View Full Version : Rhidgebacks
mrose_s
06-07-2005, 03:44 AM
Why did they have ridges bred into them?
Amstaffer
06-07-2005, 08:19 AM
Where does that ridge on their back come from?
The Rhodesian Ridgeback's ancestry includes a dog native to Southern Africa -- a tribal dog, a companion and a hunter, with a ridge of hair growing backwards down its back. European settlers brought with them their hunting dogs, they, in turn, intermingled with the native ridged dogs. The ridge factor is fairly dominant and many a big game hunter discovered these "ridged dogs" had exceptional hunting ability and temperament. The hunters began to select specifically for the ridge and thus, the breed was born.
This is a cut and paste from RRCU website. I think it began as a "sign" that the dog was a good hunter but I think today it is just the breeds trademark.
siemens716
06-07-2005, 01:43 PM
It came from the wild dogs of Africa, probably hyenas or something, and it just stuck. Hunters found the ridged dogs to be braver when hunting lions....
mrose_s
06-08-2005, 04:57 AM
ok, but i found out the other day that hyenas arnt actually dogs
they arnt cats or mongoose either.
they are actually in a family all their own
GSDFan05
06-08-2005, 06:48 PM
ok, but i found out the other day that hyenas arnt actually dogs
they arnt cats or mongoose either.
they are actually in a family all their own
Hey, I learned that recently too....ere you watching the Jeff Corwin show yesterday also? :D
siemens716
06-08-2005, 11:33 PM
Well my Whiskey looks just like a Hyena sometimes....perhaps he is really a cat.
mrose_s
06-09-2005, 12:20 AM
Hey, I learned that recently too....ere you watching the Jeff Corwin show yesterday also? :D
actually i was watching, LOL. And he said "you will bever see this unless you get this close to a hyena. The front legs are actually longer than the back ones" lol, made me laugh becaus ethe size difference is actually so easy to spot. lol
I am addicted to animal planet