The Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed in South Africa by the Boer farmers. The Dutch, German and Huguenot people that migrated to South Africa in the 16th and 17th centuries brought with them Danes, Mastiffs, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, Terriers and other breeds. These breeds of dogs were not up to the harsh rigors of the African climate and country. The native Hottentott dogs which carried the ridged factor, were used to interbreed with the European dogs. The Hottentott dogs were half wild, noted for their hunting ability and fierce loyalty to their masters. This native ridged dog was used as a base because of its ability to survive and thrive under the adverse conditions of the Boer's new homeland. From this crossing emerged the foundation for the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Although the Ridgeback is made up of the combinations of these breeds -- and possibly others -- it is a breed seaparate and unto its own. While a fleeting glance might suggest one of his forebearers, he should look like a Rhodesian Ridgeback from head to toe and not like any other breed.

The Ridgeback was bred to survive the rigors of harsh country and climate where only the fittest survivied. He had to be easy to care for and inexpensive to feed. A short, dense coat to withstand the tremendous changes in weather and the onslaught of bugs and ticks. The Boer required a good hunting dog with the stamina to travel long distances over varied terrain to locate game. Once the game was sighted, the dog had to have enough remaining endurance to corner the game and bring it down or hold it at bay. He had to be fast, quick and agile to keep out of harm's way.

The Ridgeback was introduced into Rhodesia in 1877 by Reverend Charles Helm, where the big game hunters found them to be outstanding in their sport of hunting African lions on horseback. They raised and bred them, utilitizing their natural hunting abilities and soon the Ridgeback became known as the African Lion Dog.

The fact that Ridgebacks excelled as lion hunters has created the popular misconception that they were lion killers, an overrating of the dog and a gross underrating of the King of Beasts. The Ridgeback's job was to track the lion and hold it at bay until the hunters came in for the kill.

For smaller game he needed a keen nose, good sight, coursing ability and in some instances the ability to retrieve game. The Ridgeback fit all of these requirements.

Another requirement of the Ridgeback was to be a good, faithful watchdog for the farm and family. They needed a dog large enough to provide protection, yet of an acceptable size to fit comfortably into his surroundings. The dog had to be good with livestock, not necessarily a herding dog, but more of a guardian to protect against predators, both animal and human alike.

The Ridgeback might never have gained the prefix "Rhodesian" or become the handsome breed that we know today if it were not for the great foresight and inititaive of a Rhodesian pioneer named Francis Richard Barnes. He was keenly interested in dogs, especially the sporting and gun dog breeds. It seemed only natural that Mr. Barnes be attracted to an indigenous breed like the Ridgeback. He realized its great potential and saw the need to formulate a breed standard to insure uniformity of type. In 1922, Mr. Barnes wrote the basis for the Rhodesian Ridgeback Standard, utilizing in great part, the Dalmation Standard to describe our dog. This, with some later amendments and alterations, became the Standard that is still used today.

While we do not need the Rhodesian Ridgeback today for all the things that the early Boer farmers needed, he is still the same dog and it is up to the breeders of today to see that he remains so.