Our health testing levels for the Rhodesian Ridgeback
We group breeding programs into three levels based on testing depth. Ask your breeder directly which level they meet.
A breeder at the Great level performs all mandatory tests plus 11 additional clinically recommended screenings that reduce risk in this breed.
In addition to mandatory tests:
Cleft palate
Allgemeine Fitness und Anatomie
A cleft palate is a congenital birth defect where the roof of the mouth fails to fuse properly during development in the womb. This failure leaves an abnormal opening between the oral cavity and the nasal passages. Because these two systems are directly connected, food, liquids, and air cannot be properly separated during swallowing.
Physisch · Passing: CLEAR
Congenital blindness
Augen und Sehvermögen
Congenital blindness is a severe or complete loss of vision present from birth, affecting the eyes and the neural pathways connected to the brain. It is caused by developmental abnormalities in key structures like the retina, which is the light-sensitive tissue at the back of the eye, or the optic nerve. These structural defects prevent visual signals from being properly formed or transmitted.
Physisch · Passing: CLEAR
Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy(CVCM)
Bewegungsapparat
Cervical vertebral compressive myelopathy, commonly known as Wobbler syndrome, is a condition affecting the spine where the spinal cord in the neck becomes pinched. This compression is caused by malformed neck vertebrae or slipping discs between the bones. Over time, the constant pressure damages the nerve pathways that carry signals from the brain to the limbs.
Roentgen · Passing: A
Color Dilution Alopecia (CDA)(CDA)
Haut und Fell
Color Dilution Alopecia is a genetic skin disorder that affects dogs with diluted coat colors, such as blue, fawn, or lilac. It is caused by an abnormal distribution of pigment within the hair shafts, which makes the hair brittle and prone to breaking. This structural weakness leads to progressive hair loss and leaves the skin more vulnerable to irritation.
Haut · Passing: CARRIER
Dermoid sinus(DS)
Haut und Fell
A dermoid sinus is a congenital skin defect where a tube-like channel fails to close properly during embryonic development, extending from the skin's surface down into deeper tissues or even the spinal cord. This condition primarily affects the skin and nervous system along the midline of the neck and back. While genetic risk tests exist to screen for the underlying ridge gene duplication, a physical examination by a veterinarian, known as clinical palpation, remains the gold standard for diagnosing an actual sinus.
Physisch · Passing: CLEAR
Congenital deafness(CHSD)
Nervensystem
Congenital deafness is a hereditary hearing loss present from birth that affects the inner ear's sensory cells, preventing sound signals from reaching the brain. It is often linked to specific genetic variants, such as those associated with certain coat patterns like merle or piebald, or breed-specific conditions like Early Onset Adult Deafness (EOAD). This genetic defect causes the vital blood supply to the inner ear to fail, leading to the permanent degeneration of the hearing nerve cells.
Physisch · Passing: BILATERAL_HEARING
Cerebellar abiotrophy(CA)
Nervensystem
Cerebellar abiotrophy is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the brain, specifically the cerebellum, which regulates balance and movement coordination. In affected dogs, the nerve cells in this region prematurely degenerate and die off. This progressive cell loss disrupts the brain's ability to control smooth physical movements.
DNA · Passing: CLEAR
Degenerative Myelopathy(DM)
Nervensystem
Degenerative Myelopathy is a progressive disease of the spinal cord where the protective sheath around the nerves slowly breaks down. This deterioration disrupts the vital communication signals between the brain and the muscles of the hind limbs. Over time, this lack of signal transmission leads to a complete loss of muscle control in the back legs.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (Rhodesian Ridgeback)(JME)
Nervensystem
Juvenile Myoclonic Epilepsy (JME) is an inherited neurological disorder affecting the brain and nervous system. It is caused by a genetic mutation that leads to abnormal, uncontrolled electrical activity in the brain. This disruption in normal brain signaling results in sudden, involuntary muscle twitches, which are referred to as myoclonus.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Adult-onset deafness(AOD)
Ohren und Gehör
This condition is a progressive form of hearing loss that affects the auditory system, specifically the sensory cells within the inner ear. Over time, these specialized cells degenerate and lose their ability to transmit sound signals to the brain. Because it is an inherited disorder, this deterioration occurs naturally as the dog matures, even though the outer ear looks completely healthy.
DNA · Passing: Clear or Carrier
Primary hypothyroidism
Stoffwechsel
Primary hypothyroidism is an endocrine disorder where the thyroid gland, located in the neck, fails to produce enough thyroid hormones. This hormone deficiency is usually caused by the immune system mistakenly attacking the gland or by the gradual replacement of thyroid tissue with fat. Because these hormones regulate how the body uses energy, a shortage slows down the dog's entire metabolism.
Passing: Normal
These levels are a comparison framework, not an official certification. They help compare breeding programs at a glance.