The breed presently recognized as the Rhodesian Ridgeback was established in 1922, thanks to the zeal, focus and initiative of Mr. Francis Richard Barnes. Some years later, a magazine piece appeared in the South Africa Kennel Union Gazette written by B.W. Durham, who had this to say about the occasion:

“The chief, if not the sole, credit of getting the breed standardized and recognized by the S. A. Kennel Union, is due to Mr. F. R. Barnes of Figtree - then resident in Bulawayo. I think it was in 1922 that Mr. Barnes circularized the many owners of “Ridgeback” or ‘Lion Dog”, as they were beginning to be known, and asked owners to bring their dogs to the meeting to be held on the second day of the Bulawayo Kennel Club Show to endeavor to formulate a standard with the object of later recognition by the S. A. Kennel Union. ”

“The response must have been gratifying to the convener. A large number of owners attended and well over 20 dogs were paraded. I attended by invitation. These dogs were of all types and size, from what would be regarded as an undersized Great Dane to a small Bull Terrier; all colors were represented - Reds and Brindles predominating -. The convenor addressed the gathering and there was general agreement that a club to further the interests of the breed be formed. Mr. Barnes then asked for suggestions as to the standard to be adopted. Owners were reluctant to come forward, each naturally thinking his the correct type. Finally a spectator with some knowledge of the breed took a dog and suggested that size and configuration be adopted, then chose another specimen for its head and neck, a third for legs and feet, and, making use of some five different dogs, built up what he considered to be aimed at. A few days later Mr. Barnes compiled the standard, a club was formed, Mr. Barnes’ standard adopted and this, with some later amendments and alterations is the standard in use today.”

B.W. Burnam, the source of the editorial, was understood to have “some knowledge of the breed”, as might be anticipated, given that he was the only all breed judge in South Africa in those days. The expression “a spectator with some knowledge of the breed…” was referring to none other than the writer of the article himself, B.W. Burnam who was the only all breed judge in the whole of South Africa during that time. Mr C.H. Edmonds, senior vet Surgeon for Southern Rhodesia at that time also took part in establishing the standard along with of Durham and Barnes.

Ridged back dogs arrive in Rhodesia

To get a good starting point for where the breed began gaining in prominence, we need to go back yet another 50 years to rev Charles Helm, from Matabeleland Rhodesia.. The Mission of Hope Fountain was at that time under the direction of rev Helm, not far from where Bulwayo would eventually take root. It was here in about 1979 that he acquired a pair of Ridged dogs, “Lorna” and “Powder”  from Swellendam and relocated them to his new house. The fact that the mission was a centrally located for travelers - including big game hunters - that the dog probably began receiving increased recognition.

Cornelius van Rooyen

Some of the characters that visited Mr Helm during those years were people such as the well known big game hunter, Cornelius Van Rooyen who resided in Mangwe, a small village about 90 Km from Hope Fountain. Van Rooyen recognized that the breed could bring an added dimension to his own group, asking to cross some of Helms dogs with his own. The crossing of his own dogs with those of the Rev Helm produced an animal more favorable to the hunting needs of Van Rooyen.. He continued to hone and fine tune the breedings to the point where the dogs became appreciated and were dubbed “Van Rooyen Dogs”. Many of the out crosses had ridges.

Today we are used to thinking about the “White Hunters” (thanks also to the movies) as middle aged people, just like Michael Douglas or Stewart Granger, full of wisdom and experiences. Surprisingly, the Reverend Helm married Cornelius (Nellis) 19 and his sweetheart, Maria who was just 14 years of age there at Hope fountain in 1879.

It was during the year 1910 that Mr Graham Stacey of Figtree and Mr. Francis Barnes of Bulwayo negotiated an agreement where Mr Barnes  received his first Ridged Dog. Mr Graham was able to place a ridged dog with Barnes since he had earlier acquired stock from Van Rooyen. So the circle was closed between Helms and Barnes, through van Rooyen. Hence the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the result of the efforts of hunters, breeders and dedicated individuals who managed to cross dogs and get the best out of some of the European a variety of breeds. Notably, the Irish terrier, grand Danes, pointer, greyhounds and the bulldog-not the same of today’s, but taller and more agile at the end of 1800, with the breeds already existing there when the Europeans arrived.

