[/quote]Are these South African " Boerboel " somehow related to the Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
From whatever little I know, The Rhodesian Ridgebacks were bred specifically to bay lions, that is to harass the lion, till such time a hunter could despatch it from as close as thirty metres. Despatching the lion from 30 metres was due to the rifles of those times, which rendered their effectiveness at close ranges.
Hence the RRs were specifically bred for this purpose. The breeds used for were Khoikoi, Greyhound, Bulldog, Pointer, Irish Terrier, Airdale Terrier, Collie, and Deerhound. Speed, intelligence , cunning, and power these were the traits kept in mind while breeding.
The Boerbulls on the other hand were bred specifically for a much larger role, to protect the entire farm ans its family, which comprised humans, and livestock. The S. African outback is quite rough and only the sturdiest animals could fulfill the aforesaid functions . Though the origins of the Boerboels is not that well documented, it has been traced to one Jan Van Riebeeck who landed in S. Africa with a pair of bullenbjiters. Thes were cross bred with Mastiffs, which were used by the DeBeer mining company as watchdogs. Later on these dogs were bred with many other breeds the long legged bulldog and other indigeous breeds in S. Africa.
In all probabilities, the RR and BB may have common ancestry.
