Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed: Your Complete Guide

The Rhodesian ridgeback is a big dog that makes a loyal and compassionate companion. They’re a large dog breed that was originally bred in southern regions of Africa. Typically, they have short coats with a tan or brown color that covers their muscular body.

While they’re larger than your average dog, you’ll find that ridgebacks are like giant teddy bears. They love to play, bond with their owners, and spend time with the whole family. These dogs have a history of hunting animals like lions, so they’re also useful for hunting and catching prey.

Plus, they’re easy to train and use for service dogs or guard dogs because of their large size and patient demeanor. It’s also worth noting that these dogs are smarter than your average breed and can get into trouble if you’re not paying close attention.

Are you curious about ridgebacks and if they’re the right breed for you? Read on to learn about their size, temperament, health, and much more.

Quick Look at the Ridgeback

Below is a quick glance at this special breed regarding their physical characteristics, lifespan, temperament, and grooming needs.

What Is the History of Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

Rhodesian ridgebacks have a long history that includes an origin story, what they were used for, and who bred them. To start, it’s important to learn more about their origin. As the name implies, Rhodesian ridgebacks originated from Zimbabwe.

Their early ancestors came from the Cape Colony in South Africa; breeds that came with the settlers were crossed with the semi-domesticated dogs of the Hottentots. Some of the breeds that share common genes with the ridgeback include Great Danes, greyhounds, mastiffs, and the Cuban Bloodhound.

Rhodesian ridgebacks were initially trained to hunt lions, which is where they got the name African lion dog. While they’re known for hunting lions, their title is a bit misleading. They never hunted and killed lions. Instead, they chased lions towards the hunters. Still, chasing a lion to a hunter is a pretty big accomplishment, especially for an animal smaller than a lion.

Today, Rhodesian ridgebacks are trained as service dogs, guard dogs, and kept happily as pets. They can be found from breeders worldwide and were recognized as a legitimate breed by the American Kennel Club (AKC).

What Do Ridgebacks Look Like?

Ridgebacks are big dogs that have a tan or brownish coat and hints of white near their toes. There may also be hints of dark blue in their short-haired coats.

Aside from their coat, they have floppy ears and a broad head that’s flat between the ears. This head matches their muscular-looking shoulders, legs, and abdomen. One feature that always stands out is the ridge of hair that runs down their back. It’s easy to spot because it runs in the opposite direction as the rest of their coat, hence the name.

When it comes to their nose, it’s long and deep but with a defined stop. Typically, their nose is black, but it may also have some liver colors because it depends on the color of the dog.

When looking at a ridgeback, you may also notice some appearance attributes from breeds that share heritage. Examples include greyhound and Great Dane features.

What Size Is a Ridgeback?

Ridgebacks are large dogs, but females can be closer to medium-sized breeds. The average ridgeback male is 25-27 inches tall, whereas the average ridgeback female is 24-26 inches tall. Therefore, there are some slight variations in height for males and females.

The same is also true for weight. Male Rhodesian ridgebacks weigh between 80-100 pounds, while female ridgebacks weigh between 60-80 pounds. Their height and size are determined by their build, which is usually strong and muscular.

What Is a Ridgeback’s Coat Type and Length?

Ridgebacks have a short coat that’s smooth and silky. They only have one coat as well as a patch of hair that runs in the opposite direction. This hair is straight but can become tangled in extreme situations when no grooming is done. That said, their coat is low maintenance and easy to keep clean.

What Is a Ridgeback’s Temperament?

Rhodesian ridgebacks have a mild temperament. They’re known for being loyal, affectionate, and even gentle with their human companions.

In most cases, they’ll never show aggression towards people unless trained. However, any dog can become aggressive under the right conditions, so always keep this in mind when you or your children are playing with a large dog like the ridgeback.

Some other behaviors to note are that they can be standoffish towards other dogs and people they’re unfamiliar with. This won’t usually lead to aggression, but it’s possible if they’re provoked.

Are Ridgebacks Good With Kids?

Ridgebacks are good with children as long as the child doesn’t get too rough. They’re large enough not to be harmed by toddlers and adolescent children, but too much physical wrestling can result in aggression and play fighting that can lead to injury if children are young enough. For these reasons, it’s best to keep small children away from ridgebacks unless supervised.

