As a native of South Africa, the Rhodesian ridgeback dog has a long history which dates as far back as the early 16th century. European settlers found a dog in the Hottentot tribe which had a distinctive ridge of fur along its pine and bred it with other dogs from Europe, developing the Rhodesian ridgeback. There were wide ranges of hunting needs in the African veldt during this time, so this type of dog was needed to meet those needs. The dog was capable of performing a variety of tasks such as pulling down a wounded stag or guarding the farm from animals and prowlers before Rhodesian ridgeback rescue became necessary. This dog’s devotion to its family today still exhibits the temperament that it was noted for during this time.

Rhodesian ridgeback rescue efforts are often the result of this dog being widely misunderstood by an owner whose personality was not a good fit for the dog. The quiet, gentle temperament of the Rhodesian ridgeback can be a contrast to its watchdog nature. It has a threatening presence if a stranger comes along and it relentless in its pursuit of prey. However, proper training can make it a trusted companion for a small child because of its protective nature. If you own a ridgeback and do not properly train it, the dog will quickly become a nuisance. This is not something unusual because all dogs require some type of training on appropriate behaviors.

One of the mistakes that owners make which leads to the need for a Rhodesian ridgeback rescue is training it to be a guard dog. This breed is controlled better through obedience training. At the same time, all family members should be trained in how to interact with the ridgeback. Two major mistakes that dog owners make is assuming that the canine brain is just like the human one, and failing to be consistent with training commands. You cannot train the Rhodesian ridgeback the same way that you would train a German shepherd or a Rottweiler.

There can be a number of reasons as to why a Rhodesian ridgeback rescue is necessary. The owner could have died and no other family member is capable of providing the care that this dog needs. Or, it could be that the family is moving overseas, or into a residence where pets are not allowed. A way to avoid giving up this dog as a result of being unprepared is to educate you and your family before you fall in love with its cuteness.