Breed profile
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Explore the care, lifestyle and household factors that matter before making a commitment.
SizeLarge
ExerciseHigh
GroomingLow
ChildrenGood
BarkingLow
HealthModerate
What this means
Source-linked data has been researched to help you make an informed decision about life with this breed.
Read how evidence is handledAt a glance
Key facts
Size classLarge
Adult weight31 to 38 kg
Exercise needHigh
Energy levelHigh
BarkingLow
Grooming effortLow
Health burdenModerate
Breed profile
Life with this breed
Home and lifestyle
- Flat suitability
- Limited fit
- Alone tolerance
- Very low
- Energy level
- High
- First-time owner fit
- Limited fit
Care and training
- Minimum daily exercise
- 120 minutes
- Mental stimulation
- Moderate
- Trainability
- Moderate
- Grooming effort
- Low
- Professional grooming
- Low maintenance
- Shedding
- Moderate
Household fit
- Children
- Good
- Dogs
- Good
- Cats
- Moderate
- Prey drive
- High
- Visitors
- Limited
Health and evidence
- Health burden
- Moderate
- Heat tolerance
- Excellent
- Cold tolerance
- Poor
Health-burden evidence confidence: Medium.
Recorded health considerations
- Gastric Dilatation Volvulus (GDV)
- Hypothyroidism
- Certain cancers
- Dermoid sinus
- Juvenile myoclonic epilepsy
These are breed-level considerations, not a diagnosis or a guarantee that an individual dog will be affected.
Children and pets need supervision and careful introductions. Individual behaviour varies.