Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rottweiler
Side by side
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Adult weight
Males 36–41 kg (79–90 lb); females 29–34 kg (64–75 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 43–54 kg (95–119 lb); females 37–46.4 kg (82–102 lb) (measured in UK vet records, n = 5,321, middle 50%)2
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Moults most as the seasons change
Grooming
A brush once a week
Brushing a few times a week
Exercise
Plenty
A moderate amount
Health
Bone cancer (much more likely); Melanoma of the eye or eyelid (much more likely)7
Class
Watchdog
Watchdog
Which suits you
Size
The Rottweiler is a little larger on average: about 45 kg (99 lb) as an adult, against 35 kg (77 lb) for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Rhodesian Ridgeback lives longer: a median of 12 years, against 10.6 for the Rottweiler.
Shedding
Their coats shed differently: the Rhodesian Ridgeback sheds through the year, the Rottweiler moults most as the seasons change.
Grooming
The Rottweiler needs more grooming, brushing a few times a week, where the Rhodesian Ridgeback needs a brush once a week.
Exercise
Plan for plenty of exercise with the Rhodesian Ridgeback, and a moderate amount with the Rottweiler.
Temperament
They differ most on affection (Rhodesian Ridgeback: affectionate on its own terms; Rottweiler: a lap or leaning dog) and on independence (Rhodesian Ridgeback: decides for itself; Rottweiler: cooperative, with its own ideas).
Alike
Both are rated the same on loyalty: sticks close to its people.
Neither is the better dog in general. Which suits you depends on your home, your days and the care you can give.
What they're like
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Scent hounds · Large
The Ridgeback is affectionate and gentle with its own people but reserved with strangers, and is generally quiet.
Rottweiler
Pinschers & molossoids · Giant
By temperament the Rottweiler is calm, self-assured and watchful. It is devoted to its own household but reserved with strangers.
Breed traits
Day to day
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Activity
Differs
Needs lots of exercise
A good daily walk and play
Intelligence
Learns readily, likes games
Learns readily, likes games
Handler demand
Needs an experienced owner
Needs an experienced owner
With people
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Affection
Differs
Affectionate on its own terms
A lap or leaning dog
Loyalty
Sticks close to its people
Sticks close to its people
Independence
Differs
Decides for itself
Cooperative, with its own ideas
Around the home
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Hardy, takes a busy home in its stride
Voice
Differs
Quiet
Barks to alert, then settles
Prey drive
Differs
Likely to chase small pets
Chases; needs managing
Puppy growth
Reference curves · both sexes
Summary
Detail
The Rottweiler grows to the heavier adult, about 46 kg against the Rhodesian Ridgeback's 35 kg.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Rottweiler
More comparisons
Compare the Rhodesian Ridgeback with
Sources
- 1American Kennel Club. Rhodesian Ridgeback breed page. ↑
- 2VetCompass UK. Primary-care veterinary records. ↑
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- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
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- 10Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 11Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 12American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 13
Parts of this page were written by AI ·