Understanding Rhodesian Ridgeback Back Hair and Genetics

The Rhodesian Ridgeback's distinctive back hair is a result of a genetic trait that causes the hair on their back to grow in the opposite direction of their coat. This unique characteristic is a defining feature of the breed.

The ridge itself is made up of a row of hair that grows in the opposite direction of the rest of the coat, creating a visible ridge along the dog's back. This is a result of the interaction between two types of melanin, eumelanin and pheomelanin.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a unique genetic makeup that affects the growth of their hair, leading to this distinctive feature. The genetics behind the ridge are complex, but it's clear that it's a result of a combination of genetic and environmental factors.

In order for a Rhodesian Ridgeback to develop a proper ridge, they need to inherit the correct combination of genes from their parents. If they don't inherit the right combination, they may not develop a ridge at all.

A Rhodesian Ridgeback is a breed of dog known for its distinctive ridge of hair on its back.

The ridge is formed by hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat, and it should be clearly defined, tapering, and symmetrical. It starts immediately behind the shoulders and continues to a point between the prominence of the hips.

The ridge is made up of two identical "crowns" or whorls that are directly opposite each other. This unique feature is a key characteristic of the breed.

The ridge is purely aesthetic today, but it was originally bred into the dogs to help them survive in the wild. Farmers in South Africa bred Ridgebacks to be tough and tenacious, and the ridged dogs were the ones that came home from the hunt.

A Ridgeback's ridge is a permanent and well-demarcated line of backward-running hair on its back. It won't "come and go" like some other features, and it can't be hidden with a "comb over."

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The Rhodesian Ridgeback's unique feature is its distinctive ridge of hair running along its back. This ridge is purely aesthetic, but its origins are fascinating.

Early South African farmers bred purebred dogs, including Great Danes and Mastiffs, to create a tough hunting dog. They found that the ridged dogs were the smart, tenacious survivors who came home from the hunt.

The ridge became a prized characteristic, and today, a Ridgeback without one is disqualified from competing in the show ring. This means that breeders focus on preserving and maximizing the ridge.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are strong, athletic hounds that excel in agility, obedience, and lure coursing. In fact, they were bred to be athletic and tough, and their high-endurance breed is impressive to see in motion.

Lure coursing brings out the hunting instincts of the Rhodesian, without any prey animals paying the price for it. This makes it a great way to see the breed in action.

Expand your knowledge: Rhodesian Ridgeback Hunt

Ridges on Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a permanent, demarcated line of backward-running hair on the dog's back. They don't "come and go" like hackles do.

The main difference between a ridge and hackles is that ridges are always visible, while hackles can be raised or lowered. To distinguish between the two, look for the hair above, below, and around the ridge to be erect, but the hairs of the ridge itself to stay flat.

A ridgeless puppy will have a normal "slickback" coat, but if the hair is ruffled and brushed against the natural lie of the coat, a faint cowlick may appear. This is not the same as a ridge.

There is a relatively rare exception, the "phantom ridge", which is a faint line running up the back or along a portion of it. This is not a traditional ridge and is often just a disruption in the hair patterning.

The ridge formation in Rhodesian and Thai Ridgeback dogs is caused by a mutation in their DNA, specifically a duplication of a stretch of DNA sequence including several genes. This mutation is called the ridge gene and shows dominant inheritance.

The ridge gene is responsible for the distinctive ridge of hair running along the dog's spine. This unique feature is a result of the genetic mutation.

A research team led by Dr Kathryn Meurs identified the genetic variant associated with Inherited Ventricular Arrhythmia in Rhodesian Ridgebacks (RR IVA). This condition highlights the importance of responsible breeding practices to minimize the risk of inherited health issues.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks are prone to health issues due to their genetic makeup.

Discover more: Rhodesian Ridgeback Health Problems