Quick Links: Table of Contents
- English Toy Spaniel Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction
- English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview
- English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Price of English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Popularity of English Toy Spaniel versus Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel versus Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Tolerates Being Alone: English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
- How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which One is a Better Pet?
English Toy Spaniel Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the English Toy 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 English Toy 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 more insight into deciding which pet to get between the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview
A very important difference between the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The English Toy Spaniel is a small-sized dog while the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the English Toy 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.
English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table
The table below compares the English Toy 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.
| Factor | English Toy Spaniel | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Being Alone | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 1/5 | 4/5 |
| Height | 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder | 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Life Span | 10 to 12 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 3/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Easygoing | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 2/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 4/5 | 5/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 1/5 | 2/5 |
| Weight | 8 to 14 pounds | 70 to 85 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 11.0 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $2350 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $2250 – $2525 | $1250 – $1900 |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests |
|
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 134 | 40 |
*Data from dogtime.com, OFA.org (The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals), petcalculator.com, wikipedia.org, ATTS.org (the American Temperament Test Society)
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the English Toy 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 a English Toy Spaniel is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for a Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not better or worse than the English Toy Spaniel. So, you can get the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Below is a list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:
The Similarities Between the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
English Toy Spaniels weigh 8 to 14 pounds when fully grown. English Toy Spaniels are 10 to 11 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 English Toy Spaniel versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback
The average price of the English Toy Spaniel puppy is $2350. The price of the English Toy Spaniel typically ranges from $2250 – $2525. However, the price of a English Toy Spaniel can be as low as $2000 and as high as $2550. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 3 English Toy 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 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 English Toy Spaniel is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
| English Toy Spaniel | Rhodesian Ridgeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $2350 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $2250 to $2525 | $1250 to $1900 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the English Toy Spaniel and Rhodesian Ridgeback. For different price points, the charts show how many English Toy Spaniel puppies or how many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of English Toy Spaniels. 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 English Toy 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 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.
The Popularity of English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy Spaniel. 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 English Toy Spaniel is 134 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of English Toy Spaniel
Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Year | English Toy Spaniel Popularity Rank | Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 135 | 39 |
| 2014 | 138 | 39 |
| 2015 | 129 | 40 |
| 2016 | 130 | 42 |
| 2017 | 134 | 41 |
| 2018 | 135 | 41 |
| 2019 | 139 | 42 |
| 2020 | 138 | 42 |
Health Problems of English Toy Spaniel 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 English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel.
This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Rhodesian Ridgeback than for the English Toy Spaniel.
4 health tests are recommended for English Toy Spaniel while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in English Toy Spaniels and in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
English Toy Spaniel Health Problems
English Toy Spaniels are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniels for:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for English Toy 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:
You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Rhodesian Ridgebacks here.
More Discussions on Health Problems in English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.
This is because the English Toy Spaniel ranks 2 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 470 English Toy Spaniels, 21 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.
The genetic diseases that were found to commonly occur in English Toy Spaniels, and how common these diseases are in English Toy Spaniels relative to other dog breeds, are given below:
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:
The table below lists the common health problems in English Toy Spaniel and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:
| Disease | English Toy Spaniel Rank | Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank |
|---|---|---|
| Congenital Cardiac problems | 2 out of 159 dog breeds | 48 out of 159 dog breeds |
| Eyes problems | 4 out of 182 dog breeds | 102 out of 182 dog breeds |
| Patella problems | 4 out of 145 dog breeds | 97 out of 145 dog breeds |
| Thyroid problems | Not Common | 11 out of 115 dog breeds |
| Shoulder problems | Not Common | 15 out of 22 dog breeds |
| Degenerative Myelopathy problems | Not Common | 31 out of 70 dog breeds |
| Dentition Database problems | Not Common | 32 out of 49 dog breeds |
| Elbow problems | Not Common | 56 out of 144 dog breeds |
| Hips problems | Not Common | 168 out of 198 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: English Toy Spaniel versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
English Toy Spaniels do not like to be left alone.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.
How Kid-friendly are English Toy Spaniels and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
English Toy Spaniels do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?
English Toy Spaniels cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Can English Toy Spaniels Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?
English Toy 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 one drools more, the English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
English Toy Spaniels do have a very low tendency to drool.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.
Wanderlust Potential: English Toy Spaniel vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback
English Toy 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.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
English Toy Spaniels are fairly easy to train.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.
Do English Toy Spaniels Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
English Toy Spaniels bark and howl, but not very much.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.
Is the English Toy Spaniel Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
English Toy Spaniels adapt very well to apartment living.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
English Toy Spaniels are very good for new dog owners.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
English Toy Spaniels get along very well with other dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.
Which is Easier to Groom, the English Toy Spaniel or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
English Toy Spaniels are very easy to groom.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.
Does the English Toy Spaniel Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
English Toy Spaniels 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.
Are English Toy Spaniels good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
English Toy Spaniels are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
Do English Toy Spaniels shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
English Toy Spaniels shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the English Toy Spaniel
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the English Toy Spaniel and how the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the English Toy Spaniel and of the Rhodesian Ridgeback to other breeds:
English Toy Spaniel Versus Other Dog Breeds
English Toy Spaniel versus American Staffordshire Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Ibizan Hound English Toy Spaniel versus English Cocker Spaniel English Toy Spaniel versus Irish Setter English Toy Spaniel versus Icelandic Sheepdog English Toy Spaniel versus Standard Schnauzer English Toy Spaniel versus Belgian Malinois English Toy Spaniel versus Silky Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus Manchester Terrier English Toy Spaniel versus German Longhaired Pointer
Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds
Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Goldador Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sloughi Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mal Shi Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Beaglier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Curly-Coated Retriever Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Biewer Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mal Shi Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lhasa Apso
Conclusion: English Toy 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 English Toy Spaniel and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.