Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Afghan Hound Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction
- Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview
- Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which One is a Better Pet?
Afghan Hound Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback? Well, you have come to the right place. In this article, we will provide you a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you.
We will provide you a detailed discussion and comparison of dog attributes such as intelligence, price, general health, friendliness, etc, for both the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is better suited for new dog owners, for owners with kids, for owners that live in apartments, for owners with dog allergies, etc.
Importantly, we did some analysis and calculation and we obtained a number that we call the Better-Pet Score™ for both the Afghan Hound and for the Rhodesian Ridgeback. The dog breed with the higher Better-Pet score is the `better` pet. We hope that these Better-Pet Scores will provide you more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview
Both the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are similar in size. The Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are both large-sized dogs.
Furthermore, both the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are Hound Dogs. This means both the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback were bred to pursue and hunt warm-blooded animals. Hounds hunt by using their good sight or their good sense of smell. Dogs that belong to the Hound Group have strong prey drives and often will stop at nothing to catch what they are pursuing.
Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Afghan Hound to the Rhodesian Ridgeback based on different important factors such as Price, Health, Kid-friendliness, etc.
When a dog breed scores higher for a factor than the other dog breed, the box of the breed that scores higher is shaded green and the box of the breed that scores lower is shaded red. When there is no difference between the breeds for a particular factor then the box is shaded gray for both pets. Also, when the factor is not important in picking a pet, or when the factor cannot be compared between two pets, the box for the factor is shaded gray for both pets
Most of the factors in the table for each dog breed are ranked on a scale of 1 to 5. “1” means “worst”, and “5” means “best”.
However, some factors such as “Price”, “Average Lifespan”, etc. cannot be on a scale of 1 to 5, so they are not on a scale of 1 to 5 in the comparison table.
| Factor | Afghan Hound | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Height | 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder | 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Good For Novice Owners | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| General Health | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Easygoing | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 5/5 | 3/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 5/5 | 4/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 50 to 60 pounds | 70 to 85 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2390 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2500 | $1250 – $1900 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 105 | 40 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 79 | 52 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Afghan Hound in the table (that is, `Ease of Grooming` score + `General Health` score + `Calmness` score + …etc) and we compared it to the corresponding total score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback. We call these total scores the Better-Pet Scores, as we mentioned earlier. We called this score the Better-Pet score because the better dog breed will have a higher score. This is because the pet will the higher score will have minimal needs and be easier to have as a pet.
The Better-Pet score for a Afghan Hound is 78 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Afghan Hound is a better pet than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. So, you should get the Afghan Hound!
Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.
Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.
The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Below is a list of where the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:
The Similarities Between the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Afghan Hounds weigh 50 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Afghan Hounds are 24 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
On the other hand, Rhodesian Ridgebacks weigh 70 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.
Price of Afghan Hound versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback
The average price of the Afghan Hound puppy is $2390. The price of the Afghan Hound typically ranges from $2250 – $2500. However, the price of a Afghan Hound can be as low as $1800 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 21 Afghan Hound puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The average price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is $1620. The price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback typically ranges from $1250 – $1900. However, the price of a Rhodesian Ridgeback can be as low as $500 and as high as $2850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 175 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies listed for sale from various sources.
The Afghan Hound is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
| Afghan Hound | Rhodesian Ridgeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2390 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2500 | $1250 to $1900 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Afghan Hound and Rhodesian Ridgeback. For different price points, the charts show how many Afghan Hound puppies or how many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Afghan Hounds. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Afghan Hound puppy or the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.
Nevertheless, when looking from a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from one of those puppy mills that mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.
You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.
Adopting the Afghan Hound versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Afghan Hounds and many Rhodesian Ridgebacks are currently available for adoption.
These adorable and cute dogs are waiting in dog shelters hoping that someday someone will rescue them. Furthermore, adoption costs are lesser than the cost of a new puppy. Dog adoption costs are usually around $300. In addition to your local dog shelter, a good place online to see dogs that are available for adoption is petfinder.com.
Below is an adorable Male Afghan Hound named Sam that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Afghan Hounds like Sam on pefinder.com.
Also, like Afghan Hounds, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also available for adoption. For example, Noah is a Male Rhodesian Ridgeback that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Noah that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
You can find more Afghan Hounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Afghan Hound versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Afghan Hound | Rhodesian Ridgeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 79 out of 130 dog breeds | 52 out of 130 dog breeds |
| Trainability | Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! | Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions |
Professor Stanley Coren, the famous psychology/neuropsychological professor and, dog lover/trainer measured and ranked the intelligence of about 130 different dog breeds.
