Quick Links: Table of Contents
- How Long Rhodesian Ridgebacks Live. Rhodesian Ridgeback Life Expectancy
- Lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Compared to Other Dog Breeds
- Common Causes of Death in Rhodesian Ridgeback, and how to Prevent Them.
- How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
- How Old is Your Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years
- How Long Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Live in Human Years?
- More Ways to Make Your Rhodesian Ridgeback Live Long
- Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Life Expectancy
How Long Rhodesian Ridgebacks Live. Rhodesian Ridgeback Life Expectancy
Generally, the lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is from 10 to 12 years.
Moreover, a few years back, British Veterinarinan researchers performed a scientific study to determine the lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback. In this study, the scientists collected data on how long 183 pet Rhodesian Ridgebacks lived.
From the study, it was found that Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a average lifespan of 11 years. Furthermore, the study found that Rhodesian Ridgebacks can live for as long as 16.1 years.
Furthermore, researchers from the University of Georgia conducted a study to find out what are the top causes of death in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
According to the study, the top 5 causes of death in Rhodesian Ridgebacks are:
- Neoplastic Disease: Issues involving tumors
- Neurologic Disease: Refers to problems with the brain, nerves, and spinal cord.
- Gastrointestinal Disease: Any problems that affect the mouth, esophagus, stomach, intestines, colon, or rectum.
- Musculoskeletal Disease: Refers to any problems with bones or muscles
- Urogenital Disease: Problems with the kidneys, urinary tract, and/or reproductive organs
In this article, we will explain each of these diseases and discuss how to prevent the early occurence of each in your Rhodesian Ridgeback to make your Rhodesian Ridgeback live a longer.
Also, in this article, we will discuss other things you can do to ensure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback have a longer than average lifespan.
Do you want to know how old your Rhodesian Ridgeback is in human years? Then, check out our Rhodesian Ridgeback age to human years calculator
Lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Compared to Other Dog Breeds
See in the table below how the lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to the lifespan of other dog breeds.
| Dog Breed | Average Lifespan (Years) |
|---|---|
| Silky Terrier Lifespan | 14.20 |
| Parson Russell Terrier Lifespan | 13.00 |
| Dalmatian Lifespan | 12.50 |
| Keeshond Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Sealyham Terrier Lifespan | 12.20 |
| Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen Lifespan | 12.00 |
| Portuguese Water Dog Lifespan | 11.40 |
| German Pinscher Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Large Munsterlander Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Bouvier des Flandres Lifespan | 11.30 |
| Rhodesian Ridgeback Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Norfolk Terrier Lifespan | 11.00 |
| Anatolian Shepherd Dog Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Old English Sheepdog Lifespan | 10.70 |
| Akita Lifespan | 9.92 |
| Great Pyrenees Lifespan | 9.58 |
| Irish Water Spaniel Lifespan | 9.33 |
| Greyhound Lifespan | 9.08 |
| Bullmastiff Lifespan | 7.46 |
| Dogue de Bordeaux Lifespan | 3.83 |
Common Causes of Death in Rhodesian Ridgeback, and how to Prevent Them.
We will now discuss the common causes of death in Rhodesian Ridgeback, according to scientific research. Also we will provide you advice on how to prevent these problems in your Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Here are the causes of death, starting from the most common cause
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Neoplastic Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Neoplasms, or tumors, can be benign (like a lipoma), or malignant (cancer).
Neoplastic Disease is responsible for 37.4 percent of all deaths in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Causes of Neoplastic Disease in Rhodesian Ridgeback
Neoplasms in dogs, just like in people, are caused by either a genetic predisposition (like some breast cancers), an environmental factor (like smoking in humans), or a combination of both.
How to Prevent Neoplastic Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Just like in humans, there is little you can do to prevent cancers that are caused by genetic factors. You can, however, reduce the environmental risks that are associated with cancer. The `environmental` causes of neoplasia are chemical agents, infectious agents, and physical agents. An example of a chemical agent that could cause cancer in Rhodesian Ridgebacks (and humans) is asbestos. An example of an infectious agent that could cause cancer in Rhodesian Ridgebacks is the virus called canine adenovirus. An example of a physical agent that can cause cancer in Rhodesian Ridgebacks is UV radiation from the sun, just like in humans.
