Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback, a majestic and powerful dog breed, carries a fascinating legacy from the rugged landscapes of Southern Africa. Originally bred to track big game, including lions, it's instantly recognizable by the distinctive ridge of hair running down its back. This breed's journey from African wilderness to beloved family companion is a testament to its unique blend of loyalty, intelligence, and a surprisingly sensitive nature. The Rhodesian Ridgeback's signature ridge is a genetic trait inherited from ancient African hunting dogs, later refined through a blend with European breeds. Bred for challenging tasks like 'baying' lions, these dogs possess a courageous yet protective temperament that demands consistent training and socialization. Despite their robust appearance, Ridgebacks have specific health considerations, including a unique congenital neural-tube defect known as dermoid sinus.
AI Summary
The Rhodesian Ridgeback, a majestic and powerful dog breed, carries a fascinating legacy from the rugged landscapes of Southern Africa. Originally bred to track big game, including lions, it's instantly recognizable by the distinctive ridge of hair running down its back. This breed's journey from African wilderness to beloved family companion is a testament to its unique blend of loyalty, intelligence, and a surprisingly sensitive nature.
- The Rhodesian Ridgeback's signature ridge is a genetic trait inherited from ancient African hunting dogs, later refined through a blend with European breeds.
- Bred for challenging tasks like 'baying' lions, these dogs possess a courageous yet protective temperament that demands consistent training and socialization.
- Despite their robust appearance, Ridgebacks have specific health considerations, including a unique congenital neural-tube defect known as dermoid sinus.
A Legacy Born in Africa
Our story begins in Southern Africa, where the Rhodesian Ridgeback was first developed. The breed standard, a blueprint for its ideal characteristics, was penned by F.R. Barnes in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia—now Zimbabwe—in 1922. This standard quickly gained approval from the South African Kennel Union in 1927, marking the official recognition of this incredible dog.
The Khoikhoi Connection
Long before European settlers arrived, the indigenous Khoikhoi people of the Cape Peninsula kept a unique hunting and guardian dog. Europeans arriving in the mid-17th century described these dogs as fearless and ferocious protectors, surprisingly lean yet muscular, standing about 18 inches tall. Their most striking feature? A distinctive ridge of hair growing in reverse along their back.
Within just 53 years of the first Dutch settlements, European colonists were already integrating these local dogs into their own lives. They recognized the remarkable qualities of the Khoikhoi dogs, particularly their courage and protective instincts.
A Blend of Worlds: European Influences
By the early 1800s, a variety of European breeds had also made their way to Southern Africa. Dedicated hunting dogs like Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes, and Bloodhounds were imported, bringing their own strengths to the evolving canine landscape.
Notably, the Dogo Cubano, an extinct breed known for guarding and fighting, played a significant role. Genetic analysis actually shows a close relationship between the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Great Dane, suggesting a major contribution from the latter. These European imports were then crossbred with the indigenous African dogs, including those of the Khoikhoi people.
This deliberate interbreeding created what were generically known as 'Boer hunting dogs' or 'boerhond'—the direct ancestors of today's Rhodesian Ridgeback. Remarkably, ancient dog genome sequencing reveals that the Rhodesian Ridgeback still retains about 4% pre-colonial African ancestry, a living link to its ancient roots.
Founding Fathers: Helm and van Rooyen
The modern Rhodesian Ridgeback truly began to take shape with the arrival of Rev. Charles Helm. In 1879, he brought two ridged, rough-coated, grey-black bitches from South Africa to the Hope Fountain Mission in Matabeleland, Southern Rhodesia, where he served as a missionary and advisor to King Lobengula.
It was at Hope Fountain that Helm met Cornelius van Rooyen, a renowned big-game hunter. Van Rooyen, recognizing the exceptional guarding abilities of Helm's ridged dogs, decided to breed them with his own hunting pack. This crossbreeding became the foundational stock for a new line of dogs.
The 'Lion Dog' Emerges
After initial litters that were rougher and greyer, van Rooyen's breeding program eventually produced redder-coated offspring, incorporating the distinctive ridge from the Khoikhoi landrace dogs. Over the next 35 years, he developed dogs specifically for 'baying' lions.
