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

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Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Saluki: Introduction

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

Furthermore, we will let you know which one of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saluki 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 Saluki. 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 Saluki.

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 Saluki.

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki: Overview

Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saluki are similar in size. The Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saluki are both large-sized dogs.

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

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Rhodesian Ridgeback to the Saluki 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 Saluki

Factor Rhodesian Ridgeback Saluki
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 1/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 5/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 2/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 1/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Height 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 2/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 1/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight 3/5 5/5
Does NOT chew on things 3/5 2/5
Easygoing 2/5 1/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 4/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 4/5
General Health 4/5 4/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 1/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 4/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 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
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 70 to 85 pounds 35 to 70 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1620 $2250
Price Range $1250 – $1900 $2250 – $2250
Temperament Score 84.2 percent 68.7 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
  • No Data
    Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 40 127
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 52 43

    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 Saluki. 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 Saluki is 74 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Saluki is not better or worse than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. So, you can get the Saluki or the Rhodesian Ridgeback!

    Although we have done our best to analyze these two dog breeds in a very unbiased way, however, we will like to let you know that there are some dog attributes that cannot be assigned a number for comparison. We cannot put a number on how cute a dog breed is, for example. Beauty is in the eye of the beholder.

    Also, the dog breed that best suits you will depend on your peculiar lifestyle, your taste, and your priorities, which we do not know. So, for you to decide on which breed is right for you, read through the rest of the article to further understand both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saluki so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki

    The Similarities Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saluki

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

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

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

    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, Salukis weigh 35 to 70 pounds when fully grown. Salukis are 23 to 28 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki

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

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

    Salukis live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Saluki

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback has a better temperament than the Saluki.

    This is because the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent while the temperament score for the Saluki is 68.7 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 68.7 percent, the Saluki has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Saluki by measuring the temperaments of 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and 67 Salukis.

    Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Price of Saluki

    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 Saluki puppy is $2250. The price of the Saluki typically ranges from $2250 – $2250. However, the price of the Saluki can be as low as $2250 and as high as $2250. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 1 Saluki puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Saluki is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Saluki
    Average Price $1620 $2250
    Price Range $1250 to $1900 $2250 to $2250

    The charts below show the price distribution for the Rhodesian Ridgeback and Saluki. For different price points, the charts show how many Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies or how many Saluki 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 Salukis

    A breakdown of the prices of Salukis

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

    Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Adopting the Saluki

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Rhodesian Ridgebacks and many Salukis 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, Salukis are also available for adoption. For example, Dexter O is a Male Saluki that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Salukis like Dexter O that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Archie is an adorable Male Saluki on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus the Intelligence of the Saluki

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Saluki
    Intelligence Rank 52 out of 130 dog breeds 43 out of 130 dog breeds
    Trainability Tend To Learn New Commands After 25 To 40 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 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 Saluki has an obedience intelligence rank of 43 out of 130 dog breeds. The Saluki belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Salukis tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Saluki is more intelligent than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    However, Prof. Coren noted that a dog should not be judged based on its intelligence alone, that other factors such as sociability, adorability, and compatibility with the owner are other very important factors that new dog owners need to consider when deciding on a new dog.

    The Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Popularity of Saluki

    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 Saluki over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the Saluki. 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 Saluki is 127 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Saluki

    Popularity of Saluki

    Year Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank Saluki Popularity Rank
    2013 39 115
    2014 39 134
    2015 40 132
    2016 42 125
    2017 41 123
    2018 41 120
    2019 42 125
    2020 42 144

    Tolerates Being Alone: Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Salukis do not like to be left alone.

    Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed more than Salukis?

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

    Salukis do not shed a lot. They are good for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Saluki

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Salukis do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Salukis are very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Salukis 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 Rhodesian Ridgebacks Bark and Howl? What about Salukis?

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

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

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

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

    Wanderlust Potential: Rhodesian Ridgeback vs. Saluki

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

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

    Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Salukis Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Salukis can tolerate hot weather as long as the weather is not too hot.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Salukis get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks good family dogs? What about Salukis?

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

    Salukis are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Salukis?

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

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

    Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Easier to Train than the Saluki?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Salukis are very easy to train.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Salukis do not adapt well to apartment living.

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

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

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

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

  • German Shorthaired Pointer (77 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs German Shorthaired Pointer.
  • German Wirehaired Pointer (75 percent match with Saluki). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs German Wirehaired Pointer.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shih Tzu     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shiloh Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Petit Basset Griffon Vendeen     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Gordon Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Plott     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bulldog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Whoodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Boerboel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Water Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Papipoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lancashire Heeler     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Vizsla     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Pyrenean Shepherd     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Papillon     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Affenpinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Airedale Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Whippet     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Shetland Sheepdog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Xoloitzcuintli     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Basset Fauve de Bretagne     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Australian Kelpie     

    Saluki Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Saluki versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Saluki versus Bearded Collie     Saluki versus Saint Berdoodle     Saluki versus Pomchi     Saluki versus Shiba Inu     Saluki versus Karelian Bear Dog     Saluki versus Puli     Saluki versus Boston Terrier     Saluki versus Yorkshire Terrier     Saluki versus Chesapeake Bay Retriever     Saluki versus Rottweiler     Saluki versus Yorkipoo     Saluki versus Goldendoodle     Saluki versus Xoloitzcuintli     Saluki versus Schnoodle     Saluki versus Irish Wolfhound     Saluki versus Fila Brasileiro     Saluki versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Saluki versus Pharaoh Hound     Saluki versus Kerry Blue Terrier     Saluki versus Affenhuahua     Saluki versus Lancashire Heeler     Saluki versus Mountain Cur     Saluki versus Affenpinscher     Saluki versus Golden Cocker Retriever     

    Conclusion: Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Saluki. 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 Saluki better suits you and your family.