Where the Rhodesian Ridgeback came from
The Rhodesian Ridgeback comes from southern Africa. Early European settlers crossed their own dogs, including Greyhounds, Mastiffs, Great Danes and Bloodhounds, with the ridged hunting dogs kept by the Khoikhoi people. They wanted a tough dog that could handle heat, little water and dangerous game.
The dogs became known for working in packs and keeping a lion at bay until the hunter arrived. They were not made to kill a lion. Their job was to hold, dodge and bark.
In 1879 the Reverend Charles Helm brought two ridged dogs to a mission in what is now Zimbabwe, and Cornelius van Rooyen bred from them. A breed standard was written in 1922 in Bulawayo in what was then Rhodesia, and the AKC recognized the breed in 1955. Today they are family dogs and athletic companions.
- 1879 Rev. Charles Helm brings two ridged dogs to a mission in Rhodesia, and Cornelius van Rooyen breeds from them
- 1922 A breed standard is written in Bulawayo, Rhodesia
- 1955 The AKC recognizes the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The job a Rhodesian Ridgeback was bred for
The work was long days in hot country, following a scent and then holding a big animal in place. The dog needed stamina, courage, and the sense to stay out of reach. At home that shows up as a dog who is calm indoors, watchful with strangers, strong-minded and in need of real exercise.
Sports that fit a Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Scent work. Their strong nose and thinking make it a good outlet.
- Tracking. They have the stamina and nose for it.
- Lure coursing. They enjoy the chase, though they are not built for pure speed.
- Canicross. They can be strong and steady running partners.
- Rally. Good for building a bond with an independent dog.
Training tips for a Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Start young and keep going. They mature slowly and can be independent teenagers.
- Reward calm greetings with strangers and socialize widely.
- Use food and play rather than force. They are sensitive and remember rough handling.
- Teach loose leash walking early, because a grown Ridgeback can pull hard.
Body and health
Deep chests make bloat a concern, so avoid hard exercise right after meals. Skip heavy impact work while they are still growing.
Fun fact. The ridge on their back is a strip of hair growing the opposite way, and it is the feature that gives the breed its name.
Breed is where we start
A study of more than 18,000 dogs found breed explains only about 9 percent of the differences in behavior between dogs (Morrill and others, Science, 2022). So your Rhodesian Ridgeback is a starting guess, not a label. We find the drive your dog actually runs on, give it a job, and teach you to read them.
Looking for a different breed? See what 75 breeds were bred to do.