Guide on Deciding Betweeen the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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Azawakh Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback? Well, you have come to the right place. Because in this article, we will provide you with a detailed comparison of these two dog breeds to help you decide which of the Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Azawakh 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 Azawakh 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 with more insight into deciding which pet to get between the Azawakh 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 Azawakh or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Azawakh versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are similar in size. The Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are both large-sized dogs.

Furthermore, both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are Hound Dogs. This means both the Azawakh 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.

Azawakh versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Azawakh 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.

Later in this article, we will further explain each factor as it applies to the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Azawakh Rhodesian Ridgeback
Tolerates Cold Weather 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 4/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 4/5 2/5
Height 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Weight 33 to 55 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 5/5 1/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 5/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Price Range No Data $1250 – $1900
Average Price No Data $1620
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
    		•

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Azawakh 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 the Azawakh is 81 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Azawakh is a better pet than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. So, you should get the Azawakh!

    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 Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Below is a list of where the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:

    • Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
    • Azawakhs adapt well to apartment living. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    The Similarities Between the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most similar:

    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very friendly towards strangers.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.

    Size Comparison of Azawakh versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Azawakhs weigh 33 to 55 pounds when fully grown. Azawakhs are 23 to 27 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.

    Lifespan of Azawakh versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Azawakhs is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Azawakhs is 13.5 years.

    The lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgebacks is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgebacks is 11.0 years.

    Azawakhs live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Azawakh

    The Azawakh has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Azawakh is 100.0 percent while the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 100.0 percent, the Azawakh has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 84.2 percent, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 1 Azawakhs and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Azawakh versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Azawakhs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Azawakhs shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Azawakhs shed moderately.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Azawakh or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Azawakhs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Azawakh or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Azawakhs are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Azawakh Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Azawakhs 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.

    Do Azawakhs Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Azawakhs 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.

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Azawakhs cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Azawakh vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Azawakhs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Azawakhs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Azawakhs can tolerate hot weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Azawakh or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Azawakhs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Azawakhs good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Azawakhs 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 Azawakhs and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Azawakhs do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Azawakh Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Azawakhs are fairly easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Azawakh Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Azawakhs adapt very well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Azawakh or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Azawakhs are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Conclusion: Azawakh 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 Azawakh and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.