American Kennel Club
The American Kennel Club was established in 1884 by a group of enthusiasts representing several dog clubs. According to the American Kennel Club's Mission Statement, its goal is to "maintain a registry for purebred dogs and preserve its integrity. The American Kennel Club "records the parentage of over one million dogs annually, but is not itself involved in the sale of dogs and cannot therefore guarantee the health and quality of dogs in its registry." The AKC sponsors over 15,000 dog competitions each year held by member clubs and also supports and promotes the canine sport including Agility, Obedience, Tracking, Field Trials, Hunting Tests, Lure Coursing, Herding, Earthdog, Coonhound events as well as Conformation Shows.
The Foundation Stock Service® is an optional record keeping service to maintain pedigree, ownership records and stud books for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the AKC. Breeds must have 150 dogs with three generation pedigrees recorded in the FSS® and an active breed club in order to compete in AKC Agility, Obedience, Tracking, and Rally events. The AKC only considers adding new breeds to the FSS® or its registry upon request. The breed must be recognized by an acceptable foreign or domestic registry such as Canadian Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK) etc. There are currently 48 breeds registered with the FSS®.Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard (AKC)
General Appearance
The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed.
Size, Proportion, Substance
A mature Ridgeback should be symmetrical in outline, slightly longer than tall but well balanced. Dogs--25 to 27 inches in height; Bitches--24 to 26 inches in height. Desirable weight: Dogs--85 pounds; Bitches--70 pounds.
Head
Should be of fair length, the skull flat and rather broad between the ears and should be free from wrinkles when in repose. The stop should be reasonably well defined. Eyes--should be moderately well apart and should be round, bright and sparkling with intelligent expression, their color harmonizing with the color of the dog. Ears--should be set rather high, of medium size, rather wide at the base and tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head. Muzzle--should be long, deep and powerful. The lips clean, closely fitting the jaws. Nose--should be black, brown or liver, in keeping with the color of the dog. No other colored nose is permissible. A black nose should be accompanied by dark eyes, a brown or liver nose with amber eyes. Bite--jaws level and strong with well-developed teeth, especially the canines or holders. Scissors bite preferred.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck should be fairly strong and free from throatiness. The chest should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed). The back is powerful and firm with strong loins which are muscular and slightly arched. The tail should be strong at the insertion and generally tapering towards the end, free from coarseness. It should not be inserted too high or too low and should be carried with a slight curve upwards, never curled or gay.
Forequarters
The shoulders should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting speed. Elbows close to the body. The forelegs should be perfectly straight, strong and heavy in bone. The feet should be compact with well-arched toes, round, tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes and pads. Dewclaws may be removed.
Hindquarters
In the hindlegs the muscles should be clean, well defined and hocks well down. Feet as in front.
Coat
Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly nor silky.
Color
Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes permissible but excessive white there, on the belly or above the toes is undesirable.
Ridge
The hallmark of this breed is the ridge on the back which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed. The ridge should be clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It should start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to a point between the prominence of the hips and should contain two identical crowns (whorls) directly opposite each other. The lower edge of the crowns (whorls) should not extend further down the ridge than one third of the ridge.
Disqualification: Ridgeless. Serious Fault: One crown (whorl) or more than two crowns (whorls).
Gait
At the trot, the back is held level and the stride is efficient, long, free and unrestricted. Reach and drive expressing a perfect balance between power and elegance. At the chase, the Ridgeback demonstrates great coursing ability and endurance.
Temperament
Dignified and even tempered. Reserved with strangers. Disqualification
Ridgelessness
Approved August 11, 1992
Effective September 30, 1992
The Foundation Stock Service® is an optional record keeping service to maintain pedigree, ownership records and stud books for all purebred breeds not currently registrable with the AKC. Breeds must have 150 dogs with three generation pedigrees recorded in the FSS® and an active breed club in order to compete in AKC Agility, Obedience, Tracking, and Rally events. The AKC only considers adding new breeds to the FSS® or its registry upon request. The breed must be recognized by an acceptable foreign or domestic registry such as Canadian Kennel Club, The Kennel Club (UK) etc. There are currently 48 breeds registered with the FSS®.Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed Standard (AKC)
General Appearance
The Ridgeback represents a strong, muscular and active dog, symmetrical and balanced in outline. A mature Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding and athletic dog, capable of great endurance with a fair (good) amount of speed. Of even, dignified temperament, the Ridgeback is devoted and affectionate to his master, reserved with strangers. The peculiarity of this breed is the ridge on the back. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed.
