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SOUTH AFRICAN KENNEL UNION
K.U.S.A.
THE ORIGINAL STANDARD
The Rhodesian Ridgeback (Lion Dog) Club of 1922
The peculiarly of this breed is the ridge on the back
which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction of the rest of the coat. This ridge, which must be regarded
as the escutcheon of the breed is broad behind the shoulders, and tapers off towards the end of the tail. It should be clearly
defined and start immediately behind the shoulders, and continue up to or over the loin. In shape, it resembles a fiddle with
the strings toward the tail. A dog without a ridge is not recognized as belonging to this breed.
In General Appearance the Ridgeback should represent
a strong, muscular and active dog. Symmetrical in outline, and capable of great endurance with a fair amount of speed.
The Head should be of fair length, the skull
flat and rather broad between the ears, and should be free from wrinkle. The stop should be defined and not in one straight
line from the nose of the occipital bone as required in a Bull Terrier.
The Muzzle should be long, deep and powerful,
jaws level and strong, with well developed teeth, especially the canines or holders. The lips clean, closely fitting the jaws.
The 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.
The Ears should be set rather
high, of medium size, rather wide at the base, and gradually tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to
the head.
The Nose should be black, but
a lighter color is admissible if it is keeping with the color of the dog. A spotted nose is incorrect, but not a disqualification.
Neck and Shoulders The neck should
be fairly long, strong and entirely free from throatiness. The shoulders should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting speed.
Body, Back, Chest and Lions 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 powerful, and loin strong, muscular and slightly arched.
Legs and Feet. The fore legs should
be perfectly straight, strong, and heavy in bone; elbows close to the body. Forefeet round, compact, with well arched toes,
round tough elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes and pads. In the hind legs the muscles should be clean, though
well defined, and hocks well let down.
The Tail should not be too strong;
strong at the insertion, and gradually tapering towards the end. Free from coarseness. It should not be inserted too low down,
but carried with a slight curve upwards, and never curled. A short tail is a blemish, but not a disqualification.
The Coat should be short, hard,
dense and fine, sleek and glossy in appearance, but neither wooly nor silky.
Colors. Brindles, fawns, sables,
whole colors, or mixed with white.
Size. Up to 28 inches
Weight. Up to 80lbs
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United Kennel Club
The United Kennel Club (UKC) was founded in 1898 by Chauncey Z. Bennett and currently owned by Wayne R.
Cavanaugh. The United Kennel Club is the second oldest and second largest all-breed dog registry in the United States. It
registers over 250,000 dogs annually. The performance programs of U.K.C. include Conformation Shows, Obedience Trials, Agility
Trials, Coonhound Field Trials, Water Races, Nite Hunts and Bench Shows, hunting tests for the retrieving breeds, beagle events
including Hunts and Bench Shows, and, for Cur and Feist Squirrel and Coon Events, and Bench Shows.
Currently, the United Kennel Club recognizes over 300 breeds of dogs categorized
into 8 groups: Companion Breeds, Guardian Dogs, Gun Dogs, Herding Dogs, Northern Breeds, Scenthounds, Sighthounds And Pariahs,
Terriers.
RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc.
History
The origin of the Rhodesian Ridgeback traces back to the hunting dogs used on big game
such as lions, cheetahs and baboons by the nomadic African tribes. The Hottentot tribe brought them to southern Africa. The
breed went through several transformations before becoming the dog we know today. In 1922, the first Rhodesian Ridgeback Club
was formed for the specific purpose of drawing up a breed standard. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was officially recognized by the
South African Kennel Union in 1924. It was not until after World War II that the first specimens of the breed were brought
to the United States.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1980.
General Appearance and Characteristics
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding dog; symmetrical in outline. It presents the
appearance of strength and agility; and the capability of great endurance accompanied by a fair amount of speed.
The distinctive characteristic peculiar to the breed is a ridge on the back that is formed by
the hair growing in an opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The ridge is clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical.
