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 | The Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Rhodesian Ridgeback (also known as the African Lion Hound) is a strong, muscular dog from the hound group, which was originally bred in South Africa to hunt lions. Native tribes in South Africa had a half-wild hunting dog, which displayed a ridge of hair along its back. This dog was then interbred with other breeds, including the Mastiff and the Deerhound, to produce the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
The Ridgeback is a very handsome and athletic dog with a good posture. The hallmark of this breed is the ridge along the back, which is formed by hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge should be clearly visible, starting from immediately behind the shoulders and continuing to a point between the hips.
Ridgebacks make excellent companions, as they are calm, gentle, intelligent and obedient. However, they can be very strong-willed and mischievous; so good gentle training is a must. Even though these dogs are devoted and affectionate towards their owners, they can be very wary of strangers.
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Appearance
The large sturdy body of the Ridgeback stands at a height of around 25 27 inches (63 69cms) for dogs and around 24 26 inches (61 66cms) for bitches. Dogs weigh in the region of 80 90 lbs (36 41kg) and bitches weigh 65 75 lbs (29 34kg). The head is long with a flat, broad skull and extremely powerful muzzle and jaw. The tail is fairly long and tapered, curving slightly upwards. The ears are medium sized and are wide at the base, tapering to a rounded point. The eyes and nose are in keeping with the colouring of the dog, which can vary from light to red wheaten - white markings are sometimes seen on the chest and toes.
Grooming
The coat of the Ridgeback is short, dense, sleek and glossy and is easy to groom. They do not shed as much hair as some breeds, but still benefit from regular brushing to keep their coat looking good. They will only require occasional bathing, unless they get particularly dirty.
Health problems
Ridgebacks are generally very hardy dogs and can even withstand dramatic changes in temperature. However, they are susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia, dermoid sinus (a congenital condition), cysts and cataracts. These dogs have a life expectancy of around ten to twelve years.
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