In photos, the Rhodesian Ridgeback looks like a calm, elegant companion. In everyday life he is something else: an independent-minded hunting dog who does not carry out instructions because they are given, but because he finds them sensible. If you come from the retriever world and are used to obedience born of wanting to please, this breed will take some getting used to. That is not a flaw, it is their job.
Breed profile
- Origin: Southern Africa, bred from European breeds and the dog of the Khoikhoi for big-game hunting and guarding farms
- Size: Males 63 to 69 cm, females 61 to 66 cm, 32 to 40 kg
- Coat: Short, dense, glossy, wheaten from light to red, with the ridge along the back that gives the breed its name
- Life expectancy: 10 to 12 years
- Temperament: Independent, calm indoors, watchful, reserved with strangers, very decisive
Temperament: polite, but with a mind of his own
Indoors, the Ridgeback is a surprisingly unobtrusive dog. He lies around a lot, barks little and does not push himself on you. Outdoors he becomes a different animal: alert, fast, with a gaze that looks into the distance. He was bred to track and hold big game without a human telling him how. He brings exactly that independence to the end of the lead.
He bonds closely with his family but stays reserved with strangers. That is not a bad character, it is a breed trait. A Ridgeback who greets every visitor with joy is the exception, not the benchmark. With the children of his own family he is usually patient, though you should not underestimate his weight and his momentum in play.
The ridge that gives him his name is a strip of fur growing against the direction of the rest of the coat. It is a breed trait, but also a genetic clue: the same gene variant is linked to a malformation, and reputable breeders check every puppy for it.
Five things that rarely come up when you visit the breeder
1. Prey drive is not a training problem
A Ridgeback who catches the scent of game switches into a mode where calling him back achieves little. He is fast, has stamina and was originally meant to organise himself over kilometres. For most owners, off-lead running in areas with lots of game is not a realistic option, at least not without years of very consistent anti-hunting training. If you want a dog who can run along off the lead anywhere, be honest with yourself.
2. Dermoid sinus is the breed's typical malformation
With a dermoid sinus, a tube-like connection between the skin and the spinal canal remains after embryonic development. Untreated, it can become inflamed and lead to serious infections, even meningitis. Reputable breeders feel along every puppy's back and, if in doubt, have it checked by ultrasound. Ask the breeder about it directly, it is the most important health point for this breed.
3. Other health issues
Hip and elbow dysplasia occur, and X-rayed parent animals are standard. Some lines show a hereditary form of epilepsy. Because of the deep chest there is an increased risk of gastric torsion, an acute emergency that has to be operated on within a few hours and costs 2,000 to 4,000 euros depending on the clinic. So feed two smaller portions rather than one large one, and let him rest after eating.
4. He does not train for applause
A Ridgeback does not repeat an exercise twenty times because it makes you happy. After the third repetition he looks at you as if he has understood that you have not seen through the game. Training works with him through short sessions, meaningful tasks and real rewards, not drill. If you confuse obedience with submission, you lose him.
5. He really does not like cold and wet
The short coat without an undercoat comes from a warm climate. A German November rain is unpleasant for him, and in frost he needs a coat. At the same time he is a heat seeker indoors: if you have a radiator, a sofa or a bed, you will be sharing it.
Care: what he really needs
- Safe ground for off-lead runs. Fenced dog fields or secured areas instead of the edge of a wood with deer.
- Early anti-hunting training. From puppyhood, consistent, with professional support. Later it becomes much harder.
- Endurance exercise. Long walks, running alongside a bike once fully grown, pulling sports.
- Short, meaningful training sessions. Five minutes with brainwork instead of thirty minutes of repetition.
- Warmth and a soft spot. A coat for winter and a bed that is not on tiles.
Who is the Rhodesian Ridgeback right for?
For sporty, experienced owners who accept a calm dog indoors and a demanding one outdoors. For people who want to live with a dog who thinks instead of obeying, and who do not take that as an insult. And for everyone willing to attach conditions to off-lead time for good.
Not for first-time dog owners, and not for people who are away a lot and want to take along a dog who can be recalled anywhere. If you are looking for a similarly sized but much more cooperative dog, you will be better off with the Labrador or the Golden Retriever.
If you are still in the middle of deciding and weighing up several breeds against each other, that is exactly why we wrote Welcher Hund passt WIRKLICH zu dir? (Which dog REALLY suits you?), with a focus on everyday life, time budget and costs rather than breed descriptions.
Frequently asked questions
Does every Ridgeback have to have a ridge? No. Puppies without a ridge are born too. They are perfectly healthy dogs and are simply not used for breeding. As family dogs they are just as suitable, often at a lower price.
Is he a guard dog? He reliably lets you know when someone is there and is a deterrent through his size, but he is not a protection dog in the strict sense. With strangers he stays reserved rather than aggressive.
How much does a puppy cost? From a checked breeder via the VDH, prices are usually between 1,500 and 2,200 euros. Pay less attention to the price than to whether the breeder brings up dermoid sinus and joint results without being asked.
And in a portrait?
The even wheaten coat and the clear, muscular lines make the Ridgeback one of the most rewarding subjects there is. He looks especially good in the warm oil painting style, because it brings out the coat colour and the ridge. Photograph him in side profile with the sun low, and the ridge will stand out clearly. How best to go about it is in our photo tips.
A Ridgeback in side profile needs length, not a square. In the wooden frame the ridge that defines him comes out, and you see the preview before anything is printed.
Keep reading
- The handsome hunting dog who never clocks off: the same prey drive, a different bond
- Beagle: a nose with a dog attached: when recall becomes a lifelong topic
- Malinois: a working dog in the living room: the opposite, maximum cooperation instead of independence
The links to our books are affiliate links. If you buy through them, you support us at no extra cost to you.
