The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a breed of dog from Southern Africa. The breed originated in Rhodesia (modern day Zimbabwe) where the first breed standard was written in 1922 and the Parent club formed by Francis R. Barnes in Bulawayo. Also known as the "African Lion Hound" or "African Lion Dog" because of their ability to harass a lion and keep it at bay while awaiting their master to make the kill.
Appearance
The Rhodesian Ridgeback's general appearance is of a handsome, strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical in outline, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed. The mature dog is handsome and upstanding. The Rhodesian Ridgeback's distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair along its back running in the opposite direction to the rest of its coat. The ridge must be regarded as the defining characteristic of the breed. It consists of a fan-like area formed by two whorls of hair (called "crowns") and tapers from immediately behind the shoulders, down to the level of the hips. The ridge is thought to be derived from the ridged hunting dog of the Khoikhoi (literally, "men of men"; native South African people, referred to by the Europeans as Hottentots). In some cases, Rhodesian Ridgebacks will grow a small, second crown on their head about an inch long, which is totally independent of the ridge along their back. Some Rhodesian Ridgebacks are born without ridges, and until recently, most ridgeless puppies were culled, or euthanized, at birth. Today, many breeders opt instead to spay and neuter these offspring to ensure they will not be bred.
Male Rhodesian Ridgebacks should be 25-27 inches (63-69 cm) at the withers and weigh approximately 85 lb (36.5 kg FCI Standard), however some have been known to reach up to 160 lb, females 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) and approximately 70 lb (32 kg). Rhodesian Ridgebacks are typically muscular and have a light wheaten to red wheaten coat which should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly nor silky. The presence of black guard hairs or ticking is not addressed in the AKC standard, although the elaboration of the AKC standard notes the amount of black or dark brown in the coat should not be excessive. The FCI Standard states - excessive black hairs throughout the coat are highly undesirable. White is acceptable on the chest and toes.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a strong, smooth tail, which is usually carried in a gentle curve upwards. The eyes should be round and should reflect the dog's color (pigment, not coat color) -- dark eyes with a black nose (regardless of coat color), amber eyes with a liver nose. The liver nose is a recessive gene so therefore is not as common as a black nose; some breeders believe the inclusion of livernoses in a breeding program is necessary for maintaining the vibrancy of the coat.
The original standard allowed for a variety of coat colors, including brindle and sable. The modern FCI standard calls for light wheaten to red wheaten. While the deeper red wheaten was often favored by judges in the past, it seems now all shades of wheaten are being included in the winners circle including the liver nose. Color variants such as brindles, black-and-tans and blue dilutes appear occasionally but not commonly and are definitely not considered acceptable for anything but being pets. In the show ring, white on the feet and chest is common but it is preferred to not reach the shoulder or above the dew claws on the feet. The FCI standard considers white on the belly or above the toes 'undesireable'. The only disqualification in the AKC standard for this breed is ridgelessness.
Temperament
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are loyal, intelligent, gentle. They are, however, aloof to strangers. This breed requires training and dedication and is only for the experienced dog owner. They are strong-willed, exceptionally clever, and many seem to have a penchant for mischief. They do not make a good first dog, though the same traits that make them difficult often appeal to the more experienced owners. Although they can withstand wide temperature variations due to their African heritage, they are sensitive and prefer to be with their human families inside. They were traditionally hunters, guardians, and companions.
Despite their athletic, sometimes imposing exterior, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a sensitive side. Excessively harsh training methods that might be tolerated by a sporting or working dog will likely backfire on a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Intelligent to a fault, the Rhodesian Ridgeback accepts correction as long as it is fair and justified, and as long as it comes from someone he knows and trusts. Francis R. Barnes, who wrote the first standard in 1922, acknowledged that "rough treatment ... should never be administered to these dogs, especially when they are young. They go to pieces with handling of that kind".