Size, Proportion, Substance
A mature Ridgeback should be symmetrical in outline, slightly longer than tall but well balanced. Dogs--25 to 27 inches in height; Bitches--24 to 26 inches in height. Desirable weight: Dogs--85 pounds; Bitches--70 pounds.
Head
Should be of fair length, the skull flat and rather broad between the ears and should be free from wrinkles when in repose. The stop should be reasonably well defined. Eyes--should be moderately well apart and should be round, bright and sparkling with intelligent expression, their color harmonizing with the color of the dog. Ears--should be set rather high, of medium size, rather wide at the base and tapering to a rounded point. They should be carried close to the head. Muzzle--should be long, deep and powerful. The lips clean, closely fitting the jaws. Nose--should be black, brown or liver, in keeping with the color of the dog. No other colored nose is permissible. A black nose should be accompanied by dark eyes, a brown or liver nose with amber eyes. Bite--jaws level and strong with well-developed teeth, especially the canines or holders. Scissors bite preferred.
Neck, Topline, Body
The neck should be fairly strong and free from throatiness. The chest should not be too wide, but very deep and capacious, ribs moderately well sprung, never rounded like barrel hoops (which would indicate want of speed). The back is powerful and firm with strong loins which are muscular and slightly arched. The tail should be strong at the insertion and generally tapering towards the end, free from coarseness. It should not be inserted too high or too low and should be carried with a slight curve upwards, never curled or gay.
Forequarters
The shoulders should be sloping, clean and muscular, denoting speed. Elbows close to the body. The forelegs should be perfectly straight, strong and heavy in bone. The feet should be compact with well-arched toes, round, tough, elastic pads, protected by hair between the toes and pads. Dewclaws may be removed.
Hindquarters
In the hindlegs the muscles should be clean, well defined and hocks well down. Feet as in front.
Coat
Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither woolly nor silky.
Color
Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes permissible but excessive white there, on the belly or above the toes is undesirable.
Ridge
The hallmark of this breed is the ridge on the back which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed. The ridge should be clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It should start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to a point between the prominence of the hips and should contain two identical crowns (whorls) directly opposite each other. The lower edge of the crowns (whorls) should not extend further down the ridge than one third of the ridge.
Disqualification: Ridgeless. Serious Fault: One crown (whorl) or more than two crowns (whorls).
Gait
At the trot, the back is held level and the stride is efficient, long, free and unrestricted. Reach and drive expressing a perfect balance between power and elegance. At the chase, the Ridgeback demonstrates great coursing ability and endurance.
Temperament
Dignified and even tempered. Reserved with strangers. Disqualification
Ridgelessness
Approved August 11, 1992
Effective September 30, 1992
The United Kennel Club (UKC) was founded in 1898 by Chauncey Z. Bennett and currently owned by Wayne R. Cavanaugh. The United Kennel Club is the second oldest and second largest all-breed dog registry in the United States. It registers over 250,000 dogs annually. The performance programs of U.K.C. include Conformation Shows, Obedience Trials, Agility Trials, Coonhound Field Trials, Water Races, Nite Hunts and Bench Shows, hunting tests for the retrieving breeds, beagle events including Hunts and Bench Shows, and, for Cur and Feist Squirrel and Coon Events, and Bench Shows.
Currently, the United Kennel Club recognizes over 300 breeds of dogs categorized into 8 groups: Companion Breeds, Guardian Dogs, Gun Dogs, Herding Dogs, Northern Breeds, Scenthounds, Sighthounds And Pariahs, Terriers. Currently, the United Kennel Club recognizes over 300 breeds of dogs categorized into 8 groups: Companion Breeds, Guardian Dogs, Gun Dogs, Herding Dogs, Northern Breeds, Scenthounds, Sighthounds And Pariahs, Terriers. RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc.
