ABOUT THE RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK
ORIGIN
The Ridgeback is the only recognized breed originating in South Africa. Unique in having a ridge of hair in the shape of a dagger on its back, it is said to have descended from native ridged dogs known in South Africa since the 16th century. In the late 1870s, a few of these dogs were acquired by Cornelius van Rooyen, a South African who hunted big game for a living. For 35 years he refined his ‘lion dogs.’ Basic Greyhound blood gave his first dogs speed and to this he added the Pointer for scenting ability and Collie, terrier and Great Dane crosses for endurance, agility and biting power – through it all, the dogs retained the ridge. After van Rooyen’s death, a group of fanciers who had continued to breed the big-game stalkers met in 1922 to draw up a standard, form a club and seek breed recognition from the South African Kennel Club.
TEMPERAMENT
Dignified and even-tempered, the breed may be reserved with strangers. The Ridgeback is regarded as a strong protector of the home.
ACTIVITY LEVEL
Muscular and active, the Ridgeback is capable of great endurance and a fair amount of speed. He’s best suited to the suburbs or country and needs lots of outdoor exercise.
SIZE
A mature Ridgeback should be a handsome, upstanding dog; Dogs should be of a height of 25-27 inches (63-69 cm), and Bitches 24-26 inches (61-66 cm). Minimum bench standard: Dogs 25 inches (63 cm), Bitches 24 inches (61 cm). Weight (desirable): Dogs, 75 lb. (34 kg); Bitches, 65 lb. (29 kg).
CKC - THE RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK STANDARD
COAT AND COLOUR
The coat should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly nor silky. Colour light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes permissible, but excessive white here and on the belly and above paws is undesirable.
CKC - THE RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK STANDARD
GROOMING
Minimal grooming is needed. A stiff brush or rubdown with a hound mitt will suffice and an occasionnal bath can be given.
HEALTH
1- You can check out the website of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States (RRCUS) for more information on each health aspects of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Here is a little part of their text: " Ridgebacks are fortunate in that ours is a relatively healthy breed, and most breeders are extremely diligent in trying to breed vibrant and long-lived dogs. However, genetic disease is a reality of life. In humans, disorders such as hypothyroidism, nearsightedness and farsightedness, diabetes and hemophilia are examples of genetic disease—in other words, people inherit the disorder or a predisposition to it from their parents. Animal—and purebred dogs—are no different. "
- RRCUS
2- You can also go to the Labgenvet website by clicking here to read about the diseases related to the Rhodesian Ridgebacks.