About breed
General information
Introduction
The rhodesian ridgeback is a dog breed indigenous to Southern Africa. Its European forebears can be traced to the early pioneers of the Cape Colony of southern Africa, who crossed their dogs with the semi-domesticated, ridged hunting dogs of the Khoisan people (referred to by the colonists as "Hottentots").
In the earlier parts of its history, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has also been known as Van Rooyen's Lion Dogs, the African Lion Hund or African Lion Dog—Simba Inja in Ndebele, Shumba Imbwa in Shona—because of their ability to distract a lion while awaiting their master to make the kill.
The original breed standard was drafted by F.R. Barnes, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (today known as Zimbabwe), in 1922. Based on that of the Dalmatian, the standard was approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1926.
Standard
ORIGIN: Southern Africa. Standard supplied by the Kennel Union of Southern Africa and the Zimbabwe Kennel Club.
DATE OF PUBLICATION OF THE ORIGINAL VALID STANDARD: 10.12.1996.
UTILIZATION: The Rhodesian Ridgeback is still used to hunt game in many parts of the world, but is especially prized as watch-dog and family pet.
CLASSIFICATION F.C.I.: Group 6 Scenthounds and related breeds. Section 3 Related breeds. Without working trial.
