Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a unique and fascinating breed, known for their distinctive ridge of hair growing backward along their spine. This feature not only sets them apart visually but also hints at their rich history and versatile capabilities. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a breed of dog known for its distinctive “ridge” of hair along its back, which grows in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat. The breed’s name comes from its geographic origin - Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is also known as the African Lion Hound, because of its ability to track, corner and harass the king of the jungle. If you are looking for a loyal, brave and intelligent dog breed, you might want to consider the Rhodesian Ridgeback. These dogs have a fascinating history that goes back to the 1600s, when they were bred to hunt lions in Africa.
Origins and History
Originating from Southern Africa, Rhodesian Ridgebacks were initially bred by Boer farmers to meet the challenging demands of hunting in the wilds of Africa. The origin of the Rhodesian Ridgeback can be traced to the native dogs of the Khoikhoi people, who lived in the Cape Peninsula of South Africa. These dogs had a distinctive ridge of hair on their backs, which grew in the opposite direction of the rest of their coat. The Dutch settlers who arrived in the Cape in the mid-17th century noticed these dogs and started to crossbreed them with their own European dogs, such as Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes and Bloodhounds.
They needed a dog that could flush out game, pull down larger wounded prey, and guard their farms from prowlers and wild animals at night. In the late 19th century, some of these dogs were taken to Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) by missionaries and big-game hunters. There, they were further refined by crossing them with other breeds, such as the Dogo Cubano (Cuban Bloodhound), an extinct breed used for dogfighting and guarding. The aim was to create a dog that could hunt lions in packs, by tracking them, baiting them and distracting them until the hunter arrived.
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The Khoikhoi people who lived in the Cape Peninsula when the Dutch began trading with the area during the mid 17th century, had a hunting dog which was described by Europeans as absolutely fearless and ferocious when acting as a guard dog. This dog measured approximately 18 inches (46 cm) at the withers, with a lean but muscular frame. The ears have been described both as erect but later described as hanging due to interbreeding with European dogs, but the most distinctive feature was the length of hair often growing in the reverse direction along its back.
By the early 1800s, European colonists had also imported a variety of mainly European dog breeds to this area of Africa, including such dedicated hunting dogs as Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes and Bloodhounds. The Dogo Cubano (Cuban Bloodhound), an extinct breed used for dogfighting and guarding, was highly emphasized in the composition of the early Rhodesian Ridgeback. Genetic analysis indicates that the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Great Dane fall within the same genetic clade (group), which implies the Dane's major contribution.
These breeds were bred with the indigenous African dogs, including the dog of the Khoikhoi people, which resulted in the Boer hunting dogs, generically called names such as boerhond (Boer hound) in Dutch; then its descendant language of Afrikaans, which are the chief forerunners to the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback. The Rev. Charles Helm (1844-1915), son of the Rev. Daniel Helm of the London Missionary Society, was born in the Cape Colony, joined the London Missionary Society himself, and moved from the Zuurbraak (now Suurbraak) mission station just east of Swellendam (modern Western Cape Province, South Africa) to the Hope Fountain Mission in Matabeleland, Southern Rhodesia, travelling from October 1874 to December 1875, then bringing two ridged dog bitches from somewhere between Kimberley (modern Northern Cape Province, South Africa) and Swellendam with him to Hope Fountain in 1879 en route to becoming, as it would turn out, a political advisor to King Lobengula, house-host to hunter-explorer Frederick Courteney Selous, postmaster of Bulawayo and well-appreciated tooth-extractor.
At Hope Fountain, now part of the city of Bulawayo, fellow South African transplant Cornelius van Rooyen (b. 1860, Uitenhage, modern Eastern Cape Province, South Africa), a big-game hunter, was married to Maria Vermaak of Bloemhof by Charles Helm in 1879 the same year Helm brought his two rough-coated grey-black bitches to the Mission.
The first breed standard for the Rhodesian Ridgeback was written by F.R. Barnes in 1922, in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia. He named the breed after his country and its most distinctive feature: the ridge.
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The original breed standard was drafted in 1922 by F. R. Barnes on founding the first Rhodesian Ridgeback Club at a Bulawayo Kennel Club show, then in Southern Rhodesia (now in Zimbabwe), and based on that of the Dalmatian. In 1927, Barnes' standard was approved by the South African Kennel Union.
Outside the subcontinent and internationally, the first Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Britain were shown by Mrs. Edward Foljambe in 1928. In 1950, Mr. and Mrs. William H. O'Brien of Arizona brought six carefully selected Rhodesian Ridgebacks to the US from South Africa. He and his wife and Margaret Lowthian of California began the process of getting the breed accepted by the American Kennel Club.
Physical Characteristics
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are large, muscular dogs, standing between 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder and weighing between 70 to 85 pounds. Male Rhodesian Ridgebacks usually stand 26-29 in (66-74 cm) at the withers and weigh about 45 kg (99 lb) (FCI standard); females are typically 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) tall and about 38 kg (84 lb) in weight.
Their short, dense coat comes in a range of wheaten shades, from pale flaxen to a burnished red. Although you’ll see coats in what appear to be varied colors, they’re really just all the different shades, from pale flax to deep auburn. Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes is permissible. A dark muzzle and ears permissible. Excessive black hair throughout the coat is undesirable.
The Ridge
The Rhodesian Ridgeback's distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair running along its back in the opposite direction from 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. The ridge is usually about 2 inches (51 mm) in width at its widest point.
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The appearance standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback originated in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) and goes back to the year 1922, and by 2019 this standard had remained virtually unchanged.
