Rhodesian Ridgeback- information for breeders
The intention of this page is to supply resources to other breeders, or those interested in the breed. Please feel free to reproduce or link to any articles I or others may have written, but please acknowledge the source.I have tried to provide information on issues found in the breed through articles and links. There are 2 links at the bottom of the pages for pedigree research. For those interested in genetic analysis I use Breedmate to calculate the co-efficient of inbreeding and to generate pedigrees.
Click on the text under the Subject and link heading to follow the link to the information
Last updated June 2020
| Subject and link | Source | Comments |
|---|---|---|
| General information | ||
| The Breed Standard(s) - what we are trying to breed | Review and discussion of the breed standard | Written by Vicki May 2005 |
| Ridge gene and dermoid sinus | Hillbertz article from Nature Genetics, review of this below | Genetics of ridge and dermoid sinus |
| Comments on the Ridgeback gene | Distillation of the recent scientific work done on the inheritance of the ridge | Written by Prof Clayton Heathcock in Feb 2008, reproduced with permission |
| Culling, grading, breeding | Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Victoria Newsletter, Aug/Sept 1988 | Written by Vicki, updated June 2010 |
| Impact of early desexing and dew claw removal | Papers from Dr M Christine Zink | From World Congress 2012 |
| Breeding and Whelping | Lowchen site with lots of links | Some links not working but useful information on ethical breeding |
| Ridgeback _Galloper or Trotter? | Paper by Orit Nevo on the structure of the Ridgeback | From World Congress 2012 |
| Successful breeding programs | Key points for breeders | Institute of Canine Biology- lots of links |
| History of the Ridgeback in Australia | Written with JN Murray | Published in Ridgeback Register 2009 |
| Breeding for genetic soundness | AKC article on genetics for dog breeders | Mandatory reading- if you don't understand this, don't breed! |
| Inherited conditions | ||
| Inherited conditions in the Rhodesian Ridgeback- A Breeders perspective | Rhodesian Ridgeback Register 2009 | Written by Vicki- Updated 2009. |
| Deafness Genetic screen now available | A new entry in 2012- reported in some lines in Europe and USA | Subject also discussed at the World Congress 2012 NEW Genetic test availability |
| Heart murmurs | Rhodesian Ridgeback Club of Victoria Newsletter, Oct/Nov 1991 | Written by Vicki, updated November 2002. Inheritance of various heart murmurs is still under investigation. |
| Dysplasia | From BVA site- this is the scheme used in Australia | Good information on hip and elbow dysplasia. As of 2016 breed average is similar to Australian figures. |
| OFA-Hip Dysplasia | Orthopedic Foundation for Animals site (USA). The OFA provides the primary scoring method for hips/elbows in the US | Excellent information on a number of genetic diseases. US results here |
| Dermoid sinus | Video on detection of Sinus by Dr.Thomas Laube | Dr.Thomas Laube is an expert on removal of DS. Unfortunately he is in Germany, not Australia. |
| Sebaceous adenitis | Inflammatory skin disease | High incidence in RRs reported at the OFA website in the USA |
| Hypothyroidism | From RRCUS | Article which shows a 9% incidence in US Ridgebacks tested |
| Bloat- what is it? | Internet site with lots of links | General information on bloat |
| Bloat- risk factors | Latest information from Purdue University | A definitive source of information on this condition |
| Unusual Ridgeback colours | From Monika Pehrs excellent website | Photos and links to information about unusual colouring |
| Degenerative myelopathy | Link to Canine Genetic Diseases website- Canine version of Multiple Sclerosis | Genetic marker now available, best interpreted as a guide to another possible issue. |
| SLO- Symmetrical Lupoid Onchodystrophy | US web site with information this disease of the nail bed | Has been seen occasional in Australian RR lines |
| Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) | Genetic screeening is now available for sudden onset juvenile epilepsy | Part of genetic screen for breeding |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback Inherited Arrhythmia (RRIVA) | Genetic test for juvenile abnormal heart beats | NEW- has anyone seen this in Australia? |
| Wobblers syndrome | Veterinary report | Reported in Ridgebacks |
| Subarachnoid cysts | Veterinary report | Has been seen in Ridgebacks and can be confused with Wobblers Syndrome |
| Lumbosacral transitional vertebrae | Czech study. This condition can lead to pain and paralysis of the rear end. | NEW 2017. I have been told this can be seen during hip dysplasia screening, something to watch for. |
| Health surveys | ||
| RR Club USA Health survey and genetic information | RR Club of the USA | A very impressive data collection of conditions found in US Ridgebacks- our figures may vary slightly |
| National Rhodesian Club of Australia Health Survey | Health and Genetics issues in Australian ridgebacks, 2006 | |
| UK Ridgeback Health Survey | Published August 2006. New study underway | |
| Genetic diversity recommendations | Canadian veterinary journal | Research into the link between inbreeding and longevity amongst other things |
| Inbreeding | ||
| Inbreeding, Australian COI Analysis | The result of a number of years of collecting pedigrees. 10 generation pedigree analysis of 23,253 Australian Ridgebacks | Written by Vicki June 2008, published in Rhodesian Ridgeback Register May 2009. |
| Canine diversity project | Mainly articles by John Armstrong- professor of genetics and biology | Good articles, some data and lots of links |
| Breeding for Genetic Soundness | ||
| Pedigree analysis | ||
| RR Pedigree search- European site | Monika Pehr's excellent pedigree site | Best site for Australian RRs. Now contains my Australian database with more photos being added. Find your pedigree here! |
| Pedigree On-line Search Tool- POST | US based pedigree site | Best for US dogs |