Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Average Litter Size of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Rhodesian Ridgeback Will Have
- How Much Does the Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy Weigh at Birth?
- How Big Will a Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy Get?
- How Much is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy
- How Long is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Pregnant?
- How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Litter Size
Average Litter Size of Rhodesian Ridgeback
Researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science did a study where they counted the numbers of puppies in 30 different Rhodesian Ridgeback birth litters.
From this study, the researchers found that the average number of puppies that Rhodesian Ridgebacks can have is 8 puppies. Also, the Rhodesian Ridgeback can have as few as 1 puppies per litter and as many as 15 puppies per litter.
See how the litter size of the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to that of other dog breeds below:
Read this article to learn about how many puppies dogs have.
Calculator to Predict How Many Puppies Rhodesian Ridgeback Will Have
Rhodesian Ridgeback Litter Size Predictor
According to the result of the research carried out by researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science, the number of puppies a Rhodesian Ridgeback will have depends on the following main factors:
- The size of the breed (most important factor): Giant dog breeds tend to have a bigger litter size, while smaller breeds give birth to a smaller number of puppies
- The method of mating: Natural mating results in a larger litter size than artificial insemination.
- The age of the female dog: Check out the chart below to see how many puppies a female Rhodesian Ridgeback is likely to have at different ages.
According to research, the following factors do not affect litter size:
- The time of the year of the litter was born (season of birth): Although, from the study, litters born in the Spring seem to be larger than litters from other seasons, however, the difference was not of significance.
- The number of times a female dog has given birth in the past (known as parity): The age of the female dog is more important to the extent that it makes parity insignificant.
Based on the important factors that affect litter size, the researchers from the Norwegian School of Veterinary Science developed formulas for predicting the litter size of dogs.
We have developed the Rhodesian Ridgeback litter size calculator above based on their formulas. Use the calculator to predict how many puppies a Rhodesian Ridgeback will have based on the age, and method of pregnancy for a Rhodesian Ridgeback
The calculator tells you how many puppies your Rhodesian Ridgeback will have if your Rhodesian Ridgeback gets pregnant today. The calculator assumes that the length of pregnancy will be two months.
Note that we are NOT in any way encouraging you to breed your Rhodesian Ridgeback. Dog breeding requires expertise. If you want to be breeding dogs, get the necessary training. Also, work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a dog.
The table below shows the average litter size to expect from a Rhodesian Ridgeback at different ages. This table applies to a Rhodesian Ridgeback that conceives through natural mating.
| Age (Years) | Average Litter Size | Litter Size Range |
|---|---|---|
| 2 | 8 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 3 | 7 puppies | 6 to 9 puppies |
| 4 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 5 | 7 puppies | 5 to 9 puppies |
| 6 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 7 | 7 puppies | 4 to 10 puppies |
| 8 | 6 puppies | 3 to 10 puppies |
| 9 | 6 puppies | 2 to 9 puppies |
How Much Does the Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy Weigh at Birth?
Veterinarian researchers did a study to find out how much Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies weigh at birth. These researchers weighed 76 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies at birth.
Based on the study of the weight of 76 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies, the average weight of the Rhodesian Ridgeback at birth is 390 grams (13.8 ounces). The birth weight of the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy typically ranges from 358 grams (12.6 ounces) to 420 grams (14.8 ounces).
16 ounces equal one pound.
The factors that affect the weight of a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy at birth include the size, weight, and age of the mother.
Importantly, research has also shown that female dogs that give birth at ages between 2 and 8 years give birth to puppies that are heavier than puppies birthed by younger or older female dogs.
Furthermore, according to another research study that weighed Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies from 1 litters, Rhodesian Ridgebacks can weigh 360–550 grams at birth.
How Big Will a Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy Get?
A Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy will grow up to weigh around 70 to 85 pounds. Furthermore, a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy will grow up to be 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder.
Learn more about Rhodesian Ridgeback weight and how big Rhodesian Ridgebacks grow here
How Much is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Puppy
The average price of a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is $1620. The price of a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy ranges from $1250 to $1900.
Since the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an average litter size of 8, therefore a Rhodesian Ridgeback litter birth is worth $12960.
To learn more about the price of Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy, check our review on how much Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy cost, and Rhodesian Ridgeback buying advice.
How Long is a Rhodesian Ridgeback Pregnant?
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are pregnant for 63 days on average (2 months) after conception. However, this is an average value. The length of pregnancy in Rhodesian Ridgebacks can range from 58-68 days.
However, note that it is difficult to know the exact day that your Rhodesian Ridgeback conceives because conception may not happen at the same time that mating happens.
Sperm can live inside a female Rhodesian Ridgeback for several days after mating before conception occurs.
How to Ensure a Successful Pregnancy in Rhodesian Ridgeback
To ensure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback successfully gets pregnant and deliver its puppies, here at the things you can do:
- Feed your Rhodesian Ridgeback well: A good diet will ensure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback has the nutrients and the energy it needs to get pregnant and maintain the pregnancy.
- Make sure your Rhodesian Ridgeback is in good health: Ensure you take your Rhodesian Ridgeback to the Vet care regularly for checkups, make sure your Rhodesian Ridgeback gets regular exercise. Also, make sure that your is not overweight or underweight.
To learn how to check if your Rhodesian Ridgeback is overweight or underweight, check out this resource.
Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Litter Size
Rhodesian Ridgebacks can have 8 puppies per litter birth on average. The number of puppies that a Rhodesian Ridgeback will have depends on factors such as the age of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the method of pregnancy (natural or artificial insemination).
Breeding Rhodesian Ridgebacks the right way requires expertise and should be done after sufficient training.
Also, you should work closely with a veterinarian when breeding a Rhodesian Ridgeback. There are a lot of nuances involved in breeding a dog, which we do not have the time or the space to discuss here.
However, working with a veterinarian will ensure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback gets the right treatment necessary to make healthy puppies.
The litter size research study that we used for this article was conducted on Rhodesian Ridgebacks in Norway. However, the authors of the research believe that the results can be generalized to other countries that have similar dog management systems as Norway.