Breed Comparison: Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Saint Bernard

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Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Saint Bernard: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback and for the Saint Bernard. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard.

Our only goal here is to help you make a well-thought-out decision on your next long-term companion, be it the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Saint Bernard.

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard: Overview

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

Furthermore, 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.

On the other hand, the Saint Bernard 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.

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Rhodesian Ridgeback to the Saint Bernard 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard

Factor Rhodesian Ridgeback Saint Bernard
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 1/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 8 to 10 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Height 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 5/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 1/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 5/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 2/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 3/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 2/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 2/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 5/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 4/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 4/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 70 to 85 pounds 120 to 180 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 9.0 years
Average Price $1620 $1320
Price Range $1250 – $1900 $875 – $1525
Temperament Score 84.2 percent 84.9 percent
Common Health Problems and Recommended Health Tests
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Congenital Deafness
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination. Exams are recommended annually to age 9, annual recertifcation is required
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – Min Age 24 Months
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 22 Months
  • Hip Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 40 49
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 52 65

    Next, we added the scores of the factors that can be added together for the Rhodesian Ridgeback 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 Saint Bernard. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback is 74 out of 125 while the Better-Pet score for the Saint Bernard is 81 out of 125.

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

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard

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

  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not have the tendency to drool. However, Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom. However, Saint Bernards require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Saint Bernards have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects. However, Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise. However, Saint Bernards have low exercise needs.
  • The Similarities Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard

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

  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard are not easy to train.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks weigh 70 to 85 pounds when fully grown. Rhodesian Ridgebacks are 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    On the other hand, Saint Bernards weigh 120 to 180 pounds when fully grown. Saint Bernards are 2 feet, 2 inches to 2 feet, 6 inches tall at the s when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard

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

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks live longer than Saint Bernards.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Saint Bernard

    The Saint Bernard has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Saint Bernard is 84.9 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 84.2 percent, the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    With its temperament score of 84.9 percent, the Saint Bernard has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard by measuring the temperaments of 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and 53 Saint Bernards.

    Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Price of Saint Bernard

    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 a Rhodesian Ridgeback can be as low as $500 and as high as $2850. We obtained this price information by reviewing the prices of 175 Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The average price of the Saint Bernard puppy is $1320. The price of the Saint Bernard typically ranges from $875 – $1525. However, the price of the Saint Bernard can be as low as $200 and as high as $3550. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 163 Saint Bernard puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more expensive than the Saint Bernard.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Saint Bernard
    Average Price $1620 $1320
    Price Range $1250 to $1900 $875 to $1525

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

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

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Saint Bernards

    A breakdown of the prices of Saint Bernards

    Note that a lot of factors determine how much you can expect to pay for the Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy or the Saint Bernard 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.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard

    Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Adopting the Saint Bernard

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Rhodesian Ridgebacks and many Saint Bernards 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback named Mufasa 21-12-102 that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Mufasa 21-12-102 on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Saint Bernards are also available for adoption. For example, Bartholomew is a Male Saint Bernard that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Saint Bernards like Bartholomew that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Lunchbox is an adorable Male Saint Bernard on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus the Intelligence of the Saint Bernard

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Saint Bernard
    Intelligence Rank 52 out of 130 dog breeds 65 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 Repetitions Tend To Learn New Commands After 40 To 80 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 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 Saint Bernard has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saint Bernard belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Saint Bernards tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more intelligent than the Saint Bernard.

    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 Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Popularity of Saint Bernard

    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 Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the Saint Bernard. 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 Saint Bernard is 49 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Saint Bernard

    Popularity of Saint Bernard

    Year Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank Saint Bernard Popularity Rank
    2013 39 47
    2014 39 51
    2015 40 50
    2016 42 49
    2017 41 48
    2018 41 48
    2019 42 48
    2020 42 52

    Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Health Problems of Saint Bernard

    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 Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard 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 Saint Bernard is prone to the same number of genetic health problems as the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    6 health tests are recommended for Rhodesian Ridgeback while 6 tests are recommended for the Saint Bernard.

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

    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.

