|
|
|
Our Rhodesian Ridgebacks
|
|
« Standard
Health »
History
|
The Rhodesian Ridgeback, also called the Lion Dog ", or" the dog safari ", has a rich history dating back to prehistoric Africa. Tawny-colored cat walk, longer than high, very adapted to the race and climate of Africa, is an exceptional dog for their skills and their history.
Its primitive origins
Its origin is shared between Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia) and South Africa. The most outstanding characteristic physiognomy and gives the name, is the curious dorsal crest or ridge. It is a strip of variable width that extends from behind the withers to the rump, where the hair grows in opposite direction to the rest of the spine. It begins with a widened part just behind the shoulder blades, where the hair forms two symmetrical eddies and faced, to stay tuned to the area of the rump. They say that looks like a dagger, and the role dogs have played in ancient crested would be to intimidate their opponents, to give the dog the appearance of always being ruffled.
It is believed that these dogs were from Ethiopia (on the east coast of Africa), as the Khoikhoi or Hottentots. These people began their migration to South Africa around 500 AD, bringing with them their livestock and courageous crested dogs, which served as their allies in the hunt and for protection during the night. Some dogs were used in hunting lions and other beasts that, far from simple hunting trophies, were a constant threat. The technique was always the same: the dogs harassed and restrained the lion until the hunter arrived with their weapons to kill him. Thus began this extraordinary partnership, driven by survival in the harsh conditions at all times, test the survivability of its inhabitants.
European settlers in Africa
During the time of European settlement in southern Africa could be found throughout the region of great diversity crested dog fur, size and conformation, which were known by various names: "Lion Dogs'', '" Ridgebacks " '"Boerhounds'', etc.. Even today there are many dogs in this region, supporting the Indians in their villages which do not belong to any particular race, have the dorsal ridge.
The main primitive descendant of these dogs is the Rhodesian Ridgeback. It originated from the crossing of the Indian crested dog breed dogs brought to Africa by European settlers. The Dutch and English who emigrated to South Africa in the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries brought with hounds, terriers, beagles, greyhounds and dogs are waiting for them were of different value in the black continent.
European settlers of the time they moved in convoys of huge and heavy carts dozens of oxen, which carried their possessions and your family looking for a place to settle. They are called "Voortrekkers", and this was the only way to break through the African terrain, no roads or facilities of any kind. They needed dogs to hunt their livelihood and to protect their families and the convoy of the beasts. But these dogs should be well adapted to the harsh conditions of Africa. Should be able to follow the convoy by the vast expanse of savannah heat regardless, enduring thirst and insect bites, be brave guardians of the family of their masters and also be useful in hunting the lion. At that time the lions and other big cats meant much more than just a hunting trophy or skin valuable, they were instead a constant threat to the physical integrity of the villagers and their livestock, and a real danger for those explorers who dared deep into the African jungle. Required, therefore, without delay, of a dog that met the stated conditions and at the same time knew to be very loyal to their masters.
The dogs that were brought from Europe were used for many of these functions, but it was obvious that no one was adapted to the harsh conditions of Africa. Then he set at the crest of the Khoikhoi dog, that dog ugly and dull, but that proved to be the owner of a perfect wisdom and courage for the tasks to be served. Thin limbs and long, with very good shape for the race and the long walks, very agile and quick, short hair and thick, resistant to ticks and insects inclement, this dog was perfectly adapted to living conditions in Africa . He was able to travel long distances without drinking water, supporting several days without food, and, most impressively, was able to attack a lion and survive the attempt.Many of the settlers' dogs descended from natural crossing between these dogs and those of European races, so they decided to keep and raise them to improve their appearance but without losing their special qualities. The crested dog of Khoikhoi played the largest role in the development and latest features of the new breed, so that the vast majority of puppies were born with a curious dog ridgeback primitive. Thus was born the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
At first they were known as "Lion Dogs", and quickly became an irreplaceable ally for the settlers and hunters in South Africa. In 1875 the intrepid missionary Rev. Charles Helm in Rhodesia brought these dogs brought from the Cape Province, South Africa.This preacher-scanner used to travel all over southern Africa, and home of the missions in Matabeleland was well known by hunters and explorers and that served as a stopover on your trip and stock up as needed. One day was Cornelius Van Rooyen, a famous hunter who owned an estate on the border with Botswana. Then he became interested in dogs missionary, and are borrowed to go hunting. He was so pleased that he decided to continue with the breeding of the new breed. Its aim was to improve even more instinctive skills demonstrated by the Reverend dogs.
Cornelius Van Royen had great importance in the development of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Used these dogs to hunt all kinds of animals and selling their products, which was his way of life, and even to catch live animals which he sold to European zoos. Van Rooyen eventually became very famous with their dogs, so that other hunters did their best to get them. Thus, many of the descendants of the dogs of Helm-Van Rooyen came at the hands of other Europeans in Rhodesia, who continued farming and helped to expand the race for South Africa.
Legend
There is an ancient legend among the natives of South Africa that explains the origin of the dorsal ridge in dogs. Legend has it that in ancient times there was a Hottentot village which was being besieged by a terrible lion. The residents, terrified, not daring even to go out and find food, so the food became scarce. When the situation became intolerable, they decided to eat the dogs in the village. A bitch, fearful for the fate that could befall their young at birth, decided to flee the village. At the risk of having to face the lion, went searching for a suitable den for the birth of her cubs.
Some time later, tried to return to the village followed by his numerous progeny, but when I got one of her cubs was shot and eaten by hungry villagers. Desperate, seeing that nothing could be done to avoid the horrible fate of their puppies, the dog decided to implement the last option was left: to attack the lion.
They found him dozing in the shade of a large acacia. Building on the initial surprise, the dog and lion cubs attacked, harassed and bravely biting. The natives, having been alerted by the barking and howling savages who came from the area, took their guns and came rushing to the scene.
What they saw shocked and horrified at the same time, several puppies were dead, gutted by the terrible claws, while the bravest puppy, panting and bleeding, even cornered the beast. The dog clung to the full force of his jaws the neck of the lion, which, in a desperate attempt to escape, he tore around the back with one of his sharp claws.
With a spear accurate, native finished off the dying beast.Ashamed of his cowardice and pleasantly surprised by the courage and bravery shown by his dogs, brought the dog and her puppies noble survivors in the presence of the sorcerer. This begged the gods to heal the brave animals, and also would allow the dog forward to her future off the mark that the lion had left on his back as proof of his great courage.
Since then, all descendants of this noble dog in the back hold the dagger-shaped marking that identifies them as the Lion Hunter.
|
|
| |
|
↑ Top
|
|
