Rhodesian Ridgeback FCI-Standard Nr. 146 from 20.08.1989

General appearance:

Handsome, strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical in outline, capable of great endurance with fair amount of speed. Mature dog is handsome and upstanding.

Characteristics:

Peculiarity is ridge on back forced by hair growing in opposite direction to the remainder of coat; ridge must be regarded as the escutcheon of breed. Ridge clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical, starting immediately behind shoulders and continuing to haunch, and containing two identical crowns only, opposite each other, lower edges of crowns not extending further down ridge than onethird of ist length. Up to 5 cm (2 ins) is a good average for width of ridge.

Temperament:

Dignified, intelligent, aloof with strangers but showing no Aggression or shyness.

Head and skull:

Of fair length, skull flat, rather broad between ears, free from wrinkles when in repose. Stop reasonably well defined. Nose black or brown in keeping with colour of dog. Black nose accompanied by dark eyes, brown nose by amber eyes. Muzzle lond, deep and powerful. Lips clean and close fitting. 

Eyes:

Set moderately well apart, round, bright and sparkling with intelligent expression, colour harmonizing with coat colour.

Ears:

Set rather high, medium size, rather wide at base, gradually tapering to a rounded point. Carried close to head.

Mouth:

Jaws strong, with a perfect and complete scissor bite, i. e. the upper teeth closely overlapping the lower teeth and set square to the jaws. Well developed teeth, especially canines.

Neck:

Fairly long, strong and  free from throatiness.

Forequarters:

Shoulders sloping, clean and muscular. Forelegs perfectly straight, strong, heavy in bone, elbows close to body.

Body:

Chest not too wide, very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never barrel-ribbed. Back powerful, loins strong, muscular and slightly arched.