How long does a Rhodesian Ridgeback live?

The listed lifespan for a Rhodesian Ridgeback is 10–12 years.

How tall is a Rhodesian Ridgeback?

The listed height for a Rhodesian Ridgeback is 25–27 in (male), 24–26 in (female).

Is a Rhodesian Ridgeback good with children?

The AKC good-with-children score for a Rhodesian Ridgeback is 5 out of 5.

When is a Rhodesian Ridgeback full grown?

The growth size band for a Rhodesian Ridgeback is up to 24 months.

Hound Group

Rhodesian Ridgeback

Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large dog in the Hound Group. Adult weight is 85 lb (male), 70 lb (female), height is 25–27 in (male), 24–26 in (female), and the listed lifespan is 10–12 years. AKC describes the temperament as Dignified, Affectionate, Even-tempered.

Last reviewed November 1, 2026.

Rhodesian Ridgeback dog — Photo: Pets Adviser from Brooklyn, USA · CC BY 2.0 · Wikimedia Commons

Lifespan10–12 years

Weight85 lb (male), 70 lb (female)

SizeLarge GroupHound Group

Height

25–27 in (male), 24–26 in (female)

Energy

3 / 5

Shedding

3 / 5

Grooming

2 / 5

Trainability

4 / 5

Good with kids

5 / 5

The breed record

Across 119 single-size large breeds, a lifespan midpoint of 11 years is about 1.6 years shorter than the 12.6-year average. A midpoint adult weight of 77.5 lb is about 18.3 lb heavier than the 59.2 lb average for those large breeds.

The listed origin is Zambia/Zimbabwe (formerly Rhodesia). The coat is described as smooth, short. The AKC energy score is 3 out of 5, 0.7 points below the group average of 3.7 for the Hound Group. Shedding scores 3 out of 5. Grooming scores 2 out of 5, so home brushing covers most weeks. Trainability scores 4 out of 5, which is a biddable score. Good with children scores 5 out of 5. Good with other dogs scores 3 out of 5. AKC ranked this breed number 41 in 2025.

Adult size is usually reached in up to 24 months (size-band statement (Salt et al. 2017): larger breeds require up to 24 months). AKC parent-club recommended health screenings: Hip Evaluation and Elbow Evaluation. These are screening tests, not a list of diseases the breed is guaranteed to develop.

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