This wasn't about attacking a lion head-on; rather, these dogs were trained to harass and confuse the formidable animal with quick snaps and darting movements until the hunter could arrive and take a shot. They also proved invaluable for hunting boars and other big game, as well as clearing farmland of pests like wild pigs and baboons.
Establishing the Standard
In 1922, F. R. Barnes formally drafted the first breed standard, basing it on the Dalmatian, a well-established breed. This occurred at the founding of the first Rhodesian Ridgeback Club at a Bulawayo Kennel Club show. The South African Kennel Union approved Barnes' standard in 1927, solidifying the breed's identity.
International recognition followed. The breed was introduced to Britain in 1928 and made its way to the United States in 1950, thanks to the dedicated efforts of enthusiasts like Mr. and Mrs. William H. O'Brien. The American Kennel Club officially recognized the Rhodesian Ridgeback in its hound group in 1955, cementing its place on the global stage.
The Controversial Practice of Culling
Historically, and controversially, many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies were culled at birth for various reasons, including lacking the characteristic ridge. Some breed clubs even made ridgelessness a requirement for culling, a practice that drew significant ethical criticism.
Public outcry, particularly after documentaries like the BBC's 'Pedigree Dogs Exposed,' brought this practice to light. While some clubs argued that culling wasn't mandatory if a breeder found it morally impossible, the intense scrutiny ultimately led to a crucial change: most clubs reversed their codes of ethics to state, 'no healthy puppy will be culled.' Today, breeders increasingly opt for surgical sterilization of ridgeless puppies, ensuring they live full lives as pets without contributing to the breeding pool.
Distinctive Appearance and Temperament
The Iconic Ridge
The Rhodesian Ridgeback's most defining feature is, of course, the ridge of hair running along its back. This fan-like area, formed by two whorls of hair called 'crowns,' tapers from just behind the shoulders down to the hips. Typically about two inches wide at its broadest point, this remarkable trait is believed to have originated from the ancient African dogs that were the breed's ancestors.
Other breeds, like the Thai Ridgeback and the Phu Quoc ridgeback, also possess this unique reverse hair pattern, leading historians to speculate about ancient connections and possible imports between these geographically distant breeds.
A Powerful and Poised Build
These are truly impressive dogs. Males typically stand 26–29 inches (66–74 cm) at the shoulder and weigh around 99 pounds (45 kg), while females are slightly smaller at 24–26 inches (61–66 cm) and about 84 pounds (38 kg). They are very muscular, covered in a short, dense, glossy coat that ranges from light wheaten to red wheaten.
While white markings are acceptable on the chest and toes, excessive white is generally considered a fault. Their noses can be black or a striking liver color, which is a recessive gene but believed by some breeders to be vital for maintaining coat vibrancy. Eyes should be round, dark with a black nose, or amber with a liver nose, always reflecting their dignified demeanor.
Loyal, Intelligent, and Sensitive
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are celebrated for their loyalty and keen intelligence. They often display a natural aloofness toward strangers, which should not be mistaken for aggression. A well-socialized Ridgeback will only act defensively if there's a clear reason to do so.
However, their strong will and athletic build mean they require consistent training and proper socialization from a young age. This makes them less ideal for first-time dog owners or families with very young children, as they thrive with experienced guidance.
Despite their imposing 'lion dog' reputation, Ridgebacks possess a remarkably sensitive side. Francis R. Barnes, the breed's first standard writer, cautioned against 'rough treatment' especially when they are young, noting it can 'go to pieces' with such handling. They respond best to fair, justified correction from owners they know and trust.
The Genetics of the Ridge
For years, the mystery of the ridge captivated breeders and scientists alike. In 2007, a consortium of researchers from Swedish and American universities finally identified the specific genotype responsible for this unique trait. This was a breakthrough in understanding canine genetics!
The ridge is an autosomal dominant trait, meaning only one copy of the gene is usually needed for the dog to have a ridge. However, it exhibits near-complete penetrance, with about 95% of dogs carrying one copy showing the ridge. 'Ridgelessness' is the only disqualification in the AKC standard for the breed, occurring when a puppy inherits no copies of the ridge mutation from its parents.
