Rhodesian Ridgeback?

deerassassin

deerassassin

New member
I found these dogs on the net. Wondered if anybody has owned any of these dogs? They would have to have alot of grit and brains to hold a lion at bay. I'd say that they should go under Cur because they have been used for about everything. Any info would be great. Thanks.
 
I saw these dogs in Africa. They used them for guard dogs on ranches. A couple of pitbulls a couple rhodesian ridgebacks, and a mastiff or two along with a couple JRT's thown in for good measure /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grinning-smiley-003.gif
The ridgebacks were tough and solid dogs.I don't think they come with a reverse gear in them. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif
 
I've read simmilar on them some yrs back. I've only ever seen one in person. That dog was massive in size & stature, built like a tank. Dog's head & muzzle was the size of my chest. I'd est his weight around 180 or so. Not much fat, most all muscle & bone.

Wife & I were looking at an acrege that was empty at the time. I turned 180 in the front yard to look around. Et that dog was standing right behind me[came from the neighbors farmsted, I reckon]. I about crapped my droors. Glad he wasn't aggressive towards people. Or I wouldn't be here /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif
 
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The 180 lbs dog was probably a boerbol. You would be hard pressed to find a ridgeback in the US that was worth crap as a field dog. Most breeders in the US are only breeding for the dog show ring. I have two and while they are great pets... well that is about all they are. It is sad. The RRCUS has destroyed a good line of dogs. I know a guy that has bred a litter from a field line, but for the money you'd spend, I would say an American cur would be a better bet for you.
 
Look at the classifieds on baydog.com their is a guy on their that has some Rhodesians that he actually hunts. Most dogs in the U.S. are far removed from hunting.
Nate
 
machine73, after viewing some pics of a Boerbol. Your probably right on that. However this dog had a dark coarse ridge of fur on it's spine.
 
The ridge is very inheritable. I saw a smooth coat collie crossed with a rhodesian once. It looked like a pure collie but it had the ridge.
I thought the Rhodesians were more of a sight hound? I knew a breeder years ago and he would take his top show dog to the greyhound track for exercise. Used to do pretty well in practice races.
 
Kirby, good chance it was a mix. Not saying 100% it was a mix though. Just most likely. The US standard calls for a male to be no more than 90 lbs... something like that. My old lady, a dedicated snooty dog show SNOB herself, says there was an older SA standard that allowed for up to 120 lbs. I don't know. It's possible someoen in SA has a line that they bred to be huge. It's probable that boerbols and rrb's come from the same foundation stock anyway.

Sean
 
Your exactly right the boerboel was used to make the rhodesian ridgeback. When i posted this topic i was just wondering if anybody had any expierence hunting them. Ive seen videos of them baying hogs and pionting birds but personal expeience is much better than a vid on youtube. my dad hunted with a guy who trained a St. Bernard to piont birds and retreive. Thats just an example.
 
Marlin, the rrb is classified as sight hound in the AKC ONLY because that is the way the parent club in the US wanted it. It has absolutely nothing to do with reality and everything to do with snobbery. In the old days these dogs were just rough farm dogs from mixed descent... used for everything from baying dangerous game to keeping the homestead free of (2 and 4 legged)varmints and predators. Doesn't sound too much like a whippet or greyhound at all. Sounds a LOT like an American cur though.

Deerassassin... you can find some that still do ok in the woods, but as a breed, rrb's in the US are several generations removed from any sort of hunting stock. And that is purely the fault of the breeders and conformation people.

Sean
 
If a dog that was originally used for hunting and breeders breed for show dogs is it possible threw several generations bring it back to hunting dog?
 
I was really wanting a Ridgeback, until I started finding the prices were $650 and WAY up. One breeder I had found in southern Utah told of how her's would see game and bolt after it. Once her male saw an antelope and didn't turn back for a good 3-4 miles. Perhaps it would be possible to label them as an African Cur, because they were used and bread for similar purpose as the large curs here in the US. i.e. protect the homestead and chase aggressive game. I think it would be a hoot to cross one of these with the large Blackmouth Curs out there. Now that would be a chase dog like no other.
 


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