An Excellent and loyal Rhodesian Ridgeback guard dog Breed

What is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Breed?

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed developed in Rhodesia. They are confident, independent and intelligent dogs. They are devoted friends who fiercely protect their loved ones and show melting affection to those they can trust.

When fully grown, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a calm and balanced temperament. Puppies are playful, curious and enthusiastic. Light wheatish to reddish colored coats may occasionally include some white in addition to black on the chest and toes.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog History

The original Khoikhoi dogs were crossed with European breeds introduced by Dutch settlers, Boers, including greyhounds and various terriers to create the Rhodesian Ridgeback, a unique product of South Africa.

When the Dutch began trading with the Cape Peninsula in the mid-17th century, the Khoikhoi people living there had a semi-wild hunting dog that Europeans recognized as completely fearless and vicious while serving as a guard dog.

Cornelius van Rooyen was a large game hunter from Rhodesia who in the late 19th century had two striped females in a pack of lion dogs that resembled greyhounds.

The American Kennel Club officially approved the breed in 1955. The vicious guard dogs known as Rhodesian Ridgebacks. He was famous then, as now, for his love and loyalty to his family, as well as his tolerance and acceptance of his children.

Different names or Types

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog other names

African Lionhound
African Lion Dog

Recognized Names

Recognitions

AKC: American Kennel Club
FCI: Fédération Cynologique International
RRCUS: Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the US
ACR: American Canine Registry

Appearance & Characteristics

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is easily recognized by the strip of hair down its back that runs clockwise against the rest of its coat. It consists of two tufts of hair forming a fan-shaped area, and extends from behind the shoulders to the level of the hips.

At its widest point, the ridge is often only 2 inches wide. It is said to have descended from a dog designated by the first population of African dogs that had a crest similar to this one.

The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a short, thick, sleek and shiny coat. Usually very muscular. Its coat can range from pale wheat to red wheat. There are occasions when Rhodesian Ridgebacks wear ominous masks. A dog’s nose is black or liver depending on the breed.

Other nose colors are prohibited. There is a gene for brown nose. It is not as prevalent as the black nose, but some breeders believe that the brown nose should be bred to maintain coat dynamism. Round eyes matching the color of the dog should have a black or amber nose and black or amber eyes respectively.

Breed basic characteristics

Country of origin: Zimbabwe
Breed group: Hound
Life span: 10-13 years
Size: Large
Height: 24-29 inch
Weight: 79-106 Pound
Coat: Short, Dense and Silky
Type: Purebred
Shedding: Occasional
Colors: Red, Gold, Yellow, Black, Liver
Also as known: African Lion Hound
Good with children: Yes
Personality traits: Willful, Playful, Aloof
Good with pets: Yes
Barking: Infrequent
Competitive registration: AKC, FCI, RRCUS, ACR
Eyes: Their eyes are round and brown in color.
Ears: Its ears are of medium size and high
Body: Strong, Muscular, Balanced and Athletic body

Coat

Most Rhodesian have a short, thick coat that is softly shiny, and a recognizable stripe down their back. Their single coat color, wheaten, which ranges from light brown to reddish brown, is the only one available.

Color and Markings

Common coat colors for this Breed include.

Wheaten
Brindle
Black & Tan
Silver
Gray
Gold
Liver
Red
Yellow

Coat Color and Markings

The short, thick coat of ridgebacks has a lustrous appearance and can be any hue from light wheat to red wheat. On the chest and toes, faint white marks are permitted, but not above the toes or on the belly. And although their coat appears smooth, when you touch it, it feels a little bit scratchy.

Personality and Temperament of Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback’s independence and intelligence make for an exciting, challenging and rewarding mix. His natural features have earned him many fans. Although this breed is somewhat hardier than the typical hound breed, it exhibits many of the traits often associated with hounds.

The Ridgeback is peaceful and gentle, and rarely barks at strangers. With family members, is kind and loving. Human violence is frequently exhibited by Rhodesians. In addition, they usually get along well with other dogs, especially if they are raised in the same household.

However, especially when fighting others of the same sex, they have a reputation for rising to the occasion and maintaining their composure. They were bred to hunt lions, with strong prey drive towards smaller animals not of their own species. This dog breed is also highly perceptive and sensitive to people’s energies.

They can be great with children, but early interaction with them from a puppy is important. This breed can be frustrating for first-time dog parents. They are more suitable for active parents who have experience training dogs.

Activity Requirements

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are powerful, athletic dogs who need a reasonable amount of exercise and may adjust well to a range of living conditions when given daily activities like long walks and play sessions with their owner.

Running is one of their favorite activities, and they require exercise to be wholesome and content. By taking part in dog sports like agility, tracking, and other activities that owners and their dogs may enjoy together, the breed can also exercise its mind and body.

Also Read: Cane Corso Dog Breed

Trainability

The Rhodesian Ridgeback needs to be indoors with its human family because it is an intelligent and loyal companion. They should be trained with a firm but gentle hand starting from a young age as they can be strong-willed, independent and occasionally dominant.

Positive reinforcement puppy training sessions and early socialization are advised. Their independence and stubborn nature can make training challenging. Positive reinforcement, persistence and consistency are essential.

When the dog is a puppy, try to train it. As the dog gets older, introduce him to obedience training and expose him to different people, dogs and situations. Ridgebacks are cautious around strangers, but early and consistent socialization can help them become more easygoing and confident.