Today, genetic tests are available to determine if a dog is homozygous (R/R – two ridge genes) or heterozygous (R/r – one ridge gene) for the ridge mutation. This allows breeders to accurately predict the likelihood of ridgeless puppies, aiding responsible breeding practices.
Health Considerations for Ridgebacks
Like all breeds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are predisposed to certain health conditions. Their average life expectancy is a healthy 12 years, but owners should be aware of specific concerns, including hip dysplasia and dermoid sinus. They also rank highly for thyroid problems among breeds recorded by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals.
Dermoid Sinus: A Congenital Concern
Dermoid sinus is a congenital neural-tube defect unique to the breed, often described as a thin 'spaghetti strand' under the skin along the spine. Breeders and veterinarians should screen puppies at birth through palpation from the skull to the tail. Affected dogs should never be bred, even if surgically corrected, as the condition can be costly to treat and, if left unaddressed, can lead to painful abscesses, meningitis, and even death.
Interestingly, supplementing a pregnant dam's diet with folic acid has been shown to reduce the incidence of dermoid sinus. Studies estimate that 8-10% of the Swedish Ridgeback population and nearly 5% of US Ridgebacks are affected, highlighting the importance of screening.
Other Health Watchpoints
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also among the breeds more commonly affected by degenerative myelopathy, a progressive neurological disease caused by an autosomal recessive mutation in the SOD1 gene. This condition primarily impacts the spinal cord, leading to hind limb weakness and paralysis.
Hypothyroidism, an underactive thyroid, is a growing concern. Symptoms can include weight gain and hair loss, but it's easily managed with inexpensive daily oral medication. Researchers have identified a specific genetic haplotype that can double a Ridgeback's chances of developing hypothyroidism due to lymphocytic thyroiditis, the primary cause in the breed.
Finally, like many deep-chested breeds, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to gastric dilatation volvulus, commonly known as bloat. This is a life-threatening emergency that requires immediate veterinary attention. Awareness and preventative measures are key for responsible owners.
Article
Rhodesian Ridgeback
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 assisting in the hunting of lions. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known for their protective, yet loyal temperaments.
History
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Ein Jagdhund - a Rhodesian Ridgeback by Karl Friedrich Schulz c.1834
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 inches (46 cm) 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.
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. Genetic analysis indicates that the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Great Dane fall within the same genetic clade (group), which implies the Dane's major contribution. These breeds were bred with the indigenous African dogs, including the dog of the Khoikhoi people, which resulted in the Boer hunting dogs, generically called names such as boerhond (Boer hound) in Dutch; then its descendant language of Afrikaans, which are the chief forerunners to the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback. The sequencing of ancient dog genomes indicates that the southern African Rhodesian Ridgeback retains 4% pre-colonial ancestry.
The Rev. Charles Helm (1844–1915), son of the Rev. Daniel Helm of the London Missionary Society, was born in the Cape Colony, joined the London Missionary Society himself, and moved from the Zuurbraak (now Suurbraak) mission station just east of Swellendam (modern Western Cape Province, South Africa) to the Hope Fountain Mission in Matabeleland, Southern Rhodesia, travelling from October 1874 to December 1875, then bringing two ridged dog bitches from somewhere between Kimberley (modern Northern Cape Province, South Africa) and Swellendam with him to Hope Fountain in 1879 en route to becoming, as it would turn out, a political advisor to King Lobengula, house-host to hunter-explorer Frederick Courteney Selous, postmaster of Bulawayo and well-appreciated tooth-extractor. At Hope Fountain, now part of the city of Bulawayo, fellow South African transplant Cornelius van Rooyen (b. 1860, Uitenhage, modern Eastern Cape Province, South Africa), a big–game hunter, was married to Maria Vermaak of Bloemhof by Charles Helm in 1879 the same year Helm brought his two rough-coated grey-black bitches to the Mission. Van Rooyen saw Helm's pair of bitches and decided to breed his own dogs with them to incorporate their guarding abilities.
