Rhodesian Ridgeback

Recommended for: Families with older children

Maintenance Level: Medium – high

Lifespan: 10-12 years

Temperament:
Gentle, obedient

Health Risk:
This breed has a higher than average probability of developing health issues during its lifetime, hence the cost to insure is above average.

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Breed Overview

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large breed of dog with roots in Southern Africa in the middle of the 17^th century. It is known for the strip of hair growing in the opposite direction on its back, giving it the name “Ridgeback”.

Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are tall and muscular, with a broad, flat head and triangular ears. They have deep chests, a black or brown nose, and occasionally a black tongue. Their front legs are muscular and straight, and they have quite a long tail which tapers to a point and curves slightly. The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog has a short, dense coat which is usually light wheaten to red in colour. It is an average shedder and its smooth, short coat is very easy to groom; the dog only needs a bath when necessary.

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Personality and Temperament

Rhodesian Ridgebacks dogs are known for being ferocious hunters but also calm, gentle and loving at home. Their temperament is smart, obedient, brave and alert, but do not mix well with children as they often play rough and can knock them down. To prevent the dog from being too reserved, it should be socialised and trained from a young age. If the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy meets other pets while it is still young, it is unlikely that there will be temperament issues with other animals in the future.

If their needs are satisfied, Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs can make great companions. However, they are not recommended for people who do not have enough time or are not willing to put in the effort with their dog. An inactive Rhodesian Ridgeback dog can become destructive or develop behavioural problems, so regular and extensive physical activity and mental stimulation are needed to keep it occupied.

Due to their history as hunting dogs, the watchful temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback makes them great watchdogs, but as they can be overprotective of their owners, they are not recommended as guard dogs.

What are the most common health issues for Rhodesian Ridgeback?

Symptoms, diagnosis, treatment and pictures

Hip dysplasia occurs when the thigh bone and the hip joint do not fit together properly. This can cause pain or lameness in the dog and possibly arthritis later in life. Many dogs live relatively normal lives with the condition.
Elbow dysplasia is common in large dog breeds and is believed to be caused by varying growth rates in the dog’s elbow. This leads to joint laxity, pain, and lameness. Surgery is available, but medication and weight loss may be prescribed by a vet to help control the pain.
Dermoid Sinus is a skin condition in which a tube-shaped, cyst-like growth appears in the spinal area. It can protrude from the skin and possibly enter into the muscle tissue. If it becomes infected, the condition can become more serious. Some affected dogs have corrective surgery while some are euthanized.
Degenerative myelopathy mainly affects German Shepherds but around 0.75% of Rhodesian Ridgebacks may be affected by this neurological disease which can cause parapesis. Signs include dragging the feet, slipping rear limbs, and eventually losing the ability to walk or stand by itself. There is a DNA test available to test for the gene, though affected dogs should not be bred.
Gastric Dilatation-Volvulus. Also known as bloat, gastric dilatation-volvulus is a deadly condition affecting large dogs such as the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Risk is increased if the dog is fed one large meal a day, eats quickly, drinks large amounts of water or exercises after eating. The stomach twists, making the dog unable to belch or vomit to get rid of excess air, and as a result the blood supply to the heart is impaired. Unless immediately attended to, the dog may die. Symptoms of bloat include a distended belly, excessive drooling, dry having, restlessness, exhaustion, weakness and a quick heart rate.
Hypothyroidism, in which the thyroid gland does not produce enough thyroid hormone, is a growing issue among Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Symptoms include weight gain and hair loss. Epilepsy can also be caused by hypothyroidism. Affected dogs can take daily oral medication to combat the condition.
Mast cell tumours make up about 20% of tumours in dogs. They are characterised by small, allergy-like lumps which the dog may scratch at or bite. If the tumour is caught and treated early, the prognosis is generally very good.

Not all conditions are covered by Pet Insurance. For details of Bow Wow Meow Pet Insurance cover, refer to the Product Disclosure Statement.

What are the most common health issues for Rhodesian Ridgeback?

History

It is believed that the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback dog breed came out of breeding a Cape Peninsula hunting dog with Great Danes, Bloodhounds, Greyhounds and terriers in the 19^th century. The resulting dog was the Boer hunting dog, which was in turn the foundation of the modern Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy.

In the 1870s, a hunter named Cornelius van Rooyen saw these dogs and decided to breed his own in order to combine their guarding abilities. The result was a lion hunting dog breed, which was used to hold lions, wild pigs and baboons while the hunter kills it.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks were first shown in the UK in 1928 and brought to the USA in 1950. It was officially recognised by the American Kennel Club in 1955.

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