The Development of the Rhodesian Ridgeback in Southern Africa

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the only dog officially recognised as having its origin in Southern Africa. Consequently, it is widely considered to be South Africa's National Dog and has pride of place on the Kennel Union of Southern Africa's official emblem.

In the 1500s and 1600s, the Khoi Khoi (previously known as Hottentots) resident in the Cape owned faithful, serviceable dogs that resembled jackals but had hair growing in the opposite direction along their spines. It is thought that the Khoi Khoi, during their long migration from Southern Egypt, may have brought along with them their long-horned cattle, fat-tailed sheep, and faithful hunting dogs. Largely used for hunting and protection, these mouse-coloured dogs measured about 18 inches (approx. 43 cm) and had erect ears. Observers of the dogs during this period noticed their fearless protective instinct when threatened by lion and leopards. While out hunting, the dogs remained silent - never betraying the presence of the hunters by barking. European settlers to the Cape showed much interest in acquiring some of these dogs and tried to bribe their owners to part with them for tobacco….. no barter was apparently successful!

With the migration of tribes from their original settlements, the populations were distributed widely. Since no records can pinpoint the precise movement and development of these early Rigeback-type dogs, much is included in African legend. On the eastern coastline, the Zulus took a liking to the dogs "with snake marks on their backs" and they were highly impressed by the dogs' courage.

During the colonisation of the Cape during the 1600s and 1700s, the first planned breedings between European and African dogs started occurring. Although there are few descriptions of the progeny, it is believed that there were a good number of ridged dogs, which were commonly known as "Boerhounds". These ridged dogs were so commonplace at the time so no-one bothered to take much notice of them, let alone record their occurrence in journals. (Remember, people were not as dog conscious in those days as they are now.) With reliability and utility being the main considerations, conformation and beauty was not considered at all important and the ridge was nothing more than an oddity. By the time the Voortrekkers began to seek other territories, the "verkeerderhaar" (literal translation: incorrect hair) dogs were already loyal house companions that doubled as brave hunters and devoted bodyguards. With the establishment of long-range rifles as the weapon of choice, and the subsequent extinction of lion, cheetah and leopard, the ridged dogs found themselves staying at home acting as farm dog.

The breed started establishing itself as we know it today during the 1800s, during which time its hunting expertise and guarding capabiltities were highly prized. In 1870, a group of enthusiasts gathered together in the then Rhodesia (Zimbabwe), under the direction of Rev. Charles Helm, to formulate a set of guidelines that would direct the type towards a recognised breed. Working on two ridged dogs that the Reverend had brought with him from the Cape, the dogs were tested in a hunting environment and found to be excellent for the purpose. Rhodesia, in those days, was lion country and there was no room for wimpish pets. The renowned big-game hunter, Cornelius van Rooyen, bred these two dogs to various excellent hunting dogs, and so began the deliberate breeding of ridged hunters according to type. Amongst the farming and hunting community, the dog's popularity increased very rapidly - originally being called van Rooyen's dogs, before settling with the name Lion Dogs.

Mr Francis Richard Barnes

By 1922, it was time for owners of the ridged dogs, under the leadership of Francis Richard Barnes, to formalise a breed standard. Using the Dalmatian breed standard as a guide, Barnes and his colleagues defined the characteristics of what we now call the Rhodesian Ridgeback. By the 1930s, the Ridgeback was widespread in Southern Africa, covering areas as far as Mozambique and Kenya. while not always used as a hunter, the Ridgeback gained popularity as a farm dog or home protector.

Since then, the hound that is both sighthound and scenthound, has found favour in most countries around the world. Their success has been seen in show rings around the world, where it is quite commonplace to see a Ridgeback winning the coveted Best in Show prize.

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Eight times he had thus succeeded in pinning down his lion and had emerged unscathed, but he was getting on in years. The old gladiator had to depend more on experience than agility when he cornered his ninth lion on the banks of the Limpopo. An overhanging "wag-'n'bietjie" branch impeded his way as the lion struck and merciless claws pierced his chest, rupturing a lung. By the following morning, "Leeuw" was dead. His remains are buried where Mopani leaves rustle; where shy, nocturnal Bushbuck browse and the dawn is still greeted by the rolling echoes of the lion's roar.

No tombstone there. I did not want to disturb the silence that followed Oom Kaalkop's story, but had there been, by silent consent I felt the epitaph would have read "One of the noblest of his kind; unflinching companion and understanding friend."

Capt. T.C. Hawley