10 Popular Rhodesian Ridgeback Mixes (W/Pictures)

For thousands of years now, dogs have proven to be one of, if not, human’s best companions. They keep us company, give us their love, and even help us carry out many tasks.

Ever since humans first encountered dogs, they have been used to hunt, pull sleighs, guard, and assist in any way we see fit.

One breed of dog famous for helping people is the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Commonly called African Lion Hound, the Rhodesian Ridgebacks are impressive hunters that were once used by African farmers to incredibly hunt lions.

Today, we see them as loyal and intelligent breeds of dogs that make the perfect man’s best friend. However, they can be quite aloof with strangers.

As a result of this, Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes are highly sought after. These mixes give dog owners the best qualities of the Rhodesian Ridgeback without any aloofness.

In this article, we’ll look at 10 popular Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes and their characteristics.

If you’re searching for the perfect Rhodesian Ridgeback or simply want to learn more about the dog world, make sure you keep reading!

General Rhodesian Ridgeback Information

• Height and Weight – 25 – 27 inches tall, weighing 35 to 90 lbs
• Lifespan – Up to 13 years of age
• Colors – Red, white, brown, yellowy-brown
• Coat – Thick or short, shiny and smooth
• Temperament – Intelligent, loyal, dignified, strong, and sensitive
• Ideal Family – Small families, hunters, or those requiring a guard dog
• Health – Susceptible to elbow and hip dysplasia
• Grooming – Little grooming required
• Energy – Very high
• Friendliness – Very friendly
• Trainability – Average (may need to get tough with them)

Overview Of The Rhodesian Ridgeback

Before we dive straight into our list of the most popular Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes, let’s take a closer look at the history and characteristics of this powerful hunting dog and how its mixes came about.

The existence of the Ridgeback originates in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.

At the time, this was part of the Nation of South Africa. A breed of a hound dog, the regular Rhodesian Ridgeback breed known as the African Lion Hound was believed to have come about when European immigrants took their dogs over to Zimbabwe in the 1500s.

The desire for the right companion made the Europeans breed their dogs with the ridged-back.

Over time these mixes led to the creation of the famous Rhodesian Ridgeback. This is believed to have happened in approximately 1877.

The breed was amazingly developed to hold down lions local people were hunting.

Recognized by the American Kennel Club as late as 1955, the Ridgeback first appeared in the U.S. in the very early 1900s.

As you can imagine, the breed is very strong and extremely active, requiring plenty of physical and mental stimulation.

This extreme strength and desire to be active makes the Rhodesian great at sports.

Due to their high levels of intelligence, they might be harder to train, so you might need to get a little tougher with them than you would with other dogs.

Your backyard might not appreciate the Rhodesian Ridgebacks’ love for digging holes in the summer, but they’ll most definitely chase away any pests in your garden for you.

Male Rhodesian Ridgebacks love to wander so if a strong fence hasn’t been needed already, it will be now.

10 Popular Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix Breeds

Now you know more about the Rhodesian Ridgeback and what you can expect as an owner, we can start looking at the most popular Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes.

We’ve even included some pictures to give you your daily dose of dog.

1. Rhodesian Shepherd – Rhodesian Ridgeback German Shepherd Mix

This beautiful breed of dog can grow up to 25 inches tall and have a weight of up to 80 lbs. A female breed of this dog might only grow up to 24 inches tall and weigh just 60 lbs.

As if the Rhodesian Ridgeback wasn’t energetic and strong enough, by mixing it with the German Shepherd we are treated to a dog with incredible strength and very impressive stamina.

As a result of this, they require plenty of exercise and workout sessions to keep their intelligence and energy levels in check.

With proper training and plenty of love, the Rhodesian Shepherd can make an amazing companion. They will stand by their owner, protect their family, and bring plenty of joy to their lives.

In terms of caring for this breed of Ridgeback, if the breed takes after the German Shepherd its coat will need regular cleaning. This breed will also still be prone to elbow and hip dysplasia.

2. Rhodesian Lab – Ridgeback & Labrador Mix

We don’t like to be biased as every mix-breed dog on this list is gorgeous, but we must say, we absolutely love the Rhodesian Labrador.

A mix of Labrador Retriever and Rhodesian Ridgeback, this breed exists as a medium and large-sized dog, potentially reaching a weight of 80 lbs.

Available in yellow, black, and a rarer red color, this breed of Rhodesian has the strong-willed, intelligent qualities of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the gentleness and softness of the Labrador.

