Greyhound vs Rhodesian Ridgeback

Compare the Greyhound to the Rhodesian Ridgeback. Use the tool below to compare temperament, size, personality, maintenance requirements, and everything else between Greyhounds and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

Quick Summary

Below are a few quick comparisons between the two breeds.
  • Owner Experience - Both the Rhodesian Ridgeback and the Greyhound are good for new owners, but the Rhodesian Ridgeback is a slightly better choice.
  • Children - Both the Greyhound and Rhodesian Ridgeback are great with children.
  • Grooming - Both the Greyhound and Rhodesian Ridgeback are very low maintenance and easy to groom.
  • Barking - The Greyhound bark/howls frequently. The Rhodesian Ridgeback rarely barks.
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Greyhound vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
White & Fawn Greyhound Dog
Rhodesian Ridgeback Sitting
Breed NameGreyhoundRhodesian Ridgeback
General Details
Breed TypePurebredPurebred
Is Hypo­allergenicNoNo
Lifespan12-15 yrs.10-12 yrs.
Height25-30 in.24-27 in.
Weight60-85 lb65-90 lb
IntelligenceHighAverage
History
Origin CountryEgyptZimbabwe
Origin Year4000 BC1924 AD
Temperament
Overall FriendlinessVery GoodVery Good
Family FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Kid FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Pet FriendlyVery GoodVery Good
Stranger FriendlyVery GoodGood
Personality
  • Affectionate
  • Loving
  • Affectionate
  • Jealous
  • Loving
  • Does Not Like Being Alone
  • Likes To Snuggle
  • Stubborn
  • Willing To Please
Living Environment
ApartmentYesYes
IndoorYesYes
Small YardYesYes
Medium YardYesYes
Large YardYesYes
Temperature Tolerance ¹65°F to 80°F35°F to 95°F
Barks/HowlsVery OftenRarely
Exercise Needs
Energy LevelLowHigh-Very High
Exercise RequiredLow-MediumHigh
Top Running Speed45 mph35 mph
StrengthHighHigh
Grooming Needs
Coat Main­tenanceMediumLow
SheddingMediumLow
DanderMediumLow
Drool AmountNoneNone

¹This is estimated min/max temperature range for a healthy adult dog. Dogs that live indoors, puppies, seniors, unwell dogs, and/or dogs with improperly groomed coats may overheat sooner and get cold more quickly.
Instincts & Behavior Comparison
Breed NameGreyhoundRhodesian Ridgeback
Breed Mentality
Dominant/AlphaNoNo
Family/PackYesYes
IndependentNoNo
Breed Focus
Distracted EasilyNoNo
AverageNoNo
Focused & PatientYesYes
Breed Instincts
AggressionVery LowBelow Average
Burrow/DiggingBelow AverageBelow Average
ChasingHighHigh
Follow CommandsAverageAverage
FightingVery LowBelow Average
GuardingBelow AverageAverage
HerdingBelow AverageBelow Average
HuntingHighHigh
ProtectionBelow AverageBelow Average
Remove VerminAverageBelow Average
SleddingBelow AverageBelow Average
WatchBelow AverageAverage
Health Comparison
Breed NameGreyhoundRhodesian Ridgeback
Lifespan
Lifespan12-15 yrs.10-12 yrs.
Common Health Issues
AllergiesYesNo
AlopeciaYesNo
BloatYesNo
CancerYesNo
CataractsYesNo
Cold IntoleranceYesNo
Dermoid SinusNoYes
Elbow DysplasiaNoYes
Heart MurmursYesNo
Hip DysplasiaYesYes
HypothyroidismYesNo
Musculoskeletal InjuriesYesNo
OsteoarthritisYesNo
OsteosarcomaYesNo
PannusYesNo
Progressive Retinal AtrophyYesNo
Sensitivity To AnesthesiaYesNo
Vitreous DegenerationYesNo
Appearance Comparison
Breed NameGreyhoundRhodesian Ridgeback
Coat
FurYesYes
Coat Type
Double CoatYesYes
Coat Texture
StraightYesYes
Coat Length(s)
ShortYesYes
Coat Color(s)
BlackYesNo
Black & WhiteYesNo
Black BrindleYesNo
Black Brindle & WhiteYesNo
BlueYesNo
Blue & WhiteYesNo
Blue BrindleYesNo
Blue Brindle & WhiteYesNo
Blue FawnYesNo
Blue Fawn & WhiteYesNo
FawnYesNo
Fawn & WhiteYesNo
LiverYesNo
Liver & WhiteYesNo
Liver BrindleYesNo
RedYesNo
Red & WhiteYesNo
Red BrindleYesNo
Red Brindle & WhiteYesNo
WhiteYesNo
White & BlackYesNo
White & Black BrindleYesNo
White & BlueYesNo
White & Blue BrindleYesNo
White & Blue FawnYesNo
White & FawnYesNo
White & LiverYesNo
White & Liver BrindleYesNo
White & RedYesNo
White & Red BrindleYesNo
Light WheatenNoYes
Red WheatenNoYes
WheatenNoYes