Breed Comparison: Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Overview

A very important difference between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is the size difference between the two dog breeds. The Rhodesian Ridgeback is a large-sized dog while the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier: Comparison Table

The table below compares the Rhodesian Ridgeback to the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier

Factor Rhodesian Ridgeback Staffordshire Bull Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 3/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 3/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 3/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 14 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 1/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 2/5
Height 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 3/5
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 4/5
Easygoing 2/5 2/5
Kid-Friendly 4/5 5/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 1/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 3/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 3/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 3/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 3/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 5/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 4/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 2/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 5/5
Weight 70 to 85 pounds 24 to 38 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 13.0 years
Average Price $1620 $1890
Price Range $1250 – $1900 $1000 – $2425
Temperament Score 84.2 percent 90.9 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
  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – min age 1 year
  • Hereditary Cataracts DNA Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • L2HGA DNA Test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 40 80
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 52 49

    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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 75 out of 125.

    Based on their Better-Pet scores, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a better pet than the Rhodesian Ridgeback. So, you should get the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier so that you can make your own well-informed decision on which pet to get.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along well with other dogs. However, Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets. However, Staffordshire Bull Terriers have a very low prey drive. This means they get along well with other pets.
  • The Similarities Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not the best dogs for new dog owners.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are not easy to train.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very easy to groom.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier have a high tendency to wander. They are easily distracted by other animals or objects.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull 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, Staffordshire Bull Terriers weigh 24 to 38 pounds when fully grown. Staffordshire Bull Terriers are 14 to 16 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terriers is between 12 to 14 years. The average lifespan of Staffordshire Bull Terriers is 13.0 years.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Temperament of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier Versus the Rhodesian Ridgeback

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 90.9 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 90.9 percent, the Staffordshire Bull Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and 143 Staffordshire Bull Terriers.

    Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Price of Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppy is $1890. The price of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier typically ranges from $1000 – $2425. However, the price of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier can be as low as $300 and as high as $6500. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 56 Staffordshire Bull Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    Average Price $1620 $1890
    Price Range $1250 to $1900 $1000 to $2425

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

    A breakdown of the prices of Staffordshire Bull Terriers

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

    Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Adopting the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

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

    Also, Argon is an adorable Male Staffordshire Bull Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus the Intelligence of the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Staffordshire Bull Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 52 out of 130 dog breeds 49 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 49 out of 130 dog breeds. The Staffordshire Bull Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that Staffordshire Bull Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is 80 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Popularity of Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Year Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank Staffordshire Bull Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 39 79
    2014 39 79
    2015 40 79
    2016 42 82
    2017 41 82
    2018 41 80
    2019 42 82
    2020 42 81

    Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Health Problems of Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier is prone to more genetic health problems than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Rhodesian Ridgeback while 7 tests are recommended for the Staffordshire Bull Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and in Staffordshire Bull 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.

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Cardiac Evaluation
  • Elbow Dysplasia
  • Eye Examination – min age 1 year
  • Hereditary Cataracts DNA Test
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • L2HGA DNA Test
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for Staffordshire Bull Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier Breed is Advanced Cardiac problems.

    This is because the Staffordshire Bull Terrier ranks 17 out of 71 dog breeds for Advanced Cardiac problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 51 Staffordshire Bull Terriers, 1 of them had Advanced Cardiac problems.

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

  • Advanced Cardiac problems: Rank 17 out of 71 Dog Breeds
  • Elbow problems: Rank 21 out of 144 Dog Breeds
  • Degenerative Myelopathy problems: Rank 23 out of 70 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 69 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 105 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 126 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Rhodesian Ridgeback and in Staffordshire Bull Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

    Disease Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank Staffordshire Bull Terrier 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 23 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 21 out of 144 dog breeds
    Patella problems 97 out of 145 dog breeds 126 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 102 out of 182 dog breeds 105 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 168 out of 198 dog breeds 69 out of 198 dog breeds
    Advanced Cardiac problems Not Common 17 out of 71 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed more than Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers shed moderately.

    Which one drools more, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers drool moderately.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are very easy to groom.

    Does the Rhodesian Ridgeback Have a Higher Prey Drive than the Staffordshire Bull 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.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers 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 Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers bark and howl, but not very much.

    Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Rhodesian Ridgeback vs. Staffordshire Bull Terrier

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

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

    Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can Staffordshire Bull Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers cannot tolerate hot weather. They are not suited for hot environments.

    Which Dog Breed is more Dog-Friendly, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers do not get along well with other dogs.

    Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks good family dogs? What about Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Rhodesian Ridgebacks and Staffordshire Bull Terriers?

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

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

    Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Easier to Train than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers are not easy to train.

    Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Better for Apartment Owners than the Staffordshire Bull Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    Staffordshire Bull Terriers adapt moderately well to apartment living.

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

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

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

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the Staffordshire Bull 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 Staffordshire Bull Terrier:

  • Boxer (71 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Boxer.
  • Schipperke (72 percent match with Staffordshire Bull Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Schipperke.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Australian Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Welsh Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Irish Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Harrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Clumber Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Morkie     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Puli     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Clumber Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Italian Greyhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Stabyhoun     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maremma Sheepdog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bluetick Coonhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bullmastiff     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Plott     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Maremma Sheepdog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lakeland Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Jack Russell Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Welsh Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Welsh Springer Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Afghan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Black Russian Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Finnish Lapphund     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Schipperke     

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bolognese     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Bernedoodle     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Rottweiler     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Havanese     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Japanese Spitz     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Dandie Dinmont Terrier     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Border Collie     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Tibetan Mastiff     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Anatolian Shepherd Dog     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Shihpoo     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Akbash     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Giant Schnauzer     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Boykin Spaniel     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Labradoodle     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Black and Tan Coonhound     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Shiloh Shepherd     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Kishu Ken     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Frenchton     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Basset Hound     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Cavapoo     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Maltipoo     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Treeing Tennessee Brindle     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Shihpoo     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Affenpinscher     Staffordshire Bull Terrier versus Curly-Coated Retriever     

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