The Rhodesian Ridgeback – Not a dog for everyone

Breed portrait by Annemarie Schmidt-Pfister, published in the “Swiss Dog Magazine” August 2014

Despite the deprived life he once led in his homeland, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is, deep down, not the tough guy he often appears to be or is portrayed to be by those unfamiliar with the breed. He is neither a "slave hunter," nor does he fit the incredibly stupid image of the "White Hunter" who poses with his boot on the "Big Five"—lion, leopard, elephant, rhino, and buffalo. Quite the opposite: he has a sensitive disposition and a clever mind. Blind obedience is foreign to him—he has learned to think for himself over generations. Which is fine—but doesn't always make living together so easy!

From the 16th century, we know of Portuguese sailors' reports of "Hottentot dogs whose hair grew backward on their backs" and "which resembled jackals," but "served their masters exceedingly well and faithfully, showing fierce courage in the face of lions." When the English and Boers later settled what was then Rhodesia, they brought working dogs with them on their trek that had been crossbred with these "Hottentot dogs," many of which had a distinctive back crest.

Neither a fashion dog nor a status symbol

In 1922, postmaster Francis R. Barnes founded a breed club in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia, which developed a standard based on the Dalmatian model; it was internationally recognized in 1926. Subsequently, the Ridgeback spread throughout South and East Africa, and in the 1940s and 1950s, following returning whites, it also reached Europe and America, where initially hardly anyone wanted it. It has since found so many fans that breed experts are following its development with concern: The Rhodesian Ridgeback, with its history of being close to nature and its sensitive nature, combined with raw strength and a fair amount of self-confidence, is not at all suitable as a fashionable dog; and it belongs just as little in the hands of inexperienced dog owners as it does in the hands of those seeking a fashionable status symbol to match their new car.

Selection of the best

When the big game hunter Cornelius van Rooyen borrowed two of these ridge-bearing dogs, Powder and Lorna, from the missionary Charles Helm around 1880, their use as guard and hunting dogs was so successful that farmers and hunters fought over their offspring. This was the true birth of the breed, which was initially called "Lion Dogs", later "Pronkrugs" (proud backs), and from 1926 onwards, Rhodesian Ridgebacks. On the hunt, the dogs' job was to track down the lion in teams of three or four and distract it until the hunter could take a shot. Therefore, the "Lion Dogs" had to be persistent and courageous, but also cautious, fast, and agile. Those who weren't had a long life expectancy. It was a natural selection of the best. To this day, the Ridgeback has retained this cautious, distance-keeping trait.

Color like a ripe field of corn...

Typically, it's the Rhodesian Ridgeback's appearance that first captivates you: a stately, muscular, yet elegant dog with a wheat-colored short coat and a curious stripe down its back. This so-called ridge is the breed's hallmark: according to the breed standard, it begins just behind the shoulder blade with the "box" (see photo) and extends to the hip bones in a tapered crest of hair growing in opposite directions, with two whorls of hair (crowns) symmetrically placed on the left and right. Above all, however, it's the Rhodesian Ridgeback's gaze that captivates you. A gaze that is simultaneously distant and unblinking, yet challenging and dignified, and makes you want to have this dog as your friend.

A good Ridgeback displays many facets of beauty: it is large but not molossoid, powerful but not clumsy, elegant but not delicate.

... Color like a ripe field of corn

The range of appearances within the breed is broad – in keeping with the heritage of the many European dog breeds (from Airedale to Mastiff, Greyhound, Pointer, Setter, and Bloodhound) that were crossed by the white colonial rulers into the original Khoi San dog type. A healthy balance, however, is important: The Rhodesian Ridgeback should not be a dog of extremes, but rather balanced and harmonious in appearance and character – "sound," as the pioneering breeders called it.

According to the standard, the color of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is reminiscent of the red-gold of a ripe cornfield – with all the rich beige, ochre, and red tones of the African earth in the short, never shaggy, but also not silky coat. Small white markings on the chest and paws are permitted, as are black hairs on the ears and face; however, white "booted" legs and black bristles on the body are not permitted. The Rhodesian Ridgeback has no undercoat; Nevertheless, he's acclimating himself quite well to our European winter and enjoys romping in the snow. He just as much dislikes cold, wet drizzle, slush, and torrential rain as we do.

Health and character

More important than color and beauty, however, are temperament and health. For both, the careful selection of genetically compatible parents is a prerequisite. In the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Switzerland (RRCS), founded in 1980, only those who regularly attend cynological training courses are permitted to breed. Only dogs with healthy hip, shoulder, and elbow joints are permitted for breeding, i.e., those free of elbow dysplasia (ED) and osteochondrosis (OCD), a bone and cartilage disease in young dogs. The hips must be x-rayed for hip dysplasia (HD). Only HD-free animals may be mated, or an HD-free dog (HD A) with one with a suspected HD condition (HD B). Genetic defects such as tail or jaw defects or dermoid sinus, a type of skin cyst that can occur in Rhodesian Ridgebacks, are excluded from breeding.

At the breeding approval (breeding approval), the dogs are examined for their conformation by a judge specializing in the breed and for their temperament by two temperament judges. Only those free of fearfulness and aggression are permitted to breed. Puppies are examined by a veterinarian before being handed over, dewormed several times, vaccinated, and microchipped, and receive an official inspection report. Each breeding facility is inspected by a breeding supervisor. Between litters of more than eight puppies, each bitch has a "baby break" of at least one year. The puppies are raised in a family setting and are carefully trained and socialized by a responsible breed club breeder, meaning they learn how to interact with people, other animals, other dogs, and all conceivable environmental stimuli.

