Rhodesian Ridgeback

Thinking about purchasing an Rhodesian Ridgeback? Then read our breed profile including a brief description, information on height, weight, color, coat, temperament, grooming, activity and history. Purchasing a new puppy is a commitment that may last ten or more years so please educate yourself on the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed, including all stages of their life from puppy hood to older dog.

Ask yourself will I be a good owner? Do I have the time it takes to train a new puppy? Do I have the resources to give my new dog a rewarding life. Do I have a local veterinarian that I can take my new dog to? Do I have a groomer or can I do the grooming myself on a regular basis. Fundamental requirements for a being a good Rhodesian Ridgeback owner;

properly feed your new dog,
house them comfortably
train them in basic obedience.

Before making a purchase talk to the breeder, ask them many questions about their dogs and the breed in general. A good breeder will teach you about the Rhodesian Ridgeback and they will have many questions for you about your home and life style and if this breed is suited for you and your family.

Questions you may want to ask an Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeder:

When were your Rhodesian Ridgebacks born? When will they be allowed to leave?
Have your puppies received their first shots? being wormed? had a puppy check up with your veterinarian?
What type of socialization have the puppies received? with children? with other pets? in the home?
Have you seen genetic problems in previous litters? What are your health guarantees?
Are there any health certifications on the sire or dam?
What is the temperament of the puppies, of the mother? shy? boisterous? aggressive? skittish?
If you become unable to care for your new Rhodesian Ridgeback, will the breeder help you find a new home?

It is recommended that you sign a contract with the breeder so that there will be no misunderstandings on the arrangements made. Then bring home your new Rhodesian Ridgeback and enjoy as "there is no greater love then a dog's devotion."

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Rhodesian Ridgeback Profile

A Rhodesian Ridgeback's uniqueness is the ridge of the back, formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. This unique feature only shows up on two other dog breeds, and begins with two whorls of fur starting at the top of the ridge. These dogs are medium to large sized, but without any cumbersome movement. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical in outline and capable of great endurance and speed. They are very fast, running down whatever prey may come into their gaze. When they are alert, their brown is wrinkled and the ears perk, but are always dropped. They can be wheaten, cream, golden, red or brown. Sometimes they have a dark muzzle. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not only attractive in looks, but personality as well. They are kind and friendly, but very protective of their owners. They would fight to the death if needed, and are very loyal. They get along well with most people, though they do have a limit to their kindness when being pestered. The Rhodesian Ridgeback makes a most honorable companion, in both hunting and friendship alike.

Other Names: African Lion Hound, African Lion Dog, Rhodesian Lion Dog (previously)

Type: Sighhound and Pariah

Height: 24 - 27 inches.
Weight: 65 - 85 lbs.

Colors: Light wheaten to red wheaten.
Coat: Short, dense, sleek and glossy.

Temperament: Rhodesian Ridgebacks are friendly and obedient. They are good natured and friendly, but are also good guard dogs and watch dogs. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are laid back, devoted, and very intelligent. They can be rather independent, so training can be challenging. But once trained, they are obedient. They are good with children but not so good with smaller pets, as they have a high prey drive.
With Children: Yes, as long as they are not pestered.
With Pets: Needs socialization when young to accept cats, dogs and other pets.
Special Skills: Hunting dog, watch dog and family pet.

Watch-dog: Very High.
Guard-dog: Very High.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Care and Exercise: Minimal grooming of the Rhodesian Ridgeback's short coat is required. Brush with a firm bristle brush and shampoo only when necessary. Rhodesian Ridgebacks need a great amount of exercise as they have tremendous stamina. They love to swim.
Training: Rhodesian Ridgebacks need a consistent and equable approach to training. They are intelligent, but stubborn. An owner should start training when they are young and easy to manage.
Learning Rate: High. Obedience - Medium. Problem Solving - High.

Activity: Indoors - Low. Outdoors - Very High.
Special Needs: Fenced yard, leash, socialization and training.
Living Environment: A fenced yard is essential for the Rhodesian Ridgeback in an urban environment. Rhodesian Ridgebacks thrive in a large property where they can patrol their home ground. The owner of a Rhodesian Ridgeback should be able to control a large, independent, athletic dog.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Health Issues: Hip dysplasia, dermoid sinus, and osteochondrosis.

Life Span: 9 - 12 years, though some have lived to 16.
Litter Size: 7 - 8 puppies.

Country of Origin: Zimbabwe (Rhodesia)
Rhodesian Ridgeback History: Named after the country of Rhodesia which is now Zimbabwe, they were once called the African Lion Dog as they would, according to myth, hunt lions and other big game in packs. The use of hunting lions is a myth, but the breed was used most often to hunt large game, and to keep lions at bay until a hunter could get close enough to shoot it. They would distract the prey, keep it at bay and bark until their owner arrived. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are thought to have come with the Khoikoi, or Hottentot tribe, from Northern Africa into Southern Africa. They were the dog kept by these people to bring down large game. Rhodesian Ridgebacks were developed from crossing the local dog (the African Hottentot Hunting Dog, owned by the Hottentot people) who had a distinctive ridge of hair growing in the reverse direction along their back ,to the Pointer, Mastiff, Greyhound and Bulldog that were brought over by Dutch and German settlers in the 16th and 17th centuries. Anthropologists believe that a dog existed as far back as 1505 that had a ridge growing along its back, and that was of extreme loyalty. After the eventual new breed that formed from the Hottentot dogs and the Bulldog, Pointer, Mastiff, and Greyhound, the Reverend Helm brought some of these mixes to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), which was a popular big game hunting site in the 1870s. Hunters rejoiced in the breed's nose, trailing abilities, and bravery to hunt quarry of a lion's size! Of these hunters was a man named Cornelius Van Rooyen of Plumtree, Rhodesia. He had a pack for over 35 years that he refined and perfected into what the Rhodesian Ridgeback is today. After Van Rooyen died in 1922, fanciers wanted to standardize the breed and did so, first wanting to call it the Rhodesian Lion Dog. Soon after they decided this name sounded too fierce a reputation, and called it the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The breed standard was set in 1922 by combining the best attributes of five existing Rhodesians Ridgebacks. The breed was imported into the United States after World War II, and was recognized by the AKC in 1959. Today the breed has thrived as a popular house pet as well as a hunter.

First Registered by the AKC: 1955
AKC Group: Hound Group
Class: Hound
Registries: AKC, ANKC, CKC, FCI (Group 6), KC (GB), UKC