Are Rhodesian Ridgeback Good Family Dogs
Elegant, athletic, muscular, and very energetic, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a medium-large-sized dog that was once a great lion hunter.
Independent, smart, and always vigilant to the world that surrounds it, the Ridgeback never lost its hunting senses, but today is more suited as a family pet rather than a hunting dog.
If you are thinking of getting a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog for your family, read on to get to know some of the breed's main characteristics, life span, maintenance and care, temperament, and training habits.
What Is a Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a dog breed native to Zimbabwe (formerly known as Rhodesia), South Africa. Once known as the "African Lion Hunter," the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog was ideal for life on the farm and in the savannah due to its exceptional hunting qualities and resistance to high temperatures.
The Ridgeback gets its name from the fur stripe on the back, along the spine, where the fur grows in the opposite direction to the rest of the body. The fur is short and thick, brown or reddish.
This breed is the result of crosses of different breeds, such as the Great Dane and the Mastiff. Pastor Charles Helm is considered the first breeder of the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed. In 1879 he took two lion dogs from Swellendam to Rhodesia, and their descendants would join the pack of the famous great prey hunter named van Rooyen.
The breed was officially recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1955, being its 110th breed.
Nowadays, the Rhodesian Ridgeback dog is seen as more of a pet than a hunting dog, preferring the company of a loving and caring home.
Are Rhodesian Ridgeback Good Family Dogs
The Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are amongst the finest dog companions as they are loyal to the family they belong to but distant with strangers.
With proper dog training starting from an early age, these dogs will become vigilant guard animals, ideal for family and home protection. Given their hunting background, early on dog training is very important. A Rhodesian Ridgeback is never aggressive but can be rebellious if left untrained and unaccustomed to various people and situations.
The breed is known to be tolerant with children, so if you have kids, you can consider getting a Rhodesian Ridgeback as a pet. You should also know that this is a family-oriented dog that will not do well left alone for a long time. They are indoor dogs, even if they are on a larger side. They love the indoors, especially when the ones they love are nearby. The experts recommend not letting them sleep outside alone.
Remember that the breed is aggressive towards other dogs, but also other small pets, so co-habitation with cats and birds is not possible. Ridgeback dogs also have a passion for nibbling on everything in their path, and they are notorious kitchen "counter surfers."
How Big Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Get
The Rhodesian Ridgeback dog is a medium-large-sized animal. According to the American Kennel Club (AKC), at maturity, the breed standard can reach a height of 25-27 inches (male), 24-26 inches (female), and a weight of 85 pounds (male) and 70 pounds (female).
Of course, not all Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs fall within these standard guidelines. Some dogs may be smaller in size and weight, while others are more robust.
Be sure to pay extra attention to their weight level and calorie consumption because some dogs tend to get overweight. As long as you provide them only high-quality dog food, homemade or veterinary, they should not experience any dietary problems. Don't forget to also feed them according to their age – puppy, adult, senior.
Make sure you also don't leave any food unattended because Ridgebacks will steal any food leftovers right off the kitchen counter.
Watch out for the number of treats, too. Using treats in dog training is useful, but it can also lead, in time, to unexpected overweight problems. To keep weight under control, the Rhodesian Ridgeback needs regular exercise, preferably daily. Although they can be raised in flats, their ideal surrounding is a home with a yard where they can roam free.
How Long Do Rhodesian Ridgeback Live
The life expectancy of a Rhodesian Ridgebacks is of 10 to 12 years, on average, but some dogs may live longer under good health conditions and proper veterinary care.
In general, Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are quite resilient and have no health problems. However, several conditions can occur in this breed, including hip or shoulder dysplasia, progressive retinal atrophy, which can lead to gradual retinal damage, narcolepsy, epilepsy, or skin cancer, which generally occurs in dogs with fingers covered in black fur.
These are all health considerations when choosing a large breed dog, and it doesn't mean that your Rhodesian Ridgeback will also necessarily suffer from any of them during its lifetime.
Dental care is also very important for this breed: remember to brush your dog's teeth with a special rubber toothbrush at least once a week to remove dental plaque and tartar.
Understanding the Ridgeback's lifespan and looking out for the dog's general health and any potential signs of early illness all contribute to the animal's wellbeing.
Ridgebacks are easy to housetrain and will not act overactive in the house if they receive proper care and attention from their owners. As this dog is a huge fan of activities, it must be walked daily. Otherwise, the dog will easily and rapidly become bored, sedentary, obese, and depressed, displaying signs of home-wrecking behavior.
Final Words
Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are extremely low maintenance when it comes to care, making them ideal for a busy household. Thanks to its dense coat, this breed sheds only a little, which makes it great for indoor keeping. The dogs need to be brushed once a week with a rubber brush and then wiped with a dry cloth. When it comes to bathing, they only need a good bath once or twice a year.
Dogs of this breed have a lot of energy, but they can be extremely obedient if they are properly trained. However, this breed is more suitable for people who live an active life because it needs plenty of exercise to stay healthy and have a balanced temperament.