Rhodesian Ridgeback
A powerful, athletic dog from southern Africa with a ridge of reversed hair on its back, loyal to family and reserved with strangers.
At a glance
- Size
- Large
- Height at the withers
- Males 63–69 cm · Females 61–66 cm
- Weight
- Males 36–41 kg · Females 30–34 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–12 years
- Exercise
- 60–120 min a day
- Grooming
- Once a week
- Coat
- Smooth, short
- Colours
- Wheaten
- Bred for
- Hunting by sight, Guarding, Companionship
- Country of origin
- South Africa
- FCI
- Group 6, no. 146 · Scent hounds
Breeders on Kuldo
No breeders on Kuldo have this breed yet.
Living with the breed
| Affectionate with family | 4/5 – High |
|---|---|
| Good with children | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with other dogs | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Good with cats | 2/5 – Low |
| Open to strangers | 2/5 – Low |
| Energy | 4/5 – High |
| Playfulness | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Needs mental stimulation | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Easy to train | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Prey drive | 4/5 – High |
| Watchful and protective | 4/5 – High |
| Barking | 2/5 – Low |
| Shedding | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Grooming effort | 1/5 – Very low |
| Drooling | 1/5 – Very low |
| Good for first-time owners | 2/5 – Low |
| Suits apartment living | 2/5 – Low |
| Adaptability | 3/5 – Moderate |
| Copes with being alone | 2/5 – Low |
| Copes with heat | 4/5 – High |
| Copes with cold | 2/5 – Low |
Kuldo's own guidance from the breed's typical traits. Every dog is an individual, so talk to the breeder.
Is it the right breed for you?
Great if you …
- are an experienced, active owner
- want a quiet dog with a protective presence
- enjoy running or hiking
Think twice if you …
- are a first-time owner
- have small pets or cats
- cannot commit to socialisation and training
Care
Temperament
Loyal and gentle with its own people, dignified and reserved with strangers. Independent-minded, with a protective streak that needs good guidance.
Exercise
Needs daily running as well as long walks; lure coursing, jogging, hiking and canicross suit it well.
Grooming
The short, sleek coat is easy to care for with a weekly rub; shedding is light to moderate.
Training
Intelligent but strong-willed; calm, consistent, reward-based training and early socialisation matter a lot.
Health
Dermoid sinus can occur and puppies should be checked for it at birth; hip and elbow dysplasia and hypothyroidism are also seen. Ask the breeder for results.
Health tests breeders usually do
- Hips (HD)
- Elbows (ED)
- Thyroid
DNA tests
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (DIRAS1)
- Degenerative myelopathy (SOD1)
Ask the breeder to show you the parents' results.
About the breed
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed by European settlers in southern Africa, who crossed their dogs with the ridged hunting dogs of the local Khoikhoi people. It became known for keeping lions at bay until hunters arrived, and its standard was drawn up in Bulawayo in 1922.
Today it is mostly a companion and guardian. It is strong, quick and quietly confident, affectionate with its family but often aloof with people it does not know. Living with one means providing plenty of exercise, early socialisation and firm, fair boundaries; a bored young Ridgeback can be a handful.
Did you know?
The ridge on its back is formed by hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat, usually with two whorls called crowns.