It begins immediately behind the shoulders and continues to a point located between the prominences of the hips. It should
contain two identical crowns opposite each other, the lower edges of which do not extend farther down the ridge than one-third
of the length of the ridge.
Head and Skull
The head is of a fair length. The flat skull is rather broad between the ears. It is
free from wrinkles when in repose. The stop is reasonably well defined. The muzzle is long, deep and powerful. The clean lips
fit the jaws closely.
Faults: Heavy head; round skull; short, snipey muzzle; bulging cheeks.
TEETH - A full complement of strong, well-developed, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. The
canine teeth are especially well developed. Even bites are acceptable but not desirable.
Disqualifications: Overshot or undershot bite.
EYES - The round eyes are set moderately well apart. They are bright, sparkling and have an
intelligent expression. Eye color is in harmony with that of the color of the dog. A black nosed dog has dark eyes; a brown-nosed
dog has amber eyes.
NOSE - The nose has black or brown pigment, in harmony with the color of the dog. No other colored
noses are acceptable.
EARS - The medium-sized ears are set rather high and carried close to the head. They are rather
wide at the base and taper to a rounded point.
Neck
The fairly long, clean neck is fairly strong and flexible.
Forequarters
The sloping shoulders are clean and muscular, indicating the ability for speed.
FORELEGS - The heavily boned, strong forelegs are perfectly straight. The elbows are close to
the body.
Body
The back is powerful. The strong, muscular loins are slightly arched. The very deep,
roomy chest is not too wide. The brisket reaches down to the elbows. Body length, measured from the shoulders to the hindquarters,
is slightly longer than the height, measured from the withers to the ground. The ribs are moderately well sprung.
Faults: Too long or too short in the back; roach back; sway back; round ribs.
Hindquarters
HIND LEGS - The muscles in the hind legs are clean and well defined. The hocks are
well let down.
Feet
The round, compact feet have well-arched toes and round, tough, elastic pads. The feet
are protected by hair between the toes and the pads.
Serious fault: Hare feet.
Tail
The tail is strong at the root and tapers gradually toward the tip. It is free from
coarseness. It is carried with a slight upward curve.
Faults: Curled tail; set too high or too low.
Coat
The short, dense coat is sleek and glossy. It is never woolly or silky.
Color
Acceptable colors include the range from light wheaten to red wheaten. The head, body,
legs and tail are uniform in color. Dark muzzles and ears are acceptable, but black ears are not desirable. A small amount
of white on the chest and on the toes is acceptable. Excessive white and any white on the belly or above the toes is not acceptable.
Disqualification: Albinism.
Height and Weight
Height is measured at the withers. The height ranges for mature dogs are: males, 25
to 27 inches; bitches, 24 to 26 inches.
The desirable weights for mature dogs are: males, 75 pounds; bitches, 65 pounds.
Gait
Movement is straightforward, free and active.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness. Overshot or undershot
bite. Albinism.
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American Kennel ClubThe American Kennel Club was established in 1884 by a group of enthusiasts representing several dog clubs. According
to the American Kennel Club's Mission Statement, its goal is to "maintain a registry for purebred dogs and preserve its integrity.
[...] The American Kennel Club "records the parentage of over one million dogs annually, but is not itself involved in the
sale of dogs and cannot therefore guarantee the health and quality of dogs in its registry." The AKC sponsors over 15,000
dog competitions each year held by member clubs and also supports and promotes the canine sport including Agility, Obedience,
Tracking, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Lure Coursing, Herding, Earthdog, Coonhound events as well as Conformation Shows.Currently, the AKC recognizes 157 breeds of dogs categorized into 7 groups:
Sporting, Hound, Working, Terrier, Toy, Non-Sporting and Herding. There is also Miscellaneous Class.
Breeds officially recognized for AKC registration appear in the Stud Book of the
American Kennel Club. A new breed is admitted to the Miscellaneous Class when there is an active parent club with substantial
breeding activity.
