Breed comparison
Irish Terrier vs Rhodesian Ridgeback
How the two breeds compare on the American Kennel Club's 1 to 5 trait ratings, and which one suits which home.
Rhodesian Ridgeback5Affection with family5
5Good with young children5
1Good with other dogs3
3Openness to strangers3
3Playfulness3
3Energy level3
3Trainability4
4Mental stimulation needs4
4Adaptability4
5Watchdog / protective5
3Barking2
2Shedding3
1Coat grooming2
1Drooling2
The biggest differences
- Good with other dogs: the Rhodesian Ridgeback scores 3 out of 5, the Irish Terrier 1.
They score the same on affection with family, good with young children, openness to strangers, playfulness, energy level, mental stimulation needs.
Which one should you choose?
Pick the Irish Terrier if you want less dog hair. Pick the Rhodesian Ridgeback if you want a dog that is easier to train, you want a quieter dog, you have other dogs.
Ratings are general breed tendencies from the AKC. Every dog is an individual, so meet the dog, and its parents if you can, before you decide. Not sure? Try the breed selector.
Source: American Kennel Club breed ratings (compiled February 2022). How we check.