Puppies only in the best hands

For years, there has been a strong demand for Ridgeback puppies, and it would be easy to place them without much fuss. However, this is precisely what a reputable breeder won't do; they owe this "fuss" to their puppies and the breed. With its independent nature, the Ridgeback is one thing most definitely not a dog for everyone. What should a responsible breeder think when puppy buyers aren't willing to be put on a waiting list? And use this waiting time to familiarize themselves—father, mother, and children who should no longer be babies—with the needs of the future family member and also with "their" breeder? After all, this Ridgeback will share everyday life with the family for ten to thirteen years. That definitely doesn't leave room for a double job, let alone a host of other leisure activities besides the dog. And what else but "No!" What should the breeder say to the family who announces in advance that they will leave the puppy in the care of their 80-year-old grandparents for two days a week and spend a five-week vacation in the Caribbean? The dog will be "well cared for" in the (expensive!) kennel for that time, because, after all, "they can afford it financially"...

Today, at a time when dogs have become a symbol of the enemy in many parts of our society, and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also being blacklisted faster than you might think – for example, in the cantons of Valais and Fribourg, and since January 1st in the canton of Glarus – a reputable breeder must thoroughly vet their prospective buyers before entrusting them with a puppy. And they must also make it clear to them that buying a Rhodesian Ridgeback as a bargain through an ad, the internet, or from a dubious dissident dealer is not an option. Such puppies are acquired one by one from the "breeding facility" and almost always have health and psychological problems because they were taken away from their mothers far too early and—unlike a responsible breed club breeder—weren't socialized. They may currently cost half as much as an SKG/FCI puppy, but in the long run, they will prove very expensive for their owners. And usually also for the breed club, which is then called upon to help in times of need.

“Machos” with a lot of temperament

Als ausgesprochen spätreife Rasse brauchen Rhodesian Ridgebacks zwei bis drei Jahre, um wirklich erwachsen zu werden – auch „im Kopf“. Während dieser Zeit sind sie das, was man einen „Temperamentbolzen“ nennt: stets zu Unsinn bereit und nie zu müde, um nicht gleich wieder von vorne anzufangen. Im Spiel mit Artgenossen sind Ridgebacks oft so grob und ausgelassen, dass mögliche Spielpartner bzw. deren Zweibeiner nicht selten einen grossen Bogen um sie machen. Ridgebacks sind klug und lernen schnell, aber auf die Welpenzeit folgt die Pubertät, in der alles vergessen scheint, was vorher gelernt wurde. Anschliessend rutschen die meisten jungen Rüden fast nahtlos in ein Macho-Gehabe, das seinesgleichen sucht: Da wird gegenüber anderen Rüden imponiert und durchaus auch einmal attackiert, dass die Zweibeiner manchmal fast verzweifeln. Ridgeback-Rüden sind gegenüber Geschlechtsgenossen oft recht dominant. Dennoch: Beim Ridgeback kommt man mit Einfühlungsvermögen weiter als mit militärischem Befehls-Drill! Und auch Hündinnen können gegenüber Geschlechtsgenossinnen rechte „Zicken“ sein. Im Alter von vier bis fünf Jahren wird der Rhodesian Ridgeback in der Regel merklich ruhiger.

Utilization is important

Whether the Rhodesian Ridgeback really needs a villa with a garden is debatable. He certainly loves a flickering fire and warm underfloor heating; however, being with his humans is more important to him. He enjoys sunbathing in the garden, but even more so, he loves roaming through woods and meadows with his owner. A healthy adult Ridgeback needs at least two hours of exercise per day. As a running dog, he will enthusiastically participate in even more active activities.

For generations, the Rhodesian Ridgeback was not only kept as a guard dog on farms in his African homeland, but also used as a hunting dog for aggressive large game in the bush, and was selectively bred for this purpose. He remains a guard dog with pronounced territorial behavior and is also a passionate hunter. Anyone who tells you otherwise is a scoundrel! It is therefore advisable to either utilize these qualities or get them under control. The alternative is to offer a suitable alternative activity, e.g., to hunt a dog. Such activities include tracking, agility, coursing, or mantrailing; sniffing games and adventure walks, as well as hikes or tours as a cycling or horseback riding companion, are also suitable – but only from one year of age and after some training! There's only one thing the Ridgeback doesn't like: doing nothing. Then, being clever and independent, he will find his own activity, and that activity may not always correspond to the expectations of his owner and those around him.

Rough diamond – with cut please!

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a high-carat diamond among dogs, but a diamond in the rough, where a good polish is essential! This is also important in the owner; and anyone who isn't willing to work on it might be doing themselves, the breed, and their environment a greater favor by not getting a Ridgeback. However, anyone willing to commit everything they have—time, energy, nerves, patience, and, above all, lots of love—to the Rhodesian Ridgeback will have a wonderful dog by their side.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback in brief

The FCI has classified the Rhodesian Ridgeback under standard number 146 among the Hounds.

Height and weight are 63 cm to 69 cm and 36.5 kg for males, and 61 cm to 66 cm and 32 kg for females. Males, however, often weigh over 40 kg.

Occasional brushing is sufficient for grooming. The Rhodesian Ridgeback also sheds its coat seasonally. Many a Ridgeback owner has groaned while trying to brush the short "spiked hair" off their car upholstery!

In every litter, puppies can occur with defective (too few, too many, or asymmetrical crowns) or no ridges at all. These are purely cosmetic defects. Those who are not interested in exhibitions or breeding will still enjoy such a Ridgeback.

In addition to Ridgebacks with black noses, there are also those with brown noses, so-called red noses or livernoses. Their eye color may be lighter to match their nose color, and their bone structure is generally somewhat more delicate than that of their black-nosed siblings. Livernoses have their own dedicated fan base.

The Ridgeback, if well socialized with children, is fond of children, but due to their size and weight, they are more suitable for older children.