Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Pekingese Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction
- Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview
- Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table
- The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Lifespan of Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Pekingese
- Price of Pekingese versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Adopting the Pekingese versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- The Popularity of Pekingese versus Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Do Pekingeses shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Which one drools more, the Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Do Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Can Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?
- Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Can Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?
- Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- How Kid-friendly are Pekingeses and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
- Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Pekingese
- Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Rhodesian Ridgeback
- Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
- Conclusion: Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback. Which One is a Better Pet?
Pekingese Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction
Are you thinking of getting a new pet dog, and you have narrowed down your choices to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview
A very important difference between the Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Pekingese is a tiny-sized dog while the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog.
Furthermore, the Pekingese belongs to the Companion Dogs group. Companion Dogs were bred to be companions for humans. Their main goal in life is to be with people, and they will be very sad if left to themselves for long hours day after day.
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.
Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table
The table below compares the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Factor | Pekingese | Rhodesian Ridgeback |
|---|---|---|
| Tolerates Hot Weather | 1/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Drool | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Easy To Groom | 1/5 | 5/5 |
| Calmness/ Low Vigor | 5/5 | 2/5 |
| Life Span | 12 to 15 years | 10 to 12 years |
| Easygoing | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Kid-Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Dog Friendly | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| Friendly Toward Strangers | 2/5 | 3/5 |
| General Health | 2/5 | 4/5 |
| NOT Rambunctious | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Minimal Exercise Needs | 4/5 | 1/5 |
| Tolerates Being Alone | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Potential NOT to Gain Weight | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Easy To Train | 3/5 | 2/5 |
| Does NOT chew on things | 3/5 | 3/5 |
| Tendency NOT to Wander | 3/5 | 1/5 |
| Potential For Playfulness | 3/5 | 5/5 |
| Good For Novice Owners | 4/5 | 2/5 |
| Tolerates Cold Weather | 4/5 | 3/5 |
| Does NOT Shed | 2/5 | 2/5 |
| Intelligence | 4/5 | 4/5 |
| Does NOT Bark or Howl | 2/5 | 5/5 |
| Adapts Well To Apartment Living | 5/5 | 1/5 |
| Affectionate With Family | 5/5 | 5/5 |
| Low Prey Drive | 1/5 | 1/5 |
| Height | 6 to 9 inches tall at the shoulder | 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder |
| Weight | 7 to 14 pounds | 70 to 85 pounds |
| Average Lifespan | 13.5 years | 11.0 years |
| Average Price | $1930 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1288 – $2500 | $1250 – $1900 |
| Temperament Score | 93.3 percent | 84.2 percent |
| Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests | No Data |
|
| Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds | 86 | 40 |
| Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) | 73 | 52 |
Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Pekingese 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 Pekingese is 77 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125.
Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Pekingese is a better pet than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. So, you should get the Pekingese!
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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Below is a list of where the Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most different:
The Similarities Between the Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very similar in certain aspects. Below is the list of where the Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are most similar:
Size (Weight and Height) of Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Pekingeses weigh 7 to 14 pounds when fully grown. Pekingeses are 6 to 9 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 Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
The lifespan of Pekingeses is between 12 to 15 years. The average lifespan of Pekingeses 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.
Pekingeses live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Pekingese
The Pekingese has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
This is because the temperament score for the Pekingese is 93.3 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 93.3 percent, the Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback by measuring the temperaments of 15 Pekingeses and 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks.
Price of Pekingese versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback
The average price of the Pekingese puppy is $1930. The price of the Pekingese typically ranges from $1288 – $2500. However, the price of a Pekingese can be as low as $700 and as high as $7500. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 138 Pekingese 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 Pekingese is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
| Pekingese | Rhodesian Ridgeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Average Price | $1930 | $1620 |
| Price Range | $1288 to $2500 | $1250 to $1900 |
The charts below show the price distribution for the Pekingese and Rhodesian Ridgeback. For different price points, the charts show how many Pekingese puppies or how many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies are listed for sale at those price points.
