This dog is a large breed of dog that is very agile and muscular. The breed will vary on weight depending on sex but on average would weigh between 65 and 90 pounds. The male dogs will measure between 25 and 27 inches and the bitch will measure between 23 and 25 inches.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks can come in one of two colors - a lighter 'wheaten' or a darker 'red wheaten'. The main distinctive feature of this breed is the ridge that runs down it's back. The hair on this ridge grows in the opposite direction than the rest of the hair on the dogs body. A Ridgeback has a lifespan of around 10 to 12 years.

Other names that this breed is known by is the Lion Dog, the African lion Hound, or the African Ridgeback.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Temperament

This breed is an extremely loyal breed. These dogs love their human family and will protect them with their life. The size of this breed of dog will often give people the wrong impression of the breed, after all a dog of this size can look a bit scary. However, these are actually a very placid dog with a great temperament.

They love to play and have fun and can be very energetic during play time but they are also more than happy to spend a big majority of the day asleep on the couch. Although Ridgebacks would never intentionally hurt children, because of their large size and energy they can easily knock a child over when they are excited. For this reason mainly, children should always be supervised around this breed.

Also due to their size it is advised to take your Ridgeback to dog training classes so that he will be easy to walk and handle. It is also good to attend dog training classes so your dog can learn to socialise both with other people and other dogs. This breed is very intelligent and as such are very easy to train as they will learn their instructions and what is expected from them very quickly.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Health Issues

The main serious health problem associated with this breed is a condition called Dermoid Sinus. This is when a sinus or tube insinuates itself around the spine, then it can become abscessed and cause the dog a lot of pain. Dermoid Sinus can be corrected by surgery in some dogs, but in most cases, unfortunately, it cannot.

Hip dysplasia can also be a problem in this breed so it is recommended that you have a puppies hips checked before purchasing. another condition that affects large deep chested dogs is bloat. Bloat is an extremely serious condition and if you suspect your dog has symptoms of bloat you should take him to your vet immediately.

Rhodesian Ridgeback Dog Grooming

This breed is quite easy to keep groomed with their short coat the basically just need a good brush once a week. They will however get the occasional ear infection just like any other breed, so it is important to make sure their ears are kept clean.

Conclusion

The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog is a great family dog and a pleasure to have in any home