Rhodesian Ridgeback

64-70 lbs
24-26"
South Africa
African Lion Hound

The Rhodesian Ridgeback may have once hunted lions, but today this African breed loves living life as a family companion. Named for the distinctive ridge of fur that runs along its spine, this handsome hound combines a powerful build with an affectionate and gentle temperament.

Welcome a Rhodesian Ridgeback into your home and you'll be rewarded with a loyal and loving family member, an active companion, and an effective guard dog. However, proper training and socialization are essential to raise a well-mannered Ridgeback, while regular exercise is also vital to the breed's health and happiness.

So is the Rhodesian Ridgeback the right dog for you? Keep reading to find out what it takes to care for this beautiful canine.




purpose Purpose
large game hunting, guarding
history Date of Origin
1800s
ancestry Ancestry
african tribal dog, dane, mastiff, bloodhound, pointer, greyhound, terrier

Rhodesian Ridgeback Health

Sketch of Rhodesian Ridgeback
Average Size
Male Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats
Height: 25-27 inches Weight: 79-85 lbs
Female Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats
Height: 24-26 inches Weight: 64-70 lbs
Major Concerns
  • Deafness
  • Dermoid Sinus
  • Hip And Elbow Dysplasia
  • Bloat
Minor Concerns
  • Entropion
  • Cataracts
  • Hypothyroidism
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
Occasional Tests
  • Hip
  • Hearing
  • Breeder Check For Dermoid Sinus
  • Skeletal
  • Thyroid Tests
  • X-Rays
  • Eye Examination

Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed History

When the Dutch Boers settled in South Africa throughout the 16th to 18th centuries, they brought with them European dog breeds such as Great Danes, Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, Pointers, Greyhounds, and terriers.

However, the Boers soon realized that their hunting and guarding dogs were ill suited to the temperature extremes of the local climate. They needed a dog that could perform well in these conditions, so they bred their imported dogs with native dogs used by the local Khoikhoi people.

In the 1800s, the Dutch moved north to escape British rule, taking this new breed with them. They settled in Zimbabwe, which was known as Rhodesia at the time, and used their dogs to hunt lions. This new breed was then known as the African lion hound or lion dog.

It wasn't until the 1920s that a breed standard was created and the dog was named the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Ridgebacks were imported to England in the 1930s, and then to the USA shortly after. By the 1950s, the breed had gained in popularity in both countries, and the American Kennel Club admitted it into the registry in 1955.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Appearance

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a powerful dog with an elegantly symmetrical and balanced body. The breed’s most distinguishing feature is a ridge of hair that grows along the spine from the shoulders to the hipbones in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat.

Weighing in at up to 85lb and standing as high as 27 inches tall, this is a large and quite imposing breed. The Ridgeback boasts a firm back supported by muscular legs, and those legs lead to compact paws with well-arched toes. The neck is long, the skull is flat, and the expressive eyes feature a brown or amber sparkle.

The tail of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is carried slightly curved up, while the coat is made for hot climates and consists of short, dense hair that is smooth and glossy in appearance. Colors range from a red to tan wheaten, with white markings sometimes appearing on the chest and toes.

Appearance of Rhodesian Ridgeback
Eye Color Possibilities
brown Rhodesian Ridgeback eyes
Brown
amber Rhodesian Ridgeback eyes
Amber
Nose Color Possibilities
black Rhodesian Ridgeback nose
Black
brown Rhodesian Ridgeback nose
Brown
Coat Color Possibilities
fawn Rhodesian Ridgeback coat
Fawn
red Rhodesian Ridgeback coat
Red
Coat Length
coat
Short Medium Long
Coat Density
coat density
pin
Sparse Normal Dense
Coat Texture
coat texture
Rhodesian Ridgeback straight coat texture
Straight Wiry Wavy Curly Corded

Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Maintenance

Thinking of welcoming a Rhodesian Ridgeback into your life? You'll need to be able to meet all of the breed's ongoing care and maintenance needs.

In terms of grooming, brushing once or twice a week with a firm bristle brush will keep this dog looking great. Using a shedding tool can cut down on the hair around the house during shedding season, while an occasional bath should be given when needed. Other grooming tasks include trimming nails, brushing teeth, and cleaning ears to prevent infections.

But while their grooming needs are minimal, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do need a lot of regular exercise to stay happy and healthy. Regular training and early socialization are also important to ensure that your Ridgeback's independent streak doesn't get the better of them.

Though the Ridgeback is generally quite hardy, there are a few health concerns to be aware of. Breeders screen their dogs for hip and elbow dysplasia, while other conditions such as dermoid sinus, thyroid issues, and eye problems can affect the breed.

