History:

The breed was developed by Dutch Boers who settled in Colonial South Africa. The Ridgeback actually was answer to their need for multipurpose dog, but in first time they need a dog for farms protections and "big game" hunting. To develop the Ridgeback, they drew from the bloodlines of the Bloodhound, Greyhound, Airedale Terrier and various mastiff breeds. They also infused native breeds such as Africa`s semiferal hunter, the Hottentot Dog. The Ridgeback owes its name latter, for it is from the Hottentot Dog that it inherited the characteristic ridge of  hair.

In 1922, a standard was written for the breed, which was also known as the African Lion Hound. FCI standard is No. 146

Characteristic:

• the short, dense, glossy coat may be light wheaten to red wheaten

• the characteristic ridge of hair grows backward along the spine witht two identical crowns or whorls

• eye color harmonizes with coat; nose is black, brown or liver

• symetrical in outline, but slightly longer than tall; feamales smaller than males

• life expetancy 10 to 12 years

• weight: 85 pounds - 38 kg (males), 70 pounds - 31 kg (females)

• height range: 25-27 inches ; 63-69 cm (males), 24-26 inches ; 61-66 cm (females)

Personality:

They don`t bark often. Watch dog behavior comes naturally to the Ridgeback. Although attached to everyone in the family, Ridgebacks always love one person the best.