Also called
Africa’s Lion Dog, the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog is famed for the unique stripe
of backward-growing hair on its back.
This breed
comes from all the way from Africa and is well-known for its ability to
tracking and snarling at lions.
The Lion Dog
is highly active, heavy and loyal. It is perfect for a highly active family.
They are an
excellent combination of speed, power, and endurance. They are reserved towards
strangers and they can be aggressive towards small dogs and other animals.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks form very strong bonds with their masters; however, they can be a tad bit obstinate at times.
<>Rhodesian Ridgeback Pictures
Portrait of a Dog rhodesian ridgeback standing outdoors on a green field. Blue sky background with copy space
<>Rhodesian Ridgeback Facts
Avg. Weight: 36-41 kgs (Male), 29-34 kgs (Female)
Avg. Height: 63-69 cm (Male), 61-66cm (Female)
Life Expectancy: 10 – 12 years
Dog Group: Hound
Colors: Red Wheaten, Wheaten, Light Wheaten
<>At A Glance
Size (4/5)
Slightly
longer than tall, the Rhodesian Ridgeback size is moderately huge.
They have the
athletic built strong enough to fight lions and other large game too.
The average Rhodesian
Ridgeback weight for males is 36-41 kgs and females is 29-34 kgs.
And the
average Rhodesian Ridgeback height is 63-69 cms for males and 61-66 cms
for females.
Affection Level (5/5)
Rhodesian
Ridgebacks are very affectionate. They are a treasure trove of love.
They might be
huge in size but they do not refrain from becoming boisterous at times,
especially while playing with children.
This breed is
very protective of its family.
Apartment Friendly (1/5)
Lion Dogs are
not suited for apartment living.
However, if
you will be able to give your dog the daily physical activity that it needs, he
may get accustomed to living in the small spaces.
Rhodesian
Ridgebacks are inactive indoors, they adapt best to houses with big yards.
Cold Weather Tolerability
(3/5)
The short coat
of this breed provides very little protection against cold weather.
They will be
able to sustain themselves to a certain degree but cannot in extremely cold
temperatures.
Hot Weather Tolerability (3/5)
The short coat
serves a great advantage to the Rhodesian Ridgebacks in hot weather.
It keeps them
breezy and they come from Africa, which is a hot country, so they can live in
hot weather.
Barking Tendencies (1/5)
The Rhodesian
Ridgeback is not a talker, which makes it easier if you’re living in an
apartment.
They do not
bark unless they sense threat or are very excited.
Cat-Friendly (3/5)
Rhodesian
Ridgebacks are very friendly towards cats, they love to play with them.
Even though
they have a high prey drive because they have a hunting nature, they do not
refrain from playing or petting these furry cats. They quite like them.
Dog-Friendly (4/5)
They can be
dominant around other dogs, especially if they are of the same sex.
They get along
with the dogs they have grown up with.
Exercise Needs (5/5)
Rhodesian Ridgebacks need a lot of exercises.
They need a
minimum of two hours of exercise daily which could include short walks and
preferably, running.
They love to
play fetch and they make great jogging partners too.
Grooming Needs (1/5)
The Rhodesian
Ridgeback has very low grooming needs.
Their small
coat is very easy to manage, you can brush it twice a week.
Playfulness (5/5)
This breed is very
playful.
Be prepared
for some high jumping from here to there, especially when you have a Rhodesian
Ridgeback puppy.
Trainability (2/5)
You might have
a hard time training your Ridgeback. They are sharp but also very stubborn and
can often work against your commands.
Intelligence (4/5)
Rhodesian
Ridgebacks are quick to learn and smart. They are a combination of scent hound
and sighthounds.
Mouthiness (1/5)
Ridgebacks do
not tend to drool or slobber.
However, they
are ones to keep themselves engaged by chewing and destroying things around
when bored.
Make sure you
take your dog out for walks daily as lack of enough physical activity can drive
them to this.
Price Group (3/5)
The Rhodesian
Ridgeback price lies fairly between $700-$2000.
This also
varies from breeder to breeder, the linage and other factors.
Show quality
dogs definitely are priced on the higher side.
About Rhodesian Ridgeback
The hallmark of this breed is the backward-growing ridge on
the back.
It is opposite in growth to the rest of the coat and it
starts just below the shoulders and goes down to the hips.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog has may admirers for its
characteristics.
Generally associated with hounds but it is a little tougher
than the typical hound breed.
They were bred to be hunters and family dogs, so naturally,
they are very possessive and protective of their family members.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback temperament is calm, gentle and the
plus side is it barely barks.
They are easy keepers; they do not need any extra grooming
treatment.
They are tolerant and get along best with children.
They need a high amount of vigorous exercise daily.
If you’re a novice owner considering a Rhodesian Ridgeback,
this may not be the breed for you.
Where Rhodesian Ridgeback Came From?
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The Ridgeback is also known as the African Lion Hound or the
Lion Dog.
It is a native of South Africa. The breed’s history goes back
all the way to the 16th century when the Europeans explored the Cape
of Good up.
Residing there were the Hottentot Tribes who lived with a dog
with hair growing backward on the spine.
This is now called the “ridge”.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred to meet the needs of the
Boer farmers; they required a hunting dog in the wilds of Africa.
