Is the Norfolk Terrier Better than the Rhodesian Ridgeback as a Pet? Answer…

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Norfolk Terrier Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

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

Norfolk Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

Norfolk Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, the Norfolk Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

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.

Norfolk Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Norfolk Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback
Does NOT Shed 5/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 5/5 1/5
Weight 11 to 12 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Life Span 12 to 15 years 10 to 12 years
Does NOT chew on things 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Being Alone 3/5 2/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 3/5 5/5
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 4/5 1/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 4/5 3/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 4/5 3/5
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
Minimal Exercise Needs 2/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 5/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 1/5 3/5
Easy To Train 5/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Height 9 to 10 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Average Lifespan 13.5 years 11.0 years
Average Price $2500 $1620
Price Range $2500 – $2500 $1250 – $1900
Temperament Score 92.9 percent 84.2 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation
  • 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 130 40
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 56 52

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier is 94 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.

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

    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 Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Norfolk Terriers do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Norfolk Terriers 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.
  • Norfolk Terriers adapt well to apartment living. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Norfolk Terriers are good for new dog owners. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Norfolk Terriers are very easy to train. However, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.
  • The Similarities Between the Norfolk Terrier and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

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

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

    Norfolk Terriers weigh 11 to 12 pounds when fully grown. Norfolk Terriers are 9 to 10 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 Norfolk Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Norfolk Terriers is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Norfolk Terriers is 13.5 years.

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

    Norfolk Terriers live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Norfolk Terrier

    The Norfolk Terrier has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Norfolk Terrier is 92.9 percent while the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent, according to the American Temperament Test Society (ATTS).

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

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

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

    With its temperament score of 92.9 percent, the Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 14 Norfolk Terriers and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Norfolk Terrier versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Norfolk Terrier puppy is $2500. The price of the Norfolk Terrier typically ranges from $2500 – $2500. However, the price of a Norfolk Terrier can be as low as $2500 and as high as $2500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 1 Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Norfolk Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $2500 $1620
    Price Range $2500 to $2500 $1250 to $1900

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Norfolk Terriers. 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 Norfolk Terrier 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.

    The Intelligence of the Norfolk Terrier versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Norfolk Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Intelligence Rank 56 out of 130 dog breeds 52 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 Norfolk Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 56 out of 130 dog breeds. The Norfolk Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Norfolk Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback is more intelligent than the Norfolk Terrier.

    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 Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier and the Rhodesian Ridgeback over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the Norfolk Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 40 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Norfolk Terrier is 130 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Norfolk Terrier

    Popularity of Norfolk Terrier

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Year Norfolk Terrier Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 129 39
    2014 131 39
    2015 131 40
    2016 134 42
    2017 128 41
    2018 126 41
    2019 131 42
    2020 130 42

    Health Problems of Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier 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 Norfolk Terrier.

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

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

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

    Norfolk Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Eye Examination
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Ichthyosis
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terrier Breed is Congenital Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Norfolk Terrier ranks 1 out of 159 dog breeds for Congenital Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 592 Norfolk Terriers, 30 of them had Congenital Cardiac problems.

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

  • Congenital Cardiac problems: Rank 1 out of 159 Dog Breeds
  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 2 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 20 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 29 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 37 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 Norfolk Terrier and in Rhodesian Ridgeback and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Norfolk Terrier and the Rhodesian Ridgeback:

    Disease Norfolk Terrier Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank
    Congenital Cardiac problems 1 out of 159 dog breeds 48 out of 159 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems 2 out of 71 dog breeds Not Common
    Hips problems 20 out of 198 dog breeds 168 out of 198 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 29 out of 182 dog breeds 102 out of 182 dog breeds
    Patella problems 37 out of 145 dog breeds 97 out of 145 dog breeds
    Thyroid problems Not Common 11 out of 115 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems Not Common 15 out of 22 dog breeds
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems Not Common 31 out of 70 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems Not Common 32 out of 49 dog breeds
    Elbow problems Not Common 56 out of 144 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: Norfolk Terrier versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Norfolk Terriers can be left alone only for a short time.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Norfolk Terriers shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terrier or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Norfolk Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Norfolk Terrier or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Does the Norfolk Terrier Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terriers Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Norfolk Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

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

    Can Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Norfolk Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Norfolk Terrier vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terrier or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Norfolk Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Norfolk Terriers good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Norfolk Terriers 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 Norfolk Terriers and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Norfolk Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Norfolk Terrier Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Norfolk Terriers are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Is the Norfolk Terrier Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Norfolk Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Norfolk Terriers are very good for new dog owners.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Norfolk Terrier

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

  • Boston Terrier (77 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Boston Terrier.
  • Cockapoo (75 percent match with Norfolk Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Cockapoo.
  • 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 Norfolk Terrier vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Norfolk Terrier vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Norfolk Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Norfolk Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Norfolk Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Norfolk Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Norfolk Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Norfolk Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     Norfolk Terrier versus Mal Shi     Norfolk Terrier versus Skye Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus Papillon     Norfolk Terrier versus Lowchen     Norfolk Terrier versus French Bulldog     Norfolk Terrier versus Gordon Setter     Norfolk Terrier versus Aussiedoodle     Norfolk Terrier versus Bull Terrier     Norfolk Terrier versus King Shepherd     Norfolk Terrier versus Yorkipoo     Norfolk Terrier versus Doberman Pinscher     Norfolk Terrier versus Stabyhoun     Norfolk Terrier versus Akita Chow     Norfolk Terrier versus Shiranian     Norfolk Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Norfolk Terrier versus Norwegian Lundehund     Norfolk Terrier versus Catahoula Bulldog     Norfolk Terrier versus Pug     Norfolk Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     Norfolk Terrier versus Kishu Ken     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bearded Collie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mountain Cur     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cockapoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Collie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lhasapoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maltipoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cocker Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Whoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Papillon     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Leonberger     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maltese     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boerboel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Toy Poodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pharaoh Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cocker Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bull Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Basenji     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chinese Crested     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Patterdale Terrier     

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