Are Ridgebacks Good With Other Animals?

Ridgebacks are okay with other animals. When animals are in your home and your ridgeback is used to them, you won’t run into many issues with your ridgeback. Just watch smaller animals around your ridgeback because accidents can happen. Cats will usually be fine but more defenseless animals like Guinea pigs may not be as lucky.

On the other hand, ridgebacks might be standoffish towards animals they’re unfamiliar with, especially in public settings. Socialization can help here as well.

You’ll have even fewer problems if you train your ridgeback from a young age to handle other animals well. This is known as socialization training and can be as simple as bringing your dog to the park.

Are Ridgebacks Aggressive?

Ridgebacks aren’t known for being aggressive unless they’re provoked. They have a mild temperament, so you don’t usually worry about them lashing out, chasing animals, or harming strangers. However, these behaviors are possible if a ridgeback feels stressed. Thankfully, with the right training, your ridgeback can be a peaceful and gentle giant.

Do Ridgebacks Bark?

Ridgebacks don’t bark too often. They may bark at the occasional stranger or at an animal they’re unfamiliar with, but they won’t bark randomly. Therefore, you don’t have to worry about training them to be quiet. Still, their bark is loud. This means you might have problems if your apartment has noise restrictions and your ridgeback decides to start barking.

Are Ridgebacks Affectionate?

Ridgebacks are affectionate dogs, especially with their owners. They display affection by rubbing up against you, leaning on you, laying on you, and licking your face. These behaviors don’t need to be trained and will be affectionate with your whole family.

On the other hand, they’re not the most affectionate regarding strangers. Depending on how the stranger interacts with your ridgeback, they may be standoffish or slightly aggressive. Socialization training is important to prevent these types of problems.

Are Ridgebacks Intelligent?

Ridgebacks are intelligent dogs and have a strong urge to please their families, which can be you! They’re smart enough to learn complex instructions, complete puzzles, and even hunt lions (you have to be pretty smart just for that).

Ridgebacks also display some emotional intelligence. They’re great at bonding with their owners and picking up on subtle hints when something is wrong. This makes them great service dogs, emotional support animals, and even therapy dogs.

Are Ridgebacks Energetic?

Ridgebacks are high-energy dogs. It’s important to exercise with them to prevent health problems. Try to walk them at least twice daily for at least 30 minutes. You can also run with them or take them on hiking adventures. Ultimately, the type of exercise isn’t as important as ensuring they’re active.

If you can’t walk them twice daily, make sure you have a large backyard that they can play in. Giving them plenty of toys or playing games like fetch can provide them with plenty of exercise. Furthermore, getting them a playmate can also help because the dogs can play with each other.

Are Ridgebacks Easy to Train?

Ridgebacks are great dogs to train because they’re highly intelligent. You can teach them a wide range of commands, tricks, and even take them hunting with you. Moreover, ridgebacks can be trained to serve as guard dogs, service dogs, and watchdogs.

While they’re smart enough to learn these things, that doesn’t mean they’re always willing. Unfortunately, they are independent dogs and might not feel like listening to your training sessions. In these cases, there’s no need to panic because you can bring them to a professional trainer.

Are Ridgebacks Good Watchdogs?

Ridgebacks are one of the best breeds around if you’re looking for a watchdog. When looking for a watchdog, you want a breed that’s brave, powerful, and alert. While this fits the description of many breeds, many breeds are too aggressive to be a watchdog.

It may sound counterintuitive, but you want a calm watchdog because they’re better at differentiating between threats and harmless visitors.

Ridgebacks make great watchdogs because they have the perfect temperament for it. They are not aggressive, calm, and alert. Plus, they’re smart enough to train for watchdog purposes.

Are Ridgebacks Good Service Dogs?

Ridgebacks make great service dogs. They’re not always easy to train, but once the process gets started, they’re hard to beat. The ridgeback is strong, smart, and capable, which is perfect for people who have physical disabilities like deafness, blindness, or the inability to walk.