A breakdown of the prices of Pekingeses. The typical price range is shaded Green.
A breakdown of the prices of Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Pekingese 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 Pekingese versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback
You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Pekingeses 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 Pekingese named Dany that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Pekingeses like Dany on pefinder.com.
Also, like Pekingeses, Rhodesian Ridgebacks are also available for adoption. For example, Mufasa 21-12-102 is a Male Rhodesian Ridgeback that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Mufasa 21-12-102 that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.
Dumpling (Prince) is the name of another Pekingese (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.
You can find more Pekingeses and Rhodesian Ridgebacks that are available for adoption on petfinder.
The Intelligence of the Pekingese versus the Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Pekingese | Rhodesian Ridgeback | |
|---|---|---|
| Intelligence Rank | 73 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:
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 Pekingese has an obedience intelligence rank of 73 out of 130 dog breeds. The Pekingese belongs to the `Lowest Degree of Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Pekingeses 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 Pekingese.
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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese 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 Pekingese. 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 Pekingese is 86 out of about 200 dog breeds.
Popularity of Pekingese
Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback
| Year | Pekingese Popularity Rank | Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | 77 | 39 |
| 2014 | 82 | 39 |
| 2015 | 80 | 40 |
| 2016 | 93 | 42 |
| 2017 | 88 | 41 |
| 2018 | 92 | 41 |
| 2019 | 83 | 42 |
| 2020 | 95 | 42 |
Tolerates Being Alone: Pekingese versus Rhodesian Ridgeback
Pekingeses can be left alone only for a short time.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.
Do Pekingeses shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback
Pekingeses do have a very low tendency to drool.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.
Which is Easier to Groom, the Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Pekingeses require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.
Does the Pekingese Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?
Pekingeses can very well tolerate cold weather.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.
Wanderlust Potential: Pekingese vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Pekingeses do not get along well with other dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.
Are Pekingeses good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingeses and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?
Pekingeses do not get along well with kids. They are not kid-friendly.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
Is the Pekingese Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Pekingeses are fairly easy to train.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.
Is the Pekingese Better for Apartment Owners than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Pekingeses adapt very well to apartment living.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.
Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Pekingese or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?
Pekingeses 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 Pekingese
Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Pekingese 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 Pekingese:
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:
Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You
You may also be interested in how the Pekingese and how the Rhodesian Ridgeback compares to other breeds. So, see below the comparison of the Pekingese and of the Rhodesian Ridgeback to other breeds:
Pekingese Versus Other Dog Breeds
Pekingese versus Welsh Springer Spaniel Pekingese versus Miniature Pinscher Pekingese versus Bedlington Terrier Pekingese versus Samoyed Pekingese versus Lagotto Romagnolo Pekingese versus Shiloh Shepherd Pekingese versus Flat-Coated Retriever Pekingese versus Shihpoo Pekingese versus Catahoula Leopard Dog Pekingese versus Whippet Pekingese versus American Eskimo Dog Pekingese versus Cockalier Pekingese versus Pointer Pekingese versus Scottish Deerhound Pekingese versus Chinese Crested Pekingese versus Shihpoo Pekingese versus Black Mouth Cur Pekingese versus Bernese Mountain Dog Pekingese versus Swedish Vallhund Pekingese versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog Pekingese versus Coton de Tulear Pekingese versus Italian Greyhound Pekingese versus Bulldog Pekingese versus Polish Lowland Sheepdog Pekingese versus Manchester Terrier
Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds
Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Papillon Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cairn Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Alaskan Malamute Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Kerry Blue Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus German Shorthaired Pointer Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Havanese Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Canaan Dog Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiranian Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Aussiedoodle Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Alaskan Klee Kai Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boxerdoodle Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Jack Russell Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cavachon Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Affenpinscher Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Xoloitzcuintli Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Keeshond Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiloh Shepherd Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Wirehaired Pointing Griffon Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Yorkshire Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Miniature Poodle Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiba Inu Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Norfolk Terrier Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boxer
Conclusion: Pekingese 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 Pekingese and the Rhodesian Ridgeback better suits you and your family.