Is the Irish Setter Better than the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a Pet? Answer…

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Irish Setter Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Irish Setter 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.

Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Irish Setter Rhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Life Span 11 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 4/5 5/5
General Health 2/5 4/5
Height 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 5/5 3/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 1/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
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 $1680 $1620
Price Range $1200 – $2200 $1250 – $1900
Temperament Score 90.9 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • 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 74 40
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 35 52

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter is 73 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 Irish Setter. 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 Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Below is a list of where the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:

  • Irish Setters 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.
  • The Similarities Between the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Irish Setters weigh 60 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Irish Setters are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 3 inches tall at the sho 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 Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Irish Setters is between 11 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Irish Setters 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.

    Irish Setters live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Temperament of the Irish Setter Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Irish Setter has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Irish Setter is 90.9 percent while the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

    The American Temperament Test Society (ATTS) is a non-profit organization whose mission is to provide fair and objective evaluations of the temperaments of dog breeds.

    Dog breeds with low temperament scores tend to show unprovoked aggression, they easily panic without quickly recovering from the panic, and they tend to avoid people. However, dog breeds with high temperament scores are not aggressive and are not shy. Also, these dogs are generally friendly and are protective of their owners.

    The average temperament score across all dog breeds (over 250 breeds) is 83.7 percent.

    With its temperament score of 90.9 percent, the Irish Setter has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 84.2 percent, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 154 Irish Setters and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Irish Setter versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Irish Setter puppy is $1680. The price of the Irish Setter typically ranges from $1200 – $2200. However, the price of a Irish Setter can be as low as $500 and as high as $3200. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 105 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Irish Setter Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $1680 $1620
    Price Range $1200 to $2200 $1250 to $1900

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of Irish Setters. 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 Irish Setter 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.

    Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Adopting the Irish Setter versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter named Oliver & Maggie Together Only that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Irish Setters like Oliver & Maggie Together Only on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Irish Setters, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also available for adoption. For example, Ray Jay is a Male Rhodesian Ridgeback that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Ray Jay that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

    The Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Gordon – 831 is the name of another Irish Setter (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    You can find more Irish Setters and Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are available for adoption on petfinder.

    The Intelligence of the Irish Setter versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Irish Setter Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Intelligence Rank 35 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 Irish Setter has an obedience intelligence rank of 35 out of 130 dog breeds. The Irish Setter belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter. 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 Irish Setter is 74 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Popularity of Irish Setter

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Year Irish Setter Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 72 39
    2014 73 39
    2015 72 40
    2016 76 42
    2017 72 41
    2018 77 41
    2019 79 42
    2020 75 42

    Health Problems of Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter.

    This is because the OFA recommends more screening health tests for the Rhodesian Ridgeback than for the Irish Setter.

    3 health tests are recommended for Irish Setter while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Irish Setters and in Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Irish Setter Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter Breed is Thyroid problems.

    This is because the Irish Setter ranks 13 out of 115 dog breeds for Thyroid problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 1455 Irish Setters, 139 of them had Thyroid problems.

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

  • Thyroid problems: Rank 13 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 35 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 67 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 92 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 99 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 Irish Setter and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

    Disease Irish Setter Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank
    Thyroid problems 13 out of 115 dog breeds 11 out of 115 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 35 out of 70 dog breeds 31 out of 70 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 67 out of 182 dog breeds 102 out of 182 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 92 out of 144 dog breeds 56 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 99 out of 198 dog breeds 168 out of 198 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 15 out of 22 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: Irish Setter versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Irish Setters do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Irish Setters shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Irish Setters do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Irish Setter or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Irish Setters are moderately easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Irish Setter Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Irish Setters can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Irish Setter vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Irish Setters can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Irish Setter or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Irish Setters get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Irish Setters good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setters and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Irish Setters get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Irish Setter Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Irish Setters are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Irish Setter Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Irish Setters do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Irish Setter or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Irish Setters 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 Irish Setter

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter:

  • Curly-Coated Retriever (82 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Curly-Coated Retriever.
  • English Setter (83 percent match with Irish Setter). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs English 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 Irish Setter vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Irish Setter vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Irish Setter Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Irish Setter versus English Toy Spaniel     Irish Setter versus Norwegian Lundehund     Irish Setter versus Goldendoodle     Irish Setter versus Cairn Terrier     Irish Setter versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Irish Setter versus Labradoodle     Irish Setter versus Frenchton     Irish Setter versus Bedlington Terrier     Irish Setter versus Xoloitzcuintli     Irish Setter versus Golden Retriever     Irish Setter versus Jack Russell Terrier     Irish Setter versus Schipperke     Irish Setter versus Finnish Spitz     Irish Setter versus Norwegian Buhund     Irish Setter versus Afghan Hound     Irish Setter versus Keeshond     Irish Setter versus French Spaniel     Irish Setter versus Akbash     Irish Setter versus Shiba Inu     Irish Setter versus Cavachon     Irish Setter versus Afador     Irish Setter versus Fila Brasileiro     Irish Setter versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Irish Setter versus Bloodhound     Irish Setter versus Catahoula Bulldog     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Papillon     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Morkie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Manchester Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Foxhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Australian Cattle Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bordoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Labradoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus English Cocker Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Redbone Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus French Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mountain Cur     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Berdoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Azawakh     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pomapoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Great Dane     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cockalier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sheepadoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bernese Mountain Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Standard Schnauzer     

    Conclusion: Irish Setter 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 Irish Setter and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.