German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Comparison – Which dog is better Alsatian wolf dog or African Lion Hound?
"Find similarities and differences between German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback"
Compare German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which is better: German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback?
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| Name | German Shepherd | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Origins |  Germany |  Zimbabwe |
| Group | Pastoral / Herding Dogs | Hunting Dogs |
| Popularity Rank | 2 | 41 |
| Reviews | 21 | 7 |
| User Ratings |
| Common Names & Aliases
Compare different names used for German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. What other names are these breeds known by? |
Alsatian wolf dog Berger Allemand Deutscher Schäferhund Schäferhund Alsatian |
African Lion Hound African Lion Dog |
|---|---|---|
| Breed Classification
Compare breed classifications between a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Learn about their genetic backgrounds. | Purebred | Purebred |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Size and Weight Comparison
| Size Classification
Which is bigger: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare size differences between these breeds. | Large | Large |
|---|---|---|
| Weight Statistics
Compare weight ranges between a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which breed is heavier? | Male: 66-88 pounds (30-40 kg), Female: 49-71 pounds (22-32 kg) | Male: 80-90 pounds (36-41 kg), Female: 65-75 pounds (29-34 kg) |
| Average Weight
Which dog has a smaller / higher average weight? | Male: 77 pounds (35 kg), Female: 60 pounds (27 kg) | Male: 85 pounds (38.5 kg), Female: 70 pounds (31.5 kg) |
| Height
Which is taller, German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? Is a German Shepherd taller than a Rhodesian Ridgeback? | Male: 24-26 inches (60-65 cm), Female: 22-24 inches (55-60 cm) | Male: 25-27 inches (63-69 cm), Female: 24-26 inches (61-66 cm) |
| Average Height
Which dog has a smaller / higher average height? | Male: 25 inches (62.5 cm), Female: 23 inches (57.5 cm) | Male: 26 inches (66 cm), Female: 25 inches (63.5 cm) |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Price and Availability Comparison
| Price Range
Compare puppy prices between a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which breed costs more? | $800-$2000 | $900-$1200 |
|---|---|---|
| Availability
Which is easier to get, German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? | Very frequent: The German Shepherd is quite easy to get. | Very frequent: The Rhodesian Ridgeback is quite easy to get. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Trainability and Intelligence Comparison
| Intelligence Rating
Which is smarter: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare intelligence rankings and learning abilities. | Outstanding: German Shepherd is one of the brightest dog breeds. | Average: It takes patience to teach this breed any tricks or commands, but the effort is worth it. |
|---|---|---|
| Training Difficulty
Which is easier to train: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare training requirements. | German Shepherd dogs are easy to train. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are quite easy to train. |
| Watchdog Rating
Which makes a better watchdog: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare alertness levels. | German Shepherd dogs are one of the best watchdogs. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are average watchdogs. |
| Territorial Protection
Which is more protective: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare territorial behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs are extremely protective guard dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs strongly protect their territory. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Personality and Temperament Comparison
| Personality Traits
Compare personalities of a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. How do their temperaments differ? |
Curious Alert Courageous Intelligent Confident Obedient Loyal Watchful |
Dignified Sensitive Intelligent Loyal Strong Willed Mischievous |
|---|---|---|
| Sensitivity Level
Which dog is more sensitive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback? | Sensitive: German Shepherd dogs don't like an irregular daily routine, noisy household, and frequent guest visits. | They are a little bit more sensitive than other dog breeds. |
| Affection Level
Which is the more affectionate dog breed: German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback? | High: German Shepherd dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. | High: Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are genuinely loyal, soft and gentle, loving, and affectionate dogs toward their handlers. |
| Social Needs
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback social needs comparison: | German Shepherd dogs need for social interaction is average. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are a social breed. |
| Impulse to Wander or Roam
Which dog has a greater roaming instinct? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback? | German Shepherd dogs are not the biggest explorers. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs have high wanderlust potential, which means that this breed has a strong desire for exploring the world. |
| Prey Drive
Which dog has a higher prey drive? What's the difference between German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback? Which can be better for hunting? | German Shepherd dogs have a higher impulse to chase and catch something than other dog breeds. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs have a high impulse to chase and catch something. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Activity and Playfulness Comparison
| Barking Frequency
Which breed barks more: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare vocalization tendencies. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd rarely barks. | Low to Average: The Rhodesian Ridgeback rarely barks. |
|---|---|---|
| Playful Nature
Which breed is more playful: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare play drive and energy. | Average: German Shepherds, like any other dog breed, like playing. | The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a playful breed. |
| Apartment Adaptability
Which is better for apartments: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare living space needs. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep German Shepherd indoors. | It is not the best choice if you want to keep them indoors, however, with careful exercise and several walks a day, they will tolerate the indoor environment, so it is possible to keep Rhodesian Ridgeback indoors. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Adaptability and Independence Comparison
