Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is from the beging a mix of the ridged hounds who lived with the Khoe Khoen people in Africa and the hounds that the immigrants brung with them. Breeds such as Kuban Blood Hound, Grand Danois and others have been known to be the start of the breed we nowadays call Rhodesian RidgebackIn the beginning the colours of the coat had many varietys such as blue, tigerstraps, yellow, red and so on. The breeders ofcourse had their favorites with left marks and when the standard was founded the colors red and yellow was left.
The breed standard describes the perfect Rhodesian Ridgeback. In the show rings, jugdes are looking for the dog which best fits this description. Reputable breeders aim to produce puppies which fits this description as closely as possible.
General appearance:
Handsome, strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical in outline, capable of great endurance with a fair amount of speed. Mature dog is handsome and upstanding.
Characteristics:
Peculiarity is ridge on back formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the remainder of the coat; ridge must be ragarded as the escutcheon of breed. Tidge clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical, starting immediately behind the shoulders and continuing to haunch, and containing two identical crowns only, oppisite each other, lower edges of crowns not extending further down than one third of its lenght. Up to two inches (5 cm) is a good average for width of ridge.
Temperament:
Dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers but showing no aggression or shyness.
Head and Skull:
Of fair lenght, rather broad between ears, free from wrinkle when in repose. Stop reasonably well defined. Nose black or brown in keeping with colour of dog. Black nose accompanied by dark eyes, brown (liver) nose by amber eyes. Muzzle long, deep and powerful. Lips clean and close fitting.
Eyes
Set moderately apart, round, bright and sparkling with intelligence. Colour harmonising with coat colour.
Ears
Set rather high, medium size, rather wide at base gradually tapering to a round point. Carried close to head.
Mouth:
Jaws strong with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite. ie. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Well developed teeth, especially canines.
Neck
Neck
Fairly long, strong and free from throatiness.
Forequarters:
Shoulders sloping, clean and muscular. Forelegs perfectly straight, strong, heavy in bone; elbows close to body.
Body
Chest not too wide, very deep and capacious; ribs moderately well sprung, never barrel-ribbed. Back powerful; loins strong, muscular and slightly arched.
Hindquarters:
Muscles clean, well defined, good turn stifle, hocks well let down.
Feet:
Compact, well arched toes, round elastic pads, protected by jair between toes and pads.
Tail:
Strong at root, not inserted high or low, tapering towards end, free from coarseness. Carried with a slight curve upwards, never curled.
Gait/Movement:
Straight forward, free and active.
Coat:
Short and dense, sleed and glossy in apearence but never woolly or silky.
Colour:
Light wheaten to red wheaton. Head, body, legs and tail uniform colour. Little white on chest toes permissible, but excessive white hairs here, on belly or above paws undesirable. Dark muzzle and ears permissible.
Size:
Desired Minimum height at withers Dogs 63cm/25" Bitches 61cm/24"Desired Maximum height at withers Dogs 68cm/27" Bitches 66cm/26"
Faults
Any departures from the foregoing point should be considered a fault and the seriousness with the fault should be regarded in exact proportion to its degree.
Note:
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles descended into the scrotum.
A small fotnote should be added. As many breeders today have found out, black hairs in the coat do happen and an essential thing is to keep breeding on the liver ridgebacks who has so much to contribute to the glense and colour of the coat!

Written by Tobias Strandh 97-07-07

English Version