Rhodesian Ridgeback

Origins

Southern Africa. Standard supplied by the Kennel Union of Southern Africa and the Zimbabwe Kennel Club.

General Appearance

The Rhodesian Ridgeback should represent a well balanced, strong, muscular, agile and active dog, symmetrical in outline, and capable of great endurance with a fair amount of speed. The emphasis is on agility, elegance and soundness with no tendency towards massiveness. The peculiarity of the 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 is the escutcheon of the breed. The ridge must be clearly defined, symmetrical and tapering towards the haunch. It must start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to the hip (haunches) bones. The ridge must contain only two crowns, identical and opposite each other. The lower edges of the crowns must not extend further down the ridge than one-third of its length. A good average width of the ridge is 5cm (2”).

Size

Height at withers Dogs 63-69 cm (25” -27”). Bitches 61-66 cm (24” -26”).
Weight Dogs 36,5 kg (80 lbs). Bitches 32 kg (70 lbs).

Coat

HAIR
Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly nor silky.

COLOUR
Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes is permissible, but excessive white hairs here, on belly, or above toes is undesirable. A dark muzzle and ears permissible. Excessive black hairs throughout the coat are highly undesirable.

Behaviour & Temperment

Dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers, but showing no aggression or shyness.

Breed Movement

Straight forward, free and active.