Port Ghalib’s community is one of the
unique communities, not only in Egypt, but in the middle east. One of the PG’s
residents is a very famous dog breeder, he’s the first registered Ridgeback
breeder in Egypt, North and West Africa and Middle East, Mr. Lars Jansen. He’s
a 44 German resident, a former diving instructor and manager for 3 Orca diving
centers in the Red Sea and also the owner of Wander Bar in our International
Marina, who’s passion and love to dogs made him the most famous breeder in the
area.
“I started breeding since I was 19 years
old, beside my job as a hobby or passion” Mr. Lars said, “the first 12 years, I
started with Rottweiler’s breeding and for the next 13 years I switched to the
Ridgeback breed when I headed to live in Africa. It was a dream to bread this
African lion hunter, since I was a small boy”. “I learned breeding from a
German policeman neighbor friend, he taught me everything about breeding and
training.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed
developed in South Africa by Boer farmers. Its European forebears can be traced
to the early pioneers of the Cape Colony of southern Africa, who crossed their
dogs with the semi-domesticated, ridged hunting dogs of the Khoikhoi. The
Rhodesian Ridgeback, once known as the African Lion Hound. The farmers needed a
versatile hunting dog who could withstand the extreme temperatures and terrain
of the bush, survive when water rations were low, protect property, and be a
companion to the entire family. “They are the second lion hunters in the whole
history.” Lars pointed out.
A hunter named Cornelius von Rooyen began
a breeding program in what was then known as Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). A breed
standard — a written description of what the breed should look and act like — was
set down in 1922, and it's changed little since then. In 1924, the Rhodesian
Ridgeback was officially accepted by the South African Kennel Union.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are generally
healthy, but like all breeds, they can get certain health conditions. Not all
Ridgebacks will get any or all of these diseases, but it's important to be
aware of them if you're considering this breed. “They are very quiet breed,
it’s a very healthy breed they don’t have any diseases or problems like German
Shepherds with the hips” Jansen said. “they
are really intelligent, nice and easy to train. They like learning and
education.” The Rhodesian Ridgeback is independent and intelligent, a
combination that can be entertaining, frustrating, and rewarding, all in one.
It's important to begin training early and to be firm — but not harsh — and
consistent. Because of his hunting roots, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a high
prey drive. That means stray cats and other small furry animals aren't safe in
your yard, and it also means your yard should be securely fenced, to prevent
him from going hunting on his own. “some of my dogs still have hunting drive”
He confirmed. “they are a little bit like lions as they need 18 sleeping
hours”. Like every dog, Rhodesian Ridgebacks need early socialization —
exposure to many different people, sights, sounds, and experiences — when
they're young. Socialization helps ensure that your Ridgeback puppy grows up to
be a well-rounded dog. “They are very social and friendly with adults and they
are very good to kids” He added.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks can adapt to a
variety of homes, including apartments, as long as they get daily exercise. They should live
in the house with their people, not outdoors in a run or kennel. Rhodesian
Ridgeback has to get a couple of 15- to 20-minute walks or playtime daily,
plus opportunities to run in a safely fenced area a couple of times a week.
Because of the breed's strong prey drive, keeping him on leash in un-fenced
areas is a must. Your Ridgeback will take off after a cat, rabbit, or
bicyclist, no matter how well you think he's trained.” They are very active.
They like movement. My dogs need to run every day from 8-10 kilometers.” Lars
affirmed.
Ridgebacks are generally discriminating
barkers, meaning they only bark at things that are important, but any dog can
become a nuisance barkers if
he doesn't have anything else to do. ” they are not barkers, more like the
Rotts, Of course, they bark but not a usual barkers and this the good thing
with this breed” Jansen confirmed.
Ridgebacks enjoy their food and are known
counter surfers. Keep food well out of reach and consider dog-proofing your
cabinets to keep your dog from getting his own snacks.” They have special dry
high-energy food. If they are puppies they have special puppy food. I would
prefer to give them fresh food” “you should never cook the food for your dogs,
it’s getting dangerous if you boiled or cook it because the bones can split up
and chock them inside their throat. Meat and bones when served have to be
always raw. Vegetables must be cooked.” Lars advised.
The Ridgeback coat is short and shiny and
tends to be odor-free. Ridgebacks who live indoors shed a little year-round,
while those who live outdoors have heavier seasonal shedding. The color of the
coat ranges from light wheaten to red wheaten; in other words, buff to gold to
reddish gold. Some Ridgebacks have black on the muzzle, ears, or around the
eyes. “the correct males are masculine, on their neck they have 2 equal and
square -located crowns, their ears should be big and long hanging down, their
height is 72-73 centimeters shoulder as a standard. The females are little bit smaller,
10-15 Kgs less than the male” Lars stated.
“I am looking after the breed, I want to
help to get the best out of it and to cross 2 good blood lines and to get even
better puppies out to keep the breed existing with very good results. I care
for the quality to say that I am breeding the best dogs in Africa” Lars
declared. “even though that all my dogs are born in Germany but they are still
an African breed “. “when I started breeding Ridges in Africa I was the first
one in the middle east, later, there was another lady in Israel. By now I
believe that there are some other breeders in Cairo” “I am breeding according
to the German Kennel club standards, my puppies are coming with German
pedigree” he certified.
Breed standards are fixed and cannot be
influenced by fads. The animal is in the foreground. “You don’t need to make
any test or to go under any examinations to be a certified breeder, this is a
bad thing by which anyone is allowed to breed as not everyone has the quality and
patience to breed” Jansen pointed out. Breeding relies on the science of
genetics, so the breeder with a knowledge of canine genetics,
health, and the intended use for the dogs attempts to breed suitable dogs.“
every 2 years, no birth is the same like the one before” he affirmed. “I am
already now in the second and third generation of dogs. This breed need 2 and
half years for females and 3 years for males to be fully grown”. There is
always a better time to start breeding and for matting. “Standard female supposed
to be at least 17 months old for the first matting, but I prefer to wait a
little to 22-24 months”
The Ridgebacks are slow growing breed. “For
beginners or families, I suggest to have a female Ridge, as they are much
easier to have and grow in the beginning.” Lars said. “I can see now that
Egyptians are more likely to have dogs than before. Even the world association
FCE has a branch here in Egypt and we have the 1st Egyptian Kennel club,
existed 1 and half year ago”. “Now, the request on my breed dogs is higher
because there is nobody else in the closer area selling this kind of dogs.
The Ridgebacks are slow growing breed. “For
beginners or families, I suggest to have a female Ridge, as they are much
easier to have and grow in the beginning.” Lars said. “I can see now that
Egyptians are more likely to have dogs than before. Even the world association
FCE has a branch here in Egypt and we have the 1st Egyptian Kennel club,
existed 1 and half year ago”. “Now, the request on my breed dogs is higher
because there is nobody else in the closer area selling this kind of dogs.
They use to sell this breed in Europe
with 1800-2000 Euros but in Egypt, we sell them less than Europe for 1200
Euros. If they have any mistake, we used to give them with half price.” Lars added
“Relationships with dog owners after selling is very important as this is a
sign of good breeder.”
Every breeder face some difficulties
while breeding but they differ from one breeder to another and from country to
another. “ The main difficulties for breeding in Egypt are the Medical supplies
specially in the Red Sea as we don’t have much fully equipped Veterinaries and the food supplies as the prices
here are much more higher for the dry food than Europe and if you go for fresh
food it will be much expensive.” Lars complained.