Differences and Similarities between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier.

Quick Links: Table of Contents

Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus West Highland White Terrier: Introduction

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

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

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier

Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier: Overview

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

The table below compares the Rhodesian Ridgeback to the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier

Factor Rhodesian Ridgeback West Highland White Terrier
Adapts Well To Apartment Living 1/5 4/5
Does NOT Drool 5/5 5/5
Does NOT Bark or Howl 5/5 2/5
Life Span 10 to 12 years 12 to 16 years
Good For Novice Owners 2/5 4/5
Tolerates Being Alone 2/5 2/5
Easy To Train 2/5 4/5
Height 24 to 27 inches tall at the shoulder 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder
Tolerates Cold Weather 3/5 4/5
Tolerates Hot Weather 3/5 3/5
Friendly Toward Strangers 3/5 3/5
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 4/5
Dog Friendly 4/5 5/5
Does NOT Shed 2/5 2/5
General Health 4/5 3/5
Intelligence 4/5 4/5
NOT Rambunctious 2/5 2/5
Calmness/ Low Vigor 2/5 2/5
Affectionate With Family 5/5 5/5
Easy To Groom 5/5 3/5
Low Prey Drive 1/5 2/5
Tendency NOT to Wander 1/5 3/5
Minimal Exercise Needs 1/5 2/5
Potential For Playfulness 5/5 4/5
Weight 70 to 85 pounds 13 to 22 pounds
Average Lifespan 11.0 years 14.0 years
Average Price $1620 $2220
Price Range $1250 – $1900 $1600 – $2700
Temperament Score 84.2 percent 89.7 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
  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams until at least age 8yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • Popularity out of 200 Dog Breeds 40 41
    Intelligence Rank (out of 130 Dog Breeds) 52 47

    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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier is 80 out of 125.

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier

    The Most Remarkable Differences Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier

    Below is a list of where the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier are most different:

  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living. However, West Highland White Terriers adapt well to apartment living.
  • Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not very vocal. They have very low tendency to bark and howl. However, West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.
  • The Similarities Between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier

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

  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier do not have the tendency to drool.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier do not like to be left alone.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier get along well with other dogs.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier are highly intelligent.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier have very high energy levels. They need a lot of exercise time to release their high energy.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier do things with high intensity. They can be very forceful.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier have a high prey drive. They do not get along well with other pets.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier require a lot of exercise. They are good for owners who like to exercise.
  • Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier are very playful.
  • Size (Weight and Height) of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier

    Now, let us discuss the difference in size between the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White 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, West Highland White Terriers weigh 13 to 22 pounds when fully grown. West Highland White Terriers are 10 to 11 inches tall at the shoulder when fully grown.

    Lifespan of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terriers is between 12 to 16 years. The average lifespan of West Highland White Terriers is 14.0 years.

    West Highland White Terriers live longer than Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White Terrier

    Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus the West Highland White Terrier

    The West Highland White Terrier has a better temperament than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    This is because the temperament score for the West Highland White Terrier is 89.7 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 89.7 percent, the West Highland White Terrier has an above-average temperament compared to other dog breeds.

    The ATTS obtained the temperament scores of the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier by measuring the temperaments of 563 Rhodesian Ridgebacks and 68 West Highland White Terriers.

    Price of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Price of West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier puppy is $2220. The price of the West Highland White Terrier typically ranges from $1600 – $2700. However, the price of the West Highland White Terrier can be as low as $600 and as high as $3999. We obtained this price information by collecting and reviewing the prices of 103 West Highland White Terrier puppies listed for sale from various sources.

    The West Highland White Terrier is more expensive than the Rhodesian Ridgeback.

    Rhodesian Ridgeback West Highland White Terrier
    Average Price $1620 $2220
    Price Range $1250 to $1900 $1600 to $2700

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

    A breakdown of the prices of West Highland White Terriers

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

    Adopting the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Adopting the West Highland White Terrier

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

    The Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier can both be adopted. Images from petfinder.com

    Also, Weston is an adorable Male West Highland White Terrier on petfinder.com that you can adopt.

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

    The Intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback versus the Intelligence of the West Highland White Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgeback West Highland White Terrier
    Intelligence Rank 52 out of 130 dog breeds 47 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 West Highland White Terrier has an obedience intelligence rank of 47 out of 130 dog breeds. The West Highland White Terrier belongs to the `Average Working/Obedience Intelligence Dogs` category. This means that West Highland White Terriers tend to learn new commands after 25 to 40 repetitions.

    The West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier over the years.

    Based on the AKC popularity data over the years, the Rhodesian Ridgeback is more popular with dog owners than the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier is 41 out of about 200 dog breeds.

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of Rhodesian Ridgeback

    Popularity of West Highland White Terrier

    Popularity of West Highland White Terrier

    Year Rhodesian Ridgeback Popularity Rank West Highland White Terrier Popularity Rank
    2013 39 36
    2014 39 38
    2015 40 41
    2016 42 41
    2017 41 42
    2018 41 42
    2019 42 44
    2020 42 44

    Health Problems of Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Health Problems of West Highland White 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 West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier.

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

    6 health tests are recommended for Rhodesian Ridgeback while 3 tests are recommended for the West Highland White Terrier.

    Below is a detailed discussion of health problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and in West Highland White 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.

    West Highland White Terrier Health Problems

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

  • Eye Examination- Recommend annual exams until at least age 8yrs (96mo)
  • Hip Dysplasia
  • Patellar Luxation
  • You can find out more about OFA`s recommended tests for West Highland White Terriers here.

    More Discussions on Health Problems in Rhodesian Ridgebacks and West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier Breed is Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.

