Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a breed we here at Urban Dog know a lot about.
A good friend Clark’s and mine has had three Ridgebacks: Maverick, Jada, and now Mila. And a former roommate of Clark’s had Kobe, and now Amos. (Clark lived with Kobe for a while.) All five of those dogs were New Yorkers (Mila has since decamped to Fort Lauderdale in Florida), so it seems there’s an argument to be made that Ridgebacks could be good Urban Dogs.
According to the American Kennel Club they were the 41st most popular breed in the United States in 2022.
They are not very common in New York City. The NYC Department of Licensing says there are currently 914 Ridgebacks registered with the city.
The African Lion Dog
Big, powerful dogs, their most distinguishing feature is a strip of hair that runs down their backs that grows in the opposite direction of the rest of their coats. This causes the breed’s ridge, for which they are named. (Duh.)
The American Kennel Club says they are bred from Great Danes, Greyhounds, Bloodhounds, and Mastiffs. Boer settlers from the Netherlands brought the Ridgebacks’ ancestors with them to South Africa in the 1800s. These dogs were then crossbred with the ridged dogs of the Khoikhoi, natives of the region. In 1922, a group of breeders in Rhodesia — now Zimbabwe — established the standard for Ridgebacks, which has remained virtually unchanged ever since.
It’s said that Ridgebacks were used to help hunt lions, giving rise to one of their nicknames: the African Lion Dog.
They are large dogs, males clock in at 25 to 27 inches at the shoulders and weighing about 85 pounds; females are a little shorter and weigh about 70 pounds. Ridgebacks have smooth coats with short fur; the color of their coats ranges from “Light Wheaten” to “Red Wheaten” (golden to brownish-red.) They are average when it comes to shedding. Their life expectancy is about ten to twelve years.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Make Good City Dogs?
I talked to Clark’s friend Sergio (the owner of Maverick, Jada, and Mila, mentioned above) and he said he was always comfortable having Ridgebacks in the city.
Even though they are big dogs, Sergio said he never felt crowded by them in a small New York City apartment. He said they are total couch potatoes when it comes to being indoors. The AKC scores them as “highly adaptable” when it comes to how well they handle change, a good trait for living in dynamic urban areas. Sergio said the key to having a happy Ridgeback in the city was to keep them exercised.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Bark a Lot?
Ridgebacks are not considered excessive barkers. The AKC gives them a low score when it comes to barking, meaning they generally only bark to alert. Sergio agrees, he said his dogs really only barked when someone knocked at the door or if they saw something that alarmed them.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Easily Trained?
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are about average when it comes to understanding new commands. They obey first commands about 50% of the time according to Stanley Coren, a professor of psychology at the University of British Columbia who studies dog behavior. That means it takes 25 to 40 repetitions for them to learn new commands.
Ridgebacks require an experienced dog owner, as they will take control if you’re a novice. Urban Dog recommends hiring a trainer who can assist you with training, as these dogs can be very determined.
How are Rhodesian Ridgebacks with Strangers, Children, and other Animals?
The AKC says Ridgebacks are very affectionate and good with young children. Sergio said his could sometimes be a little aloof with strangers. The AKC also says they are about average in their interaction with other dogs, meaning you should keep your eye on them when they meet new pooches.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Require a lot of Exercise?
Short answer: yes.
Sergio made sure all of his dogs got at least four walks a day. He used to go inline skating with Maverick and when that fad faded, he’d ride his skateboard alongside Jada and Mila. Clark says when he lived with Kobe he took him on “A lot of walks. A lot.”
Taking Care of Your Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are general pretty healthy dogs. Good breeders will always screen for displasia, thyroid function ,and eye problems They don’t require a lot of grooming.
The Bottom LIne
Urban Dog feels that Rhodesian Ridgebacks definitely could be a good apartment dog for the right owner. Like many large breed dogs, they need a lot of exercise, so they are not “set it and forget it” canines. If you think you can devote the proper attention to them and you like big dogs, you should consider the African Lion Dog!
For tips on how to find a pet-friendly apartment in New York and other cities read Urban Dog’s guide. Big dogs pose a particular challenge, but don’t worry, you can find places that accept large breed dogs. Your Ridgeback will love to run, so check out Urban Dog’s comprehensive guide to off-leash areas in more than 70 city parks in the five boroughs.