| Lifestyle Adaptability
Which adapts better to changes: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare adaptability levels. | German Shepherd dogs adapt very well to lifestyle changes and basically all living environments. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs adapt well to lifestyle changes and different living environments. |
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| Alone Time Tolerance
Which dog can be left alone: German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? | Just like every puppy, they are prone to panic, cry, bark, whine when they left alone by their owner. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Bite Characteristics Comparison
| Bite Risk Assessment
Which has lower bite risk: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare biting tendencies. | High 🔼 The German Shepherd has a high chance of biting somebody. | Low 🔽 The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a low chance of biting somebody. |
|---|---|---|
| Mouthing Tendency
Which is more mouthy: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare mouthing behaviors. | German Shepherd dogs have a strong tendency to nip, chew, play-bite, or herd people. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs have an average tendency to nip, chew, playbite, or herd people. |
| Bite Strength Rating
Which has a stronger bite: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare bite force PSI. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ German Shepherd bite force: Ordinary. | Between 200 and 400 PSI ⏺ Rhodesian Ridgeback bite force: Ordinary. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Health and Lifespan Comparison
| Average Lifespan
Which lives longer: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare average lifespans. |
9-13 years The average lifespan of German Shepherd: 11 years |
10-12 years The average lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgeback: 11 years |
|---|---|---|
| Climate Tolerance
Which handles weather better: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare climate tolerances. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. | Tolerates warm and cold weather Dogs that tolerate hot and cold weather are typically those that have a double coat of fur. |
| Health Concerns
Compare common health issues between a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which breed is healthier? | German Shepherds are commonly healthy dogs. | The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a healthy breed, but there are certain health issues that you should check with your vet regularly. |
| Vet Care Frequency
Which one may need more or less veterinary visits: German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback? |
Rare The German Shepherd should have a complete physical check-up at least every 12-18 months (but preferably once per year). |
Average The Rhodesian Ridgeback should have a complete physical check-up at least once per year. |
| Health Problems
Which one has more or less genetic/health problems: German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback? What are the allergies, genetic diseases and concerns for them? German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback health problems comparison: |
Cataracts Hip Dysplasia Allergies Cancer Progressive retinal atrophy (PRA) Von Willebrand's Disease Bloat Epilepsy Blindness Cherry Eye Elbow Dysplasia Diabetes Heart Disease Retinal Dysplasia Demodectic Mange Degenerative Myelopathy Wobbler's Syndrome Panosteitis Hemophilia B Megaesophagus Cushing's Syndrome Lens Luxation Exocrine Pancreatic Insufficiency Chronic Diarrhea Cruciate Ligament Rupture Digestive Problems Hemophilia A Hypertrophic Osteodystrophy Lupus Myasthenia Gravis Nail Bed Disease Osteochondrosis Pannus Paralysis Perianal Fistula Seborrhea Vitiligo | Hip Dysplasia Dermoid Sinus Elbow Dysplasia |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Energy and Activity Comparison
| Energy Rating
Which breed is more energetic: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare activity levels. | German Shepherd dogs are high-energy dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs have a higher energy level than other dog breeds. |
|---|---|---|
| Activity Requirement / Exercise Need
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback exercise need comparison. Which dog needs more activity? Which dog needs the most exercise: German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? Which dog needs the most walking? Which dog is the laziest? | German Shepherd dogs need quite a lot of exercise. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs need quite a lot of exercise. |
| Sleeping Need
Which one sleeps the least/most: German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? | German Shepherd dogs don't need too much sleep. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are quite energetic dogs and they don't spend too much time with sleeping. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Diet and Weight Management Comparison
| Obesity Tendency
Which gains weight easier: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare obesity risks. | Low to Average: The German Shepherd has a low to the average risk for obesity. | Average: The Rhodesian Ridgeback has an average risk for obesity. |
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| Food Consumption
Which eats more: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare daily food needs. | 3 to 4 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. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Allergies and Grooming Comparison
| Allergy Friendliness
Which is more hypoallergenic: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare allergy friendliness. | No See more. | No See more. |
|---|---|---|
| Coat Colors
What color variations exist for German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare breed colors. |
Black Tan Red Silver |
Gray Red White Golden Wheaten Copper |
| Grooming Requirements
Which needs more grooming: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare maintenance needs. | Average: The German Shepherd requires average grooming effort. | Effortless: The Rhodesian Ridgeback requires minimal grooming. |
| Drooling Tendency
Which drools more: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare drooling amounts. | The German Shepherd is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. | The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a perfect example of a very low drooling tendency. |
| Stinkiness Rating
