Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Vizsla
Side by side
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Vizsla
Adult weight
Males 36–41 kg (79–90 lb); females 29–34 kg (64–75 lb) (breed club figure)1
Males 25–27 kg (55–60 lb); females 20–25 kg (44–55 lb) (breed club figure)2
Shedding
Sheds through the year
Grooming
A brush once a week
Exercise
Plenty
Health
Bone cancer (much more likely); Melanoma of the eye or eyelid (much more likely)7
Melanoma of the eye or eyelid (far more likely); Skin melanoma (far more likely)7
Class
Watchdog
Sport
Which suits you
Size
The Rhodesian Ridgeback is larger: about 35 kg (77 lb) as an adult, against 24 kg (53 lb) for the Vizsla.
Lifespan
In UK vet records the Vizsla lives longer: a median of 13.5 years, against 12 for the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
Temperament
They differ most on independence (Rhodesian Ridgeback: decides for itself; Vizsla: keen to work with you) and on affection (Rhodesian Ridgeback: affectionate on its own terms; Vizsla: a lap or leaning dog).
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.
Vizsla
Pointing dogs · Medium
In temperament the Vizsla is lively, gentle and affectionate.
Breed traits
Day to day
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Vizsla
Activity
Needs lots of exercise
Needs lots of exercise
Intelligence
Differs
Learns readily, likes games
Needs daily brain work
Handler demand
Differs
Needs an experienced owner
Needs steady training
With people
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Vizsla
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
Keen to work with you
Around the home
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Vizsla
Sensitivity
Differs
Average
Needs a calm, predictable home
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 Rhodesian Ridgeback grows to the heavier adult, about 35 kg against the Vizsla's 24 kg.
Rhodesian Ridgeback
Vizsla
More comparisons
Compare the Rhodesian Ridgeback with
Sources
- 1American Kennel Club. Rhodesian Ridgeback breed page. ↑
- 2American Kennel Club. Vizsla breed page. ↑
- 3
- 4Hawthorne et al., 2004. Body-weight changes during growth in puppies of different breeds. Journal of Nutrition 134(8 Suppl): 2027S–2030S (WALTHAM). ↑
- 5
- 6
- 7
- 8Morrill et al., 2022. Ancestry-inclusive dog genomics challenges popular breed stereotypes. Science 376: eabk0639 (Darwin's Ark). ↑
- 9Dogs Trust. Finding a good, responsible breeder. ↑
- 10American Kennel Club. Screening puppy buyers: how top breeders find the best homes. ↑
- 11
Parts of this page were written by AI ·