Rhodesian ridgeback

one of a South African breed of medium-sized muscular hunting dogs having a short, glossy, red or tan coat, with a characteristic ridge of hair along the spine consisting of parallel crowns of hair growing in the opposite direction of the rest of the coat, originally developed for hunting lions but now used primarily as a guard dog. Also called African lion hound.

[1935-40]

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or African lion dog

South African hound breed characterized by a narrow band of hair growing forward along its back, against the direction of the rest of the coat.

The ridge is inherited from a half-wild local hunting dog that was crossbred with European dogs. Strong, active, and of great endurance, it is trim and short-haired, with hanging ears and a glossy brown coat. It stands 24–27 in. (61–69 cm) and weighs 65–75 lbs (30–34 kg). It is an able guard and hunter (especially of lions) and a good companion.

Rhodesian ridgeback

Walter Chandoha

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▪ breed of dog

also called  African lion hound 

 South African hound dog breed characterized by a narrow band of hair that grows forward along its back, against the direction of the rest of the coat. This ridge is inherited from a half-wild native hunting dog that, by breeding with various European dogs, formed the stock that gave rise to the Rhodesian ridgeback. Typically strong, active, and of great endurance, the Rhodesian ridgeback is a trim, shorthaired dog, with hanging ears and a glossy, yellowish brown to reddish brown coat. It stands 24 to 27 inches (61 to 69 cm) and weighs 70 to 85 pounds (32 to 39 kg). A versatile dog, it has distinguished itself as a hunter (especially of lions), as a guard, and as a companion.

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