Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies

About the Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed in southern Africa by crossing European hunting dogs with the ridged dogs kept by the Khoikhoi, producing a hound that could work in heat, cover ground all day and hold big game at bay for the hunter. The Ridgeback is a large, clean lined dog of 31.8 to 38.6 kg and 61 to 69 cm, with a short smooth coat and the ridge of reversed hair along the spine that names the breed. They are dignified and quiet rather than demonstrative.

Exercise is moderate but has to be real: long walks, a chance to run, and sports such as tracking or agility to occupy the mind. Grooming is a weekly brush, though many resist nail clipping and do better with a grinder. Barking is minimal. They are rated three out of five with other pets, so early socialisation and supervision are sensible. Where owners go wrong is consistency, because a Ridgeback is strong and independent and will quietly take charge of a household that negotiates instead of deciding.

What to expect at eight weeks

At eight weeks a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is sleeping around 18 to 20 hours a day, is not house trained, and cannot hold on for more than an hour or two at a stretch. A large breed puppy at eight weeks looks deceptively normal sized and will roughly double every few weeks for a while. Keep exercise short and low impact, the growth plates are wide open. Expect moderate energy, in short bursts separated by long naps. Grooming needs are moderate, so build the brushing habit now while the coat is still short and easy. The socialisation window is open and closing: everything they meet calmly now, from vacuum cleaners to men in hats, is easier for the rest of their life.

Health worth knowing about

Conditions this breed is reported to be predisposed to. Predisposed does not mean inevitable, it means ask about it.

• Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy (JME), detectable by DNA test
• Degenerative myelopathy (DM), detectable by DNA test
• Hip dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Hip Dysplasia Scheme
• Elbow dysplasia, screened under the BVA/KC Elbow Dysplasia Scheme
• Dermoid sinus, detected by palpation along the spine in newborn puppies before rehoming
• Autoimmune thyroiditis, detected by an annual blood test of thyroid levels

Your Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy's first six months

• Vaccination schedule, dated for your country.
• Worming and parasite schedule.
• Feeding calculator. Set expected adult size to Large for a Rhodesian Ridgeback.
• Adult size predictor, to check growth against the 31.8 to 38.6 kg adult range.
• Puppy names and the first week checklist.

Kit sizes: crate 42 inch (42 x 28 x 30 in, 107 x 71 x 76 cm) for an adult of up to 38.6 kg; chew toys made for large breeds. Worked out the same way as the crate size calculator. PetMD bases a crate on the dog's own measurements, not weight or breed alone, so measure once the puppy is home.

Buying guides for this

• Best crate for a puppy: wire, plastic or soft, and how to size one with a divider

Other large breeds

More on the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Previous: Redbone Coonhound · Next: Romanian Carpathian Shepherd

Sources

• akc.org for adult weight and height, life expectancy, energy, grooming, shedding and the temperament ratings, coat type and health notes
• fci.be for country of origin
• Health notes from Rhodesian Ridgeback breed information at https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rhodesian-ridgeback/. Discuss any of these with your own vet.

Photo: Svenska Mässan from Sweden, CC BY 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons, cropped. All photographers are listed on the photo credits page.