Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Size: Large
Other Names: Ridgeback, African Lion Dog, African Lion Hound
Country of Origin: Southern Africa
Accreditation:
American Kennel Club (AKC): Hound
Canadian Kennel Club (CKC): Hounds
United Kennel Club (UKC): Sighthound & Pariah
Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC): Hounds
The Kennel Club (KC): Hound
Kennel Union of Southern Africa (KUSA): Hound
National Kennel Club (NKC): Recognized
New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC): Hound

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large dog, typically muscular, with a strong, smooth tail, which is usually carried in a gentle curve backwards. The Ridgeback's distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair along its back running in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat. It consists of a fan-like area formed by two whorls of hair (called "crowns") and tapers from immediately behind the shoulders, down to the level of the hips. His dark, round eyes reflect his skin pigment; dark eyes with a black nose or amber eyes with a liver nose.

A large, short-coated hunting and house dog; little grooming, a generally quiet voice with his people, and size plus stamina that want more than a tiny flat.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is indigenous to Southern Africa, and his 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 Khoisan people. He was known as the African Lion Hound or African Lion Dog, because of his ability to harass a lion and keep it at bay while awaiting his master to make the kill. Ridgebacks worked in packs of two or more, wearing down a lion by taunting and goading it into confusion. The Ridgeback is tough, resistant to disease, intelligent enough to avoid crocodiles and snakes, with a tick repellent smooth coat, tight paw pads to protect against thorns and rough terrain, brave and muscular enough to face a lion or any other big game, but fast enough to stay out of harm's way of horns, claws and teeth. When not used for hunting, these dogs were family companions, guardians of the family and property, and cattle drovers. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are currently used by hunters throughout the world to hunt all manner of game. Because of their tracking abilities, many Ridgebacks are used in Scandinavia and Germany to track and drive wild boar, deer, stag, and moose. Because of their predisposition to bay larger game on the ground, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are used extensively in Texas, Southern Africa, and Northeastern Australia to hunt wild boar.

Height: Male: 25-27 inches; Female: 24-26 inches
Weight: Male: 80 Pounds; Female: 70 pounds
Color: Light wheaten to red wheaten; with or without white on the chest and toes
Coat: Short, dense, sleek, and glossy; neither woolly nor silky
Lifespan: 10–12 years
Litter size: 6–8 puppies

Temperament

Ridgebacks are loyal, intelligent, and sensitive. They can appear to be strong-willed, and may not be the best choice for inexperienced dog owners. Known for their bravery, they are cautious around strangers and make great watch dogs. They can withstand wide temperature variations due to their African heritage.

Training

The Rhodesian Ridgeback requires positive, reward-based training, good socialization and consistency. Excessively harsh training methods that might be tolerated by a sporting or working dog will not work on a Ridgeback. It is important that the Ridgeback knows and trusts the person who is providing the correction.

Care and grooming

The Rhodesian Ridgeback requires occasional brushing. During times of shedding, use a rubber brush to remove dead hairs. Ridgebacks need a lot of exercise, such as regular long walks accompanied by some other outdoor activities.

Shedding

Low; the short coat is easy to wipe down.

Health

Rhodesian Ridgebacks may develop hip dysplasia, dermoid sinus, and hypothyroidism. Responsible breeders check puppies for dermoid sinus and screen hips.

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