They needed dogs that could flush game, take down animals at
night.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback can also withstand the rigors of the
African bush and adapt to the drastic changes in the temperature and the heat.
This dog also had to be the protector of the wife and
children.
In 1922, a group of breeders in Zimbabwe set up a standard
for this breed that is unchanged to this day.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a short soft coat that does not
need too much care.
You should brush it every week to avoid matting. It is
suggested to get a full-body clean up every 4 to 8 weeks.
Ensure that the nails are clipped, the anal glands are clean
and the skin and coat are in a healthy condition.
Their eyes should be clean, check for any foreign material
and wash it with an eyewash.
Check for any problems in the ears, clean only till where you
can see. Call the vet if you see anything unusual.
While bathing your Ridgeback, make sure you use a
hypoallergenic shampoo if your dog has allergies or sensitive skin with a
medicated shampoo to follow it. Condition after the bath to maintain the soft
coat.
Use hydrating sprays to keep the coats shiny and moist; to
avoid flaking of skin. Rhodesian Ridgeback shedding is chronic but it is
not worrisome.
Commo>Common Diseases
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TARGETING THE BONES
Hip and Elbow Dysplasia
This deformity
in the hip or elbow joint could be a result of factors such as genetics,
environment, diet etcetera.
This condition
is heritable. This could affect daily life; movement may be painful for the Ridgeback.
This could be
treated with some medication or in severe cases, surgery might be required.
Ridgebacks now
in most countries are X-rayed for hip dysplasia before breeding.
This is an
uncommon but debilitating condition.
Elbow and Shoulder disease
This is a very
common disease in the Ridgebacks.
They are prone
to elbow dysplasia due to which they are also diagnosed with elbow
disease.
TARGETING THE SKIN
Dermoid Sinus
This condition
is also known as “pilonidal sinus”. It is a tubular skin defect caused by
incomplete separation of the skin and the nervous system during embryonic
development.
The sinus can
be located anywhere between the back or neck bit most commonly affects the neck
or upper spine.
This is most
common among Rhodesian Ridgebacks; it is heritable and congenital. It is
advised the diagnosed pets should not be bred.
TARGETING THE EYES
Cataract
This is less
common in dogs and cats than humans, but occur frequently and could lead to
blindness.
Cataract
formation is the covering of the pupil with a grey almost whiteish layer, it
causes opacification of the eye.
A completely
opaque eye could result in blindness.
Glaucoma
Glaucoma is the increased pressure in the eye.
It is found in two forms – primary and secondary.
Primary glaucoma is hereditary, secondary glaucoma is caused
by decreased liquid in the eyes due to other probable diseases.
Symptoms of glaucoma are loss of sight and pain, treatment
and prognosis but they vary depending upon the type.
Glaucoma is treated surgically or with eye drops.
Entropion
This condition persists when the eyelid is rolled inwards in
both eyes.
Usually occurs within a year of birth.
This disease causes loss of vision and irritation.
Surgery can be performed when the dog reached adulthood.
TARGETING THE BODY
Gastric Tension
This is a life-threatening situation that can affect large
and deep-chested dogs like Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
This could arise if they are fed large meals or they eat
rapidly or they drink too much water after eating. This condition also called
“bloat”, is common among other dogs.
It occurs when the stomach is distended with gas or air and
then twists. The dog is unable to vomit, to get rid of the excess air in the
stomach. Blood pressure drops and the dog goes into shock.
If the dog isn’t taken to the vet, it can die. Check for a
bloated stomach or excessive drooling. Your dog could be breathless, depressed
and lethargic. If you see these signs, call the vet immediately.
Obesity
Since the
Rhodesian Ridgeback is a highly active dog, it has a large appetite.
But if you
cannot give the Ridgeback the exercise it needs on a daily basis, your dog will
become obese.
Most inactive
Ridgebacks have this problem.
Feeding<>Feeding
back is a highly active dog that requires
generous amounts of calories to sustain energy levels.
They aren’t called the world’s hungriest dogs for no reason.
This breed has a long lifespan of ten years and is not known
to be a fussy eater.
Make sure there is a perfect blend of protein and fats in the diet. Too much calcium in the diet could lead to bone density.
Choose foods for large dogs, they have lower levels of
phosphorus and calcium.
Vaccination And Care<>Vaccination And Care
>
Adenovirus
This virus causes respiratory problems infection
and targets various organs of the Ridgeback’s body.
Symptoms include depression, vomiting, loss of
appetite, cough, glaucoma.
Distemper vaccine
This severely
affects organs such as the spinal cord, respiratory system, brain, and
intestines.
The common
symptoms of having distemper are high fever, lethargy, loss of appetite, etc.
Parvo
This disease
spreads through the infected dog’s hair or feet. It is fatal.
Basset Hounds
are prone to this virus.
Signs that
your dog could have this are bloody diarrhea, depression, vomiting, fever, etc.
Rabies
This is a very
damaging virus; it deteriorates the brains of all mammals.
Dogs secrete
large amounts of this virus in their saliva and thus, a dog is infected with
rabies when it is bitten by another dog.
Signs that a
dog has rabies can be seen in behavioral changes such as restlessness and
aggression. They become hypersensitive to touch, light, sound, etc.
