byers (716) 434-5372

Mideast (Raisin River) (Michigan, Ind., Ohio & Kentucky)
Lina Gonterman (517) 522-3308

Midwest (MWRRC) (Minn., Wis., Iowa, Ill., Missouri)
Barbara Sawyer-Brown (773) 281-5569

Great Plains (N.D., S.D., Neb., Kansas)
Karyn Finn (605) 692-7244


Southwest (RRCOT, TVRRCOT, Dallas) (Texas, Oklahoma, Louisiana)
Tami Satterfield (817) 485-9465

South Central (Tenn. Ala., Miss., Ark.)
Sandra Fikes (205) 639-0969

Northern Rockies (Colorado Ridgebacks) (Northern Col., Montana,
Wyoming)
Jeanne Nixon (303) 665-0642


Southern Rockies (Rocky Mt.) (Southern Col, New Mex., Utah)
Patty Olney (719) 593-0777


Northwest (NWRRC) (Wash., Oregon, Idaho)
Erin Walker (206) 925-2296

Far West (OCRRC & SDRRC) (Cal, Nev., Arizona)
Elizabeth Akers (510) 825-9258


National Chair (and for outside of continental U.S.)
Dana Jefferson (302) 454-7598


Additional Ridgeback Rescue volunteers are listed in the RRCUS
Breeders' Directory.

The RRCUS Rescue Packet of Sample Forms and Information Sheets is on
line at
http://rrcus.org/RESCUE/index.html

For further information about Ridgeback Rescue, contact Dana
Jefferson, Ph. D., National Rescue Chair (302) 454-7598 or
.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Breeders

* _RRCUS Breeders_: Write to RRCUS, 25198 E. 19th Street, San
Bernardino, CA, 92404, and request a copy of the most recent RRCUS
Breeder Directory. All breeders listed in this directory have
sworn to uphold the RRCUS code of ethics. For $2.00 (to cover the
cost of postage and printing), you will receive the breeder's
directory and a packet of information about the breed. This packet
and breeder's directory are updated every Spring.
* It is up to the buyer to ascertain whether or not a particular
breeder meets the buyer's standards and needs.
* You should feel free to ask a breeder for references. Further, you
should expect a responsible breeder, whether a member of RRCUS or
not, to exhibit evidence of careful and prudent breeding.
+ A responsible breeder X-rays the hips of all breeding stock.
+ A responsible breeder will only use dogs free of hip
dysplasia and free of other major health problems as breeding
stock.
+ A responsible breeder will have obtained an OFA certification
of clear hips, or an OFA preliminary X-Ray for all breeding
stock. (OFA=Orthopedic Foundation for Animals)
+ A responsible breeder will have you register your puppy with
AKC at the time of your purchase.
+ A responsible breeder will supply you with
o your puppy's medical record
o a pedigree
o an instruction sheet
o a small supply of your puppy's current food and water
(or instructions where to purchase the puppy's current
food)
o information about the breed
o a guarantee that the dog will be free of hip dysplasia
and dermoid sinus and free of vicious propensities if
the dog is properly trained and treated.
* And be forewarned: A responsible breeder will probably want to
determine whether or not you meet his or her standards as a home
for a puppy. Just as you may ask a breeder for references, don't
be surprised if a breeder asks _you_ for references.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Breed Clubs

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States
Office of the Corresponding Secretary
P.O. Box 121817
Ft. Worth, TX 76121-1817
(817) 732-3092

Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States
Public Information Coordinator
25198 East 19th Street
San Bernardino, CA 92404
(909) 381-3064
__________________________________________________ _______________

Selected Other WWW Links of Interest

* Tom Baker's The Visual Ridgeback:
http://wintermute.sr.unh.edu/ridgeback/ridgeback.html
Tom is recruiting pictures from RR owners for this page. Access
the page for details. Also includes links to other RR and canine
sites.
* Cindy Tittle Moore's rec.pets.dogs FAQ Homepage:
http://www.zmall.com/pet_talk/dog-faqs/. The Usenet FAQs include a
list of Canine WWW sites, Breed FAQs, Activity FAQs, Kennel Club
FAQs, General Canine FAQs, Canine Mailing Lists, and much more.
* Terri Watson's Canine Web:
http://snapple.cs.washington.edu:600/canine/canine.html
An excellent collection of canine material, including the Canine-L
mailing list archive, Service Dog Info, Iditarod Info, Vet Info,
Lost Dogs, and more.
* The RRCUS home page: http://rrcus.org/. Includes links to other RR
and canine sites.

__________________________________________________ _______________

Authors and Sources for This Document

* Richard Gordon, January 29, 1993, )
* Cindy Tittle Moore, February 15, 1993, )
* David Prager, March 15, 1993, )
* Handouts from the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the U.S.


Rhodesian Ridgebacks FAQ currently maintained by
Richard Gordon, )
Cindy Tittle Moore, )
Last Update: Jan. 16, 1997
 




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