White is acceptable on the chest and toes, but excessive white is considered a fault. The presence of black guard hairs or ticking is not addressed in the AKC standard, although the elaboration of the AKC standard notes the amount of black or dark brown in the coat should not be excessive. The FCI standard states that excessive black hairs throughout the coat are highly undesirable.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks sometimes have a dark mask, but it is not considered a fault to have no mask at all. The dog's nose should be black or liver in keeping with the colour of the dog. No other coloured nose is permissible. The brown nose is a recessive gene. It is not as common as a black nose; some breeders believe the inclusion of brown noses in a breeding program is necessary for maintaining the vibrancy of the coat.
Other dog breeds also have a reverse line of fur along the spine, including the Phu Quoc ridgeback dog and Thai Ridgeback.
Temperament and Personality
Known for their loyalty and intelligence, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are typically aloof with strangers but form strong bonds with their families. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known to be loyal and intelligent. They are typically somewhat aloof to strangers, but this is not to be confused with aggression; a Rhodesian Ridgeback with a good temperament will not attack a stranger without a reason.
As imposing as they may look, these dogs are whole-heartedly attached to their families, including children. These are “people” dogs that want to be wherever you are. They are independent thinkers, which can sometimes be mistaken for stubbornness. With a strong-willed, independent streak, Rhodesian Ridgebacks require patient and consistent training and a lot of positive motivation.
Despite their imposing appearance and athleticism, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a sensitive side. Francis R. Barnes, who wrote the first standard in 1922, acknowledged that "rough treatment...should never be administered to these dogs, especially when they are young.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks don’t usually bark a lot. These dogs are solid competitors across a variety of dog sports.
Exercise and Training
Given their hunting heritage, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are highly energetic and require ample exercise to keep them content. Regular walks, runs, and play sessions are crucial. They excel in various canine sports and activities, making them suitable companions for active individuals or families. Their independent nature means training should be approached with patience, using positive reinforcement techniques to achieve the best results.
Training and socialization are crucial, as their independent streak can make them challenging to handle without proper guidance.
Training A Stubborn Ridgeback Without Losing Your Mind
Health and Lifespan
Generally healthy, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a lifespan of about 10 to 12 years. However, like all breeds, they are prone to certain health conditions, including hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroid issues, and eye anomalies. Regular veterinary check-ups and a balanced diet are vital to maintain their health.
Health conditions that are known to affect the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed are hip dysplasia and dermoid sinus. Dermoid sinus is a congenital neural-tube defect that is known to affect this breed. The dermoid is often likened to a thin "spaghetti strand" beneath the skin.
Puppies should always be screened at birth by the breeder and veterinarian, and the examination repeated as the puppies grow before they go to their new homes. This is done by palpation of the subcutaneous dorsal midline from the base of the skull to the insertion of the tail. Surgical removal is an option for affected neonates, puppies and adult dogs. All affected dogs, even those surgically corrected, should be spayed or neutered and never be bred, since surgical dermoid sinus removal can be extremely cost prohibitive, and because many unremoved dermoid sinuses will eventually abscess.
Abscessed dermoid sinuses will be at best a recurrent, painful problem, and if the sinus communicates with the tissues around the spinal cord, cause meningitis and often death. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is one of the breeds more commonly affected by degenerative myelopathy.
Hypothyroidism is a growing problem in the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and this condition causes a multitude of symptoms, including weight gain and hair loss. Treatment for hypothyroidism in dogs consists of an inexpensive once-daily oral medication. Dr. Lorna Kennedy at the University of Manchester's Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research in England has found the haplotype (group of genes), which, when present, double the chances of a Rhodesian Ridgeback becoming hypothyroid due to lymphocytic thyroiditis.
Like many other deep-chested breeds, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to gastric dilatation volvulus, commonly known as bloat.
The only disqualification in the AKC standard for this breed is "ridgelessness". This term refers to the purebred offspring of heterozygous parental animals that do not inherit a copy of the ridge mutation from either parent and thus lack the classic ridged back. The most current research suggests that the ridge mutation is autosomal dominant with near-complete penetrance: 95% of heterozygous dogs have a ridged back. The genetic test which distinguishes dominant homozygotes (R/R - two ridge genes) from heterozygotes (R/r - one ridge gene) is available (www.genocan.eu/en).
Grooming Needs
With their short coats, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are relatively low-maintenance in terms of grooming. A weekly brushing will help remove loose hairs and keep their coat looking its best. They do shed somewhat, but regular grooming sessions can manage this effectively.
Is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Right for You?
Rhodesian Ridgebacks can be a delightful addition to the right home. They thrive with experienced dog owners who understand their independent nature and can provide the necessary training and exercise. While they are generally good with children, their size and energy levels mean supervision is essential to prevent accidental knockdowns. They can coexist with other pets if properly socialized from a young age, but their strong prey drive should be considered.
It is not a dog for everyone, as it can be stubborn, dominant and protective. If you are interested in owning a Rhodesian Ridgeback, make sure you do your research and find a reputable breeder who can provide you with health certificates and pedigree information. You should also be prepared to provide your dog with a spacious and secure environment, where it can run and play safely.
Modern Role
No, modern conservation efforts and changing attitudes towards wildlife have led to the discontinuation of lion hunting with dogs. Apart from their hunting history, Ridgebacks are known for their muscular build, reddish-brown coat, and distinctive ridge of hair along their backs. Yes, Rhodesian Ridgebacks can make wonderful family pets if properly trained and socialized. Prospective owners should be prepared for their energetic nature and exercise requirements.
| Characteristic | Description |
|---|---|
| Origin | Southern Africa (Rhodesia) |
| Original Purpose | Hunting lions and guarding farms |
| Size | Large, 24-29 inches at the withers |
| Weight | 70-85 pounds |
| Coat | Short, dense, wheaten shades |
| Temperament | Loyal, intelligent, aloof with strangers |
| Exercise Needs | High |
| Lifespan | 10-12 years |
| Grooming | Low maintenance |
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