Fun Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd Mix Facts For Kids

Dogs are pets all around the world. They are great guards, are intelligent, are able to recognize their owners easily, and are well-kept animals.

This fact file is about such a popular dog Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherds. What is special about German shepherds is that they are excellent watchdogs.

These hunting dogs appear intimidating but are not really aggressive by nature but they know really well how to guard their territories. A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepard is a hybrid created by the breeding between two large dogs, a German Shepard and a hound named Rhodesian Ridgeback. This breed of dog is quite uncommon but very muscular and tall.

This large-sized dog breed is mostly bred in southern Africa. The ancestors of German Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback mix dogs were crossbred by the colonists of Cape town Africa to rear guard dogs.

F R. Barnes originally named these dogs in 1922 in Bulawayo, Southern Rhodesia is now known as Zimbabwe. This German Shepherd mix just like any other domestic dog is scientifically known as Canis lupus familiaris.

Here are some of the most interesting facts about the German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback mix-breed dogs. Afterward, do have a look at our other articles on the Caucasian shepherd and German shepherd husky mix.
 

Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd Mix Interesting Facts

What type of animal is a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix?

Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is a mixed breed of dog between the German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. German Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback mix dogs are large-sized dogs.

Their fur coat runs from head to tail with a ridge in the back that appears to run in the opposite direction. Their coat has a light wheaten to red wheaten color and a glossy appearance to add to it.

What class of animal does a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix belong to?

A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is a dog belonging to the genus Canis the members of which are wolves, dogs, coyotes, and golden jackals. German Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback mix dogs are hybrids.

How many Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mixes are there in the world?

The population estimation of this dog is not really known but this breed is uncommon in many parts of the world. This mixed breed is bred on demand as it is a popular practice to domesticate such muscular dogs as guards.

Where does a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix live?

A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is a house dog and is taken as a pet. German Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback mix dogs live in households with their human owners. The ancestors of these domestic animals survived in grasslands, deserts, and other extreme habitats.  

What is a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix's habitat?

The Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix originated in South Africa. The ancestors of this dog were great hunters and rescue dogs.

German Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback mix dogs comfortably live in the houses of their owners and being a really rare and expensive breed, the owners make sure to provide them with the utmost comfort in their confinement or their homes.

Who do Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mixes live with?

These loyal dogs live with their human owners. Domesticated dogs are very adaptable pets, the environment in which the puppies are raised in they get adapted to it.

So German Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback mix dogs can also live in small families of their own kind and some are also seen living rather comfortably with other pets of the house such as cats and turtles.

How long does a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix live?

In a well-kept environment, a Rhodesian German Shepherd mix may live for around 10-13 years on average. Some may even live for longer, like German Shepherds.

Regular checkups with a vet are a must because these dogs may suffer from certain health issues which may be a result of certain life-threatening ailments such as hip dysplasia and dermoid sinus.

Most diseases they suffer from are genetic and inherited during the crossbreeding process, hence proper check-up is a must to make sure they live a healthy life.

How do they reproduce?

A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is a result of cross-breeding between a German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs. These dogs are really strong, tall, and muscular in appearance.

Reproduction in female dogs takes place via four phases. A female has two estrous periods every six months each year that lasts for  2-3 weeks. Male dogs don't have an estrus period and are able to mate for the purpose of reproduction any time of the year.

After mating a female a female conceived and goes through a gestation period of 58-68 days. Later she produces a litter of an average of 4-5 puppies.

What is their conservation status?

A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd is a very rare breed and is mostly bred on demand. Breeders are very careful in the production of a purebred dog and make sure that they do not have any genetic disease which is prevalent in these dogs.

Since these dogs are cross-bred by humans, they fall on the list of least concerned species of animals.

Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd Mix Fun Facts

What do Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mixes look like?

These dogs are tall, strong, and muscular in general. A very peculiar feature of these dogs is the presence of a ridge of hair on their back that runs and flows in the opposite direction from the rest of the fur coat.

They have sort of a crown formed by the two whorls of hair. The width of the ridge on its back is 2 in (5 cm).

These dogs have a light wheaten to the red wheaten coat which has a short and glossy appearance. These dogs have a wedged-shaped head just like their German shepherd’s parent dog. The fur on the chest and toes is white in appearance.

The color of their nose may be black and usually matches the fur coat very well. They usually have dark eyes that match their black nose or amber eyes that match their brown nose.

*Please note that this is an image of a Rhodesian Ridgeback, not a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix. If you have an image of the Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.

How cute are they?

