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

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Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Scottish Terrier: Introduction

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

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

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 Scottish Terrier.

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Terrier

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog while the Scottish Terrier is a small-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 Scottish Terrier belongs to the Terrier Dogs group. Terrier Dogs were originally bred to go underground to hunt rodents and other small wild animals (vermin). Terriers come in a wide range of sizes and shapes, but all terriers are energetic, highly intelligent, and territorial. Terries also have the tendency to escape. They require a securely fenced yard.

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Rhodesian Ridgeback to the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier

FactorRhodesian RidgebackScottish Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living1/54/5
Does NOT Drool5/55/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl5/52/5
Life Span10 to 12 years11 to 13 years
Good For Novice Owners2/52/5
Tolerates Being Alone2/53/5
Easy To Train2/51/5
Height24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulderUp to 10 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather3/54/5
Tolerates Hot Weather3/53/5
Friendly Toward Strangers3/54/5
Potential NOT to Gain Weight3/53/5
Does NOT chew on things3/53/5
Easygoing2/52/5
Kid-Friendly4/54/5
Dog Friendly4/54/5
Does NOT Shed2/54/5
General Health4/54/5
Intelligence4/54/5
NOT Rambunctious2/52/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor2/52/5
Affectionate With Family5/55/5
Easy To Groom5/52/5
Low Prey Drive1/53/5
Tendency NOT to Wander1/51/5
Minimal Exercise Needs1/52/5
Potential For Playfulness5/54/5
Weight70 to 85 pounds18 to 22 pounds
Average Lifespan11.0 years12.0 years
Average Price$1620$1750
Price Range$1250 – $1900$1398 – $2000
Temperament Score84.2 percent65.7 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
  • OFA
  • Patellar Luxation
  • von Willebrand`s Disease
    • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds4057
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds)5265

    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 Scottish Terrier. 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 Scottish Terrier is 77 out of 125.

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

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

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier

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

  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living. However, Scottish Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, Scottish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom. However, Scottish Terriers require a lot of grooming and are not very easy to groom.

    • The Similarities Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier

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

  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier 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 Scottish Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier are very healthy. They do not suffer from a lot of health problems compared to other dog breeds
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier are very playful.

    • Size (Weight and Height) of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Terrier

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

    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, Scottish Terriers weigh 18 to 22 pounds when fully grown. Scottish Terriers are Up to 10 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Terrier

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

    The lifespan of Scottish Terriers is between 11 to 13 years. The average lifespan of Scottish Terriers is 12.0 years.

    Scottish Terriers live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Terrier

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the Scottish Terrier

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

    This is because the temperament score for the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 84.2 percent while the temperament score for the Scottish Terrier is 65.7 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 65.7 percent, the Scottish Terrier has a below-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and 35 Scottish Terriers.

    Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Price of Scottish Terrier

    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 Scottish Terrier puppy is $1750. The price of the Scottish Terrier typically ranges from $1398 – $2000. However, the price of the Scottish Terrier can be as low as $800 and as high as $3750. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 115 Scottish Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Scottish Terrier is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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    Rhodesian Ridgeback Scottish Terrier
    Average Price $1620 $1750
    Price Range $1250 to $1900 $1398 to $2000

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Scottish Terriers

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

    Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Adopting the Scottish Terrier

    You may consider adopting a dog instead of buying a puppy. Many Rhodesian Ridgebacks and many Scottish Terriers 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 Skip that is currently available for adoption on Petfinder.com. You can find other lovely adoptable Rhodesian Ridgebacks like Skip on pefinder.com.

    Also, like Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Scottish Terriers are also available for adoption. For example, Duke Wellington (Coming Soon- Medical Hold) is a Male Scottish Terrier that is currently available for adoption on petfinder.com. You can find more Scottish Terriers like Duke Wellington (Coming Soon- Medical Hold) that are up for adoption on petfinder.com.

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

    Also, Mac-20 – Medical Hold is an adorable Male Scottish Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

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

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    Rhodesian Ridgeback Scottish Terrier
    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 Scottish Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 65 out of 130 dog breeds. The Scottish Terrier belongs to the `Fair Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Scottish Terriers tend to learn new commands after 40 to 80 repetitions!.

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback is more intelligent than the Scottish Terrier.

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

    The Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Popularity of Scottish Terrier

    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 Scottish Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the Scottish Terrier. This is because, over the years, the average popularity of the Rhodesian Ridgeback is 40 out of about 200 dog breeds while the average popularity of the Scottish Terrier is 57 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Scottish Terrier

    Popularity of Scottish Terrier

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    Year Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank Scottish Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 39 55
    2014 39 59
    2015 40 58
    2016 42 58
    2017 41 58
    2018 41 57
    2019 42 56
    2020 42 57

    Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Health Problems of Scottish Terrier

    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 Scottish Terrier are prone to certain genetic health conditions. The Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) is the organization that keeps track of health problems in dogs. Based on the extensive records that the OFA keeps, the OFA knows what health problems each dog breed is naturally prone to develop. Hence, the OFA recommends which health screening that breeders should perform on a dog breed to make sure that the breeders won`t breed `defective` dog parents that can pass down defective genes to their puppy offspring.