In addition, a 2022 study revealed a link between a genetic mutation in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and early-onset adult deafness. This mutation to the EPS8L2 gene can cause dogs to lose their hearing as early as 4 months of age.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks can suffer from a variety of potentially expensive health issues. Secure pet health insurance today to avoid high veterinary care costs. Our pet insurance tool lets you compare plans from leading companies like Figo and Spot. Find the “pawfect” plan for your pet in just a few clicks!

Brushes for Rhodesian Ridgeback
Slicker Brush
Slicker Brush
Deshedder
Deshedder
Nail Clipper
Nail Clipper
Brushing Frequency
fur daily fur weekly fur monthly
Rhodesian Ridgeback requires weekly brushing
Daily Weekly Monthly

Rhodesian Ridgeback Temperament

This is a powerful, dignified, and even-tempered dog. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are loyal and affectionate with their family, and their courageous nature makes them wonderful guard dogs.

Reserved around strangers, Ridgebacks have a sweet and gentle disposition when around their people and even get on well with children. However, their power and size may mean that they're not the ideal choice for families with small children, while all interactions between dogs and kids should be closely supervised. They can get on well with cats if raised alongside them, but the Ridgeback's strong prey drive means early socialization is a must.

In terms of training, the Ridgeback is an intelligent breed but can be quite stubborn. For the best results, start training your puppy as soon as you bring them home, using positive and consistent methods to teach your pup the right way to behave.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Activity Requirements

The Ridgeback is a good fit for pet parents who enjoy an active lifestyle. These high-energy dogs love walks, runs, and regular play sessions with you, and can excel at dog sports like lure coursing and agility.

Without regular exercise and mental stimulation your Ridgeback could become bored and frustrated, and they may turn to destructive behavior to burn off excess energy. However, given their hunting background and strong prey drive, it's important to keep your Ridgeback on a leash or in a securely fenced area when exercising.

Check out our guide to the top activities for Rhodesian Ridgebacks for ideas on how to help your pet stay active. And if you're searching for an affectionate and devoted furry family member, be sure to add the Ridgeback to your shortlist of breeds worth considering.

Activity Level
low activity medium activity high activity
Low Medium High
Rec. Walk Mileage Per Week
10 miles
walk mileage
Minutes of Activity Per Day
60 minutes
activity minutes

Rhodesian Ridgeback Food Consumption

Cups Per Day
2.8 cups
cup per day cost cup per day cost
Daily Cost
$1.50 - $1.90
food bowls daily cost
Monthly Cost
$39.00 - $52.00
food bag monthly cost

Rhodesian Ridgeback Height & Weight

6 Months
Sketch of Rhodesian Ridgeback at six months
Male Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats at six months
Height: 20.0 inches Weight: 46.0 lbs
Female Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats at six months
Height: 19.0 inches Weight: 43.5 lbs
12 Months
Sketch of Rhodesian Ridgeback at 12 months
Male Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats at 12 months
Height: 23.5 inches Weight: 62.5 lbs
Female Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats at 12 months
Height: 21.0 inches Weight: 57.5 lbs
18 Months
Sketch of Rhodesian Ridgeback at 18 months
Male Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats at 18 months
Height: 26.0 inches Weight: 80.0 lbs
Female Rhodesian Ridgeback size stats at 18 months
Height: 25.0 inches Weight: 67.0 lbs

Top Rhodesian Ridgeback Breeders

Check out who made our list for the most reputable Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders of 2024.
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Andyboy Ridgebacks
Andyboy Ridgebacks
Mount Juliet, Tennessee
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Cavari Ridgebacks
Cavari Ridgebacks
Millington, Michigan
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder County Line Ridgebacks & Beagles
County Line Ridgebacks & Beagles
Eatontown, New Jersey
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Bold Move
Bold Move
Grand Junction, Michigan
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Adili Ridgebacks
Adili Ridgebacks
Paris, Kentucky
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder A Plus Ridgeback Hounds LLC
A Plus Ridgeback Hounds LLC
Bruce Crossing, Michigan
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Suwedi Ridgebacks
Suwedi Ridgebacks
Van Alstyne, Texas
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Zuka Zama Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Zuka Zama Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Millerton, Pennsylvania
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Southridge Ridgebacks
Southridge Ridgebacks
Clarksville, Tennessee
Top Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder Terra Christa Farm
Terra Christa Farm
Oxford, Florida