Now lets discuss the question of just where it is that the distinctive mark known as the “ridge” comes from.

The Hottentot dog

Without a doubt, the ridge has its foundations in a dog that was domesticated by the khoi khoi tribesmen. When the Europeans first arrived at Good Hope Cape, the initial peoples that they met were the KhoiKhoi. The Hottentot peoples had made their way from the Great Lakes region a few centuries before. Their migration included essentials for life, their fat tailed sheep, large horned oxen, and an odd looking dog with pricked ears and a ridge. This dog was widespread in the region, so it is likely to have mixed with European dogs, thus passing the ridge, that unique characteristic, to their offsprings.

The foundation of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club (of Rhodesia) - The Parent Club

A few days after writing the standard Barnes and some friends founded the Rhodesian Ridgeback (Lion Dog) Club sited in Bulawayo. On 29 December 1924 the club tried to have the breed recognized by the South Africa Kennel Union (SAKU, today KUSA, Kennel Union of Southern Africa ), but unsuccessfully. Two years later, on February 4, 1926, the Rhodesian Ridgeback club was allowed entrance and the breed became recognized by the SAKU. This had been a point in Barnes’ wishes: that the new breed had a name which would acknowledge the country of origin and its distinctive mark at the same time. There was quite an effort to have the dog called the “lion dog”, as one of the choices by other enthusiasts of the breed.

First steps of the new breed

Six Rhodesian Ridgebacks were registered by Francis Barnes on March 16th, 1926. Included in the registration were Lion, Como, and Eskdale Dingo. The Eskdale name was chosen for both his kennel and his farm, located near Figtree. The admirable qualities of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed was laid down in those early years by conscientious breeders whose goal was to have a dog and friend fit for life on the harsh African Veldt.

Below is a list of some of the kennels that were early contributors

• Avondale    of Mr. T. Kedie-Law from Rhodesia
• Drumbuck  of Mrs. L. M. Dickson who was among the founders of the Club
• Eskdale      of Mr. Barnes
• Khami    of Mr. G. Stacey
• Kumalo    of Miss M.J.S. Vigne
• Munemi    of Captain B.L. Miles, who collaborated with the Club for many years
• Revelston    of Mr. D. R. Keith from Swaziland
• Rhodian    of Mr. A. J. Walker, famous for his hunting pack
• Sandvelt     of Captain R. R. Dendy-Rawlins
• Sipolilo    of Arthur “Tractor” Smith, great hunter
• Umvukwe    of Miss Ainslie
• Viking    of Mr. Vernon H. Brisley, probably the greatest among the breeders of the time and the one who influenced the most the breed in those years.

The breed spreads out

The 1930’s and 1940’s saw a proliferation of the breed across much of South Africa. Under the British Crown ruling the region life is easy: a self awareness of a privileged citizenry prevailed in a land without borders, enthusiasm effected the whole of the population.. When the war arrives it is anyway far. This atmosphere gave rise to a solidified position for the Rhodesian Ridgeback . It was during this period that breeders of renown having experience and passion for the breed became involved.

Some of these respected kennels were:

• Drumbuck  of Mrs. A.M. Smithwick

• Leo Kop   of Miss Mabel Wellings, one of the most principal of the time which a great deal contributed to today’s bloodlines

• Lions Den,    of Mrs. D. E. Strickland who worked for numerous years in the committee of the RR Club of Rhodesia, till she traveled back to England in 1950

• De Holi   the affix with an Esperanto name of Major T. C. Hawley. He was a legendary breeder and additionally a historian of the breed with his book “The Rhodesian Ridgeback”

• Gazeley   of J. B. Bocock, who started breeding in 1947

• Inkabusi   of Mrs. I. Kingcome fom Salisbury in Rhodesia, her husband, dr. Martin Kingcome, did research on the Dermoids Sinus and suggested ways
to the Parent Club of South Africa in order to overcome it

• Meyendell   of Mrs. M. Mooiman from Sandown in Transvaal (RSA).

The breed becomes more firmly rooted

From here onward, crucial developments would further serve to establish the breed. The impact of some kennels on the future of the breed would become soundly instilled. Thornbury was one such kennel that is felt to have had a significant impact on the breed.

