Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mixed - Breed Comparison | Petzlover

Mixed is originated from United States but Rhodesian Ridgeback is originated from Zimbabwe. Mixed may grow 41 cm / 17 inches higher than Rhodesian Ridgeback. Mixed may weigh 71 kg / 157 pounds more than Rhodesian Ridgeback. Mixed may live 6 years more than Rhodesian Ridgeback. Both Mixed and Rhodesian Ridgeback has almost same litter size. Mixed requires Moderate Maintenance. But Rhodesian Ridgeback requires Low Maintenance

Basic Information

Group:
Companion dog
Hound dog
undefined
United States
Zimbabwe
Height Male:
9 - 110 cm
3 - 44 inches
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
Height Female:
9 - 110 cm
3 - 44 inches
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
Weight Male:
2 - 112 kg
4 - 247 pounds
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
Weight Female:
2 - 112 kg
4 - 247 pounds
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
Life Span:
9 - 20 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
1 - 12
7 - 10
Size:
Large
Large
Other Names:
Cross breed, mutt, cur, mongrel
African Lion Dog
Colors Available:
cream, tri-colored, Brown, tan, black, white, bi-colored, liver, chocolate
wheaten, tan, Fawn
Coat:
Short to long, single or double-coat
Short, smooth, glossy
Shedding:
Moderate
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Detached, Docile, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Moderate Maintenance
Low Maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

History

Many people are inclined to think that mixed breed or cross-breed dogs, also known as mutts or mongrels or designer dogs are just pavement specials. They think they look nothing much better than junkyard mutts.

This may be so, but not always, and these mixed breed dogs always seem to have hearts of gold. A Mixed breed is a dog that has parent’s who aren’t registered and who come from different breeds. In other words the parents aren’t of the same breed.

Guessing a cross breed’s ancestry can be difficult as these mixed-breeds have more genetic variation than pure breeds. They've been around since ancient times. The dogs originate in different countries and they all have different coats, different sizes and different temperaments.

It is sad but true – there are literally millions of mixed dogs worldwide, some of which never know what it is to live with- and be lovingly cared for by a human being.

rhodesian ridgebackKnown as the African Lion Dog, the courageous Rhodesian Ridgeback hails from Rhodesia, now Zimbabwe.

He was bred essentially to be a hunter as well as a home guardian. These dogs were crossed with European dogs, with the original breed standard being drafted by F.R. Barnes By the 1860s, European colonisers had imported certain European dog breeds to the area such as Greyhound, Terriers, Bloodhounds as well as other breeds. These were mixed with the indigenous African dogs.

The Ridgeback Club was also founded. It was in 1955 that the American Kennel Club recognized the dog as a member of the Hound group.

Description

Sometimes Mixed dog breeds come about from two dogs meeting on the streets and mating or it could be two pure-breeds accidentally mating, resulting in a mixed breed.

The mixed breed dog puppy could inherit looks from just the one purebred parent so that he grows up looking like a pure-breed. With a cross breed the standard for breeding isn’t the same for purebreds where the appearance and temperament is more or less the same.

A mixed breed dog doesn’t have these standards to conform to and they are as varied and unique as the colors in the rainbow. It’s not possible to know what a mixed breed dog’s puppies will look like. A typical example of a mixed breed is a Labradoodle. People love the temperament of the Labrador but they want the low shedding qualities of the Poodle as well.

Mixed breed dogs can be small or large and that means different litter sizes. If you don’t want your Mixed dog breed becoming a parent, you can spay or neuter your dog.

Temperament:

There are many people who avoid choosing a ridiculously high priced pure breed puppy and they prefer to choose a mixed breed. This is partly because these mixed breed dogs are healthy, resilient and nearly always a good match for you and your family.

rhodesian ridgeback puppy - descriptionPerhaps the most noticeable thing with this large, handsome formidable looking dog is the ridge of hair that runs along his back and gives him his name. The rest of the coat is short and smooth and can be a reddish tan color or wheaten shade.

He is a slender, athletic dog with an alert, intelligent face. The ears of the dog are floppy and carried close to the head, being broad and then narrowing to a rounded ear. The tail is long,broad at the base and tapers. He is a large dog that stands at between 61 and 69cm and weighs between 29 and 41kg.

Temperament:

In spite of his athletic build, he isn’t an overly active dog like many other breeds but will require a walk ever day as well as ball- and rope games.

He is a quiet, gentle dog, strong and confident, while also being strong willed and independent. He is tolerant around children, but isn’t the kind of dog that relishes being around little kids who try to climb over him.

He is smart and can be easily trained. Training and socialization turn him into an awesome pet.

Characteristics

Doesn’t matter what your Mixed breed dog looks like – he is a unique individual and you can never really predict what kind of a character he will turn out to be.

He might inherit a bit of placid behavior from one parent and a bit of clownish behavior from the other. It’s what makes them so special.

Ask most dog lovers who have owned a mixed breed and you will usually hear them say that they wouldn’t trade their amazing loyal and devoted pet for all the money in the world.

rhodesian ridgeback dog - characteristicsYour Ridgeback is a dignified dog who is devoted to his human family, being aloof around strangers.

He is a territorial dog and takes his job as guard dog seriously. He is confident and independent, and with his good looks, his loyalty and devotion, he is guaranteed to make you a most splendid pet and companion.

Health Problems

All dogs, whether pure breeds or mixed breeds, need to be excellently cared for. When you consider the unconditional love your dog gives you, you want to ensure that you’re kind and loving towards him.

Every dog can be prone to common dog illnesses and there are some genetic predispositions for dogs with certain breeds within them.

