Dog Training

We are all aware of how formidable a lion’s wrath is and that only those skillful hunters can painstakingly elude or defeat it. Both humans and animals fear the anger of this creature but there is one breed of dog that just doesn’t back down even when the king of the jungle makes everyone shiver with its earth-shaking roar. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is this courageous breed of dog and its prowess is well-resounded all over the world that it is also called the African Lion Hound or the Lion Dog.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, majestic, and strongly-built type of hound that is native to the safari lands of South Africa. For centuries, the native tribes kept with them a ridgebacked dog breed that had been used as hunting companions and watchdogs. The modern day Rhodesian Ridgeback is said to be the result of the Boer natives’ cross- breeding of the said indigenous ridgebacked dog, Khoikhoi dog, Mastiff and Deerhound.

In 1877, a Reverend Helm brought two of these new breed to Bulawayo, Rhodesia- today’s Zimbabwe, and it was there that more people discovered this dog’s ferocity towards lions and excellent hunting skills. In 1922, the first standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback was created and the breed was remarked as a game hunting breed. There had been a debated conundrum regarding this dog’s classification in terms of hunting as it is both excellent in hunting big games as the ferocious and large as a lion and hunting small games as tiny as a squirrel.

The breed’s name, Ridgeback, is a manifestation of its appearance because it certainly possesses a symmetrical ridge running along its back. The ridge is made prominent by its growth which is in the opposite direction of the dogs overall coat. This breed’s coat appears sleek and glossy colored in either light wheat or red wheat.

In hunting, the Ridgeback is ferocious and accurate but inside the home, it transforms in to a gentle, calm and biddable pet. It is playful and patient with children, kind and strongly protective of its owners. It is also an outstanding watchdog as it is intent, sharp and alert in observing unfriendly people or forces.

Moreover, you can say that this dog is intelligent, cunning, self-sufficient and stubborn that’s why training sessions can be a pain sometimes. In imposing rules to this breed, you need to do it firmly, patiently and consistently as these are the best ways for it to be able to trust you. Meeting strangers is not a favorite of the Ridgeback for it tends to be indifferent with people it just met or doesn’t know.

Bringing this dog to live in an apartment type of dwelling is also alright as long as it is given the right amount and proper pace of exercise such as daily brisk walks or jogging. Although this dog may be energetic outside, inside the home it is fairly well-behaved. It is advised to take them out for an exercise on a large space or yard as this will give them an ample space to frolic and release their energies in.

Knowing the harsh conditions of Africa, we can easily understand why this dog can stand unforgiving situations at times. In fact, this dog can withstand flaring hot days and damp and cold nights. It can also go on for 24 hours and more without food and water.

Author Cameron Houston has been composing a multitude of helpful letters about the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed for years and a fancier of the breed himself. Read all his works on his website now and discover a multitude of information on breeding, training, and grooming the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Related Reading:

Related posts

• Your Dogs Diet: Can You Harm Your Pet With Too Much Protein? (0)
• Your Dog Will Thank You For This (0)
• You’ve Heard of a Dog Door, What About a Cat Door (0)
• You Should Start With a Puppy (0)
• Wireless Fence: Save Money and Time (0)