Rhodesian Ridgeback, known as Rhodesian Ridgeback in English, gets its name from its ability to hunt lions. It is strong, agile, and runs very fast. It has a noble temperament and is loyal to its owner, but is cautious and indifferent to strangers.
One notable characteristic of this breed of dog is the ridge on its back, formed by the backward growth of the hair. The ridge is clear and gradually becomes thin, presenting a radial pattern. The ridge starts from behind the shoulders and extends to the two prominent points between the hips. These two points are symmetrical, with the lower edge of the points exceeding one-third of the ridge.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a symmetrical appearance, a stable posture, and a lively personality. A mature Rhodesian Ridgeback typically exhibits a handsome and robust appearance and is a sporty dog breed with enduring endurance and fast speed.
It has a gentle and mild temperament, high intelligence, friendly demeanor, easy to approach, does not like barking, does not make noise to annoy people, has a strong and independent personality, a smooth and clean body, and is now highly loved by people. It is a very good family dog.
Rhodesian Ridgeback, originated from Boer in South Africa, is also commonly known as English Lion Dog. People bred this dog for special wilderness hunting.
Between the 16th and 17th centuries, there were more Danish, German, and Hungarian immigrants settling in South Africa. When they arrived in South Africa, they usually brought their own hunting dogs, including Great Danes, Mastiffs, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, and other different breeds. After 1707, European immigration to South Africa was stopped, but these dogs brought to South Africa still influenced the characteristics of Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
In the Boer region at that time, the local residents needed a dog to guard their homes and livestock, which could tolerate harsh conditions, resist extreme temperature changes day and night, and also startle birds and capture injured deer. They selected and bred Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
In 1877, Holm introduced two Rhodesian Ridgebacks to participate in a large hunting event held in Rhodesia. They performed extremely well in this event, winning unprecedented reputation and attention for the breed. In 1922, the breeders in Rhodesia established the standards for Rhodesian Ridgebacks, which are still in use today. The American Kennel Club (AKC) recognized the breed and granted registration in 1955.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are highly regarded and praised by American dog lovers for their efficient working ability and calm temperament that never disturbs others. They only obey their own owners, and because they like children, they are very popular in American families.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a strong heat tolerance and can adapt well to hot climates. They have short hair, so they don't require frequent grooming and it doesn't take a lot of time. However, they are difficult to train and not friendly towards other dogs, so they are relatively unsuitable for urban living.
Interdigital Dermatitis
Symptoms: The dog licks the toes frequently, the interdigital area becomes red and wet, and it can cause lameness in severe cases
Preparation: Iodine, erythromycin ointment, Elizabethan collar
Instructions: Wear an Elizabethan collar, remove the hair from the foot, wash with soapy water or wipe with iodine. After the inflammatory area is dry, apply erythromycin ointment between the toes once a day, repeat for a week.
Ear Mites
Symptoms: The dog scratches the ears, shakes the head and ears vigorously. The dog's ears have a strong sour odor, accompanied by increased tear stains, hair loss in the ears, and dark brown secretions and earwax.
Preparation: Ear drops, ear wash
Instructions: Clean the hair inside the dog's ears, pour ear wash or Vetricyn into the ear canal, gently massage the base of the ear for 30 seconds, wait for the dog to shake out the ear wash, use a cotton ball to wipe off the secretions that are shaken out, and gently clean the ear auricle and ear canal.
Skin Disease
Symptoms: The dog feels itchy, the skin becomes red and itchy, the dog scratches randomly, the fur becomes dull and rough, more dandruff, and even patches of fur loss.
Preparation: Saline solution, topical ointment or spray, vitamin B
Instructions: Put an Elizabethan collar on the dog to prevent scratching and licking. Trim the problem skin and the surrounding hair, then rinse with saline solution to kill bacteria. Apply ointment or use spray, and use antibiotics and vitamin B.
Essential substances for feeding:
1. Protein is an important component of blood, muscles, and skin. Among them, protein containing essential amino acids for dogs is the highest quality.
2. Fat is one of the largest sources of energy in dogs. The surplus that is not consumed will be stored in the form of subcutaneous fat. It has the function of protecting organs and promoting brain nerves.
3. Carbohydrates include sugars and fibers. Sugars are also an important source of body energy, which can ensure the normal operation of the digestive organs. Fibers help regulate the dog's gastrointestinal function.
4. Vitamins greatly help the functions of carbohydrates, fats, and proteins, and play a lubricating role in the body. In addition, dogs can synthesize vitamin C automatically in their bodies.
5. Inorganic substances include calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, iron, etc. They can maintain the normal operation of the body's functions and play a regulatory role.
6. Water is the most important element for maintaining life activities. If a dog's body lacks 10%-15% of water, there will be a risk to its life.
Daily required activity level:
Puppies should have 10-20 minutes of activity in the morning and evening each day.
Young dogs should have 20-30 minutes of activity in the morning and evening each day.
Adult dogs should have 30-40 minutes of activity in the morning and evening each day.
After activity, pay attention to observe the dog's response and adjust the activity level accordingly based on its level of fatigue.
1. Do not bathe frequently
When bathing a dog, of course, it should not be too frequent. Giving a dog a bath depends on the dog's hygiene condition. In hot weather, bathe the dog one or two more times, and in winter, reduce it by one or two times, but overall, it should not exceed 5 times. Otherwise, it will damage its fur and skin!
2. Regularly groom
Dogs shed their fur almost every day, especially in spring and autumn, when seasonal shedding is more severe. To keep the fur in good condition, regular grooming is an important step. Pet owners can use special brushes for pets to help remove naturally shed fur and prevent tangling. Grooming once in the morning and once in the evening for about five minutes each time is sufficient.
3. Sunbathing
Sunbathing is beneficial for the growth of a dog's fur. In addition to making the fur shinier, letting the dog sunbathe can also help kill bacteria. While sunbathing, pet owners can let the dog exercise a bit, which can help improve the dog's physical fitness, promote blood circulation, and help grow healthier fur.
4. Deworming
Poor fur condition is closely related to parasites. Parasites absorb a large amount of nutrients from the dog's body and compete for nutrition. Therefore, deworming is essential. It is recommended to do internal and external deworming together. Deworming medication can cause significant damage to the dog's intestines and stomach, so it is advisable to feed probiotics regularly to alleviate gastrointestinal discomfort.
5. Pay attention to diet
In order to have shiny fur, dogs must have a good foundation of nutrition and pay attention to their daily diet. On the one hand, feed the dog nutritious and healthy dog food, choose a brand that is suitable for the dog and has sufficient nutrition to meet the dog's needs. On the other hand, the dog can be fed a moderate amount of lean meat, cooked egg yolks, and vegetable oil.
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