The Rhodesian Ridgeback is the dog equivalent of a stoic action hero — think Clint Eastwood with a fur coat. These statuesque protectors have a signature mohawk of fur down their back and a “don’t mess with my people” attitude. Not ones to yap over nothing, they’ll quietly stand guard like a canine bouncer with a résumé in lion-hunting. Sure, they’re loving with their pack, but strangers will be greeted with a royal eyebrow raise and a skeptical sniff. Training them is like negotiating with a diplomat — respectful, but firm. Don’t expect them to play fetch for hours; they’d rather keep an eye on the perimeter or nap like a king in the sun. Underneath their majestic physique is a surprisingly sensitive heart that beats for their family — and maybe the occasional snack.