[quote=Taina]So maybe it is time for few people to open their eyes and wake u and smell the coffee...[/quote]Yes, very good point. So I will brew the coffee and pour you a cup. :D While the java purculates lets discuss this a bit further. Here we go: [quote="UKC standard 1980"] Height and Weight Height is measured at the withers. The height ranges for mature dogs are: males, 25 to 27 inches; bitches, 24 to 26 inches. The desirable weights for mature dogs are: males, 75 pounds; bitches, 65 pounds. [/quote] [quote="UKC standard revised 1 May 2008"] HEIGHT & WEIGHT The height ranges for mature dogs are: males, 25 to 27 inches; females, 24 to 26 inches. The approximate weights for mature dogs are: males, 80 pounds; females, 70 pounds.[/quote] [quote=FCI 1996] SIZE AND WEIGHT : Height at withers : Dogs : 63-69 cm (25” -27”). Bitches : 61-66 cm (24” -26”). Weight : Dogs : 36,5 kg (80 lbs). Bitches : 32 kg (70 lbs).[/quote] Do I need to explain further? If someone has Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are over the max weight it is either too fat or not a Rhodesian Ridgeback as described by any of the standards quoted above. I understand variation quite well and also that we will have anamolies in all breeds but breeders should adhere to the standard as much as possible. It does not matter if the RR standard was taken from the Dalmation standard. What matters is that it describes what the Rhodesian Ridgeback should be. The only thing I would like to see clarified on the standard is the weight shown as a range similar to the height, e.g. dogs: 70 - 80 lbs or something like that. When terms like desirable and approximate are used in a standard they leave way too much open for interpretation and you end up with dogs at 100lbs or more.. I am not addresing anyone's dogs in particular but rather the breed (any breed) in general... We could also talk about temperament but that is another topic. Oh, time to get some coffee for me too.