Proud, dignified, and whip-smart, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are an amazing breed. They love their families fiercely and are always looking for something new to learn. Their lean, muscular frame requires a lot of protein, so the best dog food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks features ingredients like real meat and well-balanced complex carbohydrates as additional protein sources.
Finding the right food choice for your Rhodesian is a top priority to make sure that your best friend can shower you with their love and affection for years to come.
About Rhodesian Ridgebacks
History: Proud Hunters with Big Hearts
The Rhodesian Ridgeback hails from Southern Africa where this proud dog was bred to be a jack of all trades. Colonial Dutch farmers known as the Boers were in search of a dog that could hunt, guard their property and also be an affectionate member of their large families - all at the same time. By breeding European breeds with a local native dog breed called the Khoikhoi, these settlers found their perfect dog.
From the Khoikhoi dog comes the adaptability to the extreme temperatures in the region and the unique ridge for which Rhodesian Ridgebacks are known today. European Greyhounds, Great Danes, Terriers, and also Bulldogs were bred into the breed for hunting prowess, physicality, and temperament.
Originally, Rhodesian Ridgebacks were known as African Lion Hounds for their ability to track and trap lions and other large game on the African plains. They were trained to find and corner their prey without attacking them so that the hunter had time to set their sights and take the shot. As big game hunting became more and more popular in the region, so did these intelligent and driven dogs.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback was first brought to the United States in the early 1900s. Famed actor Errol Flynn became the first official breeder of these dogs in the 1930s and the breed was subsequently recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1955. Today, Rhodesian Ridgebacks bring love, affection, and energy to the lives of families across America and the world.
Physical Appearance: Strength and Style
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are strong and muscular dogs with a long and powerful muzzle. They have a flat and wide skull that holds round, bright and intelligent eyes with ears set high on their heads.
These are big puppies courtesy of the Great Dane in their lineage. Males weigh in at 85 pounds on average and stand 25 to 27 inches tall. Females are only slightly smaller. coming in at 70 pounds on average and reaching a height of 24 to 26 inches.
Rhodesian Ridgeback coats are short and sleek, and therefore do not require a lot of maintenance. They come only in the wheaten color spectrum from light to reddish-gold and have black, or more rarely, brown noses. Their most distinctive feature is a tapering ridge of hair that runs counter growth to the rest of their coat from their shoulders to their hips. Two crowns of hair growing in a circular pattern grow opposite each other at each end of the ridge.
Not all Rhodesian Ridgebacks have two crowns with some dogs presenting one or none and some boasting three or more. More or less than two crowns, as well as a lack of ridge, is considered a fault in the show circuit and these Rhodesian Ridgebacks will rarely be bred to minimize the aesthetic fault in the future of the breed.
Demeanor: Loyal and Loving
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are incredibly intelligent dogs with lots of energy. They need to be exercised regularly, physically and mentally. A bored Rhodesian Ridgeback will quickly get themselves into trouble as they try to find something to occupy their time, like checking to see what might be inside your couch cushions or testing the flavor of your dining room table legs.
They are confident dogs and can also be very willful. They require consistent, firm, and positive training from an early age. Creating a strong bond with your Rhodesian Ridgeback is very important as they do not take training well from someone whom they do not trust.
Wonderfully affectionate, a Rhodesian Ridgeback will fall deeply in love with its humans and is full of warmth for all in their family circle. Early socialization is important, however, as these dogs were bred to be guard dogs and are very protective of their pack. While not aggressive with strangers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks can be reserved with people they do not know and their high prey drive means that every neighborhood house cat, while not quite a lion, is fair game for tracking and hunting.
Be sure to keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback on a leash and work diligently on your training routine. It will be worth all the hard work the minute that big lap dog joins you on the couch for evening snuggles and kisses to show you how much you mean to them.
Nutritional Requirements
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are big dogs with lots of muscle and need a lot of protein to help keep them healthy. However, they are also prone to weight gain, so dog foods with less fat are important to avoid an overweight Rhodesian Ridgeback and all the health problems that come with obesity in the breed.
Always feed your Rhodesian Ridgeback the best dog food and do not let those big round eyes trick you into feeding them table scraps. Dog food that is not properly curated for Rhodesian Ridgebacks can easily cause problems in their digestive system and also lead to weight gain.
The best Rhodesian Ridgeback dog food has ingredients with joint supporting nutrients like glucosamine and chondroitin to help keep their joints strong for all the weight they are carrying around and ingredients that contain omega fatty acids for a healthy heart throughout their lifetime. Fat totals should be low and protein totals should be high.
If the dog food also contains grains, make sure that you are choosing whole grains like brown rice. Brown rice and other whole grains are less processed and also contain more protein and fiber. Choose food that also contains ingredients like fruits and vegetables to ensure that your pet is getting all the essential nutrients and vitamins they need to remain healthy and happy.
Adult
Adult Rhodesian Ridgebacks need between 1,600 to 2,000 calories a day depending on activity level. Feed your dog two meals per day and be mindful of how much fat is in the dog food you are using. All dogs are different, so be sure to monitor your dog’s weight and adjust your feeding amount accordingly.
Senior
Senior Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a slower metabolism than adults, so as your dog gets older you should cut back to around 1,400 calories a day while keeping to two feedings per day.
How Much Should I Feed my Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy?
A Rhodesian Ridgeback pup requires a high protein, high-calorie food as they initially begin to grow. Choose the best dog food that is specially formulated for puppies and contains ingredients that provide a minimum of 8% fat and 22% protein. However, this diet should only last until your dog is 16 weeks old.
Calorie rich diets during the middle and final stages of growth can lead to future health problems for your new best friend. Overgrowth in their bones and joints can exacerbate hereditary health issues and create new health concerns that can be costly to treat and very painful for your dog. Always check with your veterinarian to make certain that you are giving your dog their best chance at a long and healthy life.
Benefits of a Raw Food Diet
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a breed that can benefit greatly from a raw food diet. This diet consists of raw meat, both muscle and organs, uncooked bones, and vegetables. While it may seem daunting at first, a raw diet is easy to maintain. Just find a high-quality local butcher so that you can source the best ingredients and you can make all the best dog food in the comfort of your own kitchen.
Homemade dog food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks is a simple split of one third muscle meat, one third organ meat, and one third uncooked bones with fresh fruit and vegetables mixed in. Containing all of the nutrition your Rhodesian Ridgeback needs, this pet food will give your dog higher quality protein ingredients than typically found in kibble and limit the risk of food allergies since there are no ingredients like preservatives or additives that can often be common allergens for your dog.
Raw dog food for Rhodesian Ridgeback should be 2% of its body weight in meat and have a good variety of organs, bones, fruits, and vegetables. The meat in the mix delivers all of the protein your dog needs, the organs are an excellent source of vitamins, the uncooked bones provide very important calcium to help your Rhodesian’s bone health, and the fruits and vegetables are packed with essential nutrients and minerals that support health and longevity for your dog. With these simple ingredients, you can easily make the food for your Rhodesian Ridgeback dog at home.
Macronutrients for Rhodesian Ridgebacks: Proteins, Carbs, Fats split
To be sure your Rhodesian Ridgeback is receiving an optimal balance of healthy food, it is ideal to look at the macronutrients in dog food. The percentage of protein, carbs, and fat is laid out by The Association of American Feed Control Officials (AAFCO). The following are their recommendations for dog food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks:
Common Health Problems
In general, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very healthy dogs with an average lifespan of ten years. High-quality dog foods with the correct macronutrient split and regular exercise are usually all that is needed to keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback in prime health, but there are a few common health problems to be aware of.
Hip Dysplasia & Elbow Dysplasia
One of the most common health concerns for Rhodesian Ridgebacks is hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia. These conditions occur when the joints in the legs are not properly aligned and so the bone begins to erode. It is an ailment that can be inherited or caused by an injury. It often causes arthritis and can lead to lameness if not treated. Medication can help with swelling, but in some cases, surgery may be required.
To help prevent is hip dysplasia and elbow dysplasia in your dog, choose to feed them the best dog food that is rich in vitamin D to help balance the phosphorous and calcium in their bodies and keep their bones healthy. It is also important not to feed Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies food that is too heavily caloric to avoid overgrowth. If your dog is already suffering from this illness, switch to a weight loss diet to alleviate pain, and prevent worsening symptoms.
Hypothyroidism
Hypothyroidism is a thyroid gland disease that is common in Rhodesian Ridgebacks. The thyroid gland controls metabolism by the release of hormones and its malfunction affects how many of those hormones are released. The resulting low metabolism can increase your dog’s chances of becoming overweight and all the subsequent health concerns that come with weight gain.
