Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison

Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed ComparisonRhodesian Ridgeback is originated from Zimbabwe but Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier is originated from Ireland. Rhodesian Ridgeback may grow 21 cm / 9 inches higher than Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Rhodesian Ridgeback may weigh 23 kg / 51 pounds more than Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Both Rhodesian Ridgeback and Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier has same life span. Rhodesian Ridgeback may have more litter size than Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier. Both Rhodesian Ridgeback and Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier requires Low maintenance.

History

rhodesian ridgeback - historyKnown 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.

irish staffordshire bull terrier - historyThe Staffordshire Bull Terrier comes from Staffordshire, England, but the Irish Staffie was later developed by Irish breeders so its origin is essentially Ireland. They were developed from bulldogs and different terrier breeds.

The dog was always used for bull baiting, but when this sport died out, the Irish breeders wanted to create a taller, leaner dog suited for dog fighting. When dog fighting was banned the breed became rare again, but today it has been restored and is essentially a popular companion pet.

Description

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.

irish staffordshire bull terrier puppy - descriptionThe Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier is a medium sized pure-breed dog standing at roughly 43 to 48cm and weighing anything from 14 to 18kg.

He has a short, smooth coat which can be a mix of colors such as fawn, tan, black or brindle. The coat can also be bi-colored such as in fawn and white or black and white. He is a powerfully built dog with short legs which are fairly wide apart.

He has a large head and short muzzle with powerful jaws.Sometimes when he pants after a hectic bout of exercise he gets a comical, grinning look on his face. The ears are semi-erect, semi-upright and he has a long tail.

Temperament:

Your Irish Staffy is a feisty, confident dog that has been known to have a temperament which leads towards aggression. It is why he should be trained and socialized to make him more amicable and obedient. He is an intelligent and alert dog, so won't have difficulty with training.

A well trained and socialized Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier will get on well with children in the home as he is a playful, jovial dog, always ready for a game.

Characteristics

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.

irish staffordshire bull terrier dog - characteristicsThe older Irish Staffie has always been an aggressive type dog used for fighting, but today the modern breed is capable of being a splendid, entertaining, amicable pet with an even temper. He is feisty for sure, being brave, fearless, loyal and loving with his human family members.

All it requires with this dog is to have a firm, loving upbringing, some training and socialization as well as good food and plenty of love and attention. Many dogs get labelled wrongly because of the humans that rear them the wrong way. When done correctly, the Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier promises to be a wonderful, loving, loyal pet.

Health Problems

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.

irish staffordshire bull terrier puppies - health problemsThe Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier, just like with any other dog, has a good chance of living a good number of years if he is fed properly. He can live to be anything up to between 10 and 16 years.

Say what you like, good nutrition and the lifestyle you provide for your Irish Staffie will determine how long he lives. An unhappy dog that has to beg for love and attention won't do well. Your Irish Staffie can live to a ripe age but he is still at risk for certain health problems.

Mastocytoma:

These mast cell tumors are graded according to their location in the skin. Certain dogs like Boxers and bulldogs are more susceptible to mast cell tumors than other breeds, and the Irish Staffie isn't immune either. Most times the tumor develops in an older dog, though young dogs have also been known to develop the tumor. These tumors can be inactive for a while and then experience some rapid growth with some redness and fluid build up. Immediate veterinary intervention will be required.

Caring The Pet

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.

Exercise:

irish staffordshire bull terrier dogs - caringThe Irish Staffie is an active dog, who is always game for anything. He will certainly need active owners who include him in all their activities. He has a lot of stamina and endurance and will want to join you on your walks, hikes and swimming. Ignoring his exercise needs can turn him into a restless, unhappy, frustrated, destructive dog.

Grooming:

Having a short, smooth coat means your Irish Staffie being a low maintenance dog. He does shed a bit so his coat will need to be brushed at least twice a week to get rid of all those loose hairs. Its always a good opportunity to check him for fleas and ticks too.

If the short coat gets too dirty, a wipe down with a damp cloth can keep the coat bright and shiny. Certainly avoid bathing him too often as this can aggravate the skin.

Check his nails and trim them if they get too long. Check his ears and teeth as these are all problem areas which can contribute to your dog becoming ill.

Diet:

Your Irish Staffie is such an energetic dog that he will need excellent food that promotes this energy. Whether you buy him the best commercially manufactured kibble, you want to also add in some home-made food such as cooked chicken, rice and vegetables as well as including some raw meat occasionally. The food you provide your Staffie with needs to be full of vitamins and minerals to avoid illness. Always make sure he has access to fresh, cool water.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Terrier dog
Origin:
Zimbabwe
Ireland
Height Male:
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Height Female:
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
43 - 48 cm
16 - 19 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Weight Female:
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
14 - 18 kg
30 - 40 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
10 - 14 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 10
5 - 7
Size:
Large dog
Medium dog
Other Names:
African Lion Dog
Irish Staffie
Colors Available:
wheaten, tan, Fawn
Fawn, black or brindle - bi-colored, tan
Coat:
Short, smooth, glossy
Short and smooth
Shedding:
Minimal
Moderate
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Aggressive, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Low maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
No
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Schnauzer vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  2. Irish Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  3. Kerry Blue Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  4. Lakeland Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  5. Jagdterrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  6. Japanese Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  7. Old English Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  8. Scoland Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  9. Skye Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  10. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs American Pit Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  11. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  12. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Airedale Terrier - Breed Comparison
  13. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier - Breed Comparison
  14. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Bull and Terrier - Breed Comparison
  15. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Bedlington Terrier - Breed Comparison
  16. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Fox Terrier (Smooth) - Breed Comparison
  17. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Austrian Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  18. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Atlas Terrier - Breed Comparison
  19. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Blue Paul Terrier - Breed Comparison
  20. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Indian Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  21. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Irish Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  22. Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Brazilian Terrier - Breed Comparison
  23. Soft-Coated Wheaten Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  24. Staffordshire Bull Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  25. Welsh Terrier vs Irish Staffordshire Bull Terrier - Breed Comparison
  26. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  27. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  28. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  29. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  30. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  31. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  32. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  33. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  34. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rajapalayam - Breed Comparison
  35. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  36. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  37. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Petit Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  38. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Otterhound - Breed Comparison
  39. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mudhol Hound - Breed Comparison
  40. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Ibizan Hound - Breed Comparison
  41. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rampur Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  42. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  43. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  44. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  45. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Hanover Hound - Breed Comparison
  46. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Majestic Tree Hound - Breed Comparison
  47. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  48. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Polish Hunting Dog - Breed Comparison
  49. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  50. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds