10 – 12 years
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks powerful?
The Rhodesian ridgeback is a strong, muscular, balanced and athletic dog. They are capable of great endurance with a fair amount of speed. Males range in height from 60-70cm (40kg) and females from 60-65cm (32kg).
How smart are Ridgebacks?
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is highly intelligent with a strong-willed, independent streak. The breed needs patient and consistent training and a lot of positive motivation from puppyhood to avoid becoming a domineering nuisance.
Who are the ancestors of the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
It is not known if these two first direct ancestors of Rhodesian Ridgebacks had dorsal hair pattern ridges themselves, but they founded the Rhodesian Ridgeback bloodline, so either carried the trait or it was added from other Boer dogs and hybrids with Khoikhoi ridgebacks which van Rooyen bred into his lines over many trials then generations.
How did the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog get killed?
However, dogs that took risks were sometimes killed by lions, leaving those that were more careful to breed. These dogs were used to clear farmland of wild pigs and baboons, and they can kill a baboon independently of a human hunter’s collaboration.
What to do if your Rhodesian Ridgeback loses weight?
Hypothyroidism is a growing problem in the Rhodesian ridgeback, and this condition causes a multitude of symptoms, including weight gain and hair loss. Treatment for hypothyroidism in dogs consists of an inexpensive once-daily oral medication.
What kind of hair does a Rhodesian Ridgeback have?
Appearance. The Rhodesian Ridgeback’s distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair running along its back in the opposite direction from the rest of its coat. It consists of a fan-like area formed by two whorls of hair (called “crowns”) and tapers from immediately behind the shoulders down to the level of the hips.
What kind of health problems does a Rhodesian Ridgeback have?
As with all deep-chested breeds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are at higher-than-normal risk for the emergency gastrointestinal syndrome called bloat, which can kill a dog within hours. Young Ridgebacks are vulnerable to demodectic mange. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are prone to tearing the cruciate ligament in their rear legs.
When did the Rhodesian Ridgeback get its name?
Subsequently, in 1927, the South African Kennel Union approved the name ‘Rhodesian Ridgeback’. In 1955, the American Kennel Club recognized the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed as a member of the hound group. This breed has a muscular frame with a short and smooth coat.
Can a Rhodesian Ridgeback be born without a ridge?
About 10% of Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies are born without a ridge. There’s nothing else wrong with them. They just didn’t inherit the genes for a ridge. You’d think it would be easy to neuter them so they can’t be bred, then place them in wonderful homes who want a healthy happy puppy and who don’t care about the lack of ridge.
How many Rhodesian Ridgebacks have hip dysplasia?
The Orthopedic Foundation of America evaluated the hip X-rays of 12,500 Ridgebacks and found 5% to have hip dysplasia. That’s a good rate for this size dog. Of 6800 elbow X-rays, 6% were dysplastic. This could be a bit better.