According to Prof. Stanley Coren, the total intelligence that a dog demonstrates is the addition of three types of intelligence. These intelligence types are:
Prof. Coren showed that the Working/Obedience Intelligence of different dog breeds can be measured reliably. Thus, he was able to rank different dog breeds based on their Working/Obedience Intelligence.
This is important because according to Prof. Coren, 51 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from its genes while 49 percent of a dog`s intelligence comes from the dog`s environmental circumstances.
To rank the intelligence of dog breeds, Prof. Coren employed the help of 208 dog obedience judges in North America to fill out a detailed survey on dog obedience. This number represented more than half of all of these judges in North America at the time. He also employed 63 veterinarians and 14 guard dog experts to collect data on the personality of different dog breeds.
Prof. Coren found that the Afghan Hound has an obedience intelligence rank of 79 out of 130 dog breeds. The Afghan Hound belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Afghan Hounds tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback has an obedience intelligence rank of 52 out of 130 dog breeds. The Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Rhodesian Ridgebacks tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more intelligent than the Afghan Hound.
However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.
The Popularity of Afghan Hound versus Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback
Every year, the American Kennel Club (AKC) publishes information on how popular a dog breed is in that particular year. The AKC gets the popularity information of a breed from how many dogs of that breed the owners register with the AKC every year. The AKC collects this data for about 200 dog breeds. The AKC collects this data for purebred dogs only(no mixed or hybrid dogs).
The graphs and the table below show the popularity of the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback over the years.
Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the Afghan Hound. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 40 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Afghan Hound is 105 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Afghan Hound
Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Year | Afghan Hound Popularity Rank | Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 95 | 39 |
| 2014 | 98 | 39 |
| 2015 | 100 | 40 |
| 2016 | 113 | 42 |
| 2017 | 93 | 41 |
| 2018 | 113 | 41 |
| 2019 | 111 | 42 |
| 2020 | 122 | 42 |
Health Problems of Afghan Hound versus Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback
Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. Therefore, there is nothing like a perfect puppy.
Both the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.
The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.
Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to more genetic health problems than the Afghan Hound.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Rhodesian Ridgeback than for the Afghan Hound.
3 health tests are recommended for Afghan Hound while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Afghan Hounds and in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Afghan Hound Health Problems
Afghan Hounds are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Afghan Hound puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Afghan Hound puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Afghan Hound breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Afghan Hounds for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Afghan Hounds here.
Rhodesian Ridgeback Health Problems
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.
The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.
If you want a Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Rhodesian Ridgeback breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.
The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Rhodesian Ridgebacks for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Rhodesian Ridgebacks here.
Which one drools more, the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Afghan Hounds do have a very low tendency to drool.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Afghan Hounds require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.
Is the Afghan Hound Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Afghan Hounds are not easy to train.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.
Tolerates Being Alone: Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
Afghan Hounds do not like to be left alone.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.
Do Afghan Hounds Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Afghan Hounds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Afghan Hounds are OK for new dog owners.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Afghan Hound or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Afghan Hounds get along very well with other dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.
Do Afghan Hounds shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Afghan Hounds shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Is the Afghan Hound Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Afghan Hounds adapt very well to apartment living.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?
Afghan Hounds can very well tolerate cold weather.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can Afghan Hounds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?
Afghan Hounds can tolerate hot weather.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.
Are Afghan Hounds good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Afghan Hounds are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
How Kid-friendly are Afghan Hounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Afghan Hounds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Does the Afghan Hound Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Afghan Hounds have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high prey drive. They have the tendency to chase after smaller animals and pets. They do not get along well with other pets.
Wanderlust Potential: Afghan Hound vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Afghan Hounds have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Afghan Hound
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Rhodesian Ridgeback:
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Afghan Hound that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.
We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Afghan Hound:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Afghan Hound and how the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Afghan Hound and of the Rhodesian Ridgeback to other breeds:
Afghan Hound Versus Other Dog Breeds
Afghan Hound versus Vizsla Afghan Hound versus Manchester Terrier Afghan Hound versus Chorkie Afghan Hound versus Goldador Afghan Hound versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi Afghan Hound versus Lhasa Apso Afghan Hound versus Mastiff Afghan Hound versus Labrador Retriever Afghan Hound versus English Setter Afghan Hound versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon
Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds
Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Icelandic Sheepdog Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Irish Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Pinscher Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mal Shi Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dogo Argentino Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Westiepoo Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Deerhound Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Kuvasz Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Berger Picard
Conclusion: Afghan Hound versus Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which One is a Better Pet?
In summary, there is nothing like a better dog breed or a worse dog breed. The important question to ask is which dog breed better matches your interests and lifestyle. We hope our discussion above will help you in deciding which dog breed between the Afghan Hound and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.