Circle lion
The rhosediana crest or back is characterized by the inverted crest of hair present along its back.It is the only South African breed registered by the FCI, formerly known as the “lion dog”.It is a very loyal dog, but also something reserved.
- Before adopting a Lion of Rhodesia.
- Whether small or adult.
- It will be very important to be duly informed of the needs of the breed.
- Such as the care to be provided.
- The training or the characteristics available.
Then, in the information below, all about
The origin of the Rhodesian Lion dates back to the 16th and 17th centuries, when Europeans colonized South Africa, it was the only race registered in the country. The ancestors of the Rhodesian Lion were Cape Colony dogs in South Africa, crossed with European settler dogs and Hottentot hunting dogs, the latter crested.
From these crosses was born the dog that today is known as Rhodesian, although the name was only used for the first time in the middle of the twentieth century.In the past, the Lion of Rhodesia was known as a “lion dog”.Is this explanation due to the fact that, like a hunting dog in small herds, it followed in the footsteps of the prey?Lions? with great agility.
This breed was first described in the hands of F.R.Barnes, Bulawayo, Rhodesia, in 1992, and was based on the Dalmatian, backed by south Africa’s Kennel Union.Currently, Rhodesia lions are excellent companion dogs.
According to the international standard of the Cynological Federation (FCI), the Lion of Rhodesia is a balanced dog, strong, muscular, agile and active with a symmetrical silhouette, it is expected that its head has no wrinkles during rest periods and that the naso-frontal depression The color of the nose varies depending on the color of the eyes, being the black nose when the eyes are dark and brown when the eyes are of the same tone. The eyes are round and bright, their color being in harmony with the color of the hair.The ears are medium, wide at the base, with rounded tips and high insertion.
The body of the lion of Rhodesia is robust and muscular, but fine; the spine is strong, while the back is slightly arched; the chest is too deep, but not too wide; the tail is medium size, thick at the base and medium The fur of this species is short, dense, smooth and bright, the color can vary from light brown to reddish brown, in some cases you can find small white spots on the chest and fingers, in addition to the ears and the snout can sometimes have a darker color.
According to the IFC, the characteristics of the Rhodesian Lion are
? Males: between 63 and 69 centimeters to the cross, weighing approximately 36.5 kg.
? Females: between 61 and 66 centimeters to the cross, with a weight of about 32.
The character of the Rhodesian lion is strongly influenced by its ancestors when it comes to hunting dogs. It is a curious dog, very faithful and energetic, sometimes independent or even reserved with strangers. To avoid aggressive behaviors or relationship problems, it will be very important to develop the social component in childhood. This information will be developed in the education section.
It is usually a dog very close to the family, with whom it creates a very strong bond, the relationship with the children is excellent, however, due to its energy levels, it can be difficult to handle them, it is considered a very protective dog.
The care of the coat of the Lion of Rhodesia does not require much effort on the part of the owners, just brush it weekly with a rubber comb (so as not to hurt your skin) and bathe it every 2 or 3 months with a specific dog.Its appearance can be improved by occasionally feeding it certain foods, such as salmon oil, olive oil or egg whites.
The Lion of Rhodesia requires between 2 and 3 walks a day to maintain its muscles and it is also indicated that at least once a day you can exercise.In addition to classic games, such as the ball, the dog can also be introduced to agility, running or any other activity that stimulates muscle development, it is important to note that if the activity level of the dog is very high should be oriented to a diet specially formulated for hunting dogs or an increase in the daily amount of food.Of the Lion of Rhodesia can also be enriched with intelligence games or, for example, discrimination games.
Keep in mind the tolerance of the breed to the warm or temperate climate, however the Lion of Rhodesia does not adapt to cold climates, it is important to pay attention to your skin in low season.
The education of the Lion of Rhodesia begins when the dog is still small, specifically in the socialization stage, which varies from 3 weeks to 3 months of life, period during which it is essential to socialize with other dogs, people, animals and environments., thus ensuring proper communication and avoiding fears or bad behaviors, it is very important to pay attention to this phase because of the tendency to generate shyness.
It is also necessary to educate the dog to learn to urinate in the street after being vaccinated and teach him to inhibit the bite, for example, at this stage it is important that the dog enjoys his sleep hours and that he receives mental stimuli from the guardians, through intelligence games and various activities.
We recommend applying a positive training to the dog to start working the basic controls for puppies in their youth, which will allow the expression of the full potential of this dog. Once you’ve learned the basic commands, you can start the Rhodesian Lion in other exercise-providing activities and a lot of enrichment, such as agility or other canine sports that combine learning.
The most common driving problems of the Rhodesia Lion are destructiveness and hyperactivity, usually related to lack of companionship, exercise and mental stimulation.
The main feature of the Lion of Rhodesia is precisely the crest on its back. The truth is that this detail is an anomaly of his hair: some hairs grow in the opposite direction and offer this “crest” appearance. However, this characteristic makes the breed prone to suffering from a congenital malformation of the spinal dermal sinus, the condition is present from birth and, if the dog suffers from it, it is possible to observe a small hole in its spinal column, this problem can lead to more serious pathologies and requires surgical treatment.
The other inherited diseases of the Rhodesia lion are
We recommend that you consult the veterinarian every 6 or 12 months to quickly detect any health problems and perform basic follow-up tests, and it is essential to follow the vaccination schedule and deworm on a regular basis, both internally and externally.
The life expectancy of the Rhodesia lion is between 10 and 13 years.