Plate 064 · Middle East & Africa
Rhodesian Ridgeback
罗得西亚脊背犬
“A lion-tracking hound marked by a stripe of backward hair.”
- Origin
- Zimbabwe · South Africa
- Southern Africa (formerly Rhodesia)
- Region of origin
- The first standard was drawn up in Bulawayo in 1922.
- The point marks the region the breed comes from, not an exact birthplace.
- Era
- 19th century; standard from 1922
- Today
- Companion · Guardian · Lure coursing
Under editorial review — sources listed below.
Then → Now
Historical depiction not yet verified.
NowDaira Signum Canis · CC BY · Wikimedia Commons
History
01 · Origin
Southern Africa (formerly Rhodesia)
Developed by European settlers in southern Africa, combining their dogs with ridged dogs kept by the Khoikhoi.
02 · Historical role
What it was bred for
Tracked lions and held them at bay for hunters, and guarded farms.
03 · Breed development
How it changed
A breed standard was written in Bulawayo in 1922 by the founding breed club, fixing the distinctive ridge of backward-growing hair.
04 · Today
Companion · Guardian · Lure coursing
A loyal family guardian and athletic companion.
Personality
- Dignified
- Even-tempered
- Loyal
- Strong-willed
- Affectionate
General breed tendencies, not guarantees — individual dogs vary with genetics, training and environment. Ratings: this atlas’s editorial summary on a 1–5 scale, for rough comparison between breeds here — not a measurement or a standardised assessment.
- Size
- Large
- Lifespan
- 10–12 years
- Coat
- Short, dense, sleek coat with a dorsal ridge
Field note
The 'ridge' is a strip of hair along the back that grows in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat.
Recognition & today
- AKC
- Hound Group
- Also recognized by
- FCI, The Kennel Club (UK)
- Popular in
- United States
Made famous in its native southern Africa for tracking and baying. AKC registrations: ranked 41 among breeds in 2025.
Sources2 references
- Rhodesian Ridgeback — breed information — American Kennel Club
https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rhodesian-ridgeback/
Registry · accessed 2026-10-06 · Used for registry status, AKC group and breed standard reference only.
- Rhodesian Ridgeback (encyclopedia overview) — Wikipedia
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Ridgeback
Encyclopedia · accessed 2026-10-06 · Secondary overview; cross-check claims against primary breed-club sources.
Image credits
Daira Signum Canis · CC BY · Wikimedia Commons
Text is written by World Breeds from the references above; it does not reproduce registry descriptions. Location note: The first standard was drawn up in Bulawayo in 1922.