Another way to prevent neoplasms in Rhodesian Ridgebacks is to vaccinate them against harmful viruses, such as canine adenovirus (DHPP vaccine at 8 and 12 weeks and then once a year, every year). As in humans, early diagnosis is the key to supporting Rhodesian Ridgebacks with neoplasms, so talk to your veterinarian if you find any new lumps, bumps, or discoloration on your Rhodesian Ridgeback. You should also talk to your veterinarian if your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s gums look pale.
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Neurologic Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
These problems include canine cognitive disfunction, dementia, stroke, Lyme disease, and more.
Neurologic Disease is responsible for 17.9 percent of all deaths in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Causes of Neurologic Disease in Rhodesian Ridgeback
Neurological issues can be caused by vascular disease, inflammatory disease, infectious disease, metabolic disease, cancer, and developmental disorders.
How to Prevent Neurologic Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Some neurological problems can be caused by infectious agents, like Lyme disease. You should always get your dog vaccinated with the course recommended by your veterinarian.
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Gastrointestinal Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Gastrointestinal diseases includes vomiting, diarrhea, nausea, stomach upset, blockages, toothache, constipation, and more.
Gastrointestinal Disease is responsible for 13.0 percent of all deaths in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Causes of Gastrointestinal Disease in Rhodesian Ridgeback
GI problems can be caused by a lot of different things. Often, GI problems like vomiting and diarrhea are caused by things that were eaten. It is best not to let your Rhodesian Ridgeback eat human food or anything it finds outside, including garbage, plants and berries, fecal matter from other animals, and more. Vomiting, diarrhea, and stomach upset can also be caused by bacterial, viral, and parasitic infections. Another important sign of GI problems is when your Rhodesian Ridgeback stops eating or eats less than usual. This can be caused by many things; sometimes it could be that your Rhodesian Ridgeback is feeling nauseous, sometimes it could be that your Rhodesian Ridgeback has mouth pain, and more. In these cases, it is best to see a veterinarian to get to the root of the problem.
How to Prevent Gastrointestinal Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
An easy way to protect your dog from gastrointestinal problems is to make sure they are on heartworm, flea, and tick medicine all year long (no matter where you live). Many heartworm medications can also de-worm your dog every time you give a dose. This can prevent nasty parasites from settling into your dog`s intestines and causing pain, anemia, and other serious issues. Another way you can keep your dog feeling good is by taking good care of their teeth! This is especially an issue in small dogs. The best way to care for dog teeth is by cleaning them a few times a week. Here is a great brush for cleaning your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s teeth. However, if your dog will not allow you to do that, dental treats like these are a good second option.
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Musculoskeletal Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Musculoskeletal diseases are the common problems associated with bones and muscles. These include arthritis, vertebral issues, loss of skeletal muscle mass, hip dysplasia, trauma and breakages, and more.
Musculoskeletal Disease is responsible for 13.0 percent of all deaths in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Causes of Musculoskeletal Disease in Rhodesian Ridgeback
The causes of many musculoskeletal issues have to do with age, breed, and weight. Older Rhodesian Ridgebacks are more prone to musculoskeletal issues, as are large breed dogs, and overweight dogs. Just like people, Rhodesian Ridgebacks can get arthritis and other joint-related issues as they get older. Large-breed dogs tend to be prone to a condition called hip dysplasia, which essentially means that their hip joints degrade and get very painful. Overweight dogs tend to put more pressure on their joints, which can cause unnecessary wear and tear as well as serious damage to tendons and ligaments.
How to Prevent Musculoskeletal Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
One way that you can help improve your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s musculoskeletal health (especially if they are old is by giving your Rhodesian Ridgeback joint supplements like this one. You can also help prevent hip dysplasia and slipped discs by not allowing your Rhodesian Ridgeback to jump too much, even if they are a puppy. Consider buying young Rhodesian Ridgebacks a box or stool like this to help them get on the couch or bed, instead of letting them jump all the way from the ground. The most important way that you can keep your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s muscles and bones healthy is by not letting them get overweight. You should avoid letting your Rhodesian Ridgeback eat table scraps and make sure that they get plenty of exercise. If your Rhodesian Ridgeback is overweight and you know that you are strict with their diet and exercise, you should talk to your vet; they might have hypothyroidism, which is very common. If your Rhodesian Ridgeback is overweight and you think you should try managing their diet a little more closely, you can start your Rhodesian Ridgeback on a weight-management diet like this to help them get back to a healthier body condition.
