The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed bred in the Southern Africa region. The ridge is usually about 2 inches (51 mm) in width at its widest point. It is believed to originate from the dog used by the original African dog population which had a similar ridge. Despite Rhodesian Ridgebacks being extremely athletic and sometimes imposing, they do have a sensitive side. Francis R. Barnes, who wrote the first standard in 1922, acknowledged that, 'rough treatment ... should never be administered to these dogs, especially when they are young. Despite Rhodesian Ridgebacks being extremely athletic and sometimes imposing, they do have a sensitive side. Francis R. Barnes, who wrote the first standard in 1922, acknowledged that, 'rough treatment ... should never be administered to these dogs, especially when they are young. At the behest of Barnes, SAKU also made two changes at this time: