The Idea Behind the Lionhound – A New Dog Breed with a Future

For over 17 years I have passionately advocated for the acceptance of ridgeless dogs within Rhodesian Ridgeback breeding in Germany. While breeding programs abroad have already embraced ridgeless Ridgebacks, in Germany they remain heavily stigmatized. Many breeders still view the absence of the characteristic ridge along the back as a serious fault, even though it is merely a genetic mutation.

What is often overlooked is that ridgeless dogs can contribute to genetic diversity and significantly help reduce the risk of the genetic defect Dermoid Sinus. Nevertheless, aesthetic appearance dominates in Germany: the ridge is considered essential simply because it is part of the breed's name – Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Ignoring Scientific Evidence

In 2008, the first breeding program aimed at avoidance Dermoid Sinus was launched by me in cooperation with the VDH (German Kennel Club). The program specifically paired ridgeless and ridged Ridgebacks. Although it showed promise, it was discontinued in 2018. The justification was that homozygous ridge carriers are now known to have an increased risk for Dermoid Sinus.

Following this, the VDH's scientific advisory board recommended integrating ridgeless dogs into breeding. However, implementation never happened. To this day, VDH-affiliated breed clubs refuse to follow these scientifically sound recommendations. Even the tightening of Germany’s Animal Welfare Dog Regulation failed to bring about change.

The Path to the Lionhound – A Vision Becomes Reality

Out of years of frustration and a desire for change, the idea was born to establish a new breed: the Lionhound. This breed is based entirely on the genetic pool of the Rhodesian Ridgeback but deliberately avoids selecting for the ridge. The goal is a healthy, robust breed with a stable temperament and functional anatomy – free from unnecessary beauty standards.

The Lionhound no longer places the ridge mutation at the center of breeding decisions. Instead, the focus is on health, temperament and genetic diversity. Even white markings – on the chest or paws – which are often seen as undesirable in Ridgebacks, are not penalized in Lionhounds. These traits have always been part of the original breed's gene pool but were largely lost through extreme selection.

A Necessary Step for the Future of Dog Breeding

On June 6, 2025, the FCI (Fédération Cynologique Internationale) adopted a change to the KUSA (Kennel Union of Southern Africa) breed standard, which now officially classifies ridgeless dogs as a disqualifying fault. Instead of embracing greater flexibility in breed standards, the focus on the ridge was intensified. This decision ultimately pushed me to move forward with the development of the Lionhound.

With the Lionhound, an ethically responsible alternative to the Rhodesian Ridgeback is being created – one that is grounded in modern genetic research, animal health, and welfare. The goal is to establish a breed where cosmetic traits, like the absence of a ridge or white markings, no longer determine a dog’s value.