According to the AKC definition, "...Breeds in the Miscellaneous Class may compete and earn titles
in AKC Obedience, Tracking and Agility events. Miscellaneous breeds are also eligible to compete in Junior Showmanship. They
may also compete at conformation shows, but here are limited to competition in the Miscellaneous Class and are not eligible
for championship points."
AKC Foundation Stock Service®The
Foundation Stock Service® is an optional record keeping service to maintain pedigree, ownership records and stud books for
all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the AKC. Breeds must have 150 dogs with three generation pedigrees recorded
in the FSS® and an active breed club in order to compete in AKC Agility, Obedience, Tracking, and Rally events. The AKC only
considers adding new breeds to the FSS® or its registry upon request. The breed must be recognized by an acceptable foreign
or domestic registry such as Canadian Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK) etc. There are currently 48 breeds registered with
the FSS®.
 Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard (AKC)
Hound GroupGeneral 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 hindlegs 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 woolly 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.
Disqualification
Ridgelessness
Approved August 11, 1992
Effective
September 30, 1992
OTHER REGISTRIES
The Canadian Kennel ClubThe Canadian Kennel Club (CKC) is the primary registry body for purebred dogs in Canada. The services provided by the Canadian
Kennel club include registration of purebred dogs, sanctioning of the dog shows, field trials, tracking tests, and hunt tests
and maintaining the official records for these events and awards championship titles as well as animal recovery.Currently, the Canadian Kennel Club recognizes over 160 breeds of dogs which are
categorized into 7 groups: Sporting Dogs, Hounds, Working Dogs, Terriers, Toys, Non-Sporting Dogs, Herding Dogs and one Miscellaneous
Class (breeds recognized in other countries but still awaiting full CKC recognition).
The Kennel Club (UK)The Kennel Club (UK) is the primary registry body for purebred dogs in the United Kingdom. It was
established in 1873. The Kennel Club registers over 200,000 pedigree dogs every year. Cross-breeds are also eligible for registration
in their own right under the Activity Register and with the Companion Dog Club.
Currently, the The Kennel Club recognizes around 200 breeds of dogs which are categorized into 7 groups: Hound,
Working, Terrier, Gundog, Pastoral, Utility and Toy.
Australian National Kennel CouncilThe Australian National Kennel Council (ANKC) is the primary registry body for purebred dogs in Australia.
Currently, the Australian National Kennel Council recognizes over 170 breeds
of dogs which are categorized into 7 groups: Toys, Terriers, Gundogs, Hounds, Working Dogs, Utility and Non-Sporting.
New Zealand Kennel ClubThe New Zealand Kennel Club (NZKC) is the primary registry body for purebred dogs in New Zealand.
Currently, the New Zealand Kennel Club recognizes over 180 breeds of dogs which are categorized
into 7 groups: Toy, Terrier, Gundogs, Hounds, Working, Utility and Non Sporting.
Fédération Internationale Cynologique (FCI)The FCI is the World Canine Organisation. It was created on May 22nd, 1911 with the
aim to promote and protect purebred dogs. It includes 80 members and contract partners that each issue their own pedigrees
and train their own judges. FCI is not a registry and does not issue any pedigree. The FCI activities include: keeping
records of the results of international shows and certificates of Champion of Beauty, Working, Agility, Obedience, and Race;
confirmation of the titles, updating and translation of the breed standards, maintaining a record of lists of judges, translation
and updating of the various international regulations, and setting up the calendar of the international dog shows.
Currently, the The FCI recognizes 332 breeds categorized into 10 groups: Sheepdogs
and Cattle Dogs (except Swiss Cattle Dogs), Pinscher and Schanuzer - Molossoid breeds - Swiss Mountain and Cattle Dogs and
other breeds, Terriers, Dachshunds, Spitz and primitive types, Scenthounds and related breeds, Pointing Dogs, Retrievers -
Flushing Dogs - Water Dogs, Companion and Toy Dogs and Sighthounds. Standards of these breeds are owned and developed by specific
countries.
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