Ratings

Breed Introduction

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a sturdy, muscular, and lively dog, with a balanced and smooth appearance. A mature Rhodesian Ridgeback shows handsome, strong, athletic qualities, with enduring stamina and speed. Exhibiting a calm and dignified temperament, the Rhodesian Ridgeback deeply loves its owner but is reserved towards strangers. A unique characteristic of this breed is the ridge of backward hair along its back; this reverse hair is a very important feature of the breed and should be taken seriously.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are highly regarded in the United States for their effective work capabilities and non-disruptive nature. Their suspiciousness and ability to train show that they will only obey their owner, alongside their nature of being fond of children, making them popular in American households.

The origins of the Rhodesian Ridgeback can be traced back to the 16th and 17th centuries when Danish, German, and Hungarian settlers brought their hunting dogs, such as Great Danes, Mastiffs, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, and other breeds, to South Africa. After 1707, immigration from Europe was halted, but the dogs brought to South Africa also had an influence on the characteristics of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.