The Rhodesian Ridgeback Guide

The Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred to take on African lions. It’s a hunter, companion, and guardian all rolled up into one and with a very unique feature: a ridge of hair on its back that grows in reverse.

Quick Stats

Group: Hound

Size: Large         

Height: 24-27 inches (61- 68.5cm.)

Weight: 65-75 pounds (29.4-33.9 kg.)

Shedding: Minimal                       

Grooming: Easy                 

Lifespan: 10-12 years

Rhodesian Ridgeback History

When the European settlers (Afrikaners) colonized South Africa, they encountered extremely harsh conditions. The settlers and the dogs they brought with them had to deal with tough terrain, poisonous snakes, a range of vicious predators, and disease-carrying insects. These European dogs did not have the natural instincts, temperament, or toughness to deal with these conditions well.

To help make them better suited for this rugged land the settlers bred their dogs with the local hunting dog of the Hottentot people known as the Khoikhoi dog. The Khoikhoi had a distinct ridge on its back and the resulting cross-bred dogs did as well. These dogs worked very well for the settlers when hunting, on the farm, and for protection when migrating by wagon trains to expand their territory.

In the late 1800s in Rhodesia, known today as Zimbabwe, Cornelius Van Rooyen started improving the breed for big game hunting and specifically hunting lions. Over a span of thirty-five years and using various pointers, terriers, mastiffs, along with the Great Dane, and Greyhound among other breeds the Rhodesian Ridgeback was refined.

The result was a smart, athletic, and extremely tough dog. The Ridgeback could hunt anything from birds to lions. These dogs were fearless and could hold a lion at bay until it was killed by the hunter. They were also used as protection from both humans and predators.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Characteristics

The Rhodesian Ridgeback stands between twenty-four and twenty-seven inches tall and weighs between sixty-five and seventy-five pounds. It is a big dog with a long, flat, and wide skull that’s equipped with very powerful jaws. The ears are wide and hang close to the head.

The tail is long yet slightly curved and the legs are powerfully built. The Rhodesian Ridgeback coat is short but thick. It is sleek in appearance and can range from light wheaten to red wheaten in color. A bit of white on the toes and on the chest is acceptable as well.

The nose may be either black or brown. This breed’s most distinctive physical feature is the unique ridge of hair on its back, for which they are named. The ridge grows in the opposite direction of the rest of the coat starting behind the shoulders and ending around the hips.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Health 

As with all dog types, this breed is known to be affected by certain health conditions. The most common Rhodesian Ridgeback health problems include:

-dermoid sinus

-hip dysplasia

-hypothyroidism

-degenerative myelopathy

-bloat

The average Rhodesian Ridgeback lifespan is from ten to twelve years.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Temperament 

The Ridgeback is a loving family dog that adores children. While it may be quiet and peaceful in the home it is fierce when on the hunt or when its family is threatened. It is often reserved and indifferent with strangers.

Because it was developed as a pack hunter the Rhodesian Ridgeback is generally good with other dogs. However, it will most likely see cats and small pets as prey animals. Its exceptional senses and fearlessness make it a natural guard dog.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Care 

A Ridgeback will require long walks or runs daily. While it is considered a fairly easy breed to train, because of its large size and strength both basic obedience and socialization are very important. Like other large dog breeds this one can take a while to mature so Rhodesian Ridgeback training will need to be consistent and continue until adulthood.

The breed will not do well in an apartment. It needs space to run, play, and exercise. As for grooming all that’s needed is a weekly brushing and combing to remove dead hairs. Owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback is not typically recommended for a first-time dog owner, but instead for someone who has the experience and can fill the role of a confident yet kind pack leader.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Facts

-In the past, because of its hunting skill, it was known as the African Lion Dog, African Lion Hound, and also Van Rooyen’s Lion Dog.

-With the Ridgeback, hunting lions was done silently. The human hunter would ride on horseback as the dogs followed the scent trail. When they caught up to the lion, they would bark and bay it so the hunter could get a shot.

-The hunter did not always get to the scene right away and the dogs had to dodge sharp claws and teeth requiring unwavering courage and amazing agility. In fact, this breed is believed by many to be the only one capable of being able to stand up to the African lion and survive.

-While their main use in Africa was as a lion-hunting dogs, they have also excelled at hunting other dangerous game around the world. For example, they have been used to hunt jaguar, mountain lion, bear, and lynx. They are still used today to hunt wild boar and coyote in many areas as well.

-Because they were developed to handle both the extreme heat of southern Africa during the day and also damp, cold nights this breed is totally comfortable in a range of climates.

-Some historians believe that the Rhodesian Ridgeback could possibly be related to the Phu Quoc Ridgeback Dog of Vietnam. If this were true it would also be distantly related to the Thai Ridgeback as it is a cross-breed of the Phu Quoc.

-The official Rhodesian Ridgeback standard was not drawn up until 1922 making it still a relatively new breed compared to many others. Those standards are for the most part what are still used today.

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