The Amazing Adventures of Archibald Esq.
Dog Breeds: the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Ridgeback is a strong, powerful, large and bold dog. They can make an excellent family dog, and have a dignified gentle manner. As a rule, they should know from an early age who the leader of the pack is, as they can be quite determined and stubborn.
Titan, a 7 year old Rhodesian ridgeback (or African hound) is one of the very few therapy dogs cleared to visit Brookside Youth Centre, says his two-legged companion and trainer, Cindy Ambeault. Titan’s a welcome visitor to a facility where teens are incarcerated – as well as visiting day cares, nurseries, seniors’ homes and scout camps.
“They were originally bred to hunt lions in Africa” she says of the breed. Today, they are used to do breath alert screening and security. Others use the ridgeback as an anti-seizure dog, able to alert people to an impending epileptic seizure by the smell the person exudes.
The large fawn-coloured dog’s disposition, despite its historical origins, is that of a calm giant. Since November 2005, Titan and Cindy have been working together.
Dogs must be of a certain temperament to become St. John Ambulance therapy dogs. Testing is very complete because the dog must not react to unusual situations. They have to be tested and “certified.”
Even though Titan is calm during his visits, he gets excited before he leaves home. All Mrs. Ambeault has to do is touch the kit, which includes his identification scarf, and he is up and ready to go for a visit. “He loves it. He just loves it,” she says.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a member of the ‘Hound’ group according to the Kennel Club.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a medium-sized, solid-coloured, active dog with a short coat. These powerful, agile dogs have a distinctive ridge of hair along their backs, hence the name. This ridge runs along the spine as a tapering line. Woof!
Records show that the Hottentots of South Africa used ridge-backed dogs as hunters and companions from at least the 15th century. They were bred as big game hunters, to track and trap prey — not to attack. Once the hunting hounds had cornered their prey they would bark to alert the hunter.
In the 1800’s European settlers bred these dogs to their own mastiffs and scent hounds thus producing the Ridgeback we know today. Nowadays very few of these dogs are used for their original purpose of hunting. More often today they are prized companions and other kinds of working dogs.
Although placid at home, they can be wary of strangers. As such they are not the ideal breed for the novice owner. Woof!
Ridgebacks are easy to groom. Their shorthaired coats can be groomed using a rubber-grooming mitt once or twice a week.
SuperWoof to Ridgebacks!
Awoof! Archie
Posted 01 Aug 08
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