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Rhodesian
Ridgeback
Official Breed Standard
GENERAL APPEARANCE
The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active
dog, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature
Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog,
capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of
speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is
devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with
strangers. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on
the back. The ridge must be regarded as the
characteristic feature of the breed.
SIZE, PROPORTION, SUBSTANCE
A mature Ridgeback should be symmetrical in outline,
slightly longer than tall but well balanced. Dogs - 25
to 27 inches in height; Bitches - 24 to 26 inches in
height. Desirable weight: Dogs - 85 pounds; Bitches - 70
pounds.
HEAD
Should be of fair length, the skull flat and rather
broad between the ears and should be free from wrinkles
when in repose. The stop should be reasonably well
defined. Eyes-should be moderately well apart and should
be round, bright and sparkling with intelligent
expression, their color harmonizing with the color of
the dog. Ears-should be set rather high, of medium size,
rather wide at the base and tapering to a rounded point.
They should be carried close to the head. Muzzle-should
be long, deep and powerful. The lips clean, closely
fitting the jaws. Nose-should be black, brown or liver,
in keeping with the color of the dog. No other colored
nose is permissible. A black nose should be accompanied
by dark eyes, a brown or liver nose with amber eyes.
Bite-jaws level and strong with well-developed teeth,
especially the canines or holders. Scissors bite
preferred.
NECK, TOPLINE, BODY
The neck should be fairly strong and free from
throatiness. The chest should not be too wide, but very
deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never
rounded like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of
speed). The back is powerful and firm with strong loins
which are muscular and slightly arched. The tail should
be strong at the insertion and generally tapering
towards the end, free from coarseness. It should not be
inserted too high or too low and should be carried with
a slight curve upwards, never curled or gay.
FOREQUARTERS
The shoulders should be sloping, clean and muscular,
denoting speed. Elbows close to the body. The forelegs
should be perfectly straight, strong, and heavy in bone.
The feet should be compact with well-arched toes, round,
tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes
and pads. Dewclaws may be removed.
HINDQUARTERS
In the hind legs, the muscles should be clean, well
defined and hocks well down. Feet as in front.
COAT
Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in
appearance but neither wooly nor silky.
COLOR
Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the
chest and toes permissible but excessive white there, on
the belly or above the toes is undesirable.
RIDGE
The hallmark of this breed is the ridge on the back
which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite
direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge must be
regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed. The
ridge should be clearly defined, tapering and
symmetrical. It should start immediately behind the
shoulders and continue to a point between the prominence
of the hips and should contain two identical crowns
(whorls) directly opposite each other. The lower edge of
the crowns (whorls) should not extend further down the
ridge than one third of the ridge. Disqualification:
Ridgelessness. Serious Fault: One crown (whorl) or more
than two crowns (whorls).
GAIT
At the trot, the back is held level and the stride is
efficient, long, free and unrestricted. Reach and drive
expressing a perfect balance between power and elegance.
At the chase, the Ridgeback demonstrates great coursing
ability and endurance.
TEMPERAMENT
Dignified and even tempered. Reserved with strangers.
SCALE OF POINTS
General appearance, size, symmetry and balance 20
Ridge 20
Head 15
Legs and feet 15
Neck and shoulders 10
Body, back, chest, and loin 10
Coat and color 5
Tail 5
TOTAL 100
DISQUALIFICATION: Ridgelessness
Approved by The American Kennel Club on August 11, 1992
and effective September 30, 1992
FAQ - Frequently Asked Question about the Rhodesian
Ridgeback
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