Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better than the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a Pet? Answer…

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Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

A very important difference between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.

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.

Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

FactorCavalier King Charles SpanielRhodesian Ridgeback
Tolerates Being Alone1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Height12 to 13 inches at the shoulder24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Weight13 to 18 pounds70 to 85 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl4/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander4/51/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather3/53/5
Does NOT Shed3/52/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Low Prey Drive3/51/5
NOT Rambunctious3/52/5
Easy To Groom4/55/5
General Health4/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight2/53/5
Easy To Train4/52/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Minimal Exercise Needs2/51/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living5/51/5
Good For Novice Owners5/52/5
Easygoing1/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Kid-Friendly5/54/5
Dog Friendly5/54/5
Friendly Toward Strangers5/53/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Life Span9 to 15 years10 to 12 years
Average Lifespan12.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$2440$1620
Price Range$1800 – $3000$1250 – $1900
Temperament Score85.5 percent84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds1840
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)4452

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 91 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

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

    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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Below is a list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:

  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt well to apartment living. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are good for new dog owners. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • The Similarities Between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most similar:

  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels weigh 13 to 18 pounds when fully grown. Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are 12 to 13 inches 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is between 9 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels is 12.0 years.

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

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 85.5 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 85.5 percent, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 62 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy is $2440. The price of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel typically ranges from $1800 – $3000. However, the price of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel can be as low as $300 and as high as $29550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1217 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 the 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $2440 $1620
    Price Range $1800 to $3000 $1250 to $1900

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Cavalier King Charles Spaniels. 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Adopting the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Bruno that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Cavalier King Charles Spaniels like Bruno on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also available for adoption. For example, Skip is a Male Rhodesian Ridgeback that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Skip that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Shylo is the name of another Cavalier King Charles Spaniel (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Intelligence Rank 44 out of 130 dog breeds 52 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The Cavalier King Charles Spaniel belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Cavalier King Charles Spaniels tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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.

    The Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is more popular with dog owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel is 18 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 40 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

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    Year Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 18 39
    2014 19 39
    2015 18 40
    2016 19 42
    2017 19 41
    2018 18 41
    2019 16 42
    2020 17 42

    Health Problems of Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Rhodesian Ridgeback than for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel.

    4 health tests are recommended for Cavalier King Charles Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Health Problems

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels for:

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination;
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation

  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Rhodesian Ridgebacks

    Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Breed is Episodic Falling problems.

    This is because the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel ranks 1 out of 1 dog breeds for Episodic Falling problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 454 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, 3 of them had Episodic Falling problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in Cavalier King Charles Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Episodic Falling problems: Rank 1 out of 1 Dog Breeds
  • Basic Cardiac problems: Rank 3 out of 16 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 4 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 13 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 16 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 19 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 73 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 79 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 101 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 115 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Based on our analysis of data from the Orthopedic Foundation for Animals, of all known genetic health problems in dogs, the health problem that is most commonly seen in the Rhodesian Ridgeback Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks 11 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 6564 Rhodesian Ridgebacks, 636 of them had Thyroid problems.

    The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in Rhodesian Ridgebacks, and how common these diseases are in Rhodesian Ridgebacks relative to other dog breeds, are given below:

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 11 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 15 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 31 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Dentition Database problems: Rank 32 out of 49 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 48 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 56 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 97 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 102 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 168 out of 198 Dog Breeds

  • The table below lists the common health problems in Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

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    Disease Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank
    Episodic Falling problems 1 out of 1 dog breeds Not Common
    Basic Cardiac problems 3 out of 16 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 4 out of 70 dog breeds 31 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 13 out of 159 dog breeds 48 out of 159 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 16 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Dentition Database problems 19 out of 49 dog breeds 32 out of 49 dog breeds
    Patella problems 73 out of 145 dog breeds 97 out of 145 dog breeds
    Hips problems 79 out of 198 dog breeds 168 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 101 out of 182 dog breeds 102 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 115 out of 144 dog breeds 56 out of 144 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 11 out of 115 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 15 out of 22 dog breeds
    *To learn more about each of these diseases, go to OFA.org and search for the disease.

    Again, most of these health problems can be prevented through health screening. Responsible breeders screen male and female dog parents for genetic problems. These breeders will only breed dogs that are free of genetic defects. That way, there is little or no chance that their puppies will grow up to have genetic health problems. Always ask a breeder for the list of health tests the breeder screens their dogs for before buying a puppy from such a breeder.

    Tolerates Being Alone: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Cavalier King Charles Spaniels good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniels and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel:

  • Cavachon (84 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Cavachon.
  • Cockalier (81 percent match with Cavalier King Charles Spaniel). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Cockalier.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    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:

  • Black Mouth Cur (79 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and how the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and of the Rhodesian Ridgeback to other breeds:

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boxerdoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Westiepoo     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bull Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Barbet     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Schipperke     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Boykin Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Cocker Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Weimaraner     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Shiranian     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus English Cocker Spaniel     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Berger Picard     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pomchi     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Bedlington Terrier     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Australian Kelpie     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Pyredoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Xoloitzcuintli     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Coton de Tulear     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Aussiedoodle     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Fila Brasileiro     Cavalier King Charles Spaniel versus Plott     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus English Toy Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Australian Kelpie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pointer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bulldog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bull Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lhasapoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Japanese Spitz     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Foxhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Akita     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Whoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus German Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Biewer Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dachshund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black Russian Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boykin Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Irish Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Keeshond     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boxer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Berger Picard     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dalmatian     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Brussels Griffon     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     

    Conclusion: Cavalier King Charles Spaniel 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 Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.