Is the King Shepherd Better than the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a Pet? Answer…

Quick Links: Table of Contents

King Shepherd Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

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

King Shepherd versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

King Shepherd versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

A very important difference between the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The King Shepherd is a giant-sized dog while the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog.

Furthermore, the King Shepherd belongs to the Hybrid Dogs group. Hybrid Dogs are the offspring of 2 or more known, but different, dog breeds.

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.

King Shepherd versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor King Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback
Life Span 10 to 11 years 10 to 12 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Height 25 to 31 inches 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
General Health 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 2/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Intelligence 5/5 4/5
Weight 75 to 150 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Average Lifespan 10.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1560 $1620
Price Range $700 – $2500 $1250 – $1900
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd is 84 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Below is a list of where the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:

  • King Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • King Shepherds adapt well to apartment living. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of King Shepherd versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    King Shepherds weigh 75 to 150 pounds when fully grown. King Shepherds are 25 to 31 inches 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 King Shepherd versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of King Shepherds is between 10 to 11 years . The average lifespan of King Shepherds is 10.5 years.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks live longer than King Shepherds.

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the King Shepherd

    The King Shepherd has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the King Shepherd is 100.0 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 100.0 percent, the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 1 King Shepherds and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of King Shepherd versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the King Shepherd puppy is $1560. The price of the King Shepherd typically ranges from $700 – $2500. However, the price of a King Shepherd can be as low as $150 and as high as $3000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 34 King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd.

    King Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $1560 $1620
    Price Range $700 to $2500 $1250 to $1900

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

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds. The typical price range is shaded Green.

    A breakdown of the prices of King Shepherds. 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 King Shepherd 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.

    Tolerates Being Alone: King Shepherd versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    King Shepherds do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do King Shepherds shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherd or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    King Shepherds have a very high tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the King Shepherd or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    King Shepherds are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the King Shepherd Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    King Shepherds have a very low prey drive. This means they get won`t chase after smaller pets. They tend to 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 King Shepherds Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    King Shepherds are not very vocal. They do not tend to bark and howl.

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

    Can King Shepherds Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    King Shepherds can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: King Shepherd vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    King Shepherds have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

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

    Can King Shepherds Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherd or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    King Shepherds get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are King Shepherds good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    King Shepherds get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the King Shepherd Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    King Shepherds are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the King Shepherd Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    King Shepherds adapt very well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the King Shepherd or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    King Shepherds 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 King Shepherd

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd:

  • Chinook (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Chinook.
  • Shiloh Shepherd (75 percent match with King Shepherd). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Shiloh Shepherd.
  • 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 King Shepherd vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the King Shepherd vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    King Shepherd Versus Other Dog Breeds

    King Shepherd versus Frenchton     King Shepherd versus Rottweiler     King Shepherd versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     King Shepherd versus Bordoodle     King Shepherd versus Chinese Crested     King Shepherd versus Redbone Coonhound     King Shepherd versus Dogo Argentino     King Shepherd versus Chi-Poo     King Shepherd versus Yorkshire Terrier     King Shepherd versus Dachshund     King Shepherd versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     King Shepherd versus Catahoula Leopard Dog     King Shepherd versus Pyrenean Mastiff     King Shepherd versus Akbash     King Shepherd versus Scottish Terrier     King Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     King Shepherd versus Silky Terrier     King Shepherd versus Leonberger     King Shepherd versus English Setter     King Shepherd versus Bordoodle     King Shepherd versus Bernedoodle     King Shepherd versus Maremma Sheepdog     King Shepherd versus Finnish Lapphund     King Shepherd versus Cavapoo     King Shepherd versus Saluki     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bullmastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Biewer Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Afador     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lancashire Heeler     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Carolina Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Silky Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiranian     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Welsh Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sheepadoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cocker Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Afghan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Norwegian Lundehund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Biewer Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Fila Brasileiro     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Havanese     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chinook     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pekingese     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chinook     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Silky Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Barbet     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Swedish Vallhund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Finnish Lapphund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Basenji     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mountain Cur     

    Conclusion: King Shepherd 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 King Shepherd and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.