Rhodesian Ridgebutts?

[arishaun]

Here's a little something the hubby and I were discussing the other day. The shelter we adopted our puppy from told us she was a "Rhodesian Ridgeback mix". However, she's black and has no ridge on her back. I saw her litter mates and all but her and another one were the wheaten color typical of the breed. The only sign that she might be an RR is that she has a ridge on each butt-cheek. Perhaps a black lab or similar ended up in that mix?

Thoughts? Opinions? This one's been puzzling us for a few days now.

 

[Ash47]

I think all dogs have a little ridge or "curly Q" on both sides of their behinds. I know Roxy Mae and Spud do. And being a groomer, I have seen many different dog dari-airs(sp?) and most of them have it too. Maybe your dog just got more of the other breed he is mixed with instead of taking on more RR features.

 

[Sirius]

Well, when I saw this post I was very mad because it said "Ridgebutts" I love Ridgebacks, but after reading the post, I feel better
Maybe she doesn't have as much Ridgeback in her as any other dog...?

 

[frenchboxer]

Doesn't sound like there's too much Ridgeback going on there!! I agree with Ash47 - all the dogs I have ever owned have had that little curl on both sides of their butts.

 

[arishaun]

Hmm...well, our older dog is a Black Lab/Cocker mix and he doesn't have that curl. So I guess it's just one of those things. We're starting to think perhaps they were totally wrong about her breed. Everyone mistakes her for a Lab!

Heh....sorry for the rile-up, Sirius! I wasn't quite sure how else to describe it.

 

[juliefurry]

I don't believe Ridgebacks can be black, although I have not done much research in their breed. All of the ridgebacks I have seen in person and in pictures and movies were the wheaten color. Did any of the other pups have the ridge on their backs? They most likely do have lab since many, if not all, mix breeds have lab in there somewhere.

 

[Whitedobelover]

ridgebacks cant be black they are red and ive actually seen a blue one but never ever a black one doesnt happen lol

 

[doberkim]

ridgebacks (purebred ones) can actually be born without a ridge, so its not always failsafe in that manner.

as for colors - here is a purebred black and tan RR...

http://class.csueastbay.edu/commsci/dogs.htm


and there are many other variants in the breed:
http://www.geocities.com/kalaharirr/oddcolors.html

 

[Whitedobelover]

oh well i didnt see that before that is the first ive ever seen hehehe...

 

[arishaun]

Julie,

The other puppies did indeed have their ridges. We actually wondered if perhaps the sires were different for Cissy and her brother/sister since I know that kinda thing can happen.

The articles that doberkim posted seem to point to her being a purebred though. She's black with the white markings on her chest and paws, so I'm thinking perhaps she's another unique variety? Not that we wouldn't love her either way. It's just fun trying to find out what might be lying underneath that adorable exterior.

Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[Ash47]

doberkim,
I never knew that about RR's coming in different colors! I love the black and tan one. So unique looking.