After initially greyer, rough-coated litters originating from Helm's dogs, van Rooyen's subsequently crossed offspring turned to redder coats, incorporating the Khoikhoi landrace dog's ridges already carried in Boer dogs within his genomes. They became the foundation stock of a kennel which developed dogs over the next 35 years with the ability to bay a lion, to not attack it outright but to harass it by darting in and out with quick snaps and confusing the animal until the hunter shot it. These dogs were used to hunt lions, boars and other big game as well as to clear farmlands of wild pigs and baboons, and they can kill a baboon independently of a human hunter's collaboration.
The original breed standard was drafted in 1922 by F. R. Barnes on founding the first Rhodesian Ridgeback Club at a Bulawayo Kennel Club show, then in Southern Rhodesia (now in Zimbabwe), and based on that of the Dalmatian. In 1927, Barnes' standard was approved by the South African Kennel Union. Outside the subcontinent and internationally, the first Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Britain were shown by Mrs. Edward Foljambe in 1928. In 1950, Mr. and Mrs. William H. O'Brien of Arizona brought six carefully selected Rhodesian Ridgebacks to the US from South Africa. He and his wife and Margaret Lowthian of California began the process of getting the breed accepted by the American Kennel Club. Similarly, in 1952, The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain was founded at Crufts to promote the breed around the United Kingdom to show judges, so a standard for the breed might be recognised. In 1954 the first Challenge Certificates were awarded to dogs shown as Rhodesian Ridgebacks at United Kingdom competitions, toward their subsequent recognition by The Kennel Club of Great Britain, and in 1955 the American Kennel Club recognised the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed as a member of the hound group.
Culling of puppies
Traditionally, many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies were culled at birth for numerous reasons, including ridgelessness. Some breed parent clubs and canine registries in Europe have even made the culling of ridgeless whelps a requirement. Contemporary breeders are increasingly opting for surgical sterilisation of these offspring to ensure they will not be bred but can live into maturity as non-showing, non-breeding pets. It was pointed out on the BBC One investigative documentary Pedigree Dogs Exposed that the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Great Britain's "code of ethics", which is ratified annually by the kennel club, states that "Ridgeless puppies shall be culled", and that "mismarked" puppies will only ever be sold on condition that they are never shown, and are neutered. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club defended itself pointing to the statement that follows, "if a breeder finds this morally impossible [to cull the puppy] the puppy shall be homed..." as indication that culling is not mandatory, but preferred. It was only after the publicity surrounding the promotion of culling that they reversed their code of ethics to say "no healthy puppy will be culled".
Description
Appearance
Rhodesian Ridgeback showing distinctive ridge
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 inches (51 mm) 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 (66–74 cm) at the withers and weigh about 45 kg (99 lb) (FCI standard); females are typically 24–26 inches (61–66 cm) tall and about 38 kg (84 lb) 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.
White is acceptable on the chest and toes, but excessive white is considered a fault. The presence of black guard hairs or ticking is not addressed in the AKC standard, although the elaboration of the AKC standard notes the amount of black or dark brown in the coat should not be excessive. The FCI standard states that excessive black hairs throughout the coat are highly undesirable. Rhodesian Ridgebacks sometimes have a dark mask, but it is not considered a fault to have no mask at all. The dog's nose should be black or liver in keeping with the colour of the dog. No other coloured nose is permissible. The brown nose is a recessive gene. It is not as common as a black nose; some breeders believe the inclusion of brown noses in a breeding program is necessary for maintaining the vibrancy of the coat. The eyes should be round and should reflect the dog's colour: dark eyes with a black nose, amber eyes with a brown (liver) nose.
Other dog breeds also have a reverse line of fur along the spine, including the Kombai, the Phu Quoc ridgeback dog and Thai Ridgeback. The Thai Ridgeback is a crossbreed of the Phu Quoc; historians have speculated the relationship between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Phu Quoc with suggestions that historically one breed may have been imported to the other's location.
• Rhodesian Ridgeback • Rhodesian Ridgeback • Examples of ridges • Ridge with an extra whorl
Temperament
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. They go to pieces with handling of that kind." The Rhodesian Ridgeback accepts correction as long as it is fair and justified, and as long as it comes from someone whom the dog knows and trusts.