Other kennels were also very important:

• Isimangamanga  Of Mrs. J. B. S. Yeates who started breeding in the 50s
• Mindemoya   of Mrs. F. H. A. Pritchard in Bulawayo
• Rockridge   of Mrs. Howard in Johannesburg
• Thornbury   of the Greens in Johannesburg
• Maxwood   of Mr. S. Cawood in Honeydew, Transvaal
• Mpani   of Mrs. Mylda Arsenis in Salisbury, Rhodesia.

Mrs. Mylda Arsenis Was an avid lover and supporter of the breed, both as a breeder and as a member of The Parent Club where she held various offices. She had her first litter in 1964. She later moved to South Africa

Breeders underwent hard times in Rhodesia, as she was under tumultuous times. In fact momentous events were to occur when the white population claimed on 18 November 1965, with unilateral declaration, the independence from the British Commonwealth, and a long and difficult time of civil war started. The war caused several kennels to disappear and others to move to South Africa.The war finished in 1980 with the declaration of independence of the Republic of Zimbabwe. These events took a severe toll on the expansion for the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and the heritage and future of the breed was under question for several years.

It was partly due to the assistance of Margaret and Sammy Wallace that the breed started flourishing again. Their contributions have been very helpful, with the exportation of specimens that have acquired championships in many other countries. As people having passion for the breed, they have also contributed their time and effort as acting President and Secretary of the breed Parent Club. Sammy Wallace also is international judge of the breed.

Of course, there are other important kennels during this period such as Shangara, headed by Mr and Mrs Megginson. First arriving in South Africa for a short vacation in the 1970s, they never left. Living today in Verwoerdburg of Transval, they are involved in breeding quality Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Although they have bred many fine examples of the breed, perhaps the most famous is Shangara “Checheni”, call name “Paco” Best of Breed winner for 6 consecutive years beginning in 1980, and is often spoken of as the most complete Rhodesian Ridgeback ever seen.

The breed becomes popularity in other countries

After World War II, Great Britain was virtually the only country that had knowledge of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. It is during these years that the breed starts to become more widely known outside of South Africa.

The Americas

It has always been that American soldiers away from home on foreign war campaigns would bring home a variety of souvenirs, and in this case some soldiers brought back Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Redhouse kennel was the very first kennel of record in the United States. The O’briens of Boston bought 3 dogs from the renowned breeder/judge, Major T.C. Hawley.

Col and Mrs Morrie DePass , along with Gene Freeland and Margaret Lowthian were also instrumental in “founding” the Ridgeback in the US. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club was first headed by Mr. DePass, who also caries the distinction for the first Rhodesian Ridgeback Champion, Ch Swahili Jeff Davis. The DePass’ brought several RRs with them from South Africa.

During this period in the United States Lamarde Perro Kennel under the management of Margaret Lowthian Cook and Gene Freeland would have a profound and lasting influence on establishment of the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a breed. It is easy to appreciate the support and influence that Lamarde Perro has had on the breed when one casually looks through the recorded lineage of nearly any pedigree.

The work of these and other breeders led to the recognition of the RR by the American Kennel Club (AKC) as the 112th breed in November 1955. We have those early breeders to thank for the steady growth of the breed in the United States where nearly 2500 of the breed are registered annually. American breeders have done and still do a remarkable selective breeding with outstanding results, though developing their own standard, this detracts nothing.

Also deserving honorable mention are the following kennels:

• Lamarde Perro Gene Freeland and Margaret Lowthian
• Calico Ridge of Diane Jacobsen, California
• Lionpride of the Coopers
• Oakhurst of the Ruperts
• Raintree of Beachley and Kathy Main
• Rawhide of Louise Lertora
• Shadyridge of Ulla Britt Ekengren
• River Roads of Judith Hupperts
• Kwetu of Barbara Sawyer Brown, Chicago, IL
• Tawnyridge of Kay Fanning
• Kimani of Alicia Mohr, New Jersey
• Rolling’s of D. Jay Hyman, Maryland (MD)
• Blanbeeridge of Blanche Brophy and Bee Elliot
• Walgroh of Martin and Betty Walsh, Palatine, IL