Why the breed exists
Boer settlers crossed European breeds with the ridge-backed hunting dogs of the Khoikhoi people to produce a dog for the hardest brief in the canine world: track a lion, hold it at bay by feinting and harrying — never engaging — until the hunter arrived, and survive the African bush doing it. The ridge of reversed hair along the spine is the signature of that native inheritance. The Ridgeback's reserve and independence aren't aloofness for its own sake; a dog that waited for instructions did not last long at this work.
The official written standard belongs to the breed's parent club.Read the official Rhodesian Ridgeback standard →
Choosing a Rhodesian Ridgeback on purpose
Every breed has its own list of required health screenings, kept by its parent club and published through OFA. A preservation breeder working in this breed tests to that list and shows you the results — including the ones that didn't go their way.
Carry the messageEvery Bred By Co. piece funds this education work.
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