Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large hound that developed in southern Africa, where it was used to track and hold game at bay and to guard the homestead. Its most recognisable feature is the ridge of hair running down the back, growing against the direction of the rest of the coat. This ridge gives the breed its name and is a defining requirement of the standard.

An adult typically weighs between 32 and 39 kg and stands 61 to 69 cm at the shoulder. The coat is short, dense and a single shade of wheaten, ranging from light to red. The build is muscular and well balanced, suited to covering ground at speed over long distances.

Temperament-wise, the Ridgeback is loyal and devoted to its family, independent in its thinking, and reserved around people it doesn't know. It is quiet around the house and rarely barks without good reason, though it stays alert and will act as a watchful guardian. Its strength, intelligence and strong will mean it suits an owner who can offer consistent structure and early socialisation.

Who it suits

The Rhodesian Ridgeback suits an active household that can provide daily exercise plus firm, fair leadership. It's a good match for owners who want a calm companion indoors that also doubles as a capable guardian. Given its size, strength and independent streak, it suits someone with prior dog experience better than a first-time owner after an easy, biddable pet. A securely fenced yard and time for training and company will get the most out of the breed.

The breed traces back to the Cape Colony of southern Africa, where European settlers from the 17th century onward brought hunting and guarding dogs, among them mastiffs, greyhounds and various scenthounds. These were crossed with semi-domesticated ridged dogs kept by the Khoikhoi people, whose native dogs passed on both the hardiness needed for the climate and the distinctive strip of reversed hair along the spine.

Farmers and hunters valued the resulting dogs for their ability to work through heat, cope with scarce water and guard property overnight. They were used to locate and bay large game, holding it at a distance until the hunter caught up. This work is where the older name "African Lion Hound" comes from, though the dogs never killed lions on their own.

In the 1870s a number of these dogs were taken north into what was then Rhodesia, where big-game hunting was widespread, and the type was refined further for the work. In 1922 a group of breeders met in Bulawayo to agree on a written standard, using the Dalmatian standard as a template for its format. The breed took the name Rhodesian Ridgeback, after the region and its signature feature.

From the 1920s the standard spread to kennel clubs overseas, and the breed gained recognition in Britain and the United States over the decades that followed. In Australia the breed is registered through Dogs Australia, the national body for pedigree dogs. The ridge stayed the central requirement of the standard throughout, and the breed has kept its dual reputation as hunting hound and family guardian.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large, athletic dog built for both speed and stamina. The body is slightly longer than it is tall, with a deep chest, strong loin and clean, powerful legs. The overall impression is one of balance and quiet strength rather than bulk. The head is of fair length with a flat skull, and the muzzle is long and deep.

The defining feature is the ridge: a strip of hair along the spine that grows forward, against the lie of the rest of the coat. It begins just behind the shoulders and tapers toward the hips. A correct ridge is clearly defined and symmetrical, starting with two matched crowns, or whorls, of equal size set opposite each other near the top.

Coat and colours

The coat lies short and flat against the body, offering little protection from the cold but well suited to a warm climate. Accepted colour is wheaten in any shade from light to red. A small amount of white on the chest and toes is permitted under most standards, while excessive white counts as a fault. Some dogs carry a dark muzzle and ears. The nose is brown or black depending on coat shade, and eye colour follows the nose: darker eyes go with a black nose, and amber eyes with a brown one.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback forms a close bond with its own family and tends to attach strongly to the household. Around the house it's usually calm, even-tempered and quiet, and it isn't a dog that barks without cause. That same quiet confidence makes it a watchful guardian: it stays alert to changes around the property and will position itself between the family and anything it sees as a threat.

With strangers the breed is aloof rather than outgoing, holding back until it has sized up a newcomer. This reserve is typical of the breed and is one reason early, wide-ranging socialisation matters. With children in its own family it's generally patient and gentle, though its size means it suits homes with older kids who can handle a strong dog better than households with toddlers.

The Ridgeback is intelligent and independent, bred to make its own decisions while working at a distance from the handler. That means it can be strong-willed and will test the boundaries. It isn't so much stubborn as self-reliant, and responds best to an owner who is consistent and fair. Around other dogs it can be sociable when raised with them, though some individuals, particularly males, can be pushy with dogs of the same sex. Its hunting background can also give it a strong urge to chase smaller animals.

Grooming

The short coat is easy to keep and sheds at a fairly low level for a dog this size.

