Rhodesian Ridgeback

Personality

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dignified, devoted hound with a mind of its own. The AKC describes dogs that are faithful, protective of their loved ones and meltingly affectionate with the people they trust, yet strong-willed and sometimes domineering. They often bond closely with their family and are reserved, not friendly, with strangers.

Ridgebacks are watchful and confident, which makes them excellent guardians. VCA calls them excellent watchdogs, and the AKC rates the breed's protective nature at the top of its scale. Most are not big barkers, but they notice everything, and an unsocialized dog may be suspicious of visitors.

With their own family, they are gentle and loving. Both the AKC and VCA describe them as good with children, though VCA notes a Ridgeback can be too boisterous for small kids. They usually get along with dogs and pets they grow up with, but unfamiliar small animals may trigger the chase instinct.

They are intelligent but not eager-to-please in the retriever sense. This is a breed that listens when it respects you. Expect a hound with an independent streak who is calm indoors, if properly exercised.

History

The Ridgeback is a creation of southern Africa. The AKC says it arose from crosses between the native ridged dog of the Khoikhoi people and European breeds brought by Dutch settlers, including Greyhounds and various terriers. The native dogs passed on the ridge, along with hardiness against pests such as the tsetse fly and an instinct for surviving in African country.

In the late 19th century, a big-game hunter named Cornelius van Rooyen, living in what was then Rhodesia, added two ridged, Greyhound-like females to his pack of lion dogs. Their ridged offspring proved ideal for confronting lions, circling and baying the animal long enough for the hunter to line up a shot. The dogs' job was to hold the lion at bay; the kill was left to the hunter.

These dogs also guarded homesteads, kept pace with riders on horseback all day and coursed antelope for the pot. In 1922 a meeting was held to write the first breed standard, using the Dalmatian's as a template. By then big-game hunting was fading, and the breed was nearly gone. The AKC recognized the Rhodesian Ridgeback in 1955, and its first American breeder was the movie star Errol Flynn, whose line has since died out.

Appearance, coat & colors

The Ridgeback is a strong, muscular, symmetrical hound built for endurance and a fair amount of speed. The AKC lists males at 25 to 27 in (64 to 69 cm) and about 85 lb (39 kg), and females at 24 to 26 in (61 to 66 cm) and about 70 lb (32 kg). The chest is deep rather than wide, the back is powerful and the legs are straight.

The breed's trademark is the ridge: a stripe of hair on the back that grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat. It should be clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical, starting just behind the shoulders and containing two matching crowns, or whorls, opposite each other. VCA notes that a few Ridgebacks are born without ridges.

The coat is short, sleek and close, in wheaten shades from pale flaxen to a rich red. The nose is black or, less commonly, brown, and some dogs have a dark mask or small white markings. The head is flat and moderately broad, and the ears are set high, medium in size and carried close to the head, giving a calm, intelligent look.

Training

Train a Ridgeback with a firm, fair and patient approach, starting in puppyhood. The AKC calls the breed strong-willed, independent and sometimes domineering, and says it needs consistent guidance. VCA recommends reward-based training with food, backed by a firm hand, and says obedience training is a necessity.

That does not mean harsh. Harsh handling tends to backfire with a strong-willed dog, so use rewards, clear rules and calm leadership. Start a puppy class early, use positive reinforcement and socialize widely, with different people, dogs, places and sounds, because a naturally reserved dog can become wary without it.

Priority skills are a recall you trust, a calm leash walk and "leave it". Prey drive is strong, and the AKC says Ridgebacks should always be in a safely enclosed area when off leash. Do not count on recall alone around wildlife or traffic.

Keep sessions short, vary the exercises and make them rewarding. Tracking, agility and lure coursing give hounds a legitimate outlet. A crate routine like the one in our crate training guide also helps a large puppy learn to settle.

Exercise

Ridgebacks are strong athletes who need regular, purposeful exercise. The AKC says they require a moderate amount, adapting to various living situations when given daily outings such as long walks and play sessions. They love to run, and they need physical activity to stay healthy and content. VCA recommends a good walk or jog, or a run in an enclosed area, every day.

Always provide a secure fence or leash. With a strong prey drive and speed, a Ridgeback that spots a squirrel or rabbit may not hear you calling. A tall, solid fence beats a short or invisible one. VCA says Ridgebacks are generally not good candidates for dog parks, although it varies by dog.

Tracking, agility and lure coursing channel instincts and give your dog mental work. Good routine matters too, because a bored young Ridgeback may dig, chew and counter-surf.

Keep puppies on gentle activity while they grow, without repeated hard jumping or long runs on pavement. Because the short coat gives little protection against cold, per VCA, use a sweater or coat for winter outings. See our guide to how much exercise a dog needs for age-based tips.

Grooming

Few large dogs are easier to groom. The AKC says Ridgebacks shed somewhat but have minimal grooming needs, and VCA rates shedding below average. A weekly brushing with a rubber curry mitt or soft brush removes loose hair and keeps the coat glossy, and an occasional bath handles dirt.

Nail care deserves attention. The AKC says nails should be trimmed often if they do not wear down naturally, since overly long nails can cause discomfort and trouble walking or running. Many Ridgebacks dislike clippers, and a nail grinder often goes over better. Start handling the feet early and reward calm behavior.

