How to Identify a Rodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dignified and even-tempered breed, but may be reserved with strangers. The breed has a long and unrestricted stride and has great coursing ability and endurance. The classic identification mark of this breed is the ridge on its back. It is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The ridge is clearly defined and starts right behind the shoulders and continues to a point between the hips.

Instructions

    • 1

      Look at the general appearance and the size of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The breed is a strong breed and is very active. It is capable of a lot of endurance with a good amount of speed. A mature Ridgeback male should be 25 to 27 inches in height, while females are 24 to 26 inches in height. Males should weigh in at about 85 pounds, while females weigh around 70 pounds.

    • 2

      Make sure the head is of fair length and the skull is flat and broad between the ears. The eyes are set well apart and are round. They are bright and sparkling and have an intelligent expression. The color should be close to the color of the dog. The ears should be set high and should be medium-sized at the base. They taper to a rounded point. The muzzle is long, deep and powerful. The nose should be black, brown or liver, depending on the color of the dog.

    • 3

      Check the fore- and hindquarters. The shoulders should be show speed with their sloping, clean and muscular look. The elbows are close to the body. The feet are compact and the toes well-arched, meeting round, tough and elastic pads. The pads and toes are protected by hair between the toes and pads. The muscles in the hind legs should be well-defined and the feet are also compact and toes well-arched as in the front.

    • 4

      Look at the coat. It should be short and dense, at the same time as being sleek and glossy. It should not be woolly or silky. The colors range from light wheat to red wheat. There may be a bit of white on the chest and toes, but the Rhodesian Ridgeback should not have any excessive white in either place, or on the belly.