Bryan McAllister’s personal reference notebook
August 1, 2026Short & citedBlog
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Kept by Bryan McAllister — short guides, clear facts, and the Canadian angle when it matters.
Field Notes • Dog Breed

Rhodesian Ridgeback

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large hound dog breed originating in Southern Africa, known for the distinctive ridge of backward-growing hair along its back.

Updated August 1, 20261 min readCited sources

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large hound breed from Southern Africa, known for the distinctive ridge of backward-growing hair along its back. Originally developed to track and bay lions, it is now kept as a companion and guard dog.

Origin and development

The Rhodesian Ridgeback was developed in Southern Africa from local ridged dogs crossed with dogs brought by European settlers. Its formal breed standard was drafted in 1922 in Bulawayo and later approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1927.

Appearance

The breed is a large, muscular, short-coated hound with a distinctive ridge of backward-growing hair along the spine. Its coat is typically wheaten to reddish-brown, and the breed is known for endurance and athleticism.

Temperament and use

Originally used to track and bay lions and other large game, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is now also valued as a companion, watchdog, and active working dog.

In short

  • Named for the ridge of backward-growing hair along the back
  • Bred to track and bay lions, not kill them
  • Breed standard drafted in 1922 in Bulawayo, approved in 1927
  • Commonly kept as family companion and guard dog
Canadian angle

Canadian kennel and breed-reference sources recognize the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a distinct hound breed, and Canadian readers may encounter it through breed clubs, registries, and pet ownership guides.

Quick questions

What is a Rhodesian Ridgeback?
A large hound dog breed from Southern Africa, known for the ridge of hair on its back and its history as a big-game hunting dog.
Why is it called a Ridgeback?
Because a strip of hair along its spine grows in the opposite direction from the rest of the coat.
What was the breed originally used for?
To track and bay large game, especially lions, while avoiding direct killing.

Sources

  1. Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rhodesian_Ridgeback
    Supports: Original breed standard drafted by F.R. Barnes in Bulawayo in 1922 and approved by the South African Kennel Union in 1927.
  2. Canadian Kennel Club — https://www.ckc.ca/en/Choosing-a-Dog/Choosing-a-Breed/Hounds/Rhodesian-Ridgeback
    Supports: Recognizes the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a breed originating in South Africa.
  3. American Kennel Club — https://www.akc.org/dog-breeds/rhodesian-ridgeback/
    Supports: Describes the ridge, hound classification, and the breed's historical use in tracking and baying lions.
  4. Encyclopaedia Britannica — https://www.britannica.com/print/article/501656
    Supports: Summarizes the breed's South African origin, physical characteristics, and uses as hunter, guard, and companion.