Breed
The history of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is as unique as its outer and inner qualities. Dogs with an unusual hair formation on their backs were mentioned as long ago during the era of the Egyptians and Phoenicians. Proof of this can be seen pictured in the burial grounds of the pharaohs. The Hottentotts reported in 1505 the existence of South African dogs, whose hairs on their backs grew in the opposite direction to the other hairs: - hence the name “Ridge”. White settlers arrived at the Cape in the 17thcentury. They reported that the natives had dogs with a ridge on their backs. The dogs were admired for their courage when encountering wild beasts of prey. The settlers recognized quickly that because of their environment, these dogs were much superior to those brought from Europe. The Europeans used these Hottentott-dogs for their own interest. A South African dog emerged in the middle of the 19thcentury in Europe, which was similarly tenacious and steadfast as the original “Hottentott-dog”, which however was bigger and mostly single-coloured red. These dogs were used for hunting purposes and as farm watchdogs.