Dental Disease:

All dogs can battle with problem teeth, but it appears to be more rife with smaller dogs. Dental disease starts with tartar build-up and when it isn’t removed from the teeth it progresses towards infection of the gums and teeth.

What you need to know is that not caring for the teeth can mean your pet losing his teeth but also putting your dog in danger of joint disease and problems with the kidneys and heart.

Obesity:

Obesity is a huge factor in small- and large dogs and can pave the way for other diseases with your pet. Being obese can shorten the life of your pet because it contributes to heart disease, digestive disorders, back pain and joint problems.

Parasites:

Fleas, ticks, mites and worms can play havoc with the health of your pet. Some of these parasites can then be transmitted from your pet to you. Parasites can cause pain, weight loss and even death for your pet so it is important to be vigilant in these matters.

Bloat, when the stomach twists and fills with gas as well as cancer and heart disease are just some of the more common diseases to look out for.

rhodesian ridgeback puppies - health problemsRhodesian Ridgebacks are generally healthy, robust dogs, but like with all breeds, they can also have their share of some of the common dog illnesses there are.

If you’re buying a puppy, make sure it comes from a good breeder.

Hip Dysplasia:

This is a hereditary disease which can become worse because of environmental factors such as rapid growth. The thighbone doesn’t fit properly into the hip joint.

It is sad when you see such a strong dog succumbing to hip dysplasia as it can cause a lot of pain and also make your dog lame. Arthritis can also occur.

Bloat:

For such a life threatening illness with a dog, it is wise to familiarize yourself with an emergency vet in your area. A dog with bloat needs to be rushed to the vet as soon as possible.

That is why it is better to feed your pet smaller meals daily rather than one big meal. Bloat is an ailment where there is rapid accumulation of gas in the stomach.

Dogs with deep chests are at a greater risk of bloat. Typical symptoms of bloat include restlessness, a swollen, hard stomach and trying to vomit.

Canine bloat or gastric dilatation and volvulus is a killer with dogs, with the gas accumulation causing the stomach to twist.

Caring The Pet

Good nutritious food, exercise, grooming, a dry place to sleep, taking your pet to the vet when he is sick as well as plenty of love and attention will ensure your Mixed dog breed’s health and happiness.

  • Brush his coat twice a week.
  • Check the ears and eyes for infection.
  • Check his teeth and be careful what you give your pet to chew on.

Keep die diet of your pet simple and consistent to avoid digestive problems. Quality commercially manufactured food is a good choice. Boiled chicken, brown rice and cooked or raw vegetables will be excellent added into your dog’s kibble from time to time. Add in some raw meat occasionally as it is good for warding off skin diseases.

Exercise your pet regularly, but don’t overdo it with young dogs as it can lead to joint problems later on in life.

Grooming:

rhodesian ridgeback dogs - caringThe Rhodesian Ridgeback only sheds a little so you can keep him looking good with a brush twice a week.The shiny coat can be maintained by wiping him down with a damp cloth. Look out for any unusual lumps you might find.

He has floppy ears so during your grooming session check inside his ears and make sure they aren’t red. You can suspect an ear infection when you see your Ridgeback shaking his head or scratching his ears.

Check inside your Ridgeback’s mouth too as dogs can’t tell you when they’ve got a rotten tooth that is causing terrible pain and also poisoning their entire system.

Trim his nails too if they don’t wear down naturally.

Diet:

Your large Rhodesian Ridgeback will need good food from you if you want to have less visits to the vet because of illness.

If you have a puppy feed him 4 bowls of food a day, but once your dog is one year of age he can have two bowls of food. Two bowls are better than one as with one bowl, your dog becomes ravenous and gobble his food down. This can lead to bloat.

It is always convenient to feed him one of the top quality commercially manufactured dog foods but he will also need some tasty home-made food too. Boiled chicken, brown rice or pasta and spinach, sweet potatoes and carrots are a healthy choice for your pet – plain and simple dog food, just like dogs want.

They don’t want exotic, spicy foods that humans eat as it upsets their stomach. Chop this home-made food up ad put it into his dry kibble twice a week for a treat. Also try to give him a bit of raw meat occasionally. Never leave him without a constant source of fresh, cool water.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Mixed vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  2. Mixed vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  3. Mixed vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  4. Mixed vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  5. Mixed vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Mixed vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  7. Mixed vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  8. Mixed vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Mixed vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  10. Mixed vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  11. Mixed vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  12. Mixed vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  13. Mixed vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  14. Mixed vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  15. Mixed vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  16. Mixed vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  17. Mixed vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Mixed vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  19. Mixed vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  20. Mixed vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Mixed vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  22. Mixed vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  23. Mixed vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  24. Mixed vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  25. Mixed vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs English Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  27. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs German Shepherd - Breed Comparison
  28. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Golden Retriever - Breed Comparison
  29. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Labrador Retriever - Breed Comparison
  30. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs West Highland White Terrier - Breed Comparison
  31. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs French Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  32. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Beagle - Breed Comparison
  33. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Yorkshire Terrier - Breed Comparison
  34. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Poodle - Breed Comparison
  35. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rottweiler - Breed Comparison
  36. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Boxer - Breed Comparison
  37. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs English Pointer - Breed Comparison
  38. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Siberian Husky - Breed Comparison
  39. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Doberman Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  40. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American Bully - Breed Comparison
  41. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Abruzzenhund - Breed Comparison
  42. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Affenpinscher - Breed Comparison
  43. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Afghan Hound - Breed Comparison
  44. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Aidi - Breed Comparison
  45. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  46. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Akbash Dog - Breed Comparison
  47. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Akita - Breed Comparison
  48. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Africanis - Breed Comparison
  49. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Askal - Breed Comparison
  50. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison