Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Information

Rhodesian Ridgeback profile


Other names     African Lion Dog

                African Lion Hound

                Rhodesian Lion Dog

Country     Southern Rhodesia

Breed Group:     Hounds


Weight:     Mle: 85; Female: 70 lbs

Height:     Male: 25-27; Female: 24-26 inches

Color(s):     light wheaten to red wheaten; nose can be black, brown or liver

Life expectancy 9-12 years

Litter size     7-8


Rhodesian Ridgeback History

The Rhodesian Ridgeback may be the product of crosses between your Khoikhoi dog, certain kinds of mastiff, deerhound, and a number of ridge-backed dogs that had been originally kept by indigenous tribes of South The african continent. Its country of source is Zimbabwe. The indigenous Khoikhoi dog gave the actual breed its distinctive, reverse-hair layer. These dogs were brought in by Boer settlers through the sixteenth and seventeenth hundreds of years. The standard of the breed was made in Rhodesia in 1922. All through history, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has been used for several purposes including hunting, locating, guarding, and supervising kids. South African hunters would keep packs of those dogs to ward away lions. This breed can withstand a number of harsh weather conditions, plus they are capable of going without having food or water for any full 24 hours. The breed was formally recognized in 1959 through the AKC.



Rhodesian Ridgeback Description

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is really a large, muscular hound. The broad head is flat between your ears. The muzzle is actually long and deep, having a defined stop. The nasal area is either black, dark brown or liver, depending about the coat of the canine. The eyes are round and therefore are usually brown with respect to the shade of the canine. The medium sized ear are set high, shedding down, wide at the bottom and tapering to a place. The chest is heavy. The front legs ought to be very straight and powerful. The tail is pretty long, thicker at the bottom, tapering to a stage curving upward slightly. Dewclaws are occasionally removed. The coat is short and dense having a clearly defined symmetrical form of hairs growing within the opposite direction down the center of the back. Coat colors include gentle wheaten to shades of red sometimes having a little white on the actual chest and toes.



Rhodesian Ridgeback Temperament

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are faithful and intelligent and fairly aloof to strangers. This isn't to be confused along with aggression; a Ridgeback of proper temperament could be more inclined to ignore, instead of challenge, a stranger. This particular breed requires positive, reward-based instruction, good socialization and regularity; it is often not the best option for inexperienced dog proprietors. Ridgebacks are strong-willed, smart, and many seem to possess a penchant for mischief, although loving. They are protective of the owners and families. In the event that trained well, they could be excellent guard dogs.



Rhodesian Ridgeback Feeding


Recommended daily amount: 2 3/4 to 4 3/8 glasses of a high-quality dog meals daily, divided into 2 meals.



How much your adult dog eats depends upon his size, age, construct, metabolism, and activity degree. Dogs are individuals, the same as people, and they don't all need exactly the same amount of food. It almost goes without saying that the highly active dog will need greater than a couch potato dog. The caliber of dog food you purchase also makes a difference--the better your dog food, the further it goes toward nourishing your dog and also the less of it you will need to shake into your dog's dish.



Ridgebacks enjoy their food and therefore are known countersurfers. Keep food well from reach and consider dog-proofing your cabinets to maintain your dog from getting their own snacks.



Keep your Ridgeback who is fit by measuring his meals and feeding him twice each day rather than leaving food out constantly. If you're unsure regardless of whether he's overweight, give him the attention test and the hands-on check. First, look down from him. You should have the ability to see a waist. Then place both hands on his back, thumbs across the spine, with the fingertips spread downward. You will be able to feel but not see his ribs and never have to press hard. If you cannot, he needs less food and much more exercise.



Rhodesian Ridgeback Care

The Rhodesian ridgeback will okay with apartment life so long as they are exercised frequently. They are not really active indoors and they prefer to possess a large yard to operate and play.




The Rhodesian ridgeback is fairly easy to deal with. Their coat needs to become brushed with a firm bristle brush a couple of times a week. They only require a bath when really filthy and after hunting. They're an average shedder.



The Ridgeback has wonderful stamina that they'll keep going almost all night and day, while you become exhausted and wore out. They'll adapt to exercise that's done on a normal base. After hunting, always be certain to check their feet for just about any torn pads. Always make certain after hunting to examine their ears for mites or fleas they may catch while out within the yard or woods.



Rhodesian Ridgeback Grooming

The Rhodesian Ridgeback sheds a reasonable amount of hair. You will find hair stuck to your own couch, carpets, clothes and everything else in your house. The coat of the actual Rhodesian Ridgeback requires hardly any grooming. Standard grooming duties, such as brushing tend to be recommended. Washing the coat is just recommended when necessary.



Rhodesian Ridgeback Training

Training must be started while very young with these dogs to prevent difficulties later on. Rhodesian Ridgebacks demands firm handlers, but training also needs to be gentle and constant. These dogs are excellent as watch dogs, as well as for hunting purposes.



Rhodesian Ridgeback Pictures