    The more health problems a dog breed is prone to develop, the more health tests the OFA will recommend for that dog breed.

    Based on our review of OFA records, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback is prone to more genetic health problems than the Scottish Terrier.

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Rhodesian Ridgeback while 3 tests are recommended for the Scottish Terrier.

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

    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.

    Scottish Terrier Health Problems

    Scottish Terriers are genetically prone to certain health problems. However, breeders can reduce the chances of producing Scottish Terrier puppies with genetic defects by making sure that a puppy`s parents are free from genetic health problems before allowing the parent to make puppies.

    The OFA provides breeders recommendations on which genetic diseases that breeders should screen their dog parents and puppies for.

    If you want a Scottish Terrier puppy that will grow up to be healthy, make sure that your Scottish Terrier breeder screens your puppy or your puppy`s parents for the health problems that the OFA recommends for your puppy`s breed. This will increase the chances that your puppy is free from genetic defects.

    The following are the health tests that Orthopedic Foundation for Animals (OFA) recommends that breeders should screen Scottish Terriers for:

  • OFA
  • Patellar Luxation
  • von Willebrand`s Disease

    • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Scottish Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Scottish Terriers

    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 Scottish Terrier Breed is Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.

    This is because the Scottish Terrier ranks 2 out of 2 dog breeds for Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 244 Scottish Terriers, 0 of them had Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.

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

  • Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems: Rank 2 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 30 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Thyroid problems: Rank 54 out of 115 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 79 out of 182 Dog Breeds

    • The table below lists the common health problems in Rhodesian Ridgeback and in Scottish Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Scottish Terrier:

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    Disease Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank Scottish Terrier Rank
    Thyroid problems 11 out of 115 dog breeds 54 out of 115 dog breeds
    Shoulder problems 15 out of 22 dog breeds Not Common
    Degenerative Myelopathy problems 31 out of 70 dog breeds Not Common
    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 Not Common
    Patella problems 97 out of 145 dog breeds 30 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 102 out of 182 dog breeds 79 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 168 out of 198 dog breeds Not Common
    Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems Not Common 2 out of 2 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 Scottish Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

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

    Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed more than Scottish Terriers?

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

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

    Which one drools more, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Scottish Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Scottish Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Scottish Terriers require a lot of grooming and they are not very easy to groom.

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

    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.

    Scottish Terriers have a moderate prey drive. They can sometimes chase after smaller animals and pets.

    Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Bark and Howl? What about Scottish Terriers?

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

    Scottish Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Scottish Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Rhodesian Ridgeback vs. Scottish Terrier

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

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

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

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

    Scottish Terriers 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 Scottish Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Scottish Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

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

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

    Scottish Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Scottish Terriers?

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

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

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Scottish Terriers are not easy to train.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Scottish Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

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

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

    Scottish Terriers 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 Scottish Terrier vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the Scottish Terrier vs Bracco Italiano.

    • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the Scottish Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Scottish Terrier that you can consider on your quest to get the best pet.

    We crunched the numbers and found that the following dog breeds have similar personality and temperament as the Scottish Terrier:

  • Lakeland Terrier (79 percent match with Scottish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Lakeland Terrier.
  • Puli (79 percent match with Scottish Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Puli.

    • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bracco Italiano     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Affenhuahua     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maltipoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Azawakh     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus French Bulldog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Morkie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Morkie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Staffordshire Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Norwich Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Bulldog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lakeland Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Samoyed     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Dogue de Bordeaux     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Finnish Lapphund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus German Wirehaired Pointer     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lhasa Apso     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Cockapoo     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Morkie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Toy Poodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Skye Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Vizsla     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Sussex Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Catahoula Bulldog     

    Scottish Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Scottish Terrier versus Frenchton     Scottish Terrier versus Shiranian     Scottish Terrier versus Greyhound     Scottish Terrier versus Australian Terrier     Scottish Terrier versus Hovawart     Scottish Terrier versus Estrela Mountain Dog     Scottish Terrier versus Xoloitzcuintli     Scottish Terrier versus Greater Swiss Mountain Dog     Scottish Terrier versus Afador     Scottish Terrier versus Central Asian Shepherd Dog     Scottish Terrier versus Vizsla     Scottish Terrier versus Puggle     Scottish Terrier versus Pomapoo     Scottish Terrier versus Maltipoo     Scottish Terrier versus Siberian Husky     Scottish Terrier versus French Bulldog     Scottish Terrier versus Valley Bulldog     Scottish Terrier versus Chihuahua     Scottish Terrier versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Scottish Terrier versus Akbash     Scottish Terrier versus German Longhaired Pointer     Scottish Terrier versus Bulldog     Scottish Terrier versus French Spaniel     Scottish Terrier versus German Shepherd Dog     Scottish Terrier versus Papillon     

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