TOP 16 Rhodesian Ridgebacks Lookalikes: Rhodesian Ridgeback or Not?

1) Vizsla
One of the first breeds that comes to mind when talking about Rhodesian Ridgeback lookalikes is the Vizsla. Even though it lacks the distinctive ridge and is slightly leaner and less muscular, the Vizsla’s overall body shape, deep chest, and expressive face make it one of the closest Ridgeback lookalikes

2) Weimaraner
And if I mention the Vizsla, I just have to mention the Weimaraner as well, as they look almost identical. The Weimaraner, often nicknamed the 'Gray Ghost,' shares a similar athletic build and deep chest with the Rhodesian Ridgeback. While its sleek silver-gray coat sets it apart, its body proportions, long legs, and noble expression make it a strong lookalike. Both breeds are powerful, energetic, and built for endurance

3) Broholmer
This video will mention many rare breeds, and the first dog you’ve probably never heard of is the Danish Broholmer. Its strong, muscular build and short coat give it a similar appearance to the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and its facial features are surprisingly alike as well!

4) Black Mouth Cur
Another breed that closely resembles the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the Black Mouth Cur. Bred for hunting and herding, this tough and energetic dog shares many physical similarities with the Ridgeback, including a deep chest, short coat, and athletic build.

5) Boerboel
Just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback, the Boerboel also hails from Southern Africa and is known for its power and size. While it is more heavily built and bulkier than the Ridgeback, its broad head, deep chest, and confident stance make it a strong lookalike. Both breeds were originally bred for protection and are admired for their strength and loyalty.

6) Africanis
The Africanis is another breed from Africa that shares some resemblance to the Rhodesian Ridgeback. It is an ancient African landrace, and just like the Ridgeback, it has a lean, athletic build, short coat, and strong endurance. While the Africanis is typically more slender and lacks the distinctive ridge, its overall body shape, alert expression, and adaptability to harsh environments make it a natural Ridgeback lookalike.

7) Phu Quoc Ridgeback
There are only a few other breeds with a ridge of hair on their back, just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Since they all share some similarities with the Ridgeback, I'll mention all of them right now. The first one is the Phu Quoc Ridgeback, also known as the Vietnamese Ridgeback. While it is typically smaller and more lightly built than the Rhodesian Ridgeback, I think they do resemble each other quite a bit!

8) Thai Ridgeback
The second one is Thai Ridgeback. They are closely related to Vietnamese Ridgeback and they look extremely similar. They also have the typical ridge of hair running alongside their back, they have deep chest, athletic body and short coat. Again, they are typically more lightly built than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

9) Cambodian Razorback
The last breed with a distinctive ridge is also probably the rarest dog in this video—the Cambodian Razorback. Unlike other Ridgebacks, they typically have a longer coat, and their appearance can vary quite a bit, meaning no two Cambodian Razorbacks look exactly the same. But because of their signature ridge, I just had to include them in this video!

10) Sinhala Hound
The Sinhala Hound is a landrace dog from Sri Lanka, often living in a semi-wild state and scavenging for food. This ancient hunting breed has a lean, athletic build, a deep chest, and a short coat, just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback. They also share a similar alert expression. However, Sinhala Hounds are typically smaller and leaner in comparison

11) Redbone Coonhound
I think the Redbone Coonhound is an amazing addition to this list. It shares a similar coat color, size, head shape, and athletic build with the Rhodesian Ridgeback. While they tend to be slightly leaner and more agile, I believe they are one of the strongest Ridgeback lookalikes.

12) Catahoula Leopard Dog
Another American breed on this list, alongside the Redbone Coonhound and Black Mouth Cur, is the Catahoula Leopard Dog. Well known for its beautifully colored coat, it shares many similarities with the Rhodesian Ridgeback, especially in terms of body and facial structure

13) American Leopard Hound
On the first sight, American Leopard Hound looks identical to Catahoula Leopard Dog, which is why i put them in this list as well. I believe they also share similar body and facial structure with the Rhodesian Ridgeback, making them more distinct lookalikes.

14) Bavarian Mountain Hound
The Bavarian Mountain Hound might not be the first breed that comes to mind, but especially in photos, they can resemble Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Of course, if they were standing side by side, the Bavarian Mountain Hound would be much smaller

15) Pharaoh Hound
The Pharaoh Hound is another more distinct lookalike, but their similar color and sleek athletic build makes them look somewhat like Rhodesian Ridgebacks. Of course, they are much more slender and they have more refined head shape, so it is not so hard to distinguish the two breeds apart for an experienced eye.

16) Great Dane
The last breed on this list is the Great Dane. While it is significantly larger than the Rhodesian Ridgeback, their short coats, deep chests, and overall noble appearance create some similarities. Especially in fawn coloration, a Great Dane can resemble an oversized Ridgeback at first glance.