| COAT Should be short and dense, sleek and glossy in appearance but neither wooly nor silky. COLOR Light wheaten to red wheaten. A little white on the chest and toes permissible but excessive white there, on the belly or above the toes is undesirable. RIDGE The hallmark of this breed is the ridge on the back which is formed by the hair growing in the opposite direction to the rest of the coat. The ridge must be regarded as the characteristic feature of the breed. The ridge should be clearly defined, tapering and symmetrical. It should start immediately behind the shoulders and continue to a point between the prominence of the hips and should contain two identical crowns (whorls) directly opposite each other. The lower edge of the crowns (whorls) should not extend further down the ridge than one third of the ridge. Disqualification: Ridgelessness. Serious Fault: One crown (whorl) or more than two crowns (whorls). GAIT At the trot, the back is held level and the stride is efficient, long, free and unrestricted. Reach and drive expressing a perfect balance between power and elegance. At the chase, the Ridgeback demonstrates great coursing ability and endurance. TEMPERAMENT Dignified and even tempered. Reserved with strangers. SCALE OF POINTS General appearance, size, symmetry and balance 20 Ridge 20 Head 15 Legs and feet 15 Neck and shoulders 10 Body, back, chest, and loin 10 Coat and color 5 Tail 5 TOTAL 100 DISQUALIFICATION: Ridgelessness Approved by The American Kennel Club on August 11, 1992 and effective September 30, 1992 |
| Standard - Page 2 |