Choosing a Rhodesian Ridgeback

Choosing a Rhodesian Ridgeback

By: Dr. Dawn Ruben

Common Diseases and Disorders

In general, the ridgeback is a healthy dog with few medical concerns. However, the following diseases or disorders have been reported:

  • Gastric torsion, also known as bloat, is a life-threatening sudden illness associated with the stomach filling with air and twisting.

  • Hip dysplasia is a malformation of the hip joint that results in pain, lameness and arthritis.

  • Hypothyroidism results when the thyroid gland does not function adequately. Without enough thyroid hormone, illness can occur.

  • Degenerative myelopathy is a progressive degenerative disease of the spinal cord that slowly results in weakness and eventually inability to use the rear legs.

  • Osteochondrosis is a cartilage defect that develops in young growing dogs resulting in pain and lameness.


  • Dermoid sinus is a syndrome unique to the ridgeback and their crosses. It is a defect in the development of the spinal cord sheath and the skin. If left untreated, weakness and paralysis may develop. It is associated with the ridge development and the dermoid sinus occurs somewhere along the back.

  • Congenital deafness can be present at birth in some dogs.

  • Entropion is a problem with the eyelid that causes inward rolling. Lashes on the edge of the eyelid irritate the surface of the eyeball and may lead to more serious problems.

  • Cataracts cause a loss of the normal transparency of the lens of the eye. The problem can occur in one or both eyes and can lead to blindness.

    The Rhodesian ridgeback is also prone to obesity, ear infections and allergies.


    Life Span

    The life span of the Rhodesian ridgeback is 8 to 12 years.


    We realize that each dog is unique and may display other characteristics. This profile provides generally accepted breed information only.

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