Aside from helping with physical problems, ridgebacks have enough emotional intelligence to recognize when their owner is depressed, anxious, or about to enter a panic attack. When you pair these traits with their muscular statute, they can guide people out of crowds or fetch help.

The last thing to note is that ridgebacks also make good emotional support dogs. While they’re too big to take in public without permission from the venue or mode of transportation, they’re suitable for keeping you company at home and cheering you up when you’re feeling down. As for therapy dog work, they’re hit or miss because they can be standoffish to strangers.

How to Care for a Ridgeback?

It’s not hard to care for a ridgeback as long as you consider its needs. They need plenty of exercise, a healthy diet, and regular trips to the vet to remain healthy. It’s also a good idea to train them if you plan on keeping them around children, other pets, or strangers.

When it comes to grooming and their other needs, not much is required. Make sure you brush them regularly to keep their coat silky, but you don’t need to visit a professional. Bathing can also be done periodically and without any professional grooming assistance.

Do You Need to Groom a Ridgeback?

Ridgebacks aren’t hard to groom, and you don’t even need a professional in most cases. Start with weekly brushing to keep their coat healthy and shiny. From there, you can bathe them once per month with a good dog shampoo to make sure they’re clean. If you want to have their nails trimmed, you can also do this on your own or visit a professional.

The only time you should visit a professional is when you notice issues with the dog’s coat that you can’t fix yourself.

Do Ridgebacks Shed?

Ridgebacks shed as much as most other short-haired dog breeds. So, you won’t have to clean your home constantly, but it’s important to stay on top of the issue. Brushing your ridgeback at least once a week can reduce the amount of hair on your furniture.

You also don’t have to worry about seasonal shedding because ridgebacks don’t have an undercoat that sheds during the summer or spring.

What Health Problems Do Ridgebacks Have?

Ridgebacks are usually healthy dogs throughout most of their lives. However, there are some health problems you need to be aware of. Thankfully, most of these health problems can be avoided and won’t begin to creep in until the end of their lives.

The most common health problems to note include:

• Hip Dysplasia: When the hip joint becomes misaligned, it causes inflammation, pain, and other discomfort.
• Hearing Loss: Deafness is common in some Rhodesian ridgeback bloodlines.
• Neurological Issues: Some ridgebacks may experience cognitive decline, which makes their gait appear wobbly.
• Elbow Dysplasia: A common condition in large dog breeds thought to be caused by problems with a growing elbow.

Aside from these conditions, it’s also important to look for other common issues like autoimmune disorders, dermoids, and problems with vision.

To prevent these conditions, it’s important to ensure your ridgeback gets plenty of exercise, eats a healthy diet, and makes regular trips to the vet.

How Long Do Ridgebacks Live?

Ridgebacks don’t have the longest lifespan but live for around 10 to 12 years, which is average for large dog breeds. Caring for them properly and providing them with exercise and affection can increase their lifespan or help prevent them from passing prematurely. Also, regular vet visits can improve your dog’s chances of survival in the long term.

What Should a Ridgeback Eat?

The Rhodesian ridgeback does the best with a high-protein diet from animal proteins. Some of the best options are chicken, beef, lamb, duck, and eggs. Their meals should also be split into two different feeding sessions. This can be in the morning for breakfast or right before dinner. Ultimately, it depends on the schedule you like.

It’s also not a bad idea to include vegetables in their diet when possible. Make sure you choose high-quality vegetables that contain antioxidants and protein. Only feed your ridgeback high-quality dog food, but kibble or wet food are acceptable.

Is a Ridgeback the Right Dog for Me?

The ridgeback is a well-rounded dog breed and it’s a good fit for many pet owners. That said, it’s important to understand who the best fit for ridgebacks are and who should avoid them.

Ridgebacks are great family dogs if you have older children and experience with training dogs. You’ll also want to have plenty of time available for training, exercise, and other activities.

Ridgebacks are also great dogs for people who have the space to exercise and play with them. They’re best-suited for homes with a backyard and neighborhoods where they can go for plenty of walks.

On the other hand, you might want to avoid ridgebacks if you live in a small apartment because they’re big dogs. Furthermore, you’ll want to stay away from ridgebacks if you have small children because they’re large and can be jumpy if played with in the wrong way.