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Great Dane vs Rhodesian Ridgeback: Breeds Comparison

Trying to decide between the Great Dane and the Rhodesian Ridgeback? Both of these dogs can be similar in some ways but are quite different in many others. Read on and find out which of these popular breeds is the perfect pup for your lifestyle!

Before getting a puppy, you should be sure that the breed you're doing to buy or rescue is a good fit for your lifestyle and home.

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While Great Dane is a member of the Working Group, Rhodesian Ridgeback belongs to the group of Hound Dogs.

Despite these breeds aren't members of the same breed groups, they have some similarities and not only differences so keep reading to learn more.

Great Dane vs Rhodesian Ridgeback Size Comparison

Great Danes are larger, with a typical height of 26 to 34 inches and weight of 100 to 200 pounds, while the typical height of Rhodesian Ridgeback is 24 to 27 inches and they usually weigh 70 to 85 pounds.

We know that these numbers might be too abstract, so we made a tool to help you visualize these numbers.

The following chart compares the average breeds height with the average height of an American man and woman.

According to Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) data, the average height of a man is 69 inches, and the height of a woman is 63.5 inches.

Great Dane Height Visualization Rhodesian Ridgeback Height Visualization Average American Women Height Visualization Average American Men Height Visualization

Dog size comparison to a human. From left, average heights of Great Dane, Rhodesian Ridgeback, American female, and American male.

Great Dane vs Rhodesian Ridgeback lifespan

No doubt, the quality of care provided to the dog is one of the main factors when it comes to canines life longevity, however, there are also other factors, especially the dog's breed.

With a life expectancy of 10 to 12 years, Rhodesian Ridgebacks usually live longer than Great Danes.

Great Danes' lifespan is 7 to 10 years.

Read on to the following sections to better understand in detail how Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback compare and hopefully end up with enough arguments to decide which one is better for you.

Breed Name Great Dane Great Dane Rhodesian Ridgeback Rhodesian Ridgeback
Traits
Breed GroupWorking DogsHound Dogs
Height26 to 34 inches24 to 27 inches
Weight100 to 200 pounds70 to 85 pounds
Life Span7 to 10 years10 to 12 years

Great Dane vs Rhodesian Ridgeback adaptability

When we say "dog adaptability", most people think about apartment living adaptability, so let's start with that.

All dogs are great — but not all dogs are great for or geared toward apartment living. A dog may be considered the worst dog breed for apartments for a few reasons including size, energy level, noise, smell, shedding...

Unfortunately, Great Danes and Rhodesian Ridgebacks don't have a good reputation as good apartment living dogs.

While most dogs can be left home alone for 6 to 8 hours, some will do better. Check the table below to see how Great Danes and Rhodesian Ridgebacks tolerate being left alone.

To learn more, read our list of dogs that can be left alone.

Hot weather tolerance

Depending on where you live, you should choose a dog that tolerates hot or cold weather well.

Speaking of Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback, these breeds tolerate hot weather well, but you still need to be cautious when it's hot.

During warm weather, be sure to provide shade and water and head out in the morning or late evening when it's cooler. Also, avoid pavements - if the ground is too hot to touch for your hand for a few seconds, it's too hot for paws.

Check our heatstroke article on prevention and symptoms to learn more.

What about cold weather?

Cold temperatures are not a problem for most dogs until they fall below 45° F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures fall below 32° F, owners of small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, and/or very young, old, or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s well-being.

Once temperatures drop under 20° F, all owners need to be aware that their dogs could potentially develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia and frostbite.

Rhodesian Ridgeback tolerates cold weather better than Great Dane.

Great Danes' fur is simply not designed for low temperatures, so you might consider getting them some kind of dog wear coat.

The best way to monitor dogs when it’s cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside.

Our "How Cold Is Too Cold For Dogs?" article has more information on this topic.

AdaptabilityGreat DaneRhodesian Ridgeback
Adapts Well To Apartment Living
Good For Novice Owners
Sensitivity Level
Tolerates Being Alone
Tolerates Cold Weather
Tolerates Hot Weather

Great Dane vs Rhodesian Ridgeback temperament

It's always hard to make a general statement about the whole breed's temperament. Each dog has a different temperament, and there are a lot of factors that affect its behavior.

