Breed Comparison: Plott Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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Plott Versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Introduction

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

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

Plott versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Overview

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

Furthermore, both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are Hound Dogs. This means both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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.

Plott versus Rhodesian Ridgeback: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Plott 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 Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

Factor Plott Rhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Good For Novice Owners 1/5 2/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Life Span 12 to 14 years 10 to 12 years
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Cold Weather 2/5 3/5
Does NOT Shed 4/5 2/5
Height 20 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder
Kid-Friendly 3/5 4/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 3/5
Intelligence 3/5 4/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Potential For Playfulness 3/5 5/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 4/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 4/5 5/5
Easy To Train 4/5 2/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Weight 40 to 75 pounds 70 to 85 pounds
Dog Friendly 5/5 4/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
General Health 5/5 4/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 1/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 1/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 1/5
Average Lifespan 13.0 years 11.0 years
Average Price $600 $1620
Price Range $480 – $700 $1250 – $1900
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests No Data
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 161 40

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Plott 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 Plott is 74 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 not better or worse than the Plott. So, you can get the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Plott!

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

    The Similarities Between the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not adapt well to apartment living.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.
  • Both the Plott 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 Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback can tolerate hot weather.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Plott and the Rhodesian Ridgeback require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Plott versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Plotts weigh 40 to 75 pounds when fully grown. Plotts are 20 to 27 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 Plott versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The lifespan of Plotts is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Plotts is 13.0 years.

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

    Plotts live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Price of Plott versus Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The average price of the Plott puppy is $600. The price of the Plott typically ranges from $480 – $700. However, the price of a Plott can be as low as $300 and as high as $800. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 17 Plott puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy is $1620. The price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback typically ranges from $1250 – $1900. However, the price of the Rhodesian Ridgeback can be as low as $500 and as high as $2850. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 175 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more expensive than the Plott.

    Plott Rhodesian Ridgeback
    Average Price $600 $1620
    Price Range $480 to $700 $1250 to $1900

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Plotts. 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 Plott 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 Plott versus Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback

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

    Also, like Plotts, 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.

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

    Louie P is the name of another Plott (Male) on petfinder.com that is looking for a new home.

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

    The Popularity of Plott 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 Plott 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 Plott. 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 Plott is 161 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Plott

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Year Plott Popularity Rank Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank
    2013 149 39
    2014 154 39
    2015 149 40
    2016 158 42
    2017 166 41
    2018 171 41
    2019 177 42
    2020 167 42

    Tolerates Being Alone: Plott versus Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Plotts do not like to be left alone.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Do Plotts shed more than Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Plotts 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 Plott or the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Plotts do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Plotts are very easy to groom.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

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

    Plotts 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 Plotts Bark and Howl? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

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

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

    Can Plotts Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Plotts cannot tolerate cold weather. They are vulnerable to the cold.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Plott vs. Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Plotts 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 Plotts Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Plotts 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 Plott or the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Plotts get along very well with other dogs.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Plotts good family dogs? What about Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Plotts 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 Plotts and Rhodesian Ridgebacks?

    Plotts get along fairly well with kids. They are quite kid-friendly.

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

    Is the Plott Easier to Train than the Rhodesian Ridgeback?

    Plotts are very easy to train.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

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

    Plotts do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

    Plotts are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

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

    Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Plott

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

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

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

    Plott Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Plott versus Labrador Retriever     Plott versus Komondor     Plott versus Lowchen     Plott versus Greyhound     Plott versus Boxer     Plott versus Golden Retriever     Plott versus Field Spaniel     Plott versus Rhodesian Ridgeback     Plott versus Redbone Coonhound     Plott versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Plott versus Maremma Sheepdog     Plott versus Yorkipoo     Plott versus Golden Retriever     Plott versus Black Russian Terrier     Plott versus Bracco Italiano     Plott versus Icelandic Sheepdog     Plott versus Mountain Cur     Plott versus Bull Terrier     Plott versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Plott versus Akbash     Plott versus Caucasian Shepherd Dog     Plott versus Scottish Terrier     Plott versus Portuguese Pointer     Plott versus Havanese     Plott versus Scottish Deerhound     

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Carolina Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyredoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Welsh Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiloh Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Schnoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Glen of Imaal Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Carolina Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Biewer Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Gordon Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lakeland Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bolognese     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Komondor     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bolognese     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chinese Crested     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bordoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lhasa Apso     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Coton de Tulear     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Goldendoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Stabyhoun     

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