History
The origin of the Rhodesian Ridgeback traces back to the hunting dogs used on big game such as lions, cheetahs and baboons by the nomadic African tribes. The Hottentot tribe brought them to southern Africa. The breed went through several transformations before becoming the dog we know today. In 1922, the first Rhodesian Ridgeback Club was formed for the specific purpose of drawing up a breed standard. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was officially recognized by the South African Kennel Union in 1924. It was not until after World War II that the first specimens of the breed were brought to the United States. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1980.
General Appearance and Characteristics
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding dog; symmetrical in outline. It presents the appearance of strength and agility; and the capability of great endurance accompanied by a fair amount of speed.
The distinctive characteristic peculiar to the breed is a ridge on the back that is formed by the hair growing in an opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The ridge is clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It begins immediately behind the shoulders and continues to a point located between the prominences of the hips. It should contain two identical crowns opposite each other, the lower edges of which do not extend farther down the ridge than one-third of the length of the ridge.
Head and Skull
The head is of a fair length. The flat skull is rather broad between the ears. It is free from wrinkles when in repose. The stop is reasonably well defined. The muzzle is long, deep and powerful. The clean lips fit the jaws closely. Faults: Heavy head; round skull; short, snipey muzzle; bulging cheeks.
TEETH - A full complement of strong, well-developed, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. The canine teeth are especially well developed. Even bites are acceptable but not desirable. Disqualifications: Overshot or undershot bite. EYES - The round eyes are set moderately well apart. They are bright, sparkling and have an intelligent expression. Eye color is in harmony with that of the color of the dog. A black nosed dog has dark eyes; a brown-nosed dog has amber eyes.
NOSE - The nose has black or brown pigment, in harmony with the color of the dog. No other colored noses are acceptable.
EARS - The medium-sized ears are set rather high and carried close to the head. They are rather wide at the base and taper to a rounded point.
Neck
The fairly long, clean neck is fairly strong and flexible.
Forequarters
The sloping shoulders are clean and muscular, indicating the ability for speed. FORELEGS - The heavily boned, strong forelegs are perfectly straight.
The elbows are close to the body.
Body
The back is powerful. The strong, muscular loins are slightly arched. The very deep, roomy chest is not too wide. The brisket reaches down to the elbows. Body length, measured from the shoulders to the hindquarters, is slightly longer than the height, measured from the withers to the ground. The ribs are moderately well sprung. Faults: Too long or too short in the back; roach back; sway back; round ribs.
Hindquarters
HIND LEGS - The muscles in the hind legs are clean and well defined. The hocks are well let down.
Feet
The round, compact feet have well-arched toes and round, tough, elastic pads. The feet are protected by hair between the toes and the pads. Serious fault: Hare feet.
Tail
The tail is strong at the root and tapers gradually toward the tip. It is free from coarseness. It is carried with a slight upward curve. Faults: Curled tail; set too high or too low.
Coat
The short, dense coat is sleek and glossy. It is never woolly or silky.
Color
Acceptable colors include the range from light wheaten to red wheaten. The head, body, legs and tail are uniform in color. Dark muzzles and ears are acceptable, but black ears are not desirable. A small amount of white on the chest and on the toes is acceptable. Excessive white and any white on the belly or above the toes is not acceptable. Disqualification: Albinism.
Height and Weight
Height is measured at the withers. The height ranges for mature dogs are: males,
25 to 27 inches; bitches, 24 to 26 inches.
The desirable weights for mature dogs are: males, 75 pounds; bitches, 65 pounds.
Gait
Movement is straightforward, free and active.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Overshot or undershot bite. Albinism.
Currently, the United Kennel Club recognizes over 300 breeds of dogs categorized into 8 groups: Companion Breeds, Guardian Dogs, Gun Dogs, Herding Dogs, Northern Breeds, Scenthounds, Sighthounds And Pariahs, Terriers. Currently, the United Kennel Club recognizes over 300 breeds of dogs categorized into 8 groups: Companion Breeds, Guardian Dogs, Gun Dogs, Herding Dogs, Northern Breeds, Scenthounds, Sighthounds And Pariahs, Terriers. RHODESIAN RIDGEBACK
Official U.K.C. Breed Standard
Copyright 1992, United Kennel Club, Inc.
