BACKGROUND
Centuries ago, when the first white people arrived in South Africa, they found that the Hottentots at the Cape were using dogs of the Ridgeback type for hunting purposes. The peculiar ridge of hair, running parallel to the spine and in reverse to the rest of the coat, at once distinguished it from other breeds. During the 19th Century big game hunting flourished in Southern Africa, particularly in the area north of the Limpopo River, later to become known as Rhodesia (after its founder Cecil John Rhodes).
Hunters were quick to realise the value and importance of good hunting dogs. In choosing dogs to fill this role, it was natural that they turned to a native breed - the Ridgeback - a dog that had, for generations, proved such a boon to the African Hottentot with his primitive weapons of the chase. The origin of the breed is not definitely known, but the most generally accepted view seems to be that it is the result of crossing the Cuban Bloodhound with the Hottentot hunting dog, the latter supplying the characteristic ridge.
From such a breeding one would expect just such characteristics as the Ridgeback so markedly shows - speed, power, courage, fidelity, and in addition, a remarkable skill in tackling wild animals. Unfortunately for the breed, the name Lion Dog became popular because several big game hunters found them by far the best for lion hunting, and this led many to assume that the dogs were the actual killers of lions, although no dog would have stood a chance in a fight with a lion. Ridgebacks would harass the lion by constant feint attacks until it was held in sheer bewilderment, giving the hunter a shot at close range. With the advent of long range rifles, hunters dispensed with the use of dogs so the Ridgeback has had to turn to its other vocation, that of guard dog.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Rhodesian Ridgebacks live from between 10 to 12 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
61cm to 69cm
32kg to 36.5kg
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BACKGROUND
It is not generally known that the Pug was the most popular of all dogs in England and the Continent many years ago. It is generally accepted that the Pug originated in China and made its way to England through Holland.
With the introduction of other toy dogs, the Pug began to lose its popularity in England and there was a danger at one time that the breed would become extinct but more stock was introduced from Holland and Austria in the reign of George III, and this gave the breed a new lease of life. The breed in Australia has been kept going by imports from England at different times.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Pugs can live in excess of 12 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
18cm to 20cm
6.3kg to 8.1kg
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BACKGROUND
The Old English Sheep Dog was bred to herd and to guard sheep. Similar to all sheep dogs they are very intelligent and the shepherd relied on them not only to protect the sheep day and night, but also to help keep the sheep together on the unfenced fields and then drive them to the market.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Old English Sheep Dogs can live up to 15 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
56cm to 60cm
23kg to 42kg
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BACKGROUND
About the middle of the 19th Century a man known as “Doggy” Lawrence was breeding small red terriers (about 4kg) that he sold mainly to Cambridge undergraduates. It is believed these dogs were the foundation of what are now known as Norwich and Norfolk Terriers.
Norwich Terriers, drop-eared and prick-eared were officially recognised by the English Kennel Club in 1932. Following later disagreements, several representations made to separate the breed officially into two varieties were refused, but a suggestion to form two separate breeds was agreed by the club, with the prick-ears to be Norwich Terriers, while the drop-ears would form the new breed to be known as Norfolk Terriers.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Norfolk Terriers can live up to 15 years of age.
AVERAGE HEIGHT & WEIGHT
25cm to 26cm
6kg to 7kg
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BACKGROUND
Although the Maremma Sheepdog is classed as a rare breed in Australia it has been known in its native Italy for 2000 years. The Maremma originates from two areas of central Italy; the Abruzzi, where the dog is called Postore Abruzzese and the Maremma where the dog is called Pastore Maremmano. The two breeds are almost identical to the dog we know as the Maremma Sheepdog.
The main function of the dog was to guard the flocks against wolves and bears, and more recently from thieves and wild dogs. The dog was left to use his own initiative in making decisions and that sense of independence is still strong in the dogs of today. In Australia, where the Maremma Sheepdog has been used as a stock guardian, farmers have reported a 35 percent reduction in losses from foxes, wild dogs and birds of prey.
AVERAGE LIFESPAN
Maremma Sheepdogs live to about 12 years of age.
AVERAGE SIZE & WEIGHT
60cm to 73cm
30kg to 40kg
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