Genetics of the ridge
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Male Rhodesian Ridgeback
A juvenile Female Rhodesian Ridgeback
The genotype responsible for the ridge was found by a consortium of researchers at the Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences (Nicolette Salmon Hillbertz, Göran Andersson, et al.), Uppsala University (Leif Andersson, Mats Nilsson, et al.) and the Broad Institute (Kerstin Lindblad-Toh, et al.) in 2007.
The only disqualification in the AKC standard for this breed is "ridgelessness". This term refers to the purebred offspring of heterozygous parental animals that do not inherit a copy of the ridge mutation from either parent and thus lack the classic ridged back. The most current research suggests that the ridge mutation is autosomal dominant with near-complete penetrance: 95% of heterozygous dogs have a ridged back. Well under 25% of puppies lack a ridge, indicating a significant proportion of the breed are homozygous for the mutation.
The genetic test which distinguishes dominant homozygotes (R/R - two ridge genes) from heterozygotes (R/r - one ridge gene) is available (www.genocan.eu/en). Using the genetic test, a breeder may accurately predict birth of ridgeless puppies.
Rhodesian Ridgeback on trail
Rhodesian Ridgeback running
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Health
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Health conditions that are known to affect the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed are hip dysplasia and dermoid sinus. The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number six in terms of most affected breeds for thyroid problems recorded by the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals. A UK study found the average life expectancy to be 12 years.
Dermoid sinus
Dermoid sinus is a congenital neural-tube defect that is known to affect this breed. The dermoid is often likened to a thin "spaghetti strand" beneath the skin. Puppies should always be screened at birth by the breeder and veterinarian, and the examination repeated as the puppies grow before they go to their new homes. This is done by palpation of the subcutaneous dorsal midline from the base of the skull to the insertion of the tail. Surgical removal is an option for affected neonates, puppies and adult dogs. All affected dogs, even those surgically corrected, should be spayed or neutered and never be bred, since surgical dermoid sinus removal can be extremely cost prohibitive, and because many unremoved dermoid sinuses will eventually abscess. Abscessed dermoid sinuses will be at best a recurrent, painful problem, and if the sinus communicates with the tissues around the spinal cord, cause meningitis and often death. However, it has been shown that supplementation of folic acid to the diet of the brood bitch before mating and during pregnancy reduces the incidence of dermoid sinus. One study on the Swedish population estimates that 8-10% are affected. Slightly less than 5% of Rhodesian Ridgebacks were reported to be affected with the condition in a US breed club survey.
Degenerative myelopathy
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is one of the breeds more commonly affected by degenerative myelopathy. The condition is caused by an autosomal recessive mutation in the SOD1 gene.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a growing problem in the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and this condition causes a multitude of symptoms, including weight gain and hair loss. Treatment for hypothyroidism in dogs consists of an inexpensive once-daily oral medication. Dr. Lorna Kennedy at the University of Manchester's Centre for Integrated Genomic Medical Research in England has found the haplotype (group of genes), which, when present, double the chances of a Rhodesian Ridgeback becoming hypothyroid due to lymphocytic thyroiditis. This is important to the breed because lymphocytic thyroiditis is the overwhelming cause of hypothyroidism in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Gastric dilatation volvulus
Like many other deep-chested breeds, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to gastric dilatation volvulus, commonly known as bloat. This is a potentially fatal condition that requires immediate treatment.
Resources
RRCUS H&G - the Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States maintains a web site devoted to the breed's health issues that also gathers ongoing research for their Health & Genetics Committee. This group recommends that breeders perform at least four health screenings: hips, elbows, thyroid and eyes, with cardiac and hearing tests optional.
CRRHS - it is also recommended that all ridgeback owners enter their dogs' information in the Comprehensive Rhodesian Ridgeback Health Survey.
Notable owners
Rhodesian Ridgeback
• Princess Charlene of Monaco has a Rhodesian Ridgeback named Khan. • American actor and singer, Patrick Swayze was well-known for his love of the breed.