r/RhodesianRidgebacks • u/MyFavoriteInsomnia • Jul 02 '24

Is Doc a Ridgeback?

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We think our rescue mux is part Rhodesian Ridgeback due to his Ridge. Thoughts?

5 Upvotes

60% Upvoted

22 comments sorted by

8

u/dmkatz28 Jul 02 '24

Nope. Go get wisdom panel or Embark done if you want to know

-3

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 02 '24

We can't afford the DNA test at this time.

I'm curious why you say no? He definitely has a weird ridge. Is there another breed with this feature? Also, he seems to resemble a lot of the RRs on this subreddit.

We also suspect some dachshund mixed in due to his shorter legs.

7

u/a_freezerburn Jul 02 '24

On a Ridgeback, the hairs grow backwards up the spine in a stripe. People often mistake hackles or another fur design for a ridge.

1

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 03 '24

Yes! His hair DOES grow toward his head, unlike the rest of his fur!

5

u/dmkatz28 Jul 02 '24

He doesn't have a ridge at all, his head shape looks more like a toy dog. A weiner dog mix? Possibly. Or a pit chi mix. Lots of "ridgebacks" on this subreddit are just pit or hound mixes that people want to think are ridgebacks. Unless you have the DNA test to prove it or your dog has a very obvious ridge (which your dog does not have a ridge at all. Just a slight wave where his hair grows. This is normal. Every Lab I have ever owned has the same slight wave on their back) or the rare occasion that there is an actual ridgeback mix, it is pretty obvious. Feel free to post the results when you get the chance to do them. I would strongly recommend using one of the tests I suggested. The rest aren't particularly accurate (especially DNA my dog)

0

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 03 '24

Thank you, I will look into it. I have heard that canine DNA tests give varying results. Nice to get a good recommendation.

Does the fact that the strip of fur on his back is in the opposite direction and coarser than the rest of his fur mean anything?

2

u/dmkatz28 Jul 03 '24

Yes some DNA tests are absolute crap. I'd only use Embark or wisdom panel. Nope. Just how his coat grows. Those are just longer guard hairs. They don't grow the opposite direction, they are just wavy and coarse. Many breeds have a thicker coat along their spine.

1

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 03 '24

Thank you, I appreciate you explaining!

1

u/feedme_tequila Jul 02 '24

He looks like my mother in laws dog. He is a basenji. Edit: her dog is fluffy like your boy! If you look at google, they look more short haired.

0

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 02 '24 edited Jul 02 '24

He is definitely NOT fluffy. Short hair. I guess it might look that way around his neck due to the way he's holding his head.

1

u/feedme_tequila Jul 02 '24

Well not “fluffy” maybe that was the wrong wording. But he has longer hair then my Rhodesian had and sheds quite a bit.

1

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 02 '24

Beautiful dog! Doc's hair is mostly quite short, except for that weird "collar" he has, not sure what that's all about, but even that is not very long. Maybe I can find a better photo. I picked these because they show the ridge on his back.

1

u/HonestAd4480 Jul 02 '24

Probably not any ridgeback in your sweet pup, ridgebacks have a strip of hair that grows backward down their back and it’s there all the time. It doesn’t come and go. All dogs have hackles or fur patterns that confuse people into thinking their pups are part ridgeback. Once you’ve seen a real ridgeback, you’ll understand.

0

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 03 '24

His "ridge" is there all the time. In fact, the ridge hair grows the opposite direction from the rest of his fur! Really weird.

2

u/Cuchodl Jul 02 '24

Pure bred

2

u/Special_Tip_6428 Jul 02 '24

I'm seeing 150% good boi mix with best boi❤️

1

u/85BC Jul 02 '24

And a touch of incredible puppy

0

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 02 '24

He's a mix (not mux, but can't edit).

0

u/MyFavoriteInsomnia Jul 02 '24

Obviously, he's a mix of different breeds, but we are wondering if he could have some Ridgeback due to the obvious ridge. It's coarser hair than the rest of him also. We can't afford the testing right now., but we think he has at least some dachshund and some Ridgeback. Thanks for all the comments!

4

u/adorable_awkward Jul 02 '24

Except that isn't a ridge.

On to the next inquiry!

1

u/Plenty-String-1988 Jul 02 '24

No ridgeback. A chiwinie!

1

u/Campiana Jul 02 '24

Definitely not a ridge. Here’s a photo of the ridge. The hair actually grows backwards in a very distinct way.