Rhodesian Ridgeback Owner Experiences

2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Eating Snacks
Walk
Run
Explore the woods
I know that Ridgebacks are great dogs. My Ridgeback client however is not great. He only stayed my client for a short amount of time as he was very aggressive. He didn’t want anyone coming in his home. He hated getting his leash on. This was totally the owners fault though. The owner would put a cone on him when his walker came so it wasn’t possible for the dog to bite his walker. You can’t let one bad apple spoil the whole batch though. I’ve met many Ridgebacks outside of work that were lovely. They’re not typically the ones to run up and say hi. But they will tolerate a few pets before running off to mind their own business. Plus they’re so gorgeous it’s fun to admire
6 years, 11 months ago
2 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Fetch
Playing
Tug-of-war
Running
The dog refused to walk, and instead wanted to play tug agressively with his leash. He was also went crazy around other dogs. We spent an hour and maybe walked less that a mile because he was simply not interested in walking. Putting a stick in his mouth helped some. It was clear he wanted to run free and play instead of being on a leash
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Running
Sniffing
Jumping
Walking a young Rhodesian with little training is a little like training a young stallion. They grow very quickly in size and strength -perhaps outgrowing the rate at which their owners can train them. Being that they are so large, getting excited on a walk can cause difficulty and danger if they take control. For that reason, it is important to use a firm, strong voice when giving commands. A short lead is also helpful so that you can leverage your weight against their strength if they pull or dart at something; with a longer lead, they are likely going to take the reigns. Unfortunately, my experience matches that of other walkers in that I have only worked with pretty wild, untrained ridgebacks.
6 years, 11 months ago
1 Year
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Sniffing
I have not had much experience with these breed and have not heard too much about it either. It was a completely new experience when I walked Harry the Rhodesian Ridgeback for the first time. He was a young boy, about a year old but already the size of a miniature pony!! This was a shock as I walked in the owner's home and did not know what to expect. Because of Harry's age, he did not exhibit breed specific traits/quirks. He was a little bit shy when meeting me but not in an aggressive way. He was a sweet boy who did seem happy to go for a walk and knew to wait while I put his leash on. That is a testament to the owners' training. One thing that they did wrong that I would advise against for all large breed owners is to get a sturdier fabric leash and collar. Do not get a chain or leather leash/collar because this will make it extremely difficult to control the dog if it starts getting excited and starts to pull and run!! Get a gentle leader or even a harness to prevent tracheal collapse from constant tugging with the collar. That being said, Harry was generally pleasant to manage, except when he saw a squirrel or cat (but most dogs have a prey drive and thus will want to chase the small animals). Also I must note what a beautiful breed rhodesians are! Harry seemed to be purebred and had a gorgeous chestnut coat, with the distinctive ridge running down his back. These dogs do need a LOT of exercise because of their large size, and also a LOT of training because of their large size. You will not be able to control them physically if they are badly trained, unless you are of a larger stature! Having the dog obey verbal commands is much better than struggling to physically control them. Another important thing to note is they could easily be prone towards aggression if not socialized properly, so with a dog this size it is crucial to take care of that. Overall, they seem like intelligent dogs that stay loyal to their families, obey commands well when trained, have a decent amount of energy, reserved nature, posh appearance, beautiful coats, and good health. They are best suited for homes with yards, DEFINITELY would not do well in tiny NYC apartments!!
6 years, 11 months ago
6 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Get massages
Walk
Sniffing
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very dignified dogs, they move with such grace and all the pictures I've snapped of them make them look like royalty! They are pretty friendly and open to meeting new people but they also like to have things there way. The Rhodesian Ridgeback that I walked was for the most part agreeable, but there were certain areas he did not like--such as walking underneath noisy bridges, and he was very firm about not letting me lead him that way. He also decided when the walk was over and tugged me back towards his front door. He was very sweet and happy though. His energy was very even and refined and it was a lot of fun to get to know him.
6 years, 11 months ago
4 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Facial kisses
Wandering
Running
The Ridgeback Max was another new experience for me. He was minorly suspicious when I first arrived, yet he did not bark or jump at me at all. He simply waited for me to pull out some treats and sit on the floor. I placed one between us and waited for him to get the idea and then realize I had another in my hand. After that it was straight to face licking and got excited for the leash. From there it was all running and exploring the neighborhood. He really did not sit at one spot for too long, and he responded well to verbal queues. Definitely displayed some prey drive when a cat came in his sight and I took a bit to get him back to the running. I got some great pictures of him once I got him sit down at a place where I could keep him more at eye level. Even as an apartment dog, he had great manners and was very excited to be on a good run.