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Urogenital Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Urogenital problems most often involve infections and blockages, which various degrees of seriousness.
Urogenital Disease is responsible for 8.9 percent of all deaths in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Causes of Urogenital Disease in Rhodesian Ridgeback
Probably, the most important urogenital issue seen in intact female Rhodesian Ridgebacks is the pyometra. A pyometra is an enlarged, pus-filled uterus caused by a severe bacterial infection. A pyometra is several times larger than a regular uterus and is a life-threatening condition. To treat a pyometra, the Rhodesian Ridgeback`s uterus must be removed, which is a difficult and expensive surgery. Another urogenital infection seen in both female and male dogs is urinary tract infections, which are very similar to human UTIs. If left untreated, UTIs can ascend up the urinary tract and infect the kidneys, which can also be life-threatening. If you notice that your Rhodesian Ridgeback is urinating much more or less frequently than usual, or if the color or smell of the urine seems different from normal, you should talk to your veterinarian. Another common urogenital issue in male Rhodesian Ridgebacks is urinary blockages, which (as the name suggests) is when there is something stuck in the urinary tract which prevents the Rhodesian Ridgeback from urinating. If you see your Rhodesian Ridgeback lifting its leg and trying to urinate but nothing is coming out, you should call your veterinarian. Cancer is also a major urogenital issue in Rhodesian Ridgebacks, just like it is in humans. Urinary incontinence can also be an issue in both male and female Rhodesian Ridgebacks, just like in humans.
How to Prevent Urogenital Disease in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
The only way to completely prevent a pyometra is by getting your female Rhodesian Ridgeback spayed. Another major benefit to spaying your Rhodesian Ridgeback is that it dramatically reduces her risk of breast cancer. A spay is a major surgery and does tend to be a bit more expensive than a neuter, but a pyometra surgery is probably 3-4 times more expensive and dangerous than a regular, routine spay. Neutering your male Rhodesian Ridgeback will also dramatically reduce his risk of prostate cancer and urinary blockages, especially as he gets older. If the spay and neuter estimates from your regular veterinarian are a little out of your price range, low-cost high-volume (LCHV) spay and neuter clinics are also an excellent option. If you find that your Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to blockages even though they are sterilized, there are many diets and supplements like this that can help. There are also diets like this and supplements that can help with urinary incontinence, but if these don`t work, your veterinarian can also prescribe prescription medications.
How To Prevent Genetic Problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Every dog breed has a set of genetic problems to which it is predisposed, and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not an exception.
These disease will reduce your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s qualilty of life. Also, these diseases can shorten your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s lifespan.
The good news is that these diseases can be prevented in Rhodesian Ridgeback offsprings by only breeding Rhodesian Ridgeback that have been screened and cleared of genetic defects.
The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is one the organizations that keep records of which disease to which a dog breed is genetically prone.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy that will grow up to be healthy and live long, make sure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
If you do not know if your Rhodesian Ridgeback has been screened for genetic health problems, then your can use an at-home genetic screening kit like this one to check your Rhodesian Ridgeback for genetic health problems at home. This might help you in deciding whether to get your Rhodesian Ridgeback a pet health insurance.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Rhodesian Ridgebacks for:
How Old is Your Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years
The table below shows your human years equivalent age of your Rhodesian Ridgeback. This table is based on a dog-to-human age study conducted by researchers from Purdue University.
Learn more about how old your Rhodesian Ridgeback is in human years here.
In 1997, researchers from Purdue University developed a method for converting a dog`s age to its human age. Their method was based on the 1953 work of the French Veterinarian, A. Lebeau that we discussed above.
Researchers from Purdue University took Lebeau`s work further by taking into account two important factors to develop a more accurate method for converting a dog`s age into its human equivalent age:
- The size of the dog: Smaller dog breeds live longer than larger breed dogs
- The lifespan of the dog: Dog breeds that live longer lives will age slower than dog breeds that live shorter lives
The average lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 11.0 years.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are large-sized dogs. Rhodesian Ridgebacks weigh 70 to 85 pounds.
