Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very loyal canines and will face the most challenging scenarios to secure their owner’s interest. With these attributes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks were widely used to protect their owners from lion attacks in the wild.
In a fight between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and a lion, it is certainly not going to be a battle of a predator-prey relationship or for territorial boundaries. Rather, it will be for the loyalty and protection of the Rhodesian Ridgebacks’ owners. Therefore, in the event of an owner getting attacked by lions, Rhodesian Ridgebacks will typically distract and pester the lions while shielding and buying time for their owners but do not make any contact with their attackers.
This article will reveal whether a Ridgeback fought, hunted, and killed lions in their past encounters. We shall also determine if a Rhodesian Ridgeback is fearless, learn how strong they really are, and understand the physical and temperamental core differences between a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a Lion. However, let’s first examine if a Ridgeback can take down a lion.
Can A Ridgeback Take Down A Lion?
No, a Ridgeback can’t take down a lion because it weighs comparatively lighter and stands shorter than a lion. A lion weighs about 4½ times more than a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and they are at least 1½ times taller than a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
In the wild, such physicality and power give predators an edge over their prey. Hence, it is rare for any animal to take down a lion.
Only a few animals that have grown to such physicality of weight and height can resist the strength of a lion. One example of such animals may include large giraffes, and they kick using their hind legs to tumble a lion over in an attempt to resist its attack. However, for Rhodesian Ridgebacks with a physicality less superior than a lion, it is difficult for them to make a lion fall over.
Is A Rhodesian Ridgeback A Strong Dog?
Yes, Rhodesian Ridgeback is a strong dog capable of producing a sheer bite force of 224 PSI. With a weight of about 90 lbs, this dog breed falls within the top 20 of the heaviest dog breed.
They are also very athletic, robust with maximal stability on their four legs, and have a powerful muscular physique and a threatening stance.
Can A Rhodesian Ridgeback Fight?
Yes, a Rhodesian Ridgeback can fight; however, they are not naturally aggressive. Hence, they are more inclined to fight defensively to protect their loved ones or owners. The only situations where Rhodesian Ridgeback makes the first move is when they attack their natural prey animals, such as squirrels, rabbits, birds, and mice.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Hunt Lions?
No, contrary to popular belief, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not hunt lions as a lion is not their natural prey.
Rather, Ridgebacks helped human hunters to hunt lions by chasing, harassing, and cornering them until hunters could conveniently shoot them.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Fight Lions?
Yes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks defensively fought lions in the past to protect their owners in their farms from prowling lions. Today, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not much employed to guard against lions as they were used in the past.
Nevertheless, if you still need to go to a wildlife farm today, well-trained Rhodesian Ridgebacks can help. They can assist you in ways, i.e., providing a distraction to fight back a lion and other predators that may be looking to attack you.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Fearless?
Yes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are fearless. The fact that Rhodesian Ridgebacks were used to protect their loved ones from lions showed how dauntless they were. Not only are they fearless, but they are also independent, clever, sensitive, and energetic.
Can A Rhodesian Ridgeback Kill A Lion?
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not made to hunt lions. Hence, they don’t possess the natural ability and instinct to kill a lion.
Instead, as a fearless animal, a Rhodesian Ridgeback can bravely and fiercely repel a lion attack.
How Many Rhodesian Ridgebacks Can Kill A Lion?
If it were possible that a Rhodesian Ridgeback had the instinct to attack a lion, it would take at least 3 Rhodesian Ridgebacks to match the strength of a lion.
For a possible kill of a lion, they would have to be at least five Rhodesian Ridgebacks to do that.
Ridgeback VS Lion Video
In the 1800s and the early 1900s, Rhodesian Ridgebacks were mainly used as hunting dogs for wildlife animals. However, today Ridgebacks are very rarely employed for hunting to guard against wild predators.
Particularly with modern legislation prohibiting the poaching of wildlife, Ridgebacks are no longer in use to protect wildlife hunters from lions.
Hence, there has been no actual video footage to illustrate how a Rhodesian Ridgeback wards off a lion in the past.
However, here is just a little clip showing how a comparatively smaller hound was able to defend itself against a lion. However, this time around, it is a non-Ridgeback canine.
Is Rhodesian Ridgeback Stronger Than A Lion?
Although a Rhodesian Ridgeback is a strong canine, a lion is still proven to be the stronger one in its physical prowess.
An adult male lion weighs about 419 lbs, while an adult male Rhodesian Ridgeback weighs about 90 lbs. Comparing their average height, an adult male lion is 3 ft 11 inches tall. On the other hand, an adult male Rhodesian Ridgeback is 2 ft 3 inches tall.
With regards to their chasing speed, a Rhodesian Ridgeback can attain an average top speed of 30 mph. On the other hand, a lion can attain a speed of up to 50 mph.
Rhodesian Ridgeback VS Lion Temperaments
Rhodesian Ridgebacks’ temperaments are quite different from lions as their drive stems from their independent behavior. On the other hand, the drive of lions stems from their behavior to work as a team.
As independent furry companions, Ridgebacks are powerful and display courageous attitudes in frightening environments. Also, being independent, Ridgebacks may take on the lead to protect their loved ones and are loyal to it.
Furthermore, lions use strength in numbers to overcome insurmountable tasks. They also show bravery, less independence, and are more cooperative. Also, their loyalty is intrinsic as lions are more loyal to their pride than nonmembers of their pride.
Rhodesian Ridgeback VS Mountain Lion
Mountain lions have less physicality and bravery than African lions. Hence, they are a more or less equal match for Rhodesian Ridgebacks than African lions, mainly in terms of height.
Nevertheless, a mountain lion is stronger than a Rhodesian Ridgeback. They weigh about 175 lbs which is about twice the weight of a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Hence, you will need at least three Rhodesian Ridgebacks to successfully guard you against a mountain lion attack.
