Breed Comparison: Giant Schnauzer Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Giant Schnauzer Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Giant Schnauzer belongs to the Working Dogs group. Working Dogs were developed to assist humans in some capacity – including pulling sleds and carts, guarding flocks, guarding homes, and protecting their families. Breeds in the Working Group are known for their imposing stature, strength, intelligence, and fearless. Because of their size and strength, working dogs require a structured home life and firm, fair, consistent training by someone who can provide leadership without resorting to anger or physical force.

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.

Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

FactorGiant SchnauzerRhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/51/5
Good For Novice Owners1/52/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Life Span10 to 12 years10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone2/52/5
Tolerates Hot Weather2/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers2/53/5
Easy To Groom2/55/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor4/52/5
Height23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Kid-Friendly3/54/5
Dog Friendly3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Tolerates Cold Weather4/53/5
Does NOT Shed2/52/5
General Health4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
Low Prey Drive2/51/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl2/55/5
Tendency NOT to Wander2/51/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Train5/52/5
NOT Rambunctious1/52/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/51/5
Potential For Playfulness5/55/5
Weight55 to 80 pounds70 to 85 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years11.0 years
Average Price$2220$1620
Price Range$1800 – $2500$1250 – $1900
Temperament Score77.4 percent84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
    • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds7740
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)2852

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer is 70 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 a better pet than the Giant Schnauzer. So, you should get the Rhodesian Ridgeback!

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

    Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Giant Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.
  • Giant Schnauzers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    • The Similarities Between the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Giant Schnauzers weigh 55 to 80 pounds when fully grown. Giant Schnauzers are 23 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Rhodesian Ridgebacks weigh 70 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is between 10 to 12 years. The average lifespan of Giant Schnauzers is 11.0 years.

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

    Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Temperament of the Giant Schnauzer Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a better temperament than the Giant Schnauzer.

    This is because the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent while the temperament score for the Giant Schnauzer is 77.4 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 77.4 percent, the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 265 Giant Schnauzers and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Giant Schnauzer versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Giant Schnauzer puppy is $2220. The price of the Giant Schnauzer typically ranges from $1800 – $2500. However, the price of a Giant Schnauzer can be as low as $1200 and as high as $3500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 114 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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    Giant Schnauzer Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $2220 $1620
    Price Range $1800 to $2500 $1250 to $1900

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Giant Schnauzers. 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 Giant Schnauzer 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.

    Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Adopting the Giant Schnauzer versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer named Hendrix – Chino Hills Location that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Giant Schnauzers like Hendrix – Chino Hills Location on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Giant Schnauzers, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also available for adoption. For example, Lando is a Male Rhodesian Ridgeback that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Lando that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    You can find more Giant Schnauzers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Giant Schnauzer versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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    Giant Schnauzer Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Intelligence Rank 28 out of 130 dog breeds 52 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 15 To 25 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 Giant Schnauzer has an obedience intelligence rank of 28 out of 130 dog breeds. The Giant Schnauzer belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Giant Schnauzers tend to learn new commands after 15 to 25 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer. 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 Giant Schnauzer is 77 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Giant Schnauzer

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

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    Year Giant Schnauzer Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 83 39
    2014 83 39
    2015 81 40
    2016 79 42
    2017 80 41
    2018 78 41
    2019 71 42
    2020 67 42

    Health Problems of Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Rhodesian Ridgeback than for the Giant Schnauzer.

    3 health tests are recommended for Giant Schnauzer while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Giant Schnauzers and in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Giant Schnauzer Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer Breed is Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

    This is because the Giant Schnauzer ranks 9 out of 32 dog breeds for Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 86 Giant Schnauzers, 1 of them had Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems.

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

  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 9 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 26 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 48 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 51 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 54 out of 198 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 Giant Schnauzer and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Giant Schnauzer and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

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    Disease Giant Schnauzer Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 9 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Thyroid problems 26 out of 115 dog breeds 11 out of 115 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 48 out of 144 dog breeds 56 out of 144 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 51 out of 182 dog breeds 102 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 54 out of 198 dog breeds 168 out of 198 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
    Congenital Cardiac problems Not Common 48 out of 159 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: Giant Schnauzer versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Giant Schnauzers do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Giant Schnauzers shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Giant Schnauzers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Giant Schnauzer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Giant Schnauzers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Giant Schnauzer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Giant Schnauzers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Giant Schnauzer Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Giant Schnauzers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Can Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Giant Schnauzer vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzer or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Giant Schnauzers good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Giant Schnauzers 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 Giant Schnauzers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Giant Schnauzers get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Giant Schnauzers are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Giant Schnauzer Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Giant Schnauzers do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Giant Schnauzers are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Giant Schnauzer

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Giant Schnauzer 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 Giant Schnauzer:

  • Airedale Terrier (76 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Airedale Terrier.
  • Gordon Setter (79 percent match with Giant Schnauzer). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Gordon Setter.

    • 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 Giant Schnauzer vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Giant Schnauzer vs Bracco Italiano.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Giant Schnauzer Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Giant Schnauzer versus Finnish Lapphund     Giant Schnauzer versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon     Giant Schnauzer versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Giant Schnauzer versus Norfolk Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Maremma Sheepdog     Giant Schnauzer versus Coton de Tulear     Giant Schnauzer versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Frenchton     Giant Schnauzer versus Afghan Hound     Giant Schnauzer versus Akbash     Giant Schnauzer versus Chorkie     Giant Schnauzer versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Giant Schnauzer versus Doberman Pinscher     Giant Schnauzer versus Karelian Bear Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Carolina Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Lagotto Romagnolo     Giant Schnauzer versus Harrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Afghan Hound     Giant Schnauzer versus Affenpinscher     Giant Schnauzer versus Yorkshire Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Australian Shepherd     Giant Schnauzer versus Italian Greyhound     Giant Schnauzer versus Tibetan Terrier     Giant Schnauzer versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Giant Schnauzer versus Finnish Spitz     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Manchester Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus King Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boston Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bich Poo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Golden Retriever     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cane Corso     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Tibetan Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dachshund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Finnish Spitz     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Schnoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shihpoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus German Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chow Chow     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Field Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sussex Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maltese     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Hairless Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Basset Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boykin Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mal Shi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maltese     

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