Which has less odor: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare natural smell levels. | Medium ⏺ The German Shepherd has an average chance of bad smell. | Medium ⏺ The Rhodesian Ridgeback has an average chance of bad smell. |
| Coat Characteristics
How do coats differ between a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare fur types. | Fuzzy | Dense |
| Bathing Needs
Which needs more baths: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare bathing frequencies. | 8-12 weeks Very rarely. Bathing your dog is beneficial to them in more ways than just one. | 4-6 weeks Average. Experts recommended at least every 4-6 weeks for this family pup. |
| Shedding Level
Who sheds more German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? Do German Shepherd dogs shed more than Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are heavy shedders. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs shed none to minimal. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Good With Comparison
| Child Compatibility
Which is better with children: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare kid-friendliness. | German Shepherd dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are very kid-friendly dogs. |
|---|---|---|
| Pet Compatibility
Which dog breeds get along well with other animals/pets? | German Shepherd dogs are generally with other pets. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs usually don’t get on well with other pets. |
| Stranger Friendly
Which dog is more stranger friendly German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? Which dog is more friendly? | German Shepherd dogs are stranger-friendly dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are not the most stranger-friendly dogs. |
| Cat Friendly
Which dog is more cat friendly German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? | German Shepherd dogs are average friendly towards cats. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are not the most cat-friendly dogs. |
| Dog Friendly
Which dog is more dog friendly German Shepherd or Rhodesian Ridgeback? Can a German Shepherd and a Rhodesian Ridgeback be friends? Do German Shepherd dogs get along with Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs? | German Shepherd dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. | Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are not the most dog-friendly dogs. |
| Good For First Time Owners
Which dog is best for first time owners: German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback? |
Yes German Shepherd dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
Yes Rhodesian Ridgeback dogs are good for novice owners, due to their easy-going personality. |
| Office Friendly
Which one fits better in the office? |
No German Shepherd is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
No Rhodesian Ridgeback is not the best dog breed for office environment. |
| Senior Citizens Friendly
Which dog is good for elderly people? | German Shepherds are one of the best breeds for elderly people. | Rhodesian Ridgebacks are one of the best breeds for elderly people. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback As a Working Dog Comparison
| Service Dog Capability
Which makes a better service dog: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare service capabilities. | Yes This breed makes good as a service dog. | Not really This breed generally not used as a service dog. |
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| Therapy Work Suitability
Which is better for therapy work: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare therapy capabilities. | Yes This breed makes a perfect therapy dog. | Not really This breed is generally not used as a therapy dog. |
| Scent Detection Ability
Which is better at detection work: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare scenting abilities. | Yes After proper training, they can excel at this kind of work. | Not really They are not typically employed for this type of work, but there may be exceptional cases. |
| Search & Rescue Potential
Which is better for search and rescue: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare SAR abilities. | Yes This breed would make an excellent search and rescue dog. | Not really This dog breed is not typically used as a search and rescue dog. |
| Maritime Work Ability
Which is better on boats: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare maritime abilities. | Not really German Shepherd breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. | Not really Rhodesian Ridgeback breed usually doesn't like being on a boat. |
| Draft Work Capability
Which is better at pulling: a German Shepherd or a Rhodesian Ridgeback? Compare draft work capabilities. | 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. |
| Military Service Background
Compare military history between German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which has stronger military background? | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. | Yes In history, this breed was unfortunately used for combat dogs. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Reproducibility Comparison
| Puppy Litter Size
Compare litter sizes between German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which has larger litters? | 6-10 puppies | 6-8 puppies |
|---|---|---|
| Pregnancy Duration
Compare pregnancy duration between German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback breeds. | 60-64 days See more. | 60-64 days See more. |
| Breeding Frequency
Compare breeding frequencies between German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which needs longer recovery? | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. | Once a year. More frequent breeding is not healthy. |
German Shepherd vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Recognition Comparison
| AKC Classification
Compare AKC classifications of German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which groups do they belong to? | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1908 as a Herding breed. | Recognized by the American Kennel Club in 1955 as a Hound breed. |
|---|---|---|
| FCI Classification
Compare FCI classifications of German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which groups are they in? | Recognized by FCI in the Sheepdogs and Cattledogs (except Swiss Cattledogs) group, in the Sheepdogs section. | Recognized by FCI in the Scent hounds and related breeds group, in the Related breeds section. |
| Kennel Club Recognition
Compare kennel club recognition between German Shepherd and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which is more widely recognized? |
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 German Shepherd Dog Club Of America |
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 |
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