The breed of Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs has an uneven geographical distribution. So in the Far East and South America, the breeding of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed is at an early stage, although for this there are all the conditions, including the enormous potential of these regions. But all probability dogs, as well as people, choose those places where they feel most comfortable, and most importantly, that local dog breeding should be at the proper level, wishing to breed the Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs.
Origin of the breed.
The territory of Latin America, with its huge potential, intensively developing, where the breed of Ridgeback dogs could well fit in. I would like to believe that dog breeding in South America will receive proper and natural development, thanks to the constant participation of small groups of true enthusiasts. Today, Eastern European countries produce large wholesale purchases of the dog show, launching their own business in this direction. But while manufacturers are experiencing some anxiety, how will the fate of their offspring, the breed of Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback breed has been celebrating its birth since 1922, thanks to its enthusiasm, enthusiasm and great devotion to its new business, Mr. Francis Richard Barnes.
With great interest you can see the records dated December 1950. Where Mr. Duram noted in his diary that he was not only a direct eyewitness, but also a participant when the standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was approved. Then in 1922 for the first time owners of lion dogs, as they were then called, brought their pets to the city of Bulawayo for the subsequent determination of the breed and registration at the Club of Dog Breeders in Bulawayo. The ultimate goal of this forum with respect to the new canine breed was to be recognized by the South African Hogweed Union.
For such a manifestation of his enthusiasm, Mr., who was one of the organizers of this forum, remained completely satisfied, because the owners delivered more than twenty dogs. Brought dogs had many types and sizes, starting with a small, in size, bull terrier and ending with a low Danish dog. Color, too, was different, predominant, mostly reddish color. To improve the development of the breed it was decided to create a club. At the same time, one of the first proposals on the future standard of the breed was voiced. Initially, no understanding was found, but gradually, with a visual display of their pets, was finally adopted a single generally accepted standard, which described the size, size, color of the future dog breed of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Duram and Edmonds, who worked in those years as the chief veterinarian of Southern Rhodesia, also developed the standard for this breed.
The roots of the Rhodesian Ridgeback originate from a hunting dog that leads a hunt for a large beast of predator. The great advantage of these dogs was their invariable loyalty to the manifested temperament, which helped to become a good companion to the local aborigine, who led a nomadic life, constantly being exposed to dangers. This refers to the people of the Hottentots tribe, who was a short-lived resident of the Bush of South Africa. Previously inhabited the land of Egypt, South Sudan and Ethiopia.
The results of archaeological excavations.
Discovered images in Egypt, dating back to 4000 BC, where images of the lop-eared hounds are clearly visible, including the image of a ridge on the back. The hypothesis of the appearance of the first Rhodesian Ridgeback in the Hottentot tribes is more plausible. As the Hottentots tribe gradually moved southward to the areas of Southern Rhodesia, Zambia and Tanzania, eventually migrating permanently to the Peninsula Point, where the first Dutch conquerors appeared in 1652, establishing a settlement on the Cape of Good Hope. There is indisputable evidence that, along with the people from the Hottentots tribe, dogs used to hunt, with a ridge on their backs. This is also evidenced by the rock paintings found in the territory of modern Zimbabwe, which is located thirty kilometers north of Rusapa.
Dogs grown in the Hottentots tribe had a smaller growth, only forty-six centimeters at the withers. Historian George McCaulhill described this dog as a terrible creature, which resembled the body of a jackal with a puffy coat on its back, but growing for some reason in the opposite direction. The dog was devoted to its owner. Over time, the breed improved by crossing with dogs like Greyhound that belonged to the Bakalahari tribe. From this crossing, the breed of dogs in the Hottentot tribe markedly improved their quality.
During the excavations conducted on the banks of the Orange River in 1936, a group of archaeologists led by von Schulmot found the remains of the Hottentots. And they were found in the silt layer at a depth of two meters. Luck was accompanied by scientists, as the dog remains allowed to identify the wool belonging to the dog, which was silky and short, with a wheat-red color. Other alleged remains of the Hottentot tribe were found on the Vietnamese island of Phuk Oak. On this occasion in various publications there was a lot of controversy, the essence of which was to find the truth, from where the dog was brought, from Africa to the east or vice versa. One of the hypotheses that have the right to exist, presupposes the peaceful existence of this breed in these places, as separate species that do not have contact with each other.
Since 1651, the Dutch at that time cultivated the breeding of new canine breeds, by crossing animals brought from Europe to local breeds of dogs. So there was a red-brown African dog, which became the progenitor of the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback.