Rhodesian Ridgeback
The dog that held lions at bay.
- Weight
- 70–85 lbs
- Height
- 24–27 in
- Lifespan
- 10–12 yrs
In short
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a hound developed in southern Africa to track lions and hold them at bay for hunters. Adults weigh 70–85 lbs and live 10–12 years. They are calm, independent and strong-willed, so training needs patience and starts on day one, before the dog outgrows you.
Is it right for you?
A great match if you…
- want a calm, dignified dog indoors
- hike or jog regularly
- have a tall, securely fenced yard
Think twice if you…
- have cats or small pets
- want an eager-to-please obedience dog
- leave food on counters
The daily plan
- Exercise
- 60–90 min a day
- Training
- 2–3 × 5–10 min sessions × length
- Treat limit
- 150–175 kcal all treats, 10% rule
At a glance
TrainabilityQuick study8.0/10
EnergyActive6.0/10
Calm at homeNeeds outlets5.0/10
SheddingModerate shedder4.0/10
What sets it apart
-
01
The ridge
A strip of hair growing backward along the spine; ridged puppies can carry a dermoid sinus, which a breeder should check at birth.
-
02
Wheaten coat
Short, sleek, light to red wheaten coat that needs little more than a weekly rubdown.
-
03
Athletic, long-legged build
Built for endurance trotting and bursts of speed, so they need room to run safely.
Size & coat
| Specification | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | 80–85 lbs | 70–75 lbs |
| Height | 25–27 in | 24–26 in |
| Lifespan | 10–12 yrs | |
| Coat | Short, dense, sleek coat with the signature ridge | |
Personality
Ridgebacks are quiet, dignified and affectionate at home, and surprisingly sensitive for their size. They think for themselves and will test rules. Food left out on counters disappears.
With kids
Usually good with family kids, but large and strong; supervise with toddlers.
With other pets
Can be same-sex aggressive and may chase cats or small animals.
With strangers
Reserved and watchful; protective instincts need early socialization.
Alone time
Usually fine with a normal workday once exercised; bored dogs dig and counter-surf.
Training
Ridgebacks are smart but independent, bred to decide for themselves on a hunt. Calm, consistent, reward-based training works; force backfires.
-
How often
2–3 sessions of 5–10 minutes a day, ending each one on a win.
-
Socialize early (8–16 weeks)
Use 8–16 weeks for calm strangers, visitors and other dogs, so the guarding streak stays balanced. Add small animals if they'll share a home.
-
Self-control
A reliable recall and 'leave it' around wildlife matter most. Practice 'off' and settling on a mat to curb counter surfing.
-
What it works for
Food motivates most Ridgebacks. Use small, high-value pieces and keep sessions short. Keep treats within 10% of daily calories.
Exercise
Ridgebacks need daily walks and room to run in a secure area. Long hikes and jogs suit them once fully grown.
Exercise a day
60–90 min
CouchModerateAthlete
Good outlets
- Hiking
- Jogging (adults only)
- Lure coursing
Brain work
- Nose work
- Food puzzles
- Tracking games
Best home
House with a tall, secure fence is best; apartments are hard.
Watch for Prey drive can override recall, so run them only in enclosed areas, and avoid forced running in puppies with growing joints.
Feeding
Adult maintenance for a typical Rhodesian Ridgeback (70–85 lbs) lands around 1,500–1,725 kcal a day. Feed to body condition, not the bag's chart alone, and keep treats inside the 10% rule.
Puppy (to 12 mo)
- Daily calories
- 1,875–2,175 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 16–20%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 190–220 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 9–11 pieces a day
Adult Maintenance
- Daily calories
- 1,500–1,725 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 14–18%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 150–175 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 8–9 pieces a day
Active / Working
- Daily calories
- 2,050–2,375 kcal
- Protein
- 26–30%
- Fat
- 18–22%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 205–240 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 10–12 pieces a day
Senior
- Daily calories
- 1,300–1,525 kcal
- Protein
- 24–28%
- Fat
- 12–16%
- Treat limit, all treats
- 130–155 kcal
- Saylor's liver, suggested
- 7–8 pieces a day
Compare every life stage
| Life stage | Daily calories | Protein | Fat | Treat limit (all treats) | Saylor's liver, suggested / day |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Puppy (to 12 mo) | 1,875–2,175 kcal | 26–30% | 16–20% | 190–220 kcal | 9–11 pieces |
| Adult Maintenance | 1,500–1,725 kcal | 24–28% | 14–18% | 150–175 kcal | 8–9 pieces |
| Active / Working | 2,050–2,375 kcal | 26–30% | 18–22% | 205–240 kcal | 10–12 pieces |
| Senior | 1,300–1,525 kcal | 24–28% | 12–16% | 130–155 kcal | 7–8 pieces |
The treat limit is the 10% rule for every treat combined. Saylor's liver is suggested at about 2% of daily calories, as a small topper: liver is very rich in vitamin A, so it should not become a staple. Check with your vet if your dog has a health condition or a special diet.
Health & grooming
Ridgebacks are generally healthy; watch dermoid sinus, hips, elbows and thyroid. Choose a breeder who screens and checks every puppy for dermoid sinus.
| Watch for | Ask the breeder or vet for | When |
|---|---|---|
| Dermoid sinus | Breeder and vet palpation of the spine | At birth and before going home |
| Hip and elbow dysplasia | OFA hip and elbow evaluations | Once, in breeding dogs (ask the breeder for results) |
| Hypothyroidism | OFA thyroid panel | Once in breeding dogs; recheck if symptoms appear |
| Degenerative myelopathy | DM DNA test | Once, in breeding dogs |
| Inherited eye disease | Eye exam by a veterinary ophthalmologist (ACVO) | Yearly while breeding |
Official health tests for breeding dogs
The OFA's CHIC program asks Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders to test for these. Ask to see the results before you buy a puppy.
- Hip evaluation
- Elbow evaluation
- Eye exam (ophthalmologist)
- Thyroid panel
Also recommended
- Heart exam
- Hearing test (BAER)
Grooming Low to moderate; minimal grooming
Brush weekly with a rubber curry. Bathe only as needed. Trim nails every 2–3 weeks, check ears weekly and brush teeth several times a week.
History
1600s–1800s
Ridged ancestors
European settlers in southern Africa crossed their dogs with the ridged dogs kept by the Khoikhoi people.
1870s
Lion dogs
Hunters used packs of ridged dogs to track lions and hold them at bay until the hunter arrived.
1922–1955
Standard and recognition
A breed standard was written in Bulawayo, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe), in 1922, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1955.
Questions owners ask
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks easy to train?
Not usually. They are smart but independent, so calm, consistent, food-rewarded training works best.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks good with kids and other pets?
Often good with family kids, but large and strong. Same-sex dog tension and chasing small pets can be issues.
How much exercise does a Rhodesian Ridgeback need?
About 60–90 minutes a day of walks and safe running. Hikes and jogs suit adults.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed?
Yes, lightly year-round. A weekly brush keeps them sleek.
What health problems do Rhodesian Ridgebacks have, and how long do they live?
Most live 10–12 years. Watch for dermoid sinus, hip and elbow dysplasia, hypothyroidism and degenerative myelopathy.
Is a Rhodesian Ridgeback good for apartments or first-time owners?
Usually not. They are big, strong-willed and need space, which suits experienced owners with a yard.
Freeze Dried Beef Liver Dog Treats
Back in stock soon
We're restocking. When it's back, a Rhodesian Ridgeback needs only 8–9 pieces a day, well inside the 150–175 kcal treat limit.
See the productWhere the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks
Health tests follow the OFA's CHIC program. The treat limit is 10% of daily calories for all treats combined. Every dog is different, so use this as a starting point and ask your vet about yours.
Breeds like the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Closest in size, energy, trainability, calm at home and shedding.
