Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback – Which one is a better dog breed for you?
"Find similarities and differences between Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback"
Compare Belgian Malinois and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which is better: Belgian Malinois or Rhodesian Ridgeback?
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| Name | Belgian Malinois | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Belgium |  Zimbabwe |
| Group | Pastoral Dogs (Herding Dogs) | Hunting Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 44 | 41 |
| Reviews | 1 | 3 |
| Rate |
| Other Names | Malinois | African Lion Dog, African Lion Hound |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Type | Purebred | Purebred |
| AKC Group | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1959 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1955 as a Hound breed. |
| FCI Group | Not recognized by FCI. | Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Related breeds section. |
| Breed Recognition | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club United Kennel Club | American Canine Registry American Kennel Club America's Pet Registry Canadian Kennel Club Dog Registry of America Inc. Federation Cynologique Internationale Kennel Club of Great Britain North American Purebred Registry, Inc. American Canine Association, Inc. Australian National Kennel Council Continental Kennel Club National Kennel Club New Zealand Kennel Club Rhodesian Ridgeback Club Of The US |
| Price | $1200-$1400 | $900-$1200 |
General Appearance - Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Size | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight | Male: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg), Female: 60-70 pounds (27-32 kg) | Male: 80-90 pounds (36-41 kg), Female: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg) |
| Avg. Weight | Male: 70 pounds (31.5 kg), Female: 65 pounds (29.5 kg) | Male: 85 pounds (38.5 kg), Female: 70 pounds (31.5 kg) |
| Height | Male: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (56-61 cm) | Male: 25-27 inches (63-69 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) |
| Avg. Height | Male: 25 inches (63.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (58.5 cm) | Male: 26 inches (66 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm) |
Hair & Care - Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Coat | Weather-resistant Straight | Dense |
|---|---|---|
| Colors | Brindle Cream Fawn Black | Golden Red White Gray Wheaten |
| Grooming | Average: The Belgian Malinois requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The Rhodesian Ridgeback requires minimal grooming. |
| Shedding Level | Belgian Malinoiss shed moderately. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed none to minimal. |
Characteristics - Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Temperament | Active Alert Confident Friendly Hard working Protective Stubborn Watchful | Dignified Loyal Sensitive Intelligent Mischievous Strong Willed |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligent Rank | Very smart: Belgian Malinois is an excellent dog breed. | Average: Rhodesian Ridgeback's has average obedience intelligence. |
| Trainability | Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are quite easy to train. |
| Playfulness | The Belgian Malinois is a highly playful breed. | The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a playful breed. |
| Sensitivity Level | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
| Affection Level | Belgian Malinoiss may seem unfriendly sometimes due to their independence. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs | Belgian Malinoiss are a social breed. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a social breed. |
| Barking | Average to high: The Belgian Malinois is a vocal breed. | Low to Average: The Rhodesian Ridgeback rarely barks. |
| Watchdog Ability | Belgian Malinoiss are one of the best watchdogs. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are average watchdogs. |
| Territorial | Belgian Malinoiss strongly protect their territory. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks strongly protect their territory. |
| Biting Potential |
Low The Belgian Malinois has a low chance of biting somebody. |
Low The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a low chance of biting somebody. |
| Mouthiness | Belgian Malinoiss have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks have an average tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam | Wanderlust potential of the Belgian Malinois is strong enough to escape from home. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. |
| Prey Drive | Belgian Malinoiss have an average prey drive, which means that they don't have a high impulse to chase and catch something like a cat or any other small aminals, but it might happen. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
| Apartment Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best choice for an apartment lifestyle, but they don't mind being inside if you walk them several times every day. |
| Adaptability | Belgian Malinoiss adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. |
| Tolerates Being Left Alone | Belgian Malinoiss do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks do best when a family member is at home during the day or if their workplace is dog-friendly so they can take the dog at work. |
| Fighting Dog |
Not really In history, this breed was not really used for combat dog. |
Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dog. |
Good With - Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Stranger Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are not the most stranger friendly dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the most stranger friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Child Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are kid-friendly dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very kid-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are average friendly towards cats. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the most cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are average friendly towards other dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Office Friendly |
No Belgian Malinois is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Rhodesian Ridgeback is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are usually recommended for elderly people. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
| Pet Friendly | Belgian Malinoiss are generally with other pets. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks usually don’t get on well with other pets. |
| Good For First Time Owners |
No Belgian Malinoiss are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
No Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not good for novice owners, due to their stubborn personality. |
| Service Dog |
Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
| Therapy Dog |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
Not really This breed generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Detection Dog or Sniffer Dog |
Yes A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
Not really A detection dog or sniffer dog is a dog that is trained to use its senses (mostly its smell) to detect substances such as explosives, illegal drugs, wildlife scat, currency, blood, and contraband electronics such as illicit mobile phones. |
| Search and Rescue Dog (SAR) |
Yes The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
Not really The use of dogs in search and rescue (SAR) is a valuable component in wilderness tracking, natural disasters, mass casualty events, and in locating missing people. |
| Boat Dog |
Not really Belgian Malinois breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
Not really Rhodesian Ridgeback breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Cart Pulling or Drafting Dog |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Not really A drafting dog or draft dog is a dog bred and used for cart pulling. |
Health Factors - Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Health Issues | The Belgian Malinois is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. | The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
|---|---|---|
| Health Problems | Elbow Dysplasia Epilepsy Eye Problems Hip Dysplasia | Dermoid Sinus Elbow Dysplasia Hip Dysplasia |
| Life Expectancy | 12-14 years | 10-12 years |
| Hypoallergenic | No | No |
| Energy Level | Belgian Malinoiss are high energy dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
| Exercise Need | Belgian Malinoiss need a lot of exercises. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need | Belgian Malinoiss don't need too much sleep. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend to much time with sleeping. |
| Avg. daily food consumption | 2 to 3 cups of high-quality dry food a day, divided into two meals. | Recommended daily amount: 2 3/4 to 4 3/8 cups of a high-quality daily, divided into two meals. |
| Weight Gain Potential | Low to Average. | Average. |
| Weather & Climate | Tolerates warm and cold weather. | Tolerates warm and cold weather. |
| Stinkiness |
Medium The Belgian Malinois has an average chance of bad smell. |
Medium The Rhodesian Ridgeback has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Drooling tendency | The Belgian Malinois is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. | The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a perfect example for very low drooling tendency. |
Reproducibility - Belgian Malinois vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Gestation Length | 60-64 days | 60-64 days |
|---|---|---|
| How often can the have a litter? |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
| Litter Size | 6-10 puppies | 6-8 puppies |
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Reviews
- german shepard
Apr 10, 2019, 8:43:24 PM:
- Dereck
Feb 23, 2020, 10:16:21 PM:
These dogs are like twins. Especially when it comes to behavior and characteristics.