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Rhodesian Ridgeback
General Appearance
Handsome, strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical in outline, capable of great endurance with fair amount of speed. Mature dog is handsome and upstanding.
| Below | Average | Above | Key | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Likelihood to wander |  |
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| Protectiveness | |
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| Destructiveness | |
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| Quietness | |
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| Good with children | |
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| Affinity to other dogs | |
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| Size | |
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| Lifespan | |
Below: < 10 years Average: > 10 years Above: > 15 years |
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| Location | |
Below: Town only Average: Town and Country Above: Country only |
Characteristics
Peculiarity is the ridge on back formed by hair growing in opposite direction to the remainder of coat; ridge must be regarded as the escutcheon of breed. Ridge clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical, starting immediately behind shoulders and continuing to haunch, and containing two identical crowns only, opposite each other, lower edges of crowns not extending further down ridge than one-third of its length. Up to 5 cm (2 ins) 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 length, skull flat, rather broad between ears, free from wrinkles when in repose. Stop reasonably well defined. Nose black or brown in keeping with colour of dog. Black nose accompanied by dark eyes, brown nose by amber eyes. Muzzle long, deep and powerful. Lips clean and close fitting.
Eyes
Set moderately well apart, round, bright and sparkling with intelligent expression, colour harmonising with coat colour.
Ears
Set rather high, medium size, rather wide at base, gradually tapering to a rounded point. Carried close to head.
Mouth
Jaws strong, with a perfect, regular and complete scissor bite, i.e. upper teeth closely overlapping lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Well developed teeth, especially canines.
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 of stifle; hocks well let down.
Feet
Compact, well arched toes, round, tough, elastic pads, protected by hair 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
Straight forward, free and active
Coat
Short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither woolly nor silky.
Colour
Light wheaten to red wheaten. Head, body, legs and tail of uniform colour. Little white on chest and toes permissible, but excessive white hairs here, on belly or above paws undesirable. Dark muzzle and ears permissible
Size
Dogs: 63 cms (25 ins) desirable minimum height at withers; 69 cms (27 ins) desirable maximum height at withers; bitches: 61 cms (24 ins) desirable minimum height at withers, 66 cms (26 ins) desirable maximum height at withers.
Excercise Requirements
Considerable
Grooming Needs
Light
Notes
Male animals should have two apparently normal testicles fully descended into the scrotum
