This national dog breed of South Africa is strong and muscular, its hallmark is the ridge of fur running down the back. Defined as a scent and sight hound with a temperament described as intelligent and sensitive, they can be strong-willed, mischievous, yet dignified and loyal. They can also be stand-offish with strangers, yet affectionate with their human family. An adult dog’s weight is between 30-41 kg, depending on the sex, and they can live up to ten to twelve years. The ancestors of this breed can be traced back to the semi-domesticated, ridged hunting and guardian dogs of the Khoikhoi (South African natives) discovered in 1652.

These dogs were later interbred with various European dogs, including Mastiffs, Bloodhounds, Great Danes and Greyhounds by colonists. The final breed was accepted in 1922 and approved by the South African Kennel union in 1927. The early Dutch settlers used these dogs to hunt and defend livestock on farms from lions. A good dog would corner a lion until someone arrived; sadly, to shoot it. The state of Rhodesia does not exist anymore, the north became Zambia in 1964 and the south, Zimbabwe in 1980.

The “ridge” is just a line of hair growing in the opposite direction to the main coat. It usually has two crowns or swirls, one at each end of the ridge. This ridge is actually a congenital defect, due to an abnormal migration of neural crest cells. It is only a defect of the fur and makes the ridge a unique feature of the breed. In fact, a dog without the ridge and swirls is considered faulty, and disqualified in a show ring. Not only do show judges insist on the fur ridge, but historically breeders agreed that dogs with a ridge tended to make the best hunters.

Their coat colour is only wheaten, from pale to a burnished red. Ridgebacks have two nose colours-black and the less common brown. They are born with beautiful blue eyes which may stay blue-grey or become amber grey. They are a fairly healthy breed, the most common health issues are hip or elbow dysplasia, and occasionally deafness. As with all deep chested dog breeds, they are susceptible to gastric dilatation volvulus (bloat). Ridgeback dogs require a moderate amount of exercise and have minimal grooming requirements.

Pam Brandis,
Dip. Canine Prac.