Though the Rhodesian Labrador isn’t typically kept as a family pet, with firm training and a tough hand, they will bond well with smaller families.

When it comes to looking after this breed of dog, you won’t need to pay as much attention to grooming. However, that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t still give your dog maintenance.

Regular nail clipping, teeth brushing, ear cleaning, and coat scrubbing are all still required. This should be backed up by a healthy, balanced diet and daily exercise.

3. Rhodesian Boxer – Rhodesian Ridgeback Mixed With A Boxer

The next Rhodesian Ridgeback on our list is the wonderful Rhodesian Boxer.

A mix of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the famous boxer dog, this tall yellow-colored dog makes an amazing companion.

Large in size, this very energetic mix loves daily cuddling and long walks. With their super-soft coat, you’ll never want to stop giving your furry friend a cuddle.

This breed has a short-haired coat that can come in a variety of colors and is very easy to groom.

Compared to other Rhodesian mixes, the Rhodesian Boxer is a lot easier to train. They also have a longer life expectancy making them a brilliant pet for young families.

In terms of exercise, both the Boxer dog and Rhodesian Ridgeback love to run around. This means you’ll need to give them regular, daily exercise, and plenty of space in the backyard.

They do have very poor social skills but with early socialization and training, they will be fine.

4. Rhodesian Pitbull Mix – Rhodesian Ridgeback And Pitbull

In all honesty, without proper training, the Rhodesian Pitbull won’t make the best pet in a family situation. This is because despite their beautiful appearance they can be pretty aggressive.

Having said that, with proper training as a pup, from an experienced dog owner, they can grow to become very calm and surprisingly obedient.

Other than that, the Rhodesian Pitbull is a fantastic mix.

The very attractive-looking dog has the typical qualities of any Ridgeback. By that we mean they have endless amounts of energy and require an astonishing amount of exercise to keep them in check.

This is an intelligent breed of dog with a high prey hunting drive so ensure you have a properly secured fence around your yard.

Weighing up to 90 lbs and reaching 27 inches tall, this breed could be a great choice for single individuals with dog experience.

5. Rhodesian Great Dane – Rhodesian Ridgeback And Great Dane

It will come as no surprise to you that a mix between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Great Dane is fairly large. Great Danes regularly weigh up to 200 lbs and reach heights of 34 inches.

As we have previously mentioned, the Ridgeback can weigh up to 90 lbs and grow as tall as 27 inches, so it doesn’t shock us when we see the massive weight and height of this mix.

This mix breed can be super friendly and obedient or quite aggressive if not trained properly. This temperament can also be affected by which character controls the dog the most.

The Ridgeback can be aggressive, while usually, the Great Dane is a soft, friendly dog.

A relatively rare variety of Rhodesian Ridgeback, there isn’t too much else known about this mixed breed.

However, we can still expect this breed of dog to require a lot of exercise, proper feeding, socialization, grooming, and of course training.

6. Ridgeback Golden Retriever – Golden Retriever And Rhodesian Ridgeback Mix

Also known as the Golden Ridgeback, this mixed breed came about as a result of a Golden Retriever being bred with a Rhodesian Ridgeback. As expected, this breed of Ridgeback is fairly large.

Unlike some of the other Ridgeback mixes on our list, this one makes a much more suitable family pet and companion.

Due to the super friendly nature of the Golden Retriever, the Golden Ridgeback is very friendly and affectionate.

Also taking most of its facial and body features from the Golden Retriever, this mix still requires plenty of exercise like any breed of Ridgeback.

High levels of daily exercise and play time should keep their energy levels at bay.

In regards to grooming, like the Golden Retriever, this mix is known to shed a lot. You should be ready to bathe and groom them on a regular basis.

7. Ridgebacksky – Ridgeback Mixed With Husky

If you’re looking for a gorgeous, energetic, sensitive, and loyal Ridgeback, the Ridgebacksky could be the best dog for you.

Expected to live for up to 15 years, this Husky and Rhodesian Ridgeback mix takes the loyal, devoted, and intelligent qualities from both breeds.

This gives us a dog that makes a beautiful companion, standing devotedly by our sides.

Their stubbornness and curiosity may require some extra attention and training, but once this is done correctly, you can expect a fun-loving pet that loves cuddles, long walks, and plenty of attention.

To ensure your Ridgebacksky lives a long and healthy life, a balanced diet, consistent grooming, long walks, and regular checkups are a must. Like their ancestors, these dogs are still susceptible to ailments.

Having said that, an experienced breeder who knows how to breed Ridgebacks and Siberian Huskies may be able to reduce the possibility of some of these health issues arising.

