The Rhodesian Ridgeback is descended from a variety of European Breeds and the dogs of the Hottentot Tribes. South African settlers of the late 1800’s needed a hardy multi-skilled dog that could hunt, guard and be a companion. Their speed, agility, cunning and bravery when hunting large animals, made them a favourite of hunters and farmers. They were even used to bay Lions (not kill them, the hunter did that). As a Breed, Rhodesian Ridgeback’s were official recognised in 1926 in their country of origin. They entered Australia in 1966. 

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a medium to large dog with a delightful nature, a faithful one person or one family dogs, whose favourite pastime is to be near their human/s. They are affectionate and loyal with their friends, but are off-hand with strangers. They are placid, easy-going and tolerant with children. An intelligent and quick learning dog, they benefit from training, but bore easily with repetition. They love to run, but are equally happy to laze around if there is nothing better to do. A common trait they share with sight-hounds, is the desire to chase, so a tight hold must be kept on their lead.

As a relatively new breed, the genetic make-up of the Rhodesian Ridgeback still varies greatly. They come in a variety of styles, varying in characteristics such as; height, colour, ridge shape, head shape, etc. Even in the same litter, puppies can vary greatly in these characteristics. This should always be remembered when looking at a litter. Especially as they can change week from week, until they are ready to go to their new homes at eight weeks of age. A prospective owner should become familiar with the differences, by visiting owners, breeders, dog shows and club events. The more dogs they see, the better idea they will have as to what they want. After all, Ridgebacks live to approx 14 years, you will have this puppy for its life time.

The Breed Standard is the blueprint of any breed, and contains the desired characteristics of the ‘perfect’ specimen of the breed. In the show ring, Judges are looking for dogs which in their opinion best fit this Standard. This is also the main aim for reputable breeders, who aim to produce puppies which fit it as closely as possible. 

In Australia we use the Country of Origin Breed Standard, which is the Kennel Union of Southern Africa and Zimbabwe Kennel Club (2 Oct 2000). It can be found on the ANKC (Australian National Kennel Council) website.

History: The Rhodesian Ridgeback is presently the only registered breed indigenous to Southern Africa. Its forebears can be traced to Cape Colony of Southern Africa where they crossed with the early pioneers’ dogs and the semi-domesticated, ridged Hottentot hunting dogs. Hunting mainly in groups of two or three, the original function of the Rhodesian Ridgeback or Lion dog was to track game, especially lion, and, with great agility, keep it at bay until the arrival of the hunter. 

The original standard, which was drafted by F.R Barnes, in Bulawayo, Rhodesia, in 1922, was based on that on the Dalmatian and approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1926. 

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is still used to hunt game in many parts of the world, but especially prized as a watch-dog and family pet. 

General Appearance:  The Rhodesian Ridgeback should represent a well-balanced, strong, muscular, agile and active dog, symmetrical in outline and capable of great endurance with a fair amount of speed. The emphasis is on agility, elegance and soundness with no tendency towards massiveness. The peculiarity of the breed is the ridge on the back, which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. 

Characteristics: The ridge is the escutcheon of the breed. The ridge must be clearly defined, symmetrical and tapering towards the haunch. It must start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to the hip (haunches) bones. The ridge must contain only two crowns, identical and opposite each other. The lower edges of the crowns must not extend further down the ridge than one-third of its length. A good average width of the ridge is 5 cm (2ins). 

Temperament: Dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers but showing no aggression or shyness. 

Head and Skull:  Cranial Region: Skull - Should be of a fair length (width of head between ears, distance from occiput to stop, stop to end of nose, should be equal), flat and broad between the ears; the head should be free from wrinkles when in repose. Stop - Should be reasonably well defined and not in one straight line from the nose to the occipital bone.

Facial Region - Nose - Should be black or brown. A black nose should be accompanied by dark eyes, a brown nose by amber eyes. 

Muzzle - Should be long, deep and powerful. 
Lips - Should be clean, closely fitting the jaws. 
Cheeks - Should be clean. 

Eyes: Should be moderately well apart, round, bright and sparkling, with intelligent expression, their colour harmonising with the colour of the coat. 

Ears: Should be set rather high, of medium size, rather wide at base and gradually tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head.

Mouth: Jaws strong with a perfect and complete scissor bite, i.e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. The teeth must be well developed, especially the canines or holders. 

Neck: Should be fairly long, strong and free from throatiness. 

Forequarters: The forelegs should be perfectly straight, strong and well boned, with the elbows close to the body. When viewed from the side, the forelegs should be wider than viewed from the front. Pasterns should be strong with slight spring. 

Shoulders: Should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting speed. 

Body: Back - Powerful.

Loins - Strong, muscular and slightly arched. 
Chest - Should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious; the brisket should reach to the elbow. 
Forechest - Should be visible when viewed from the side. 
Ribs - Moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel-hoops. 

Hindquarters: In the hind legs the muscles should be clean and well defined with good turn of stifle and strong hocks well let down. 

Feet: Should be compact and round with well arched toes and tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes and pads. 

Tail: Should be strong at the root and gradually tapering towards the end, free from coarseness. It should be of moderate length. It should not be attached too high nor too low and should be carried with a slight curve upwards, never curled. 

Gait / Movement:  Straight forward, free and active. 

Coat – Hair: Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly nor silky. 

Colour: Light wheaten to red wheaten. little white on the chest and toes is permissible, but excessive white hairs here, on belly or above toes is undesirable. A dark muzzle and ears permissible. Excessive black hairs throughout the coat are highly undesirable. 

Size - The desirable heights are: 
Dogs 63 cms (25 ins) to 69cms (27 ins) 
Bitches 61cms (24 ins) to 66cms (26 ins) 

Weight - The desirable weights are: 
Dogs 36.5kgs (80 lbs) 
Bitches 32 kgs (70 lbs) 

Faults - Any departure from the foregoing points should be considered a fault and the seriousness with which the fault should be regarded should be in exact proportion to its degree. 

Note - Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum.