Rhodesian Ridgeback

　　The ideal male Rhodesian Ridgeback has a shoulder height of approximately 25~27 inches; the ideal female shoulder height is 24~26 inches. The ideal male weight is around 85 pounds, and the ideal female weight is about 70 pounds.
　　Morphological Characteristics
　　The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a solid, muscular, and lively dog with a well-proportioned and steady appearance. A mature Rhodesian Ridgeback appears handsome, strong, athletic, with enduring stamina and speed. Temperament is calm and dignified; the Rhodesian Ridgeback loves its owner deeply but is reserved towards strangers. The breed’s uniqueness lies in the ridge of hair growing in the opposite direction on its back. This ridge is a very important characteristic of the breed and should be given due importance.
　　Head
　　Proper length, flat skull with broad space between the ears, no wrinkles when relaxed. Stop moderately defined. Eyes: slightly wide-set, round, shining with intelligence and cheerfulness, color harmonizes with overall coat color. Ears: set slightly high, medium-sized, slightly broad at the base, tapering gradually, rounded tips. Ears hang close to the head. Muzzle: long, deep, and powerful, lips neat and tightly enclosing the jaws. Nose leather: black, brown, or liver-colored, matching the overall coat color. Other nose colors are not allowed. Black nose leather is paired with dark black eyes; brown or liver nose leather with amber eyes. Bite: jaws flat and strong, teeth very well developed especially the canines; scissors bite is preferred.
　　Neck, Topline, Body
　　Neck is quite strong with no loose skin. Chest is not too wide but very deep and capacious, ribs well sprung but not round (not barrel-chested), showing ideal speed capability. Back is strong and steady, loin is solid, muscular and slightly arched. Tail is strong, usually tapering slightly at the tip, set neither too high nor too low, with a slight upward curve, neither curled nor too loose.
　　Forequarters
　　Shoulders slanting, clean, and muscular, showing speed. Elbows close to the body. Forelegs fairly straight, solid and well boned. Feet compact, toes arched, pads round, firm and elastic, protected by hair between toes and pads. Dewclaws may be removed.
　　Hindquarters
　　Hind legs muscular, clean, well defined hocks, set low. Feet same as front limbs.
　　Coat
　　Short and dense, smooth and glossy, neither woolly nor silky.
　　Color
　　From light wheaten to red wheaten. A small amount of white on the chest and toes is allowed, but extra white in the abdomen or above toes is not desirable.
　　Ridge
　　This breed has hair on its back growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge is the most important feature of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The ridge is very clear, tapered at both ends, and symmetrical. It starts just behind the shoulder blades and extends to the middle of the protrusion of the hips, including two symmetrical whorls, one on each side. The lower edge of the whorl must not fall below one-third of the ridge height. Disqualification: no ridge. Serious faults: only one whorl or more than two whorls.
　　Gait
　　At a trot, the back remains level, with efficient movement, large stride, relaxed and free. Forequarter extension and hindquarter drive are coordinated, showing power and elegance. When pursuing, the Rhodesian Ridgeback displays bursts of high-speed running and endurance.