6 years, 11 months ago
9 Years
People
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walk
Catch treats
Play
The little rhodesian ridgeback that I walked was a mix and much smaller than the common ridgeback. He had a pointy face, short reddish fur, and the distinct ridge that the breed is named after. He was a fantastic dog. He had been well trained to respect the leash and was a very good listener. As I learned from the owner, he had a disease that required a great deal of attention toward what he ate, how much stimulus he could receive, and what sort of interactions were good for him. If he got too riled up or frightened by something, it could cause some sort of complication for him. Because of these instructions we tended to veer away from any main streets or subway lines, nevertheless, there was little ability to keep away from the banging of shutting store gates, honking cars, sirens, and other common and noisy city sounds. Although he never got too overwhelmed, it was very clear that at the sound of it, he was not able to focus or relax as well as he had at the beginning of the walk. When we were able to avoid any big sounds, he was a really fantastic boy to walk with a great personality.
6 years, 11 months ago
Zimba
11 Months
8 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Playing
It was a 360 experience, he is no G.S. we learn about him and understood his behavior and our love just keeps on growing. He pushed a pizza delivery man who was attempting to creep in the house while making his delivery and our teenage daughter was with his yourger brother in the house while we where in the backyard. Obedient, sweet, full of joy .....words cannot express how much we have grown to love him!
6 years, 3 months ago
Mazu
6 Months
9+ People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
It was a big surprise. We have 2 young children. One is now a year old and the other is 2 years old. I have always had dogs but my partner grew up with cats. I had forgotten the early obstacles. We live on a farm which we are doing Up. Mazu has become an unmissable part of our family. We are still having some issues with her behaviour when she's frustrated but we are learning and so is she. I'd say if you've never had a dog before then start with a different breed and if this is your first dog as an adult then be aware they require a lot of patience. That said she is sitting with her head on my lap right now as I type this and she is wonderful. The other day someone asked how come she is so calm. It was a lucky moment but it was appreciated on both sides. We all love her. If you do get this dog realise that other people have different dogs and their advice although well meant doesn't always fit. I have been told to keep her on the leech and to keep her off, that she's too skinny and too fat. All in a day. I live in Holland perhaps that's it. The vet, who has a ridgeback, says she's doing really well. We will eventually work on her gun dog training as we live in a built up area. This will require a big investment in time and effort but I look forward to it. Our dog is 6 months now and I love the bond we have. Wouldn't trade her for the world. If you want a great stunning dog and are willing to put in the effort you can't get much better than a ridgeback. Lastly they are powerful dogs, she's no where near fully grown and if she loses attention it's a tug of war...
5 years, 9 months ago
Amera
2 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Lovely dog, very sensitive, friendly but also protective
4 years, 9 months ago
Skippy
4 Years
3 People
Apartment
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Walking
Fetch
Catch treats
Zoomies
Play
Go get it
My Skippy was rescued from the local shelter. He was listed as a stray. He was also listed as a beagle mix. After some research,I found out he was a Ridgeback mix with what they think is a whippet. My dog is on the shorter side,coming up to above my knees. But he has the distinct coloring, face and slight ridge of the Ridgeback. He is an amazing dog, so loving and playful. He shows his affection and always wants to play. He gets antsy if I wait too long to play with him. He is very trainable and is eager to please. Treat oriented and will pull your arm out if he sees a cat.
4 years, 1 month ago
Xena
11 Years
3 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Horse back riding
Any outside activity
Walk
Xena was an amazing dog. The best dog we have owned. Excellent recall. I call her off anything from rabbit to moose. Very Smart. Very quick to pick up training and the wrong things if you weren't paying attention. If someone came to house and I just opened door she would be happy. If someone came to door and I grabbed her collar, she would act her part and it looked like she was a guard dog. Very loyal. Would run beside me when baling hay and when got tired, she would wait at gate for me, even if it took hours. Best dog ever
3 years, 9 months ago
Amar
18 Months
1 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Everything
He's great. What else do I say.
3 years, 9 months ago
Rusty
10 Years
4 People
House & Yard
Health
Grooming
Friendliness
Energy
Trainability
Pastimes
Cuddling
Catch treats
Play
Walks
swimming
He’ll be 11 this year October, and he’s been the most loyal and loving friend any person could have wished for. From his teddy bear eyes to his heart stopping bark, he’s been a pleasure and a great member to our family. 11 years definitely well spent
3 years, 6 months ago
Book me a walkiee?
Pweeeze!
Sketch of smiling australian shepherd