Which is Better between the Mountain Cur and the Rhodesian Ridgeback? A Very Detailed Review.

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Mountain Cur Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

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

Mountain Cur versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Mountain Cur 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.

Mountain Cur versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Mountain Cur Rhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 16 years 10 to 12 years
Height 16 to 26 inches 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Easygoing 3/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 3/5 4/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Weight 30 to 60 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 4/5 5/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 2/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $550 $1620
Price Range $350 – $800 $1250 – $1900
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 Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur is 76 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

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

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

    The Similarities Between the Mountain Cur and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

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

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

    Mountain Curs weigh 30 to 60 pounds when fully grown. Mountain Curs are 16 to 26 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 Mountain Cur versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Mountain Curs is between 10 to 16 years. The average lifespan of Mountain Curs 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.

    Mountain Curs live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Mountain Cur versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Mountain Cur puppy is $550. The price of the Mountain Cur typically ranges from $350 – $800. However, the price of a Mountain Cur can be as low as $100 and as high as $1000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 40 Mountain Cur 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 Mountain Cur.

    Mountain Cur Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $550 $1620
    Price Range $350 to $800 $1250 to $1900

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Mountain Curs. 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 Mountain Cur puppy or the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy. This includes if health screening tests have been performed on the puppy, if the puppy is from a famous pedigree, the US State where the puppy is bred, etc.

    Nevertheless, when looking to buy a puppy, look at buying a puppy only from well-established breeders that breed puppies primarily for the love of dogs, and secondarily for profit. Do not buy a puppy from a puppy mill. Puppy mills mass-produce puppies in bad living conditions for maximum profit.

    You may also consider adopting a dog instead of buying a dog.

    Adopting the Mountain Cur versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Also, like Mountain Curs, 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 Mountain Cur and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

    Tolerates Being Alone: Mountain Cur versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Mountain Curs do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Mountain Curs shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mountain Curs do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

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

    Which one drools more, the Mountain Cur or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Mountain Curs do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Mountain Cur or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mountain Curs are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Mountain Cur Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mountain Curs 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 Mountain Curs Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mountain Curs bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Mountain Curs Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Mountain Curs can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Mountain Cur vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Mountain Curs 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 Mountain Curs Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Mountain Curs 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 Mountain Cur or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mountain Curs get along fairly well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Mountain Curs good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mountain Curs 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 Mountain Curs and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Mountain Curs get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Mountain Cur Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mountain Curs are not easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Mountain Cur Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Mountain Curs do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Mountain Curs 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 Mountain Cur

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

  • Black Mouth Cur (80 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Karelian Bear Dog (77 percent match with Mountain Cur). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Karelian Bear Dog.
  • 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 Mountain Cur vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Mountain Cur vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Mountain Cur Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Mountain Cur versus Cardigan Welsh Corgi     Mountain Cur versus Plott     Mountain Cur versus Bedlington Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Saint Berdoodle     Mountain Cur versus Finnish Lapphund     Mountain Cur versus Harrier     Mountain Cur versus Dutch Shepherd     Mountain Cur versus Boxerdoodle     Mountain Cur versus Patterdale Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Chorkie     Mountain Cur versus Sheepadoodle     Mountain Cur versus Black Russian Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Sheepadoodle     Mountain Cur versus Schnoodle     Mountain Cur versus Pomsky     Mountain Cur versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Mountain Cur versus Cocker Spaniel     Mountain Cur versus American Pit Bull Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Toy Poodle     Mountain Cur versus Border Terrier     Mountain Cur versus Braque du Bourbonnais     Mountain Cur versus Golden Retriever     Mountain Cur versus Goldador     Mountain Cur versus Canaan Dog     Mountain Cur versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Japanese Chin     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shih Tzu     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Norwegian Buhund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bulldog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Giant Schnauzer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus English Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lancashire Heeler     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Norfolk Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Afghan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Deerhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Aussiedoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chinese Shar-Pei     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Canaan Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus German Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Morkie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black Russian Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Bulldog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cairn Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bernedoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maremma Sheepdog     

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