Photo: Bonnie van den Born · CC BY-SA 3.0
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Domestic Dog · from Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, 19th century · recognised by FCI
Also known as African Lion Hound, African Lion Dog, Van Rooyen's Lion Dog.
11 characteristics recorded, average source confidence 70%.
Overview
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog breed developed in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa, 19th century. Recorded lifespan runs 10–12 years. Sources put typical daily exercise at around 60 minutes. The coat is recorded as short smooth.
Breed averages describe tendencies across a population. They are a starting point for a conversation with a breeder or rescue, not a prediction about any particular animal — an individual’s upbringing, health and handling matter more than its breed.
Physical profile
- Typical lifespan
- 10–12 years
- Adult size class
- Large
- Male weight
- 36–39 kg
- Female weight
- 30–32 kg
- Male height
- 63–69 cm
- Female height
- 61–66 cm
- Coat
- Short smooth
- Typical daily exercise
- 60 minutes
Traits and tendencies
Each value is normalised to a 0–100 scale with the confidence we have in it. A low confidence means the underlying source is thin, not that the trait is low.
Energy and activity
Higher means more active.
Higher means more daily exercise.
Living with people
Higher means generally better fit with children.
Higher means more open to strangers.
Living with other animals
Higher means generally better fit with dogs.
Training and independence
Higher means easier to train.
Care and upkeep
Higher means more grooming.
Higher means more shedding.
Higher means more drooling.
Home and environment
Higher means more adaptable to compact housing.
Higher means more vocal.
Words breeders and registries use
- Athletic
- Dignified
- Independent
- Intelligent
- Loyal
- Reserved with strangers
These are descriptors recorded by breeders and registries. They are not a behavioural assessment of any individual animal.
Allergies
The source provider does not record this breed with a hypoallergenic flag.
No breed is medically allergy safe. This records only what the source provider reports.
Available now
No Rhodesian Ridgeback is currently listed for adoption. Adoption listings expire and need reconfirming, so this reflects live availability rather than an archive.