Health & problems

The Rhodesian Ridgeback has an average lifespan of 13 years and is generally considered a healthy breed. it Rhodesian Ridgeback, like other breeds, however, suffers from many ailments. According to the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, the official breed group, breeders must perform a thorough hip and elbow assessment.

In addition, the club advises comprehensive testing for thyroid, heart and eye problems. Like other large dogs, the Rhodesian is prone to a syndrome in which the abdomen distends, twists, or inverts, impeding blood supply to other organs. This disease is fatal.

Eye problems: The Rhodesian Ridgeback is also prone to many eye problems including glaucoma, cataracts, progressive retina, ectropion, atrophy and entropion.

Hip & Elbow Dysplasia: The cause of the bones rubbing against each other in this issue is an improper growth of the joints. Additionally, if untreated, the dog’s ability to play, fly on the bed, and walk normally would suffer.

Feeding Plan

Nutrition and food for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the same as for any other active, athletic dog. Rhodesians should be fed a high quality commercial diet as their energy levels are high.

Clean water should always be available for the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Feed this dog nutritious, high-quality food. Most owners feed their dogs two meals a day. Be careful to talk to the vet about nutrition and dosage, as the appropriate amount of food varies on many parameters, including age, size and activity level.

To prevent overeating, make sure to include snacks and other extras in the dog’s daily diet. Ridgebacks can easily pick food off tables and countertops because of their size. So always ensure the safety of the food.

Living conditions

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a wonderful companion dog because of their remarkable endurance. As with large dogs that enjoy being outdoors, the Rhodesian Ridgeback fares best in homes with plenty of room for play. It is better for these hounds to stay in a gated area. They are unfit to live in an apartment.

They enjoy spending time with families, but they need a responsible pet parent who can take the time to properly socialize them from an early age. If raised around cats, these dogs can get along well with them.

They get along well with children, but both the child and the dog need to learn how to interact with each other. These are wonderful family guardians and natural watchdogs, but they need to understand that someone is in control.

How to Take Care of Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog?

Rhodesian ridgebacks require a committed owner who can provide them regular exercise, continuous training, and socializing. If these huge, strong dogs are not well-behaved, they can be challenging to control. Fortunately, they just require simple grooming.

Grooming & Brushing

When it comes to grooming, Rhodesian Ridgebacks require little care. They just require the odd wash, but their short coats need to be brushed once a week to eliminate dead hair and keep a healthy gloss.

To disperse oils and eliminate stray fur, brush once a week. In the spring and fall, you could see more shedding as a result of the changing weather. It’s crucial to brush a couple times every week. Depending on how unclean he is, bathe the dog once or twice a month.

Additionally, inspect the ears once a week for any debris, redness, or other anomalies. About once a month, examine the nails to see whether they require cutting. Attempt to regularly brush the dog’s teeth.

Feed Healthy food

Every breed of dog needs to maintain an acceptable, healthy weight. For optimal health and performance, they should eat a diet that contains vegetables, ground bones, physiologically appropriate proteins, good fats and vegetables.

The building blocks of all living forms, amino acids, are found in proteins. Puppy food must contain at least 22% protein. High-quality recipes should have real meat as the first ingredient in the ingredient list. Foods with healthy fats include beef meal, fish, eggs, fish oil, flaxseed, and fish.

The following items should never be feed to Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog

Tomato leaves stem or unripe fruit
Moldy or spoiled food of any kind
Alcohol, beer, wine or liquor
Onions, chives, and garlic
Grapes or raisins
Salt & salty foods
Poultry bones
Yeast dough
Chocolate, coffee, or tea

Puppy information

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Training

It is important to start training every dog as soon as they bring their puppies home. As a new pet owner you will teach the dog to use the toilet whenever it is convenient for you and whenever necessary.

Be prepared to spend the first two weeks observing the dog’s behavior and taking him to the toilet whenever you feel he needs to go. It is crucial for socialization, manners and obedience training for dogs.

Behavioral training

Behavior training is essential for Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies. If the puppy is adequately trained and rewarded, these behaviors can be easily controlled. Here are 5 methods for teaching kids to be non-violent. Always be punctual, assertive, consistent and positive while communicating with him. You should also give it a timeout.

Obedience training

They form a strong bond with their owner and are affectionate and friendly. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are smart and like training. They are excellent at agility and tricks. During obedience training, you can teach him a variety of useful skills, such as ordering him to come when the phone rings, to lie down, to use the bathroom, to sit, walk, and run.

Socialization

The one of the most crucial elements of dog ownership is socialization. The dog has to be sociable. Socialization should ideally start as soon as feasible. The process of socializing entails introducing the dog to a wide range of circumstances, people, animals, sights, and odors.

Thankfully, social chances may be found practically anywhere. The best locations to start are dog parks, pet-friendly restaurants, pet supply stores, and fresh walking routes. Occasionally, it’s a good idea to visit someone else’s home with friends or the dog.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog puppies for sale

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a self-assured, independent, and smart dog. This particular dog breed originated in Rhodesia. who is devoted to their family and very loving. Costs for Rhodesian Ridgeback pups normally range from $1,700 to $2,500.

Things to consider adopting a Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more challenging to teach than other breeds due to its independence and high prey drive.
Despite being typically friendly with kids, because of their size, they might be harmful around young children or the elderly since they can knock them down.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback’s short coat does not require much brushing, only occasional brushing.
They are not for first time owners and are not suitable for apartment living.
They are perfect companions for long runs who are adaptable to any weather conditions.

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Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Breed