Breed library

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Also known as African Lion Dog, Van Rooyen's Lion Dog.

Rhodesian Ridgeback photograph.
Rhodesian ridgeback.jpg - Bonnie van den Born, http://www.bonfoto.nl. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/. License: CC BY-SA 3.0.

Breed overview

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large dog breed originally bred in Southern Africa. The original breed standard was drafted by F.R. Barnes, in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), in 1922, and approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1927. Its forebears can be traced to the ridged hunting and guardian dogs of the Khoikhoi. These were interbred with European dogs by the early colonists of the Cape Colony for the baying of lions.

  • Breed type: dog breedBreed reference breed kind.
  • Country of origin: RhodesiaBreed reference country of origin.

Breed facts

  • The Khoikhoi people who lived in the Cape Peninsula when the Dutch began trading with the area during the mid 17th century, had a hunting dog which was described by Europeans as absolutely fearless and ferocious when acting as a guard dog.
  • The ears have been described both as erect but later described as hanging due to interbreeding with European dogs, but the most distinctive feature was the length of hair often growing in the reverse direction along its back.
  • Within 53 years of the first Dutch settlements in Southern Africa, the Europeans were using these local dogs themselves.
  • By the early 1800s, European colonists had also imported a variety of mainly European dog breeds to this area of Africa, including such dedicated hunting dogs as Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes and Bloodhounds.
  • The Dogo Cubano (Cuban Bloodhound), an extinct breed used for dogfighting and guarding, was highly emphasized in the composition of the early Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Size and appearance

The appearance standard of the Rhodesian Ridgeback originated in Rhodesia (Zimbabwe) in 1922 and has remained virtually unchanged since. The Rhodesian Ridgeback's distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair running along its back in the opposite direction from the rest of its coat. 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 usually about 2 in in width at its widest point. It is believed to originate from the dog used by the original African dog population which had a similar ridge. Male Rhodesian Ridgebacks usually stand 26 - 29 in at the withers and weigh about 45 kg (FCI standard); females are typically 24 - 26 in tall and about 38 kg in weight. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are typically very muscular and have a light wheaten to red wheaten coat, which should be short, dense, sleek and glossy in appearance, and neither woolly nor silky.

  • Body mass reference: 32 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 32 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 32 kgBreed reference body mass. female.
  • Body mass reference: 36.5 kgAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 36.5 kg. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Body mass reference: 36.5 kgBreed reference body mass. male.
  • Height reference: 61 - 66 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 61 - 66 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 61 cm or moreBreed reference height. female, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 66 cmBreed reference height. female, maximum.
  • Height reference: 63 - 69 cmAdult breed reference quantity from the article infobox. Original value 63 - 69 cm. Unit conversion where applicable: 1 inch = 2.54 cm; 1 pound = 0.45359237 kg. Original field and references are retained in the revision-pinned article evidence.
  • Height reference: 63 cm or moreBreed reference height. male, minimum.
  • Height reference: Up to 69 cmBreed reference height. male, maximum.
  • Coat length: short
  • Height category: tall
  • Weight category: large

Personality and behavior

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known to be loyal and intelligent. They are typically somewhat aloof to strangers, but this is not to be confused with aggression; a Rhodesian Ridgeback with a good temperament will not attack a stranger without a reason. Because they require consistent training and correct socialization, they are often not the best choice for inexperienced dog owners or families with young children. Despite their imposing appearance and athleticism, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a sensitive side. 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.

  • Attachment and attention seeking (C-BARQ mean): 1.92 / 4Owner-reported attachment and attention seeking factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Chasing (C-BARQ mean): 2.32 / 4Owner-reported chasing factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Dog-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.82 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Dog-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.66 / 4Owner-reported dog-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Energy (C-BARQ mean): 1.84 / 4Owner-reported energy factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Excitability (C-BARQ mean): 1.74 / 4Owner-reported excitability factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Familiar-dog aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.36 / 4Owner-reported familiar-dog aggression factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Non-social fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.69 / 4Owner-reported non-social fear factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Owner-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.07 / 4Owner-reported owner-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Separation-related problems (C-BARQ mean): 0.58 / 4Owner-reported separation-related problems factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Stranger-directed aggression (C-BARQ mean): 0.47 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed aggression factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Stranger-directed fear (C-BARQ mean): 0.64 / 4Owner-reported stranger-directed fear factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Touch sensitivity (C-BARQ mean): 1.00 / 4Owner-reported touch sensitivity factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.
  • Trainability (C-BARQ mean): 2.53 / 4Owner-reported trainability factor mean for US reference population Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Exercise and activities

Care planning: build a weekly routine with walks, play and time to explore. Enter the minutes and sessions that work for your dog, then compare the weekly total with your available time. Keep notes about the activities your dog enjoys and adjust the routine together.

Training and enrichment

Care planning: choose one everyday skill to practice and keep a record of each session. Note the cue, the reward your dog enjoys and what went well. Rotate familiar games and new activities, and use your notes to choose the next small step.

Coat and grooming

Care planning: use the coat details above to discuss a grooming routine with your groomer. Record brushing sessions, baths and appointments in the app. Add the tools you use and your preferred schedule so the whole household can follow the same routine.

  • Coat length: short

Health and lifespan

A UK study found the average life expectancy to be 12 years.

Living with this breed

Care planning: compare this profile's adult dimensions, coat care and available activity information with your household's routine. Make a shortlist, plan who will handle daily care and save the questions you want to ask a breed club, rescue or breeder.

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Breed history

The Khoikhoi people who lived in the Cape Peninsula when the Dutch began trading with the area during the mid 17th century, had a hunting dog which was described by Europeans as absolutely fearless and ferocious when acting as a guard dog. This dog measured approximately 18 in at the withers, with a lean but muscular frame. The ears have been described both as erect but later described as hanging due to interbreeding with European dogs, but the most distinctive feature was the length of hair often growing in the reverse direction along its back. Within 53 years of the first Dutch settlements in Southern Africa, the Europeans were using these local dogs themselves.

Clubs and further reading

Sources

  1. Rhodesian Ridgeback - WikipediaWikipedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted excerpts from Wikipedia contributors, Rhodesian Ridgeback, revision 1374405252. CC BY-SA 4.0. Formatting, citations and selection changed. Source history: https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Rhodesian_Ridgeback&action=history
  2. Wikidata structured breed dataWikimedia contributors Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC0 1.0. Wikidata contributors (CC0).
  3. National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.PLOS ONE / Figshare Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY 4.0. Bohland, Kyle R.; Lilly, Meghan Leanne; Herron, Meghan E.; Arruda, Andréia G.; O’Quin, Jeanette M. (2023). National C-BARQ breed and all-breed means from USA.. PLOS ONE. Dataset. https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0289356.s003 CC BY 4.0. Selected rows and field names adapted; values unchanged.
  4. File:Rhodesian ridgeback.jpgWikimedia Commons Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: CC BY-SA 3.0. Rhodesian ridgeback.jpg - Bonnie van den Born, http://www.bonfoto.nl. CC BY-SA 3.0. Source: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rhodesian_ridgeback.jpg. License: http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0/.
  5. Palipaws everyday care planningPalipaws Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Palipaws original factual summaries. Palipaws. Original care-planning text, separate from breed measurements and licensed article summaries.
  6. AKC national parent club directoryAmerican Kennel Club Retrieved 2026-10-14.License: Factual reference only. Names and verified external links only. No source descriptions, logos or endorsement reused.