A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is no dog for the fainthearted.
He is big, strong, intelligent, fierce, and, surprisingly, very affectionate.
Here is everything you need to know about the German Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback mix and if you should own one.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is the product of a German-bred and South African bred dog. He is a lively, intelligent, affectionate, and curious dog. A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix needs a lot of physical and mental stimulation to live a healthy life.
History
The Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is a rare and not often documented breed.
Though he comes with a brilliant resume, he is less talked about or sought after by dog lovers.
But this is a brilliant dog who is a descendant of strong and very reliable parents.
As his name suggests, he is born of a German Shepherd dog and a Rhodesian Ridgeback dog.
To understand his roots, we have to look at where his parents came from and what they are about.
The German Shepherd is born and bred from Deutschland.
They worked as herding dogs before graduating into police work.
A German shepherd is prized for its intelligence, dexterity, and uncanny loyalty to their owners.
This breed also has a magnificent posture and a very beautiful coat.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is nicknamed “the Lion dog of Africa”.
He hunted with the Khoisan tribe before being trained to hunt a lion.
A pack of Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs would hold a lion at bay until the human hunters arrived.
That’s how brave they are.
Like the German Shepherd, a Rhodesian Ridgeback also boasts of a beautiful brown coat.
But the real magic of his coat is the unique ridge of hair growing backward on his spine.
That is the one feature everyone uses to identify him.
For temperament, a Rhodesian Ridgeback is intelligent, hardworking, and very loyal to his owner.
He is also very playful and forms strong bonds with those he loves.
Appearance
As you would expect, the Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix carries the strongest features of his parents.
He boasts a warrior-like body spotting the well-defined wedge-shaped head of the German Shepherd.
But his ears are droopy and flappy like the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
He has a broad chest, a lean abdomen, and strongly defined limbs.
Luckily, this Rhodesian-Shepherd mix also inherits the famous ridgeback hair.
His coat color is dominantly brownish, like the Rhodesian, but he also has the Shepherd sable and dark accents.
Lifespan
The lifespan of a German Shepherd is 12 years while that of a Rhodesian Ridgeback is 10 years.
Given the careful breed of the Rhodesian-Shepherd mix, to weed out all the physiological flaws of the parents, he is expected to live for 14 years or more.
Temperament
When you meet a Rhodesian-Shepherd mix, you immediately fall in love with his calm and friendly personality.
They are fun, full of life, and eager to play with you.
It is a Rhodesian mix’s goofiness that makes him perfect for playing with kids.
If you love camping on the weekend, do tag this furry fellow along.
They live for the outdoors as they get to experience sights and smells.
As long as you help him expel all his energy, he will remain a happy pup.
The opposite is true as well.
A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix that is poorly exercised tends to be cranky.
They develop a destructive behavior when they get bored and this can easily become aggressive if they have a strong German Shepherd persona.
A Rhodesian-Shepherd mix will be wary of strangers at first.
But once they warm up to you they become very friendly.
Training and Exercise
A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix has the energy of both his parents.
He needs constant mental and physical stimulation to thrive.
If you live a sedentary lifestyle, he may not be the dog for you.
Daily walks are necessary to keep him fit.
Exercising him twice a day helps release pent-up energy and socialize him to new things.
If you have a beach nearby, taking him out to splash in the water does him good.
A Rhodesian-Shepherd mix will respond well to training if they take after their German Shepherd parent.
They will be eager to please you by working hard to learn and retain everything they learn.
They will also be an extension of you, mirroring your actions like a German Shepherd does when working with a human sergeant.
If he takes after the Rhodesian Ridgeback, you will have to put your foot down harder.
The Rhodesian-Shepherd pup will be playful and may not take training classes to seriously.
It is one of the reasons why a Rhodesian mix cannot be trained for police work.
VIDEO: A Energetic Ridgeback/Shepherd Mix Dog
Diet
A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix needs a healthy diet rich in proteins and vitamins to maintain its healthy body.
A raw diet containing meaty bones, lean meat, and lots of organ meat is the best for this breed.
If feeding a raw diet is costly and hard to prepare, look for high-quality kibble that will serve the same high-quality nutrients.
❗ Important
Never feed a Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix lots of starchy or fatty foods. Excess weight gain slows them down and affects their health.
Compatibility
A Rhodesian-Shepherd mix makes a perfect family dog. He loves to play and is very friendly.
He will thrive more in homes with young kids who love outdoor adventures.
If you live in the city, he is still a perfect pet because he is mild-mannered.
Ensure you give him plenty of exercise and training to maintain his good behavior.
Conclusion
A Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is the ideal dog for a dog lover who lives an active life.
He is playful, affectionate, and forms a strong bond with his owner.
If you want to get out of a sedentary lifestyle, this furry fellow will give you a push in the right direction.
See Also
Frequently Asked Questions
Even though they are not well known, the Rhodesian Ridgeback mix dog make great family pets. They are calm, friendly, and well-behaved if properly trained. They also love to play and will get along with children.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is strong enough to fight and subdue an adult lion. A full-grown German Shepherd can chase after and pin down a human. It is then safe to say that Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd mix is a very strong dog.
A Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large breed that almost looks like a Great Dane, He also has a face that resembles a Mastiff. Other pet enthusiasts would argue that the Rhodesian Ridgeback looks like a Labrador mix and a coonhound.
A Rhodesian-Shepherd mix may be hard to train if he is too playful like his Rhodesian parent. Even when he takes after the German Shepherd, he still needs repeated training to keep him in line. While establishing authority, be careful not to hurt their delicate egos.
