Rhodesian Ridgeback: how to recognise one
Look along the spine: a strip of hair growing the wrong way, starting with two matching whorls, is the Ridgeback’s signature. Upload a photo to see which breeds your dog resembles most.
Also known as: Ridgeback, African Lion Hound, African Lion Dog
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About the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed in southern Africa, in what is now Zimbabwe, from European hunting dogs crossed with the ridged dogs kept by the Khoikhoi. Hunters used packs of them to track lions and hold them at bay, hence the old name African Lion Hound. Today it is a dignified, loyal companion, affectionate with its family, often aloof with strangers and independent-minded in training. It hunts by sight and by scent, with real stamina and a strong urge to chase.
At a glance
- Type
- Pedigree breed
- Size
- Large
- Adult weight
- 30–39 kg
- Life expectancy
- 10–13 years
- Exercise
- High
How to recognise a Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The ridge: a clearly defined strip of hair growing against the rest of the coat along the back, with two identical crowns (whorls) at the shoulder end. Some puppies are born without it.
- Short, dense, sleek coat in light wheaten to red wheaten; a little white on the chest and toes is accepted.
- Black or brown (liver) nose, with eye colour in harmony with the nose; a dark mask is common.
- Flat skull, broad between the ears, with a long, deep muzzle; medium-sized ears set high and hanging close to the head.
- Muscular, athletic and slightly longer than tall; tail strong at the base, tapering, carried with a slight upward curve.
Photo tip. Take one photo from above or behind, along the back in raking light, and one side-on: the ridge and its crowns show best from above, while the side view gives the build and the colour.
Rhodesian Ridgeback or look-alike?
Thai Ridgeback
The only other well-known breed with a ridge. It is smaller, with large pricked ears, and comes in red, black, blue or pale fawn; its ridge varies in shape. Prick ears and a blue or black coat point to the Thai dog.
Vizsla
Lighter, golden rust rather than wheaten, with a nose that matches the coat and no ridge. A black nose and a ridge point to the Ridgeback.
Yellow or red Labrador
A Lab has a broad skull, a short thick otter tail and a dense, water-repellent double coat. A ridge along the spine rules it out, but a ridgeless Ridgeback can look Lab-like; the longer, tapering tail helps.
Africanis
Southern Africa’s village dog is lighter and leggier, with a sickle tail and varied colours. Ridges occasionally occur in village dogs, but without the Ridgeback’s even, crowned shape and heavy build.
Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes
Ridgeback crosses, often with Labradors, Boxers or mastiff types, are common, and the ridge often appears in the puppies because the ridge gene is dominant. A ridged mixed dog is therefore very often part Ridgeback, even when it looks like another breed. The wheaten coat, the dark mask and the deep chest also survive frequently. On a photo, a Ridgeback mix usually comes back as Rhodesian Ridgeback plus a retriever, mastiff type or hound; the ridge itself is easiest to judge in person or from above.
Health and care
- Dermoid sinus, linked to the ridge gene, is a tube-like opening along the spine that can become infected. Breeders check puppies at birth; ask your vet to feel along the back at the first visit.
- Hypothyroidism is the most common disease in the breed. Weight gain, lethargy and coat changes are reasons to test the thyroid.
- Hip and elbow dysplasia occur; ask for hip, elbow and thyroid evaluations on both parents, plus an eye examination.
- Early-onset adult deafness and degenerative myelopathy, a slowly progressive weakness of the hind legs, are both reported. Mast cell tumours are a predisposition, so have new lumps checked.
- It needs a lot of daily exercise and secure fencing: the hunting drive is real. Use a large-breed puppy food so the dog grows at a steady rate.