Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is simple to identify among a canine crowd: He’s the one with the tiny Mohawk diminishing his spine. Expressive eyes reflect the delicate spirit of this large, smart pet who likes to run and play. He’s not a barker, however a Ridgie will safeguard his household.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback takes his name from both the part of the world from which he comes from and the unique hair that diminishes his back. (Although if you’re relying on that ridge you might be disappointed: A lot of pure-blooded Ridgebacks do not have them!) A powerful and sleek dog, the Ridgeback has transitioned from African farm pet dog and hunter to popular companion pet dog in American homes of all sizes and types.
It’s tough to classify the Rhodesian Ridgeback. He’s a big canine, weighing as much as 100 pounds. He’s a fast runner however requires surprisingly little exercise. He has a strong protective impulse, however he hardly ever barks, even when someone’s at the door. He will put his well-muscled body between his human family before barking, snarling, or assaulting. He tends to get along not only with other dogs but also with felines he deals with. Odd felines he spots outdoors, however, are still seen as victim.
The Ridgeback can be a child’s buddy, though a pet of this size and power can be too much for the tiniest children. The majority of Ridgies can learn to modulate that power when they’re around young children, however it’s up to grownups to make sure pet and child are safe together.
The Ridgeback is an easy-care pet. His smooth coat, which is available in shades of tan and red, sheds, however his grooming needs are very little. A fast weekly brush and occasional bath, in addition to regular nail trims and teeth brushing, are all he requires. Keep his hanging ears dry and clean, and seek veterinary attention for itching, soreness or discharge, or if your pet is pawing at his ears or shaking his head.
Fully grown Ridgebacks like to run, hike, and play, but can get by with a romp in the backyard and a day-to-day leash walk, with periodic journeys to the park or beach. Young Ridgebacks and pups need a great deal of exercise, however they need it in safe places. The urge to go after is strong, and that impulse is likely to override any quantity of training a young pet has had.
By the time he’s older, if you put the effort into training him to come when called, you might have the ability to offer him a bit more freedom. Hounds are infamously unreliable off-leash and although Ridgebacks might be a bit much better than many, you should not try it unless you’ve trained your canine consistently from an early age and you remain in an enclosed area such as your own yard or a canine park that allows off-leash activity. And training regularly is very essential for these rather hard-headed pet dogs. People who aren’t acquainted with hounds and who are used to similar-size attendant such as the Retrievers, will find training a rough roadway. Simply keep lessons frequent and brief, and your funny bone high.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks enjoy their human families and don’t do well as outside canines. Life in a backyard is too boring for them, and they’ll captivate themselves by rooting out trees the size of a midlife redwood and scaling fences in a single bound.
There has never ever been adequate food to encourage a Ridgeback he’s full, and if permitted, he’ll actually consume himself sick. He’ll likewise happily consume himself fat, in which case, you’re going to be in charge of putting the world’s hungriest pet on a diet.
The Ridgeback is the only pet dog who has a ridge of hair running down his spine in the opposite instructions from the rest of his coat, though some purebred Ridgebacks do not have ridges.
The Ridgeback was created to assist big video game hunters go after lions, which is why he’s often called the African Lion Hound.
Expressive eyes reflect the sensitive spirit of this big, smart pet dog who likes to play and run. A smooth and powerful pet dog, the Ridgeback has actually transitioned from African farm canine and hunter to popular buddy pet in American houses of all types and sizes.
The Ridgeback is an easy-care canine. Hounds are notoriously unreliable off-leash and although Ridgebacks might be a bit better than a lot of, you shouldn’t attempt it unless you’ve trained your canine consistently from an early age and you are in an enclosed area such as your own lawn or a pet dog park that allows off-leash activity. People who aren’t familiar with hounds and who are used to similar-size bird pets such as the Retrievers, will find training a rough roadway.
AKC Ranking: 46
FAMILY: sighthound, scenthound, Southern (sight)
AREA OF ORIGIN: South Africa
DATE OF ORIGIN: 1800s
ORIGINAL FUNCTION: large game (including lion) hunting, guardian
TODAY’S FUNCTION: lure coursing
AVERAGE SIZE OF MALE Height: 25-27 Weight: 85
AVERAGE SIZE OF FEMALE Height: 24-26 Weight: 70