the early years, it was a common notion that Rhodesian Ridgebacks
(or Lion Dogs, as they were originally called) had a good trace of
lion in their backgrounds, a myth that has, fortunately, outgrown
its credibility! Because Ridgebacks are excellent lion trackers, the
common belief was (and still is amongst the uninformed) that they
actually hunt and kill lion - an exaggeration of the hound's capabilities
and strength and a personal affront to the King of Beasts! The Ridgeback's
hunting skill, of course, lies in its ability to distract the lion's
attention and keep it at bay until the hunter arrives to despatch
few descriptions of Rhodesian Ridgebacks are recorded of dogs belonging
to the early inhabitants of the country and the settlers that followed.
Knowledge of the history of the breed is based mostly on anecdotal
evidence. It is known, however, the the Ridgeback did not exist in
its present form in the early days. Rather, it developed out of a
group of similar dogs that performed a specific function. Some of
these dogs displayed an irregular hair pattern along their backs in
the shape of a ridge, which attracted much attention. Some had finer
bone structure - like a greyhound, and others were more solid in shape.
Some had prick ears and some had flat ears. Interestingly, it was
found that the dogs showing the greatest expertise in the hunting
arena were those with flat ears, so they were more often bred.
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.
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.
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.
Ridgeback, singly or in a pack, will silently track the lion to its
lair and only on discovery of its quarry will it give tongue; tanatlising,
feinting, darting in and out, just beyond the reach of those fearful
slashing claws, with the nonchalance of a matador; harassing and wearing
it down until that majestic creature, bewildered by such elusive impudence
and weary of trying to shake off its tenacious nuisance, presents
a sitting target of injured majesty.
Francis Richard Barnes
Barnes and one of his dogs
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.
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.
was July 1954, in the Tuli Block, Bechuanaland, when "Oom Kaalkop"
leaned back in his special canvas chair under a shady tree, he could
vividly recall every one of the nine scenes in which his old favourite
"Leeuw" had bayed lions for him. As the trail became hotter,
"Leeuw" would become more cautious. Silently working his
way from the leeward to ascertain the rue position, he would eventually
come to a dead point, with raised paw, biding his time and giving
his master ample time to come up and be ready. Calculating, cool,
almost mischievously he would streak into the lair, nipping the lion
into action; defiantly - and successfully - challenging it into the
open to a battle of wits and endurance.
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.
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."