History
The origin of the Rhodesian Ridgeback traces back to the hunting dogs used on big game such as lions, cheetahs and baboons by the nomadic African tribes. The Hottentot tribe brought them to southern Africa. The breed went through several transformations before becoming the dog we know today. In 1922, the first Rhodesian Ridgeback Club was formed for the specific purpose of drawing up a breed standard. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was officially recognized by the South African Kennel Union in 1924. It was not until after World War II that the first specimens of the breed were brought to the United States. The Rhodesian Ridgeback was recognized by the United Kennel Club in 1980.
General Appearance and Characteristics
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a handsome, upstanding dog; symmetrical in outline. It presents the appearance of strength and agility; and the capability of great endurance accompanied by a fair amount of speed.
The distinctive characteristic peculiar to the breed is a ridge on the back that is formed by the hair growing in an opposite direction from the rest of the coat. The ridge is clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It begins immediately behind the shoulders and continues to a point located between the prominences of the hips. It should contain two identical crowns opposite each other, the lower edges of which do not extend farther down the ridge than one-third of the length of the ridge.
Head and Skull
The head is of a fair length. The flat skull is rather broad between the ears. It is free from wrinkles when in repose. The stop is reasonably well defined. The muzzle is long, deep and powerful. The clean lips fit the jaws closely. Faults: Heavy head; round skull; short, snipey muzzle; bulging cheeks.
TEETH - A full complement of strong, well-developed, white teeth meet in a scissors bite. The canine teeth are especially well developed. Even bites are acceptable but not desirable. Disqualifications: Overshot or undershot bite. EYES - The round eyes are set moderately well apart. They are bright, sparkling and have an intelligent expression. Eye color is in harmony with that of the color of the dog. A black nosed dog has dark eyes; a brown-nosed dog has amber eyes.
NOSE - The nose has black or brown pigment, in harmony with the color of the dog. No other colored noses are acceptable.
EARS - The medium-sized ears are set rather high and carried close to the head. They are rather wide at the base and taper to a rounded point.
Neck
The fairly long, clean neck is fairly strong and flexible.
Forequarters
The sloping shoulders are clean and muscular, indicating the ability for speed. FORELEGS - The heavily boned, strong forelegs are perfectly straight.
The elbows are close to the body.
Body
The back is powerful. The strong, muscular loins are slightly arched. The very deep, roomy chest is not too wide. The brisket reaches down to the elbows. Body length, measured from the shoulders to the hindquarters, is slightly longer than the height, measured from the withers to the ground. The ribs are moderately well sprung. Faults: Too long or too short in the back; roach back; sway back; round ribs.
Hindquarters
HIND LEGS - The muscles in the hind legs are clean and well defined. The hocks are well let down.
Feet
The round, compact feet have well-arched toes and round, tough, elastic pads. The feet are protected by hair between the toes and the pads. Serious fault: Hare feet.
Tail
The tail is strong at the root and tapers gradually toward the tip. It is free from coarseness. It is carried with a slight upward curve. Faults: Curled tail; set too high or too low.
Coat
The short, dense coat is sleek and glossy. It is never woolly or silky.
Color
Acceptable colors include the range from light wheaten to red wheaten. The head, body, legs and tail are uniform in color. Dark muzzles and ears are acceptable, but black ears are not desirable. A small amount of white on the chest and on the toes is acceptable. Excessive white and any white on the belly or above the toes is not acceptable. Disqualification: Albinism.
Height and Weight
Height is measured at the withers. The height ranges for mature dogs are: males,
25 to 27 inches; bitches, 24 to 26 inches.
The desirable weights for mature dogs are: males, 75 pounds; bitches, 65 pounds.
Gait
Movement is straightforward, free and active.
Disqualifications
Unilateral or bilateral cryptorchid. Viciousness or extreme shyness.
Overshot or undershot bite. Albinism.
United Kennel Club
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