The Rhodesian ridgeback is a South African Lion dog. They are loyal, intelligent and gentle, making them good family pets despite their size. They were traditionally hunters, guardians, and companions. Known as the "Lion dog" because of their unique ability to taunt a lion and keep them at bay while awaiting their master to make the kill. They rarely bark.

The ridgebacks' distinguishing feature is the ridge of hair along their back running opposite to the rest of their coat. It consists of a fan like area formed by two whorls of hair (called "crowns") & tapers from just behind the shoulders, down to the level of the hips. The ridge is usually about 5cm in width at its widest point. The ridge is believed to originate from the dog used by the original African population, who carried a similar ridge. The first picture of a Ridgeback is a wall painting describing the life of the boers. The painting is situated in South Africa in the voortrekker monument.

Male ridgebacks should be 25-27 inches (64-69 cm) at the shoulder and weigh approximately 85 lb (39 kg), females 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) and approximately 70 lb (32 kg). They are typically muscular and have a light wheaten to red wheaten coat. The coat should contain no black hairs, although white is acceptable on the chest and toes. Ridgebacks have a strong, smooth tail, which is usually carried in a gentle curve upwards. The eyes should be round and should reflect the coat color—dark in a black muzzle, amber with a brown nose. The brown nose is a recessive gene and is therefore not as common as a black nose.