Breed Comparison: Mastiff Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Mastiff Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

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

Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Mastiff 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.

Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Mastiff Rhodesian Ridgeback
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 1/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 5/5 1/5
Weight 130 to 220 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 2/5 1/5
Dog Friendly 2/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 2/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 4/5 5/5
Height 27 to 32 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Shed 3/5 2/5
Easy To Groom 3/5 5/5
General Health 3/5 4/5
Easy To Train 3/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Does NOT chew on things 2/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Life Span 6 to 10 years 10 to 12 years
Average Lifespan 8.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $1740 $1620
Price Range $1100 – $2200 $1250 – $1900
Temperament Score 100.0 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Minimum age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PennGen
  • 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 28 40
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 72 52

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Mastiff 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 Mastiff is 72 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 Mastiff. 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 Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Mastiffs 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.
  • Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not have the tendency to drool.
  • The Similarities Between the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate cold weather.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are prone to nip and chew at things.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Mastiffs weigh 130 to 220 pounds when fully grown. Mastiffs are 27 to 32 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 Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Mastiffs is between 6 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Mastiffs is 8.0 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 Mastiffs.

    Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Temperament of the Mastiff Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Mastiff has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 8 Mastiffs and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Mastiff versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Mastiff puppy is $1740. The price of the Mastiff typically ranges from $1100 – $2200. However, the price of a Mastiff can be as low as $200 and as high as $4600. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 248 Mastiff 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 Mastiff is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Mastiff Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $1740 $1620
    Price Range $1100 to $2200 $1250 to $1900

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Mastiffs. 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 Mastiff 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.

    Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Adopting the Mastiff versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Mastiffs 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 Mastiff named Dallas that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Mastiffs like Dallas on pefinder.com.

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

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

    Tippin is the name of another Mastiff (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

    Also, Bogo is an adorable Male Rhodesian Ridgeback on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

    Mastiffs and Rhodesian Ridgebacks are always available for adoption. Images from petfinder.com

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

    The Intelligence of the Mastiff versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Mastiff Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Intelligence Rank 72 out of 130 dog breeds 52 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 80 To 100 Repetitions Or More! 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 Mastiff has an obedience intelligence rank of 72 out of 130 dog breeds. The Mastiff belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Mastiffs tend to learn new commands after 80 to 100 repetitions or more!.

    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 Rhodesian Ridgeback is more intelligent than the Mastiff.

    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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Mastiff is more popular with dog owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Mastiff is 28 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 40 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Mastiff

    Popularity of Mastiff

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Year Mastiff Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 26 39
    2014 26 39
    2015 25 40
    2016 28 42
    2017 28 41
    2018 29 41
    2019 32 42
    2020 33 42

    Health Problems of Mastiff 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 Mastiff 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 Mastiff is prone to more genetic health problems than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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

    7 health tests are recommended for Mastiff while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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

    Mastiff Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination- Minimum age 24 months
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • PennGen
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs 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 Mastiff Breed is Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.

    This is because the Mastiff ranks 3 out of 6 dog breeds for Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 891 Mastiffs, 14 of them had Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems.

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

  • Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems: Rank 3 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Cystinuria problems: Rank 3 out of 6 Dog Breeds
  • Shoulder problems: Rank 9 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems: Rank 12 out of 32 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 26 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 39 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 39 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 43 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 49 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 53 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 72 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 131 out of 145 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 Mastiff and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Mastiff and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

    Disease Mastiff Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank
    Canine Multifocal Retinopathy problems 3 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Cystinuria problems 3 out of 6 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 9 out of 22 dog breeds 15 out of 22 dog breeds
    Progressive Retinal Atrophy problems 12 out of 32 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 26 out of 144 dog breeds 56 out of 144 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 39 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 39 out of 198 dog breeds 168 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 43 out of 182 dog breeds 102 out of 182 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 49 out of 70 dog breeds 31 out of 70 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 53 out of 159 dog breeds 48 out of 159 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 72 out of 115 dog breeds 11 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 131 out of 145 dog breeds 97 out of 145 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 32 out of 49 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: Mastiff versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Mastiffs can be left alone only for a short time.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mastiffs shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mastiffs shed moderately.

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

    Which one drools more, the Mastiff or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Mastiffs have a very high tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mastiff or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mastiffs are moderately easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mastiff Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mastiffs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mastiff vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Mastiffs do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

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

    Can Mastiffs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiff or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mastiffs do not get along well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mastiffs good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiffs and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mastiffs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Mastiff Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mastiffs are fairly easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Mastiff Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mastiffs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Mastiffs 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 Mastiff

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

  • Black Russian Terrier (73 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black Russian Terrier.
  • Caucasian Shepherd Dog (72 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Caucasian Shepherd Dog.
  • Dogue de Bordeaux (72 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Dogue de Bordeaux.
  • Leonberger (73 percent match with Mastiff). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Leonberger.
  • 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 Mastiff vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Mastiff vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mastiff Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mastiff versus Portuguese Water Dog     Mastiff versus Sussex Spaniel     Mastiff versus Boykin Spaniel     Mastiff versus Pomsky     Mastiff versus Saint Berdoodle     Mastiff versus Labradoodle     Mastiff versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Mastiff versus Yorkipoo     Mastiff versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Mastiff versus Patterdale Terrier     Mastiff versus Pomeranian     Mastiff versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Mastiff versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Mastiff versus Boxerdoodle     Mastiff versus Pomapoo     Mastiff versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Mastiff versus Hovawart     Mastiff versus Cavachon     Mastiff versus Catahoula Bulldog     Mastiff versus Bulldog     Mastiff versus Papillon     Mastiff versus Saluki     Mastiff versus Skye Terrier     Mastiff versus Coton de Tulear     Mastiff versus Lhasapoo     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Redbone Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Australian Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Jack Russell Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Ibizan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bernedoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus German Shorthaired Pointer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Border Collie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cesky Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bullmastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chorkie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Beaglier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Newfoundland     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black Russian Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Alaskan Malamute     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Borzoi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Belgian Tervuren     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Swedish Vallhund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Berger Picard     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Doberman Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Belgian Malinois     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Brussels Griffon     

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