The method developed by the Purdue University veterinarian researchers took into account the lifespan and size of Rhodesian Ridgeback in converting Rhodesian Ridgeback age to human age.
The researchers used data on the lifespan and weight of 5,608 mixed breed dogs and 17,927 purebred dogs to develop their method for converting the ages of dogs (of different breed sizes and lifespans ) to their equivalent human ages.
The calculator below lets you convert your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age to its human age based on the Purdue University method. Just enter your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s age in the calculator and it will compute your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human age. If you do not know your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s exact age, enter an approximate age in the calculator.
Also, the table below shows how old your Rhodesian Ridgeback is in human years based on the method developed by the researchers.
Note that your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human age changes day by day. Therefore, always check back to use the calculator to find your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s up-to-date human age.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Age to Human Age Calculator (Purdue Uni. Method)
Below is a Rhodesian Ridgeback age to human age calculator that is based on the methods developed by researchers from Purdue University.
The calculator will tell your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human age based on your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s dog birthday. Also, the calculator will tell you which day is your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s human birthday! Try it out!
| Rhodesian Ridgeback Age (Years) | Human Age (Years) |
|---|---|
| 1 | 16 |
| 2 | 22 |
| 3 | 28 |
| 4 | 34 |
| 5 | 39 |
| 6 | 43 |
| 7 | 48 |
| 8 | 52 |
| 9 | 57 |
| 10 | 61 |
| 11 | 66 |
| 12 | 70 |
| 13 | 75 |
| 14 | 80 |
| 15 | 86 |
| 16 | 92 |
How Long Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Live in Human Years?
The average lifespan of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 11.0 years. In human years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback lives for 66 years.
How Old is 1-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 1-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 16 years old in human years.
How Old is 2-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 2-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 22 years old in human years.
How Old is 6-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 6-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 43 years old in human years.
How Old is 7-year-old Rhodesian Ridgeback in Human Years?
A 7-year old Rhodesian Ridgeback is 48 years old in human years.
More Ways to Make Your Rhodesian Ridgeback Live Long
Here are more things your can do to make sure your Rhodesian Ridgeback live a long life:
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Regular Exercise: Research studies have shown that one of the very effective ways to make a dog live long is to ensure that a dog is in good shape. Adequate exercise will make your Rhodesian Ridgeback fit and make it live longer.
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Good Diet: A poorly-fed, underweight Rhodesian Ridgeback does not have a good chance of living a long life. Similarly, an overweight Rhodesian Ridgeback will have a shorter lifespan than a Rhodesian Ridgeback that is of normal weight. Therefore, it is important that your feed your Rhodesian Ridgeback high-quality dog food without overfeeding your Rhodesian Ridgeback. Check out our Rhodesian Ridgeback feeding guide here. Learn how you can prevent your Rhodesian Ridgeback from being overweight here.
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Proper Hydration: Water is essential for your Rhodesian Ridgeback existence. Therefore, you should make sure your Rhodesian Ridgeback has access to clean water whenever your Rhodesian Ridgeback needs water. However, too much water is bad for your Rhodesian Ridgeback. See our Rhodesian Ridgeback water drinking guide to learn more on how to properly hydrate your Rhodesian Ridgeback.
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Spaying/Neutering: Sterilizing your Rhodesian Ridgeback might prolong its life. Check out this guideline to know when it is the best time to spay/neuter your Rhodesian Ridgeback.
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Routine Vet Care: Regular preventative visits to the vet can help catch diseases early.
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Vaccinations: Always make sure your Rhodesian Ridgeback is up to date on its vaccination.
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Dental Hygiene: Your Rhodesian Ridgeback’s teeth can get infected, and if the infection goes unnoticed, that infection can spread to other parts of the body and become systemic. This could lead to a shortened lifespan. You must have your Rhodesian Ridgeback teeth cleaned professionally at your vet’s office a couple of times in its lifetime. Talk with your vet about the best ages to have these cleanings done.
Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Life Expectancy
We hope the information we have provided will help your in increasing your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s life expectancy.
Tate Ackerman contributed to this article. Tate is a second-year veterinary student at Kansas State University. Tate is also a concurrent Ph.D. student. She has a lot of experience reading scientific literature and communicating that information to a non-veterinary audience. Tate was a veterinary technician for a companion animal practice before she applied to veterinary school.