How to Breed Rhodesian Ridgebacks

Select a male puppy and a female puppy from an established breeder. Rhodesian ridgebacks are large, lithe dogs, with males standing approximately 27 inches tall at the shoulder and females reaching 25 inches at maturity. The coat should be short, smooth and deep wheaten to red wheaten in color. Both dogs should have a distinct ridge of hair running from the base of the neck to the top of the tail.

Transport the dogs to your veterinarian for a pre-breeding examination. Rhodesian ridgebacks are prone to genetic deformities including hip and elbow dysplasia, and both male and female should be x-rayed to rule out these conditions. Ridgebacks also suffer from the central nervous disorder dermoid sinus, which causes serious infections near the spinal cord. You vet will also culture the dogs for sexually transmitted infections, such as brucellosis, prior to breeding.

Watch the female for signs she is coming into season. Rhodesian ridgebacks are fertile every 6 to 12 months, with the first estrus cycle occurring at approximately one year of age. The female will become restless and may refuse food. Her vulva will swell and produce a small amount of pink discharge that turns clear as she becomes receptive.

Place the dogs in a secure room, and let them explore one another. The male will sniff and lick the female from head to toe, and she will lift her tail to the side. He will mount her, and mating will take anywhere from 5 minutes to an hour. If the female becomes aggressive, separate them to prevent injuries.

Calculate the female's due date, and mark it on a calendar. Gestation in dogs lasts for 9 weeks, so count 63 days from the first mating for an accurate due date. Rhodesian ridgebacks occasionally whelp as early as 60 days due to their large size and wide pelvic structure.

Set up the whelping box one week prior to the female's due date. Add a few old blankets to the box for cushioning, and lead the female to the box. Let her sleep there until the litter is born so she has time to become familiar with and comfortable in the box.

Keep a close eye on the female as her due date approaches. Her lower abdomen will swell and distend as the puppies shift down the birth canal. She will pass pink-tinged fluid when labor starts, and her sides will tighten as contractions begin. The first puppy will emerge face-first, and the female will lick the puppy to break the placenta and stimulate breathing. If she doesn't clean the puppy, break the sac with your fingers and rub the puppy with a clean towel. Litters of more than 10 puppies are not uncommon in ridgebacks, so if more than 30 minutes elapses between puppies, contact your vet.

Plug in the heat lamp, and clip it to one side of the whelping box. Move the puppies under the lamp to keep them warm, and tie a short piece of ribbon around the neck of each puppy. Each ribbon should be a different color to help you identify the members of your new Rhodesian ridgeback litter.