Breed Comparison: Belgian Malinois Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Belgian Malinois Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Belgian Malinois versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Belgian Malinois belongs to the Herding Dogs group. Herding Dogs were bred for moving livestock, including sheep, cattle, and even reindeer. Herding dogs work closely with their human shepherds, and their natural intelligence and responsiveness make them highly trainable. They have high levels of energy, which needs to be channeled properly to prevent destructive behavior. Herding breeds are protective of their people and property and make excellent watchdogs. Their intelligence, agility, and activity level make them well suited to dog sports.

On the other hand, the Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to the Hound Dogs group. Hound Dogs 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.

Belgian Malinois versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

FactorBelgian MalinoisRhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span12 to 14 years10 to 12 years
Dog Friendly2/54/5
Does NOT Shed4/52/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight4/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/55/5
Height22 to 26 inches tall at the shoulder24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners3/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone3/52/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander3/51/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Tolerates Hot Weather4/53/5
Kid-Friendly4/54/5
General Health4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Weight40 to 80 pounds70 to 85 pounds
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/55/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
Intelligence5/54/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Average Lifespan13.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$1380$1620
Price Range$850 – $1800$1250 – $1900
Temperament Score94.1 percent84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2252

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois is 83 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

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

    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 Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    • Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    The Similarities Between the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not prone to gaining weight easily.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate cold weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate hot weather.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are easily disturbed by noise in their environments. They are sensitive to human tone. They will understand the tone of your voice when you try to correct their behaviors with a firm tone.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
    • Both the Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.

    Size Comparison of Belgian Malinois versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Belgian Malinoiss weigh 40 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Belgian Malinoiss are 22 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.

    Lifespan of Belgian Malinois versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Belgian Malinoiss is 13.0 years.

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

    Belgian Malinoiss live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Temperament of the Belgian Malinois Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Belgian Malinois has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Belgian Malinois is 94.1 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 94.1 percent, the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 440 Belgian Malinoiss and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Belgian Malinois versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Belgian Malinois puppy is $1380. The price of the Belgian Malinois typically ranges from $850 – $1800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 311 Belgian Malinois 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. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 175 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more expensive than the Belgian Malinois.

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Belgian Malinois and Rhodesian Ridgeback. For different price points, the charts show how many Belgian Malinois puppies or how many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies are listed for sale at those price points.

    A breakdown of the prices of Belgian Malinoiss. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Belgian Malinoiss. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Rhodesian Ridgebacks

    A breakdown of the prices of Rhodesian Ridgebacks

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Belgian Malinois 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 to buy 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 a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    The Intelligence of the Belgian Malinois versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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    Belgian Malinois Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Intelligence Rank 22 out of 130 dog breeds 52 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 5 To 15 Repetitions 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:
    • Instinctive Intelligence: This is the natural intelligence a dog has because of what the dog was bred for. This type of intelligence comes from instinct. For example, dog breeds that were bred for guarding will have high `guarding` instinctive intelligence, while dog breeds that were bred for hunting will what high `hunting` instinctive intelligence. However, you cannot compare the intelligence of dog breeds based on instinctive intelligence because such a comparison will not make sense.
    • Adaptive Intelligence (learning and problem-solving ability): This indicates what a dog can learn to do for himself or herself. It includes learning and benefiting from experience with his environment, solving new problems, and so forth. Adaptive intelligence is specific to each dog, and not breed specific. Thus, two dogs can have remarkably different levels of adaptive intelligence even if they are of the same breed.
    • Working/Obedience Intelligence: This intelligence is the closest to what we might call school-learning ability and it is based upon what the dog can learn to do when instructed by humans. Importantly, different dog breeds have different learning abilities. Also, science has shown that some dog breeds can learn faster than some other breeds. This means certain dog breeds tend to have higher working/obedience intelligence than some other breeds. Dogs with high Working/Obedience Intelligence are smart and easy to train.

    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 Belgian Malinois has an obedience intelligence rank of 22 out of 130 dog breeds. The Belgian Malinois belongs to the `Excellent Working Dogs` category. This means that Belgian Malinoiss tend to learn new commands after 5 to 15 repetitions.

    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 Belgian Malinois is more intelligent than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    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.

    Health Problems of Belgian Malinois versus Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Every dog breed has its own set of health problems that it has a tendency to develop. There is nothing like a perfect dog breed.

    Both the Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Rhodesian Ridgeback than for the Belgian Malinois.

    3 health tests are recommended for Belgian Malinois while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Belgian Malinoiss and in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Belgian Malinois Health Problems

    Belgian Malinoiss are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinois puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Belgian Malinois 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 Belgian Malinoiss for:

  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Belgian Malinoiss 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:

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Rhodesian Ridgebacks here.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Belgian Malinois versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Belgian Malinoiss can be left alone only for a short time.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Belgian Malinoiss shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Belgian Malinois or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Belgian Malinoiss do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Belgian Malinois or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Belgian Malinois Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Belgian Malinoiss 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 Belgian Malinoiss Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Belgian Malinoiss 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 Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Belgian Malinois vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Belgian Malinoiss have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can Belgian Malinoiss Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Belgian Malinoiss 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 Belgian Malinois or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not get along well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Belgian Malinoiss good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Belgian Malinoiss 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 Belgian Malinoiss and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Belgian Malinoiss get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Belgian Malinois Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Belgian Malinoiss are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Belgian Malinois Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Belgian Malinoiss do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Belgian Malinoiss are OK for new dog owners.

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

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