Check the ridge area and skin during grooming. Dermoid sinus, a tube-like opening in the skin that is occasionally present at birth, is a known breed concern, so tell your vet if you ever notice an unusual opening, lump or swelling in the skin.

Ears, eyes and teeth need routine care. Brush teeth several times a week. Wipe the ears if they look dirty and ask your vet about any redness, odor or head shaking.

Feeding

Feed a complete and balanced diet suited to age and activity, whether commercial or home-prepared with your veterinarian's guidance. VCA describes the ideal Ridgeback as lean and muscular, with ribs you can feel but that are not too noticeable, and notes that some tend to put on too much weight. Use our dog food calculator to get a starting amount, then adjust as needed.

The AKC calls Ridgebacks notorious counter-surfers, so do not leave human food unattended. Keep bins closed, pantries latched and countertops clear. A tall dog with a long reach can clean off a counter in seconds, and some foods are dangerous to dogs.

Bloat is a risk for large, deep-chested dogs, and Ridgebacks have deep chests. VCA says feeding only one meal a day, eating quickly and exercising right after a big meal may increase risk. Divide food into at least two meals, use a slow feeder if your dog gulps, and keep activity calm around mealtimes. Call a vet or emergency clinic immediately if you see a swollen belly, retching with nothing coming up, or restlessness; see our page on bloat and GDV.

Health

The AKC describes Ridgebacks as generally healthy, with responsible breeders screening for hip and elbow dysplasia, thyroid function and eye problems. Autoimmune thyroiditis, hip dysplasia and eye disease are the main concerns the AKC lists.

Dermoid sinus is a breed-specific problem. It is a tube-like opening in the skin, sometimes present at birth, and an experienced breeder can feel for it. WSAVA's breed overview notes it is relatively rare and often simple to treat, but that surgeons may need to handle it. Ask your vet to check any new puppy's skin.

The parent club encourages DNA testing for degenerative myelopathy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and early-onset adult deafness. WSAVA's breed overview adds that sudden cardiac death has been seen in young American dogs and that cancer is a concern in older dogs, although it says Ridgebacks do better than many breeds known for cancer risk.

As a deep-chested dog, a Ridgeback can also develop bloat, which is an emergency. Keep your dog lean, schedule yearly checkups and report any swelling, lameness or behavior change promptly. The AKC lists a lifespan of 10 to 12 years.

Health conditions to know about

• Hip and elbow dysplasia — Inherited joint problems; parents should be OFA-evaluated or have a PennHIP result.
• Autoimmune thyroiditis — Immune damage to the thyroid gland; the AKC and club encourage thyroid screening.
• Dermoid sinus — A tube-like skin opening present at birth; check puppies and see a vet if you find an opening or swelling.
• Eye disease — The AKC lists eye anomalies as a screening target; annual eye exams are recommended.
• Bloat (GDV) — Large, deep-chested dogs are at risk of stomach twisting, an emergency needing immediate veterinary care.

Health tests to ask a breeder about

• Hip evaluation (OFA or PennHIP)
• Elbow evaluation
• Thyroid panel
• Cardiac exam
• Eye exam (OFA CAER)
• Degenerative myelopathy DNA test
• Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy DNA test
• Early-onset adult deafness DNA test

Written from veterinary sources by the Pawsplained editorial team. Not yet reviewed by a veterinarian; this is general information, not a diagnosis or treatment plan. Updated Oct 30, 2026. Editorial policy

Living with a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Ridgebacks are indoor family dogs. The AKC says a Ridgeback needs to live inside with its people. They can adapt to many settings, including smaller homes, as long as daily exercise happens, but they do best with space and a securely fenced yard, taller than you think you need.

Climate matters. VCA warns that the short coat offers little protection against cold, so provide a warm bed and a coat for winter. In hot weather, offer shade and water and avoid hard exercise at midday.

Think carefully about other animals. Prey drive is strong, and a fast, powerful dog may chase rabbits, squirrels and small dogs it does not know. Many Ridgebacks live peacefully with pets they were raised with, but introductions must be supervised. Never trust a Ridgeback around unfamiliar small animals.

They are protective of their home and family, which makes them excellent guards, but good manners with visitors have to be taught. Use a crate or gate when guests arrive until your dog is calm. Their size and bounce can be too much for small children, so supervise young kids. This is a breed that suits experienced, active owners.

Puppies, breeders & rescue

Look for a breeder who tests and tells you what they test for. The Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of the United States expects hip and elbow screening through the OFA (or a PennHIP evaluation of 0.30 or below) before breeding. The club also strongly encourages a complete thyroid panel, cardiac certification and eye registry certification, with DNA tests for degenerative myelopathy, juvenile myoclonic epilepsy and early-onset adult deafness. A CHIC number shows testing was done, but not that the results were normal, so ask to see the actual results.

Check for dermoid sinus. A breeder who raises puppies at home, handles them often and knows how to check for the defect gives you a head start. Expect a good breeder to quiz you about your experience, fencing and activity level, because this is not a first-dog breed for most people.

Costs vary widely, and prices alone say nothing about health or temperament. Ridgeback rescue is active, and the AKC page links to one. If you adopt an adult, ask about prey drive and history with other animals.