Article  The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a Smart, Athletic Companion The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, lean breed of dog that originate from South Africa, and were originally bred as an elephant-hunting dog for the English colonists living in the area. As a breed they are known for being brave and loyal dogs, which is why they were often such a popular companion to individuals living in the bush or the wild. Today a Rhodesian Ridgeback will make for a fantastic pet for the right owners, and their breed has an incredibly interesting history. As a breed they are direct descendants of the dogs belonging to the first settlers in Cape Colony, South Africa. These settlers crossbred their dogs with the Hottentots dogs that were already living in the area, creating a partially domesticated breed that were the carriers of the ridged-back feature that characterizes the Ridgeback today. The breed was registered with the South African Kennel Club in 1924 and in design is based on a somewhat enlarged breed of Dalmatian. Originally a Rhodesian Ridgeback would occasionally used as hunting dogs in Africa which were sent out in packs of two or three to confuse and distract lions in the wild so that hunters might more easily sneak up on them and attack without being detected. Unfortunately this would often result in the killing of one or more of the dogs by the lion. Today Ridgebacks are distinctive in appearance and can be identified by the trail of fur running from their top of their shoulder blades down to their hips. This part of the coat is distinctive because the fur grows in the opposite direction of the rest of the dog's coat. These are tall dogs; most stand up to about 26 inches tall. They can also be identified by their coats, which are usually a red or a light red wheaten color and tend to be short, glossy, dense and sleek. They have long, sturdy tails, which are usually held behind them in a gentle curve. They are also muscular dogs, lean with a strong endurance and stamina. Athletic, and in favor of running, playing and other lively outdoor activities, a Rhodesian Ridgeback is the perfect companion to an outdoors man or simply someone who enjoys long walks, hikes and life at a fast pace. Unfortunately, this breed like many is affected by hip dysplasia, much like a Chesapeake Bay Retriever may be. This means that they dogs are susceptible to a weakening in the muscles and connective tissues that usually support the joints. This is a major cause of pain and discomfort for dogs and will be displayed by a noticeable limp or a difficulty walking. In addition they are also prone to bloat, which is a condition that affects many dogs of their size and shape, and is a very serious condition that should be immediately noticed and attended to. In terms of disposition, Ridgebacks are highly intelligent, curious and loyal dogs. Some may take their aloofness as a sign of aggression but nothing could be further from the truth. While strong and protective, the Rhodesian has virtually no aggressive tendencies unless provoked physically. Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are an intelligent breed of dog, but they do have a bit of a sensitive streak, for this reason it is critical that harsh training techniques or forceful punishment not be used when rearing them. Instead the Ridgeback responds best to patient, positive, reward-based training. These dogs will do well in a warm and positive environment but can become tremendously anxious, upset and frightened if they are on the receiving end of abusive, harsh or negative treatment from their masters. Because of the highly intelligent and highly emotional nature of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, these dogs are not recommended as pets for inexperienced dog owners. Generally speaking it takes a dog owner with some experience training and caring for dogs to successfully raise a dog of this unique breed. Category Pets Author Anonymous Add To Favorites Print This Article Email Article To A Friend Post Comments   Rate This Article (0) 1 - Poor2345 - Good678910 - Excellent Added On Fri Nov 20th,2009