    Saint Bernard Health Problems

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

  • Autoimmune thyroiditis
  • Cardiac Evaluation – Min Age 24 Months
  • Degenerative Myelopathy
  • Elbow Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • Eye Examination – Min Age 22 Months
  • Hip Dysplasia – Min Age 24 Months
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Saint Bernards here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Saint Bernards

    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
  • 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 Saint Bernard Breed is Hips problems.

    This is because the Saint Bernard ranks 7 out of 198 dog breeds for Hips problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 2618 Saint Bernards, 1295 of them had Hips problems.

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

  • Hips problems: Rank 7 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 23 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 33 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 45 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 99 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Rhodesian Ridgeback and in Saint Bernard and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard:

    Disease Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank Saint Bernard Rank
    Thyroid problems 11 out of 115 dog breeds Not Common
    Shoulder problems 15 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 31 out of 70 dog breeds 45 out of 70 dog breeds
    Dentition Database problems 32 out of 49 dog breeds Not Common
    Congenital Cardiac problems 48 out of 159 dog breeds Not Common
    Elbow problems 56 out of 144 dog breeds 33 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems 97 out of 145 dog breeds 99 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 102 out of 182 dog breeds 23 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 168 out of 198 dog breeds 7 out of 198 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: Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Saint Bernards do not like to be left alone.

    Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed more than Saint Bernards?

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

    Saint Bernards shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Saint Bernard

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Saint Bernards have a very high tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Saint Bernard?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

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

    Does the Rhodesian Ridgeback Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Saint Bernard?

    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.

    Saint Bernards 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.

    Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Bark and Howl? What about Saint Bernards?

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

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

    Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Saint Bernards Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Saint Bernards can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Rhodesian Ridgeback vs. Saint Bernard

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.

    Saint Bernards do not have the potential to wander after things that capture their attention. They tend to stay around where you leave them.

    Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Saint Bernards Tolerate Hot Weather?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

    Saint Bernards cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Saint Bernard?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Saint Bernards get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks good family dogs? What about Saint Bernards?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    Saint Bernards are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Saint Bernards?

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

    Saint Bernards get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Easier to Train than the Saint Bernard?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Saint Bernards are not easy to train.

    Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Better for Apartment Owners than the Saint Bernard?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Saint Bernards adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

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

    Saint Bernards are not the best dogs for new dog owners.

    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 Saint Bernard vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Saint Bernard vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Saint Bernard

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

  • Newfoundland (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Newfoundland.
  • King Shepherd (71 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs King Shepherd.
  • Spinone Italiano (68 percent match with Saint Bernard). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Spinone Italiano.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dalmatian     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cavapoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Kishu Ken     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Gordon Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bichon Frise     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sheepadoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Entlebucher Mountain Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bull Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bullmastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boxerdoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bracco Italiano     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Tibetan Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pug     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mountain Cur     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pomeranian     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bullmastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boerboel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bergamasco Sheepdog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Briard     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyredoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Chinook     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     

    Saint Bernard Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saint Bernard versus Lancashire Heeler     Saint Bernard versus Coton de Tulear     Saint Bernard versus Cockalier     Saint Bernard versus Welsh Terrier     Saint Bernard versus Hovawart     Saint Bernard versus Pomsky     Saint Bernard versus Sheepadoodle     Saint Bernard versus Pomchi     Saint Bernard versus Redbone Coonhound     Saint Bernard versus German Longhaired Pointer     Saint Bernard versus Chow Chow     Saint Bernard versus Golden Retriever     Saint Bernard versus Swedish Vallhund     Saint Bernard versus Great Dane     Saint Bernard versus Pembroke Welsh Corgi     Saint Bernard versus Schipperke     Saint Bernard versus Schnoodle     Saint Bernard versus Bluetick Coonhound     Saint Bernard versus Cane Corso     Saint Bernard versus Sloughi     Saint Bernard versus Bouvier des Flandres     Saint Bernard versus Pomapoo     Saint Bernard versus Bich Poo     Saint Bernard versus Neapolitan Mastiff     

    Conclusion: Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saint Bernard. 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 Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saint Bernard better suits you and your family.