Looking for a perfect family dog?

If you're looking for a companion dog, you won't go wrong with Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback. Their outgoing and friendly personality makes them a great choice for families. Both are highly affectionate with family, they will immediately become a family member.

When it comes to behavior around children, Great Dane simply tends to do better.

Both Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback love children - they are usually gentle and patient with kids, but as we mentioned, temperaments can vary based on the individual dog.

We've created a list of the 15 best dogs for kids and family, so read it next if this is important for you.

Guarding behavior

Dog guarding behavior is welcome for some owners, while others prefer a dog that's friendly towards strangers.

Rhodesian Ridgeback will be fine with family, but proper training and socialization are required. On the other hand, Great Dane hasn't a reputation of a great family and companion dog.

All-Around FriendlinessGreat DaneRhodesian Ridgeback
Affectionate With Family
Kid-Friendly
Dog Friendly
Friendly Toward Strangers

Health And Grooming Needs

The best way to optimize your pup’s health is to research reputable breeders, and then when you meet them ask to see the parents and their health certificates as described above and to see the conditions in which all the dogs are living.

Check the table below to see the general health rating for these two canines, and read full breed profile articles to read in-depth information on their health.

Also, some breeds are prone to obesity, which could cause other health conditions. Be sure to check that information as well, if the breed is prone to obesity, keep a close eye on labels and feed your dog according to the food labels.

For example, hip dysplasia is hereditary and is especially common in larger dogs. Factors such as excessive growth rate, types of exercise, and improper weight and nutrition can magnify this genetic predisposition.

What about shedding?

One of the bad parts of having a dog is definitely shedding. So be sure to take this into your consideration when choosing the right breed for you. Click here to learn how to minimize the shedding.

OK, let's make this clear - Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback are heavy shedders! Preventing shedding is impossible, but regular brushing is necessary. These breeds are almost always on the list of dogs that shed the worst.

Recommended article: 30 Small Hypoallergenic Dogs That Don’t Shed.

Drooling potential?

Hate drooling? Well, then you should probably skip Great Dane and choose Rhodesian Ridgeback instead.

Health And Grooming NeedsGreat DaneRhodesian Ridgeback
Amount Of Shedding
Drooling Potential
Easy To Groom
General Health
Potential For Weight Gain
Size

Great Dane vs Rhodesian Ridgeback trainability

Each dog needs some kind of obedience training, but some of them are easier to train, while others are more stubborn.

Novice owners should probably choose Great Dane over Rhodesian Ridgeback as they are easier to train and aren't very stubborn. Still, you should be patient, and forget - persistence, and consistency are key in successfully training your dog.

This doesn't mean Rhodesian Ridgebacks are untrainable, but you might also consider getting professional help.

TrainabilityGreat DaneRhodesian Ridgeback
Easy To Train
Intelligence
Potential For Mouthiness
Prey Drive
Tendency To Bark Or Howl
Wanderlust Potential

Do Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback need a lot of physical activity?

To keep your dog healthy, calm, and happy, you have to provide it with enough physical activities. Not only your dog will be healthier and happier when it's active, but you'll also reduce or completely eliminate destructive behavior.

Some people don't think about this when selecting a breed, so we have dedicated a whole chapter to physical needs.

Both Great Dane and Rhodesian Ridgeback have a high exercise needs. It means they will need at least 30 to 60 minutes of hard aerobic exercise most days of the week, preferably daily. And no, a leashed walk isn't a hard aerobic exercise - think of aerobic exercise as anything that makes your dog pant.

Physical NeedsGreat DaneRhodesian Ridgeback
Energy Level
Intensity
Exercise Needs
Potential For Playfulness

Great Dane or Rhodesian Ridgeback: The bottom line

In this article, we tried to give you an idea of what you can expect from Great Danes and Rhodesian Ridgebacks.

To further explore their personality, overall health, temperament, and much more, read their full breed profile.

Or, use the tool below to read the next comparison.

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