8. Rhodesian Beagle – Rhodesian Ridgeback And Beagle Mix

The crossbreed between a Rhodesian Ridgeback and a Beagle results in an adorable mix breed with an even-temper and a lovely personality.

Taking its sweeter qualities from the beagle, this mix is one of the best family companions on this list.

Slightly smaller in size than other breeds on our list, the Rhodesian Beagle has an average life span of 10 years and can grow to become a medium to large-sized dog.

The Rhodesian Beagle also takes its need for attention from the Beagle. Beagles are loving dogs that always seek love and affection from their owners.

The Rhodesian Beagle is no different so be prepared to dish out a lot of cuddles.

This reduced level of independence from the standard Rhodesian Ridgeback makes the Rhodesian Beagle a much more suitable option to have around small children.

As long as boundaries are set, your child and dog will have a wonderful relationship.

Unfortunately, just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback, this breed is likely to suffer from a variety of health conditions, one of which could be hip and elbow dysplasia.

9. Rhodesian Mastiff Ridgeback – Rhodesian Ridgeback And Mastiff Mix

The result of mixing the Rhodesian Ridgeback with the Mastiff is the Rhodesian Mastiff.

Apart from being one of the heaviest breeds of dog in the world, the Mastiff is generally a lot calmer, well-spirited, friendlier, and protective.

These qualities mixed with those of the Rhodesian Ridgeback create a dog that is very large in size but is neither as aggressive as the Ridgeback nor as calm as the Mastiff.

How aggressive or calm this breed is will simply depend on which character dominates the breed and its traits.

Like the Rhodesian Great Dane, this breed of Ridgeback is quite rare, so there isn’t much more known about it yet.

While this may be the case, owners are advised to give their Rhodesian Mastiff plenty of exercise, a healthy diet, take them for regular checkups, and ensure appropriate training has been carried out.

10. Ridgeback Rottie – Rhodesian Ridgeback Mixed With Rottweiler

The final Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed breed on our list is the Ridgeback Rottie. This mixed breed is believed to date back to the 1900s.

The breed was mixed in an attempt to give the Rottweiler better speed and agility.

While increasing the dog’s speed was a success, we are also left with a dog that can potentially have a very aggressive nature.

While they will stay loyal and dedicated to their owner and family, this intelligent breed has a tendency to behave aggressively towards strangers.

With that in mind, you should only own one of these dogs if your children are old enough to understand the boundaries.

In terms of its appearance, this Ridgeback can weigh 100 lbs and stand tall at 28 inches high. They have a short coat and range in colors from tan and red to beige and black.

Good guard dogs, we personally wouldn’t choose this breed if we wanted a companion for our family.

Frequently Asked Questions

Which Breed Of Ridgeback Is The Biggest?

In general, the Ridgeback is a big dog so when mixed with other dogs we can expect to see an even bigger breed.

While most Rhodesian Ridgeback breeds are large in size, the biggest to date is the Rhodesian Great Dane.

This dog can grow to an impressive 35 inches tall and weigh a mind-blowing 200 lbs.

How Long Does A Rhodesian Mix Live For?

The lifespan of Rhodesian mix breeds can vary depending on the breed the dog has been crossed with. However, the average lifespan of most Rhodesian Ridgeback mixed breeds is 10 to 13 years.

The longest life expectancy of a Rhodesian mixed breed is on average 15 years.

Prolonging your dog’s life can be done by ensuring they are well-fed, groomed, exercised, and of course well-loved.

Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Safe To Have Around Children?

The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large dog and generally, it is recommended to keep bigger dogs away from children.

Rhodesian Ridgebacks can also be quite aggressive, so personally, we would look at a different dog.

Having said that, Ridgebacks are extremely loyal and friendly so if well trained and your child understands the boundaries, a Rhodesian Ridgeback could make a great companion for your child.

Ultimately, it comes down to personal preference.

Final Thoughts

The African Lion Hound, or as many call it, the Rhodesian Ridgeback, is a large dog full of character and energy.

Its mixed breeds promise most of its positive qualities whilst balancing out its more aggressive temperament and characteristics.

However, the qualities these mixed breeds possess can be hard to ascertain.

With that said, looking after your dog with care, attention, exercise, and lots of training can help your Ridgeback mix be the perfect companion for your family.

In this article, we have listed 10 of the most popular Rhodesian Ridgeback mixes out there.

Now you have our list, why not take some time to narrow down your options and see which breed might suit you and your family best. Good luck!