theRhodesian Ridgeback

Dignified, Even-tempered, Affectionate
Hound Group Hound Group

meet theRhodesian Ridgeback

Did you know?

The peculiarity of the Ridgeback breed is the ridge of hair which grows forward on his back.

Learn More

at aGlance

Energy & Size

medium ENERGY &
medium size

AKC Dog Ranking

39th
Most Popular Dog Breed

Personality

  • Check Affectionate
  • Check Dignified
  • Check Even-tempered
Dignified, even tempered; affectionate toward loved ones, reserved with strangers.

theBreed Standard

Embed the breed standard on your site.

  • Click the box above and use
    Cmd + C or Ctrl + C
    to add this code to your site/blog. Show off your love for the Rhodesian Ridgeback!

Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard Illustration 01 02 03 04 05 06

  • General Appearance

    The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active hound, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed.

  • Head

    Should be of fair length, the skull flat and rather broad between the ears and should be free from wrinkles when in repose. The stop should be reasonably well defined. Eyes - should be moderately well apart and should be round, bright and sparkling with intelligent expression, their color harmonizing with the color of the dog. Ears - should be set rather high, of medium size, rather wide at the base and tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head.

  • Body

    The neck should be fairly long. It should be strong, free from throatiness and in balance with the dog. The chest should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed). The back is powerful and firm with strong loins which are muscular and slightly arched.

  • Forequarters

    The shoulders should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting speed. Elbows close to the body. The forelegs should be perfectly straight, strong and heavy in bone. The feet should be compact with well-arched toes, round, tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes and pads. Dewclaws may be removed.
     

  • Coat

    The hallmark of this breed is the ridge on the back which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed. The ridge should be clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It should start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to a point between the prominence of the hips and should contain two identical crowns (whorls) directly opposite each other.

  • Hindquarters

    In the hind legs the muscles should be clean, well defined and hocks well down. Feet as in front.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback
Learn More

theRhodesian Ridgebacks of AKC

Add my DogAdd My Dog

Upload your favorite Rhodesian Ridgeback photos to Twitter or Instagram using the hashtag #akcRhodesianRidgeback.

More Photos

get involved inClubs & Events

National Breed Club

theRhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States, Inc.

Local Breed
Club

Find the Local Breed Clubs in your area.


Meetups

Explore meetups.com and see all of the local Rhodesian Ridgebacks in your area.

exploreOther Breeds