Ridgebacks in the New Millennium

As we enter the new millennium, perhaps now is a time to reflect on the breed. I have fortunately been loaned photos, which date back to the origins of the Rhodesian Ridgeback, which help to give an accurate picture so far.

From the early photos there was less diversity of type and throughout there were a number of correct quality dogs as, indeed, there are today. Some of the dogs from the 1940’s would be amongst the best in the showrings of today. So have we improved the breed?

Up to the ‘80’s although small in numbers the breed was making headway with a core of quality ridgebacks. They had exactly the right balance of strength, substance and quality. These qualities were recognised by the great all-rounder and breed judges of the day, they won many CCs and their presence was being taken seriously in the Group Ring. However in a typical entry there was diversity in size and shape with many overdone with short necks, round bone and too mastiff-like in the head and a few taller, finer, narrower and longer all through.

To breed undesirable characteristics out it is important to use the correct dog rather than one at the opposite end of the scale, unfortunately the latter appears to be what many have tried. The majority are now leggier, squarer, with croups akin to a greyhound, they are cleaner through the neck but very few have the required depth of muzzle and strength of underjaw. They are hollow chested and lack strength in their hindquarters. All this has been achieved with a lack of emphasis on movement where generally in profile it is marginally acceptable but going away it is close and hocks wobble, coming towards elbows and pasterns are flapping in the wind.

Temperaments have improved. At one time many dogs backed away from being handled. Breeding good temperament has to be high on the list of priorities however it is important to maintain the quiet, self possessed, aloofness that is an intrinsic part of the breed.

Training methods have also improved. Today you see very few sullen, sulky ridgebacks whose characters are ruined by over-training. New training methods taking advantage of their greed and carried out with sympathy certainly obtain better results.

In the last 20 years we have seen a vast explosion in breeding and popularity but paradoxically this has not been accompanied by a corresponding increase in the number of quality ridgebacks in the genetic pool. Many names in the Breed Record Supplement are unfamiliar, pedigrees are full of unknowns bred by people who have little understanding of the breed. Ultimately this will result in a split, as seen in many popular breeds between show dogs and those bred for the pet market, which apart from the ridge, will bear little resemblance to each other. Unfortunately those owners wanting a ridgeback for its characteristics and beauty may well find themselves with a pet which does not come up to expectation and these may ultimately end up in rescue.

In the future we may see foreign ridgebacks competing in England and ultimately included in breeding programmes. It is, of course, good to bring in new blood, we have been crying out for it for sometime but it is as well to be aware of the pitfalls as well as the advantages to ensure that maximum benefit is achieved.

Used wisely the opportunity for us to take advantage of new bloodlines could give the breed a great leap forward in quality both sides of the Channel, but it would be a great shame if the original colouration, type and balance was lost in the process.

2003

I would say that the breed has made great progress in the past few years and it is the best I have known in the 25 years I have been in the breed. Foreign blood has been used wisely and ridgebacks, are more typey and have more quality. Bitches are stronger in quality and numbers and more shapely than the dogs but there are some young dogs of quality. Fronts are still a problem on the whole with hollow chested exhibits with elbows away from the ribcage and bowed forelegs still being put above other dogs which have better in infill and strong straight forelegs, there is still room for improvement. Movement is freer with and more accurate. As predicted the differences in quality between between dogs bred by enthusiasts for the show-ring and those bred for the pet market is widening, consequently although ridgebacks are widespread and numerous the gene pool for enthusiasts is no wider than before in the UK. However, we now have the advantage of using the Pet Travel Scheme to go abroad for new bloodlines and some breeders have done that with spectacular results.

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