Treatment typically includes replacement hormones combined with the best dog food for a low-fat diet and fewer calories per day to make sure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback remains at a healthy weight.
Dermoid Sinus
Dermoid sinus is a hereditary issue amongst Rhodesian Ridgebacks that develops in the womb while the spine is forming. A tubular mass below the skin and attached to the spine does not detach as normal and remains intact throughout your puppy’s growth stages. It can be a very painful condition and infection of the Dermoid Sinus can have life-threatening consequences for your Rhodesian. It is typically corrected with surgery, but if there are no complications it is often simply observed.
Food that is high in folic acid is important for expecting mothers as there is evidence to suggest that this lessens the chance of Dermoid Sinus.
Recommendations for the Best Dog Foods for Rhodesian Ridgebacks
1. Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein, Natural Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein, Natural Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food is designed to provide a minimum of 30% protein to keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback dog in its best shape. High-quality beef and lamb along with L-carnitine help maintain ideal body weight, while glucosamine and chondroitin support joint function.
Fish meal in the blend brings omega 3 and 6 fatty acids for coat and skin health, and a perfect balance of calcium and phosphorous keeps your dog’s teeth and bones strong. Taurine, a very important amino acid, promotes a healthy heart, and complex carbohydrates like sweet potato ensure that your dog is getting all the vitamins and minerals it needs to keep its immune system in tip-top shape.
Fruit like blueberries and cranberries make Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein, Natural Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food an antioxidant-rich food giving your Rhodesian Ridgeback a healthy oxidative balance.
Taste of the Wild Roasted Bison and Roasted Venison High Protein Real Meat Recipes Dry Dog Food is another great option for food for your Rhodesian. Real bison and venison meat combined with complex carbohydrates like sweet potatoes and peas offer high levels of protein and fibers, which is perfect for Rhodesian Ridgeback food. Ocean fish meal provides omega 3 fatty acids to help combat heart disease and the proprietary probiotics make this dry food highly digestible making it an ideal choice for dogs with a sensitive stomach.
Taste of the Wild food is nutrient-rich and full of antioxidants to help your dog’s immune system and ensure healthy skin and coat. Owners can be confident in their choice of Taste of the Wild as it doesn't include any grain, corn, or wheat, and the ingredients are sustainably sourced. It has a taste your pup loves, is easy on the dog s stomach, and gives them all the nutrients they need to be as happy as they can be.
Wellness Core, Large Breed, Grain-Free, Natural Dry Food provides your Rhodesian Ridgeback with all the protein it needs to maintain a lean body mass and optimal muscle tone. The grain-free dry dog food formula limits unnecessary calories for your dog and the chicken meal and turkey meal are excellent sources of glucosamine and chondroitin respectively to help your Rhodesian’s joints stay healthy and strong.
Ingredients like flaxseed and salmon oil provide all the omega fatty acids your dog needs, and the guarantee of no meat by-products, no fillers, and no artificial preservatives or added flavors means that you can rest easy knowing that your Rhodesian Ridgeback is getting the high-quality nutrition they deserve from the best ingredients possible.
Hill’s Science Diet Dry Dog Food, Adult, Large Breed, Light for Weight Management, Chicken Meal & Barley Recipe is a great choice if your Rhodesian Ridgeback is experiencing weight gain. Crafted to contain lower calories per serving, it is a good source of L-carnitine for ideal weight maintenance, improves mobility, and a strong heart.
The high-quality protein and natural fibers help your dog stay full between feedings and the omega fatty acids and Vitamin E keeps your Ridgeback’s skin and coat shiny and healthy. Plus, Vitamin C and antioxidants that your dog will get from this dog food will help strengthen their immune system and keep them fit throughout their adult life.
Conclusion
Blue Buffalo Wilderness Rocky Mountain Recipe High Protein, Natural Adult Large Breed Dry Dog Food is the best dog food for Rhodesian Ridgebacks. It is high in quality ingredients like pure beef and lamb protein and complex carbohydrates like sweet potato, full of omega fatty acids, antioxidants, vitamins, and minerals, and is specially formulated to maintain your Rhodesian Ridgeback’s ideal build and weight.
Being a Rhodesian Ridgeback owner will not always be the easiest of tests. You must be firm, consistent, and positive to keep these rambunctious dogs in line. However, if you give them your best, their loyalty, love, and affection will come back to you tenfold making you the most fulfilled pet parent you know.
