Differences and Similarities between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the German Wirehaired Pointer belongs to the Sporting Dogs group. Sporting Dogs were bred to help hunters catch and retrieve feathered game. Some sporting dog breeds such as Retrievers, which were built for swimming, were bred to hunt waterfowl in water. Whereas sporting dog breeds like setters, spaniels, and pointing breeds were bred to hunt quail, pheasant, and other game birds nest on grasslands. Many Sporting Group breeds have thick, water-repellent coats that protect them from harsh hunting conditions.

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.

German Wirehaired Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor German Wirehaired Pointer Rhodesian Ridgeback
Height 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 60 to 70 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $990 $1620
Price Range $800 – $1200 $1250 – $1900
Temperament Score 77.8 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • 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 Breeds 65 40
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 44 52

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

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is not better or worse than the German Wirehaired Pointer. So, you can get the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the German Wirehaired Pointer!

    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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    The Similarities Between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    German Wirehaired Pointers weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. German Wirehaired Pointers are 1 foot, 10 inches to 2 feet, 2 inches tall at the 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 German Wirehaired Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of German Wirehaired Pointers 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.

    German Wirehaired Pointers live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Temperament of the German Wirehaired Pointer Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a better temperament than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent while the temperament score for the German Wirehaired Pointer is 77.8 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 77.8 percent, the German Wirehaired Pointer has a below-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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 18 German Wirehaired Pointers and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of German Wirehaired Pointer versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the German Wirehaired Pointer puppy is $990. The price of the German Wirehaired Pointer typically ranges from $800 – $1200. However, the price of a German Wirehaired Pointer can be as low as $250 and as high as $1500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 83 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback is more expensive than the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    German Wirehaired Pointer Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $990 $1620
    Price Range $800 to $1200 $1250 to $1900

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

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of German Wirehaired Pointers. 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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.

    Adopting the German Wirehaired Pointer versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointer named Whistler Nocats! that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable German Wirehaired Pointers like Whistler Nocats! on pefinder.com.

    Also, like German Wirehaired Pointers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also available for adoption. For example, Magnum is a Male Rhodesian Ridgeback that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Magnum that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Gunner is the name of another German Wirehaired Pointer (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Grady (Courtesy) is an adorable Male Rhodesian Ridgeback on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    German Wirehaired Pointers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more German Wirehaired Pointers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the German Wirehaired Pointer versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer has an obedience intelligence rank of 44 out of 130 dog breeds. The German Wirehaired Pointer belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer. 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 German Wirehaired Pointer is 65 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer

    Popularity of German Wirehaired Pointer

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Year German Wirehaired Pointer Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 71 39
    2014 71 39
    2015 68 40
    2016 64 42
    2017 62 41
    2018 63 41
    2019 63 42
    2020 60 42

    Health Problems of German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer 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 the same number of genetic health problems as the German Wirehaired Pointer.

    6 health tests are recommended for German Wirehaired Pointer while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in German Wirehaired Pointers and in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    German Wirehaired Pointer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- any age, yearly if in a breeding program
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointer Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the German Wirehaired Pointer ranks 14 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1161 German Wirehaired Pointers, 107 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 14 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 35 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 37 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 87 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 126 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 128 out of 182 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

    Disease German Wirehaired Pointer Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank
    Thyroid problems 14 out of 115 dog breeds 11 out of 115 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 35 out of 159 dog breeds 48 out of 159 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 37 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 87 out of 144 dog breeds 56 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 126 out of 198 dog breeds 168 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 128 out of 182 dog breeds 102 out of 182 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
    Patella problems Not Common 97 out of 145 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: German Wirehaired Pointer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do German Wirehaired Pointers shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    German Wirehaired Pointers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the German Wirehaired Pointer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointers Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    German Wirehaired Pointers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: German Wirehaired Pointer vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    German Wirehaired Pointers have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can German Wirehaired Pointers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are German Wirehaired Pointers good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    German Wirehaired Pointers 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 German Wirehaired Pointers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    German Wirehaired Pointers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the German Wirehaired Pointer Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    German Wirehaired Pointers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the German Wirehaired Pointer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    German Wirehaired Pointers are OK for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer:

  • Australian Kelpie (81 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Australian Kelpie.
  • German Pinscher (83 percent match with German Wirehaired Pointer). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs German Pinscher.
  • 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 German Wirehaired Pointer vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

    You may also be interested in how the German Wirehaired Pointer and how the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the German Wirehaired Pointer and of the Rhodesian Ridgeback to other breeds:

    German Wirehaired Pointer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    German Wirehaired Pointer versus Hovawart     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Belgian Sheepdog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Portuguese Water Dog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus American Pit Bull Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Golden Cocker Retriever     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Boykin Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Komondor     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Irish Wolfhound     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Xoloitzcuintli     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Kerry Blue Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Kerry Blue Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Carolina Dog     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Papipoo     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pug     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Pomsky     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Toy Poodle     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Affenhuahua     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Silky Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Airedale Terrier     German Wirehaired Pointer versus English Springer Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Leonberger     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Shichon     German Wirehaired Pointer versus English Setter     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Cavalier King Charles Spaniel     German Wirehaired Pointer versus Lakeland Terrier     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cockalier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Eskimo Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Canaan Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Tibetan Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boston Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Newfoundland     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Poodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Belgian Tervuren     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Spanish Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Deerhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Schnoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus German Longhaired Pointer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Kai Ken     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Toy Fox Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dogo Argentino     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mountain Cur     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sussex Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Labradoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Berger Picard     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maltese     

    Conclusion: German Wirehaired Pointer 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 German Wirehaired Pointer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.