The Rhodesian Ridgeback
is indigenous to the African continent and has been steadily
growing in popularity over the years. It can now be seen in most
countries of the world. They were originally bred for hunting
purposes. Great hunters like Van Rooyen used them in packs to
bay lions. In his book, "The Rhodesian Ridgeback - The Origin,
History and Standard of the breed," Major T C Hawley explained
this phenomenon: 
"The Ridgeback, singly or in a pack, will silently
track the lion to its lair and only on discovery of its quarry will
it give tongue; tantalizing, feinting, darting in and out, just beyond the
each of those fearful slashing claws with the nonchalance of a matador;
harassing and wearing it down until the majestic creature, bewildered by
such elusive impudence and weary of trying to shake off its tenacious
nuisance, presents a sitting target of injured majesty. Such a
performance postulates courage of a special kind, extraordinary agility
and an uncanny discretion. Whilst no dog could tackle and kill a
lion, a pack of ridgebacks will successfully come to grips with a lesser
fry."
Once you have owned a Ridgeback you are smitten
with the love and devotion they give you. Like people, each
and every one of them has its own personality. They are great family
dogs and excellent with children. I grew up in Zimbabwe with a
Rhodesian Ridgeback and can remember the many happy hours spent with this
lovely, gentle creature. Whether playing in the garden or off in the
bush where a favourite pastime was riding donkeys, he was always there to
guard against any danger, never leaving my side. Once smitten,
devoted for life: today we have five Ridgies, each and every one
different, but all loved by the whole family.
Kay Bean, Heads and Tails magazine, South Africa, October 1988