These dogs are strong warriors that move around boastfully and are very loyal pets in terms of temperament. They may not be for a faint-hearted owner but people who own them find them really cute and adorable. These innocent yet fierce warriors are rare but well-kept dogs.

How do they communicate?

A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd, like any other dog, communicates in unique and excellent ways. They may stare too long at things that appear odd to them. Shepherds have a great sense of smell and this is because their parents were used as rescue dogs by many.

They have extraordinary visuals and are far-sighted. If they are trained well they may learn a few activities that are in their capacity to perform. They also wiggle their tail and to express their emotions they may show painting and pawing.

How big is a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix?

Undoubtedly a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd is a big-sized dog. Male dogs may be bigger in size than female dogs. An average male dog may measure around 25-27 in (64-69 cm) in length and the female dog may measure around 24-26 in (61-66 cm) in length.

How fast can a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix run?

The speed of a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd is between the speed of a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog. The speed of a German Shepherd dog is 30 mph (48 kph) and that of a Rhodesian Ridgeback is around 29 mph (49 kph).

How much does a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix weigh?

A Rhodesian Ridgeback German mix is big, muscular, and weighs similar to a 10 to 12-year-old average human child. The male weighs around 80 lb (36.5 kg) and the female weighs around 71 lb (32 kg). Regular training and exercise are important not only for their health but for overall well-being as well.

What are the male and female names of the species?

Both male and female dogs have separate names. A male dog used for breeding purposes is referred to as a stud but they are commonly referred to as a dog by people. A female is referred to as a bitch or a dam by breeders and also sometimes by people.

What would you call a baby Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix?

A baby Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is referred to as a puppy. In an average litter, a female may give birth to 4-5 puppies. A puppy has a fur coat similar to the adult breed and the male puppy attains sexual maturity earlier than the female puppy.

What do they eat?

The diet of a domesticated dog is very similar to that of humans.

They are carnivorous by nature, but in households, they are fed a variety of food that can be cooked, uncooked, or partially cooked since birth, and surprisingly they are able to adapt well.

Many people prefer feeding their dogs industrially made food such as pedigree (a food brand especially for dogs) which contain all the required nutrients in the desired amounts.

Apart from this, they are also fed rice, vegetables, and all sorts of meat that people eat in their homes.

Are they slobbery?

It is one of the dog breeds that is surprisingly very clean. They are robust and have a mighty appearance that may give one a feeling of royalty. They do drool but only very slightly and especially in anticipation of food.  But otherwise, they are not very slobbery.

Would they make a good pet?

Few people may get intimidated by the appearance of Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix dogs. But the truth is they are very loving and loyal pets with a friendly temperament.

They are intelligent and are especially known for making really good connections with their owner and bond very well. This is one of the breeds that require proper training and exercise for the management of the temperament as well as prevention from various health problems.

Did you know...

A Rhodesian Ridgeback German shepherd mix is one of the rarest dog breeds, like the parent Rhodesian Ridgeback, and hence it is expensive. In the USA they cost around 1000$ or above. Purebred dogs with desired characteristics are even expensive.

The blue German Shepherd is one of the rarest variations of the breed.

Leaving a Rhodesian Ridgeback at home can be a recipe for disaster as this breed does not tolerate loneliness very well.

Kangal Shepherd Dog is the strongest German Shepherd.

Characteristics and health problems

These dogs suffer from a variety of health problems.

Dermoid Sinus: It is a congenital neural tube defect, it is a genetic condition affecting the skin in both humans and dogs and also called pilonidal sinus and may be confused with a dermoid cyst.

Degenerative myelopathy: a common neurological disease that affects the spinal cord. The early signs of this disease include foot-dragging and rear limbs slipping.

Regular training, exercise, and diet management are crucial in ensuring their overall health and well-being.

Comparisons with their parent breeds

This breed inherits a variety of characteristics from both its parents. Both the parents are strong and so is this breed.

It can work with the police and a guard dog or a rescue dog just like a German shepherd. They are intelligent, uncanny, and loyal just like German Shepherd dogs.

Its other parent is the Lion dog of Africa, a Rhodesian Ridgeback, and is known for hunting lions with the African Tribe Khoisan and hence this breed is brave just like its lion dog parent.

Here at Kidadl, we have carefully created lots of interesting family-friendly animal facts for everyone to discover! For more relatable content, check out these Boglen terrier facts and Basset hound facts pages.

You can even occupy yourself at home by coloring in one of our free printable rhodesian ridgeback german shepherd mix coloring pages.

*Please note that this is an image of a Rhodesian Ridgeback, not a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix. If you have an image of the Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix, please let us know at hello@kidadl.com.