    This is because the West Highland White Terrier ranks 1 out of 2 dog breeds for Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems. In fact, in a health test conducted on 102 West Highland White Terriers, 2 of them had Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems.

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

  • Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems: Rank 1 out of 2 Dog Breeds
  • Legg-Calve-Perthes problems: Rank 12 out of 40 Dog Breeds
  • Eyes problems: Rank 24 out of 182 Dog Breeds
  • Patella problems: Rank 52 out of 145 Dog Breeds
  • Hips problems: Rank 105 out of 198 Dog Breeds
  • The table below lists the common health problems in Rhodesian Ridgeback and in West Highland White Terrier and the rank (prevalence), compared to other dogs, of these health problems in the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the West Highland White Terrier:

    Disease Rhodesian Ridgeback Rank West Highland White 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 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 52 out of 145 dog breeds
    Eyes problems 102 out of 182 dog breeds 24 out of 182 dog breeds
    Hips problems 168 out of 198 dog breeds 105 out of 198 dog breeds
    Craniomandibular Osteopathy problems Not Common 1 out of 2 dog breeds
    Legg-Calve-Perthes problems Not Common 12 out of 40 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 West Highland White Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not like to be left alone.

    West Highland White Terriers do not like to be left alone.

    Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks shed more than West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers shed. They are not recommended for people with dog allergies.

    Which one drools more, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the West Highland White Terrier

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do have a very low tendency to drool.

    West Highland White Terriers do have a very low tendency to drool.

    Which is Easier to Groom, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the West Highland White Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very easy to groom.

    West Highland White Terriers are moderately easy to groom.

    Does the Rhodesian Ridgeback Have a Higher Prey Drive than the West Highland White 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.

    West Highland White Terriers 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 West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are highly vocal. They have the tendency to bark and howl.

    Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Cold Weather? And can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Cold Weather?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks can moderately tolerate cold weather.

    West Highland White Terriers can very well tolerate cold weather.

    Wanderlust Potential: Rhodesian Ridgeback vs. West Highland White Terrier

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

    West Highland White Terriers have a moderate tendency to wander. This means that they sometimes get distracted by other animals or objects.

    Can Rhodesian Ridgebacks Tolerate Hot Weather? Can West Highland White Terriers Tolerate Hot Weather?

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

    West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks get along very well with other dogs.

    West Highland White Terriers get along very well with other dogs.

    Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks good family dogs? What about West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are great family dogs. They are very affectionate with family.

    How Kid-friendly are Rhodesian Ridgebacks and West Highland White Terriers?

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

    West Highland White Terriers get along well with kids. They are kid-friendly.

    Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Easier to Train than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not easy to train.

    West Highland White Terriers are very easy to train.

    Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback Better for Apartment Owners than the West Highland White Terrier?

    Rhodesian Ridgebacks do not adapt well to apartment living.

    West Highland White Terriers adapt very well to apartment living.

    Which is Better for New Dog Owners, the Rhodesian Ridgeback or the West Highland White Terrier?

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

    West Highland White Terriers are very good 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 West Highland White Terrier vs Black Mouth Cur.
  • Bracco Italiano (80 percent match with Rhodesian Ridgeback). Here is our comparison of the West Highland White Terrier vs Bracco Italiano.
  • Other Dog Breeds That are Similar to the West Highland White Terrier

    Furthermore, there are other dog breeds that are very similar to the West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier:

  • Bearded Collie (82 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bearded Collie.
  • Cardigan Welsh Corgi (84 percent match with West Highland White Terrier). Here is our comparison of the Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Cardigan Welsh Corgi.
  • Other Breed Comparisons that Might Interest You

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

    Rhodesian Ridgeback Versus Other Dog Breeds

    Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Japanese Chin     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Toy Poodle     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Irish Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Alaskan Klee Kai     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Doberman Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Afghan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Gordon Setter     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Mountain Cur     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Scottish Deerhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus American Hairless Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Canaan Dog     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Bouvier des Flandres     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Doberman Pinscher     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Greyhound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Ibizan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Brittany     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Appenzeller Sennenhunde     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Golden Cocker Retriever     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lowchen     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Borzoi     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Ibizan Hound     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Lakeland Terrier     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Curly-Coated Retriever     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus English Toy Spaniel     Rhodesian Ridgeback versus Stabyhoun     

    West Highland White Terrier Versus Other Dog Breeds

    West Highland White Terrier versus Chinese Crested     West Highland White Terrier versus Komondor     West Highland White Terrier versus Dutch Shepherd     West Highland White Terrier versus Golden Cocker Retriever     West Highland White Terrier versus Treeing Walker Coonhound     West Highland White Terrier versus Manchester Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Sloughi     West Highland White Terrier versus Boerboel     West Highland White Terrier versus Norwegian Buhund     West Highland White Terrier versus Chinese Crested     West Highland White Terrier versus Peek A Poo     West Highland White Terrier versus Jack Russell Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Dogo Argentino     West Highland White Terrier versus Pyrenean Shepherd     West Highland White Terrier versus Morkie     West Highland White Terrier versus Bluetick Coonhound     West Highland White Terrier versus Norfolk Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Portuguese Pointer     West Highland White Terrier versus Patterdale Terrier     West Highland White Terrier versus Belgian Sheepdog     West Highland White Terrier versus Mastiff     West Highland White Terrier versus Ibizan Hound     West Highland White Terrier versus Lhasapoo     West Highland White Terrier versus Australian Kelpie     West Highland White Terrier versus Miniature Pinscher     

    Conclusion: Rhodesian Ridgeback versus West Highland White 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 West Highland White Terrier better suits you and your family.