• Brush once a week with a rubber curry brush or grooming mitt to lift out loose hair
• Bathe only every few months, or when the dog is dirty, since the coat carries little odour
• Check and clean the ears regularly to stop buildup
• Trim nails every few weeks and brush the teeth several times a week

Exercise

This is an athletic breed that needs genuine physical activity every day. Without enough exercise it can turn restless and destructive.

• At least 60 to 90 minutes of activity a day for an adult
• Long walks, jogging, and free running in a securely fenced area
• Activities that engage the mind, such as scent games or training sessions
• Hold off on hard, repetitive exercise for puppies until the joints have finished developing

Environment

The Rhodesian Ridgeback does best in a home with a secure yard and a tall, solid fence, since it's athletic enough to clear low barriers. Its short coat and southern-African origins suit it well to Australia's hot, dry summers, though the thin coat means it feels the cold and needs a warm, sheltered spot during cold snaps. At heart it's an indoor dog and should live as part of the family rather than being left outside on its own for long stretches.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback does well on a complete, balanced diet formulated for large, active breeds. Look for a food listing quality animal protein as the main ingredient, with a fat level suited to its activity. Because the breed is deep-chested, measured meals rather than one large feed help lower the risk of bloat. Keep the dog lean, since extra weight puts strain on the joints and the heart. Adjust portions to the individual dog's age, weight and activity level rather than feeding to appetite alone, and always have fresh water on hand.

Treats and supplements

Keep treats to no more than about ten per cent of daily calories, and factor them into the total food amount. Good options include small pieces of plain cooked meat or a low-fat commercial training treat. Most Ridgebacks on a complete diet need no extra supplements, but a vet may recommend joint support for older dogs or those in heavy work. Bring in any change of diet gradually over several days to avoid an upset stomach.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a hardy breed, and most individuals enjoy good health with a typical lifespan of 10 to 12 years. Responsible breeding and routine veterinary care cut down the risk of the conditions known in the breed. As a deep-chested dog it carries a higher than average risk of bloat, so owners should know the warning signs. The table below covers the issues seen most often.

Preventive care

• Buy from a breeder who screens for hip, elbow and thyroid problems, and checks puppies for dermoid sinus
• Keep vaccinations and parasite control up to date
• Feed measured meals and avoid hard exercise straight after eating to lower bloat risk
• Keep the dog at a lean weight to protect the joints
• Book annual vet check-ups, and more frequent ones for older dogs

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is clever and picks things up quickly, but it was bred to work alone and think for itself, so it won't obey simply to please. It needs an owner who is calm, consistent and clear about the rules. Harsh or heavy-handed methods tend to make the breed shut down or dig its heels in, while fair, reward-based training earns its cooperation. Start training and socialisation as a puppy, exposing the dog to plenty of people, places and other animals so its natural reserve with strangers doesn't tip over into wariness. Keep sessions short and varied to hold its attention.

Basics

1. Set house rules and a routine from the first day home
2. Socialise the puppy widely with people, dogs and everyday situations
3. Teach name response, sit, drop and a reliable recall early on
4. Work on loose-lead walking before the dog reaches full size and strength
5. Run short daily sessions and reward the right response straight away
6. Build up to steady manners around distractions and other animals

Rhodesian Ridgebacks reach sexual maturity by around a year old, but responsible breeders wait until a dog is physically and mentally mature, usually about two years, before breeding from it. Both parents should pass health screening for hip and elbow dysplasia and thyroid function, and the breeding pair should have sound temperaments true to type.

Pregnancy in the female runs about 63 days. Litters typically number six to nine puppies, though bigger litters do occur. Every newborn should be checked for dermoid sinus, the inherited defect along the spine, since it can be present from birth and may need veterinary attention. In the first weeks, newborn puppies rely entirely on the mother for warmth and feeding.

From around three weeks the puppies start to explore and should be handled gently and introduced to ordinary household sights and sounds. This early period shapes much of the adult temperament. Puppies are usually weaned by six to eight weeks and should stay with the mother and littermates until at least eight weeks so they pick up normal dog behaviour. Breeding a large, strong breed like this is a serious undertaking, and the welfare of parents and puppies should always come first.

How to register a Rhodesian Ridgeback in Australia

Punch in your Rhodesian Ridgeback's name, his date of birth, and a decent photo, attach your mobile, and save. Done: a lifetime record that never bills you. Registering your dog is the easy half of responsible ownership, and the half people skip.

A chipped Rhodesian Ridgeback without a registration is carrying a number nobody can use. File it with United Pet Club and the number works for him: free for life, open to every chip brand sold here, searchable from any clinic or pound in the country. Microchip registration now, free account while you're at it.