Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback. Final Verdict on Which one is a Better Pet.

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Newfoundland Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

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

Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Newfoundland 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.

Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Newfoundland Rhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 1/5 2/5
General Health 1/5 4/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 5/5 2/5
Weight 100 to 150 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Tolerates Hot Weather 2/5 3/5
Easy To Groom 2/5 5/5
Height 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 5 inches tall at the sho 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Good For Novice Owners 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 3/5 1/5
NOT Rambunctious 3/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 3/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 2/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 2/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 2/5 5/5
Potential For Playfulness 4/5 5/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 5/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Kid-Friendly 5/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 1/5 5/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Life Span 8 to 10 years 10 to 12 years
Average Lifespan 9.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2160 $1620
Price Range $1875 – $2500 $1250 – $1900
Temperament Score 87.5 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA Website
  • 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 37 40
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 34 52

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

    Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Newfoundlands have the tendency to develop certain health problems. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Newfoundlands do the things they do with very low vigor. They are not forceful. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Newfoundlands require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.
  • Newfoundlands 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.
  • Newfoundlands have a very high tendency to drool. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Newfoundlands are very easy to train. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.
  • Both the Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very friendly towards strangers.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback gain weight easily. You need to pay careful attention to what you feed them.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very playful.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Newfoundlands weigh 100 to 150 pounds when fully grown. Newfoundlands are 2 feet, 1 inch to 2 feet, 5 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 Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Newfoundlands is between 8 to 10 years. The average lifespan of Newfoundlands is 9.0 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 Newfoundlands.

    Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Temperament of the Newfoundland Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Newfoundland has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Newfoundland is 87.5 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 87.5 percent, the Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 176 Newfoundlands and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Newfoundland versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Newfoundland puppy is $2160. The price of the Newfoundland typically ranges from $1875 – $2500. However, the price of a Newfoundland can be as low as $350 and as high as $4000. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 204 Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Newfoundland Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $2160 $1620
    Price Range $1875 to $2500 $1250 to $1900

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Newfoundlands. 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 Newfoundland 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.

    Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Adopting the Newfoundland versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Also, like Newfoundlands, 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 Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

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

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

    The Intelligence of the Newfoundland versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Newfoundland Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Intelligence Rank 34 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 Newfoundland has an obedience intelligence rank of 34 out of 130 dog breeds. The Newfoundland belongs to the `Above Average Working Dogs` category. This means that Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Newfoundland is more popular with dog owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Newfoundland is 37 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 40 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Newfoundland

    Popularity of Newfoundland

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Year Newfoundland Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 37 39
    2014 37 39
    2015 37 40
    2016 35 42
    2017 36 41
    2018 40 41
    2019 40 42
    2020 41 42

    Health Problems of Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland 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 Newfoundland.

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

    5 health tests are recommended for Newfoundland while 6 tests are recommended for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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

    Newfoundland Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Cystinuria
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • OFA Website
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundland Breed is Shoulder problems.

    This is because the Newfoundland ranks 1 out of 22 dog breeds for Shoulder problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 129 Newfoundlands, 13 of them had Shoulder problems.

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

  • Shoulder problems: Rank 1 out of 22 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 15 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 28 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 33 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 36 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 48 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 78 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 101 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 122 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 Newfoundland and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Newfoundland and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

    Disease Newfoundland Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank
    Shoulder problems 1 out of 22 dog breeds 15 out of 22 dog breeds
    Elbow problems 15 out of 144 dog breeds 56 out of 144 dog breeds
    Hips problems 28 out of 198 dog breeds 168 out of 198 dog breeds
    Congenital Cardiac problems 33 out of 159 dog breeds 48 out of 159 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 36 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 48 out of 70 dog breeds 31 out of 70 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 78 out of 182 dog breeds 102 out of 182 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems 101 out of 115 dog breeds 11 out of 115 dog breeds
    Patella problems 122 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: Newfoundland versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Newfoundlands do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Newfoundlands shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundland or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Newfoundlands have a very high tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

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

    Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundlands Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

    Newfoundlands can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Newfoundland vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundlands Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundland or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Newfoundlands get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Newfoundlands good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundlands and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

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

    Is the Newfoundland Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Newfoundlands are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

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

    Newfoundlands do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Newfoundlands 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 Newfoundland

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

  • Golden Retriever (71 percent match with Newfoundland). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Golden Retriever.
  • Saint Bernard (68 percent match with Newfoundland). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Saint Bernard.
  • Bernese Mountain Dog (79 percent match with Newfoundland). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bernese Mountain 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 Newfoundland vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Newfoundland vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Newfoundland Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Newfoundland versus Ibizan Hound     Newfoundland versus English Toy Spaniel     Newfoundland versus Korean Jindo Dog     Newfoundland versus Bullmastiff     Newfoundland versus Japanese Spitz     Newfoundland versus Miniature Schnauzer     Newfoundland versus Boerboel     Newfoundland versus Finnish Lapphund     Newfoundland versus Bloodhound     Newfoundland versus German Shepherd Dog     Newfoundland versus Great Dane     Newfoundland versus Saint Berdoodle     Newfoundland versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Newfoundland versus Maltipoo     Newfoundland versus Bluetick Coonhound     Newfoundland versus Shetland Sheepdog     Newfoundland versus Australian Cattle Dog     Newfoundland versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Newfoundland versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Newfoundland versus Karelian Bear Dog     Newfoundland versus Lakeland Terrier     Newfoundland versus Chow Chow     Newfoundland versus Xoloitzcuintli     Newfoundland versus Catahoula Bulldog     Newfoundland versus Doberman Pinscher     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Peek A Poo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bluetick Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lowchen     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Tibetan Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Collie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Bulldog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Neapolitan Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiranian     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lancashire Heeler     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bichon Frise     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Finnish Spitz     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mudi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Canaan Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Afador     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cockalier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shihpoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pomchi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Yorkshire Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Aussiedoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cane Corso     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Akita Chow     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Pinscher     

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