Last Updated: Nov 22, 2022
Quick Links: Table of Contents
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Aggressive Towards Strangers?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Aggressive Towards their Owners?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Afraid of Strangers?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Afraid of Other Dogs?
- Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Have Non-Social Fears?
- Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Easy to Train?
- Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
- Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
- Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
- Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Playful? What is the Energy Level of Rhodesian Ridgebacks
- Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Temperament
Introduction to the Temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback
The are many descriptions of the temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback out there. However, most of these descriptions are difficult to verify or prove. They are based on mere speculations.
In this article, we will provide a factual description of the temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback based on solid scientific research. This will give you a better understanding of what you can expect from the Rhodesian Ridgeback breed.
We obtained our description of the temperament of Rhodesian Ridgeback by analyzing raw scientific data from The Canine Behavioral Assessment & Research Questionnaire (C-BARQ) database.
The C-BARQ dog temperament standard was developed by researchers from the University of Pennsylvania. It is considered the gold standard for measuring the behavior of dogs.
Over the years, the C-BARQ study has collected data on the temperament of thousands of dogs of different breeds including the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
The C-BARQ study obtains its data by asking dog owners to score the behavior of their dogs on different behavior patterns.
The idea behind the C-BARQ study is that if it collects thousands of scores from thousands of dog owners on different aspects of dog behavior, a clear pattern will emerge on the temperament of different dog breeds.
The C-BARQ questionnaire measures 14 behavior aspects of dogs:
- Aggression towards stranger
- Aggression towards its owner
- Aggression towards other dogs
- How well they get along with other dogs
- Fear of strangers
- Fear of new things (new objects, unfamiliar loud sounds, etc)
- Fear of other dogs
- Separation anxiety
- Clinginess
- Trainability/ Stubbornness
- Prey drive
- Excitability
- Touch sensitivity
- Energy level
In this article, we will discuss the score of the Rhodesian Ridgeback for each of these 14 characteristics. This will let you know the real temperament of the Rhodesian Ridgeback.
The summary table below shows the score of the Rhodesian Ridgeback for the different behavioral characteristics.
High percentage scores close to 100 are bad. Low percentage scores close to 0 are good.
| Behavior | Score |
|---|---|
| Prey Drive | 67.1 percent |
| Nonsocial Fear | 5.9 percent |
| Energy Level | 33.8 percent |
| Dog Directed Aggression | 32.7 percent |
| Attachment Attention Seeking | 31.7 percent |
| Stubbornness | 28.6 percent |
| Stranger Directed Aggression | 28.5 percent |
| Dog Directed Fear | 26.4 percent |
| Dog Rivalry | 25.0 percent |
| Touch Sensitivity | 21.8 percent |
| Excitability | 16.9 percent |
| Stranger Directed Fear | 16.6 percent |
| Separation Related Behavior | 13.6 percent |
| Owner Directed Aggression | 0.9 percent |
Note that with proper training, you can better your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s temperament. To learn how to properly train your Rhodesian Ridgeback, I highly recommend that you go through Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things that I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Rhodesian Ridgeback.
See also our complete ranking of dog breeds from the `best` to the `worst` based on temperament.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Aggressive Towards Strangers?
Dog breeds that are aggressive to strangers show hostile responses to strangers approaching or invading the dog`s or the dog owner`s personal space, territory, or home range.
Stranger-aggressive dog breeds are quick to show aggression to unfamiliar people.
Typical signs of moderate aggression in dogs include barking, growling, and baring of teeth. More serious display of aggression generally includes snapping, lunging, biting, or attempting to bite.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are somewhat aggressive towards strangers.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks average for aggression towards strangers.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 72 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards strangers.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a stranger-directed-aggression score of 28.5 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat aggressive towards strangers just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 69 | Gordon Setter | 28.8 % |
| 70 | Pembroke Welsh Corgi | 28.8 % |
| 71 | English Springer Spaniel | 28.5 % |
| 72 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 28.5 % |
| 73 | Airedale Terrier | 28.3 % |
| 74 | Irish Setter | 28.0 % |
| 75 | Fox Terrier (Smooth) | 27.9 % |
The dog breeds that are most aggressive towards strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards strangers are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Aggressive Towards their Owners?
Due to human effort over the course of many centuries, the dog has become a very domestic animal. Dogs have learned to live well with humans. As a result, dogs respect and love their owners. Nevertheless, some dog breeds are less respectful to their owners than some other dog breeds.
Owner-aggressive dog breeds show threatening or hostile responses to their owner or other members of the household when challenged, manhandled, stared at, stepped over, or when approached while in possession of food, objects, or toys.
A dog that is owner-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite their owners.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not aggressive towards their owners.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very low for aggression towards its owner.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 121 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards their owners.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an owner-directed-aggression score of 0.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are not owner-aggressive just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Owner-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Owner-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 118 | Irish Setter | 4.6 % |
| 119 | Scottish Terrier | 3.9 % |
| 120 | Italian Greyhound | 2.6 % |
| 121 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 0.9 % |
| 122 | Irish Water Spaniel | 0.9 % |
| 123 | Pointer | 0.3 % |
| 124 | Chinook | 0.0 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards their owners are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Aggressive Towards other Dogs?
Dogs that are aggressive towards other dogs will direct aggressive threats or actions toward unknown or unfamiliar dogs.
A dog-aggressive dog will threaten or show hostile responses when approached by unfamiliar dogs
A dog that is dog-aggressive shows its aggression by barking, growling, and baring of teeth. In extreme cases, these dogs can snap, lunge, bite, or attempt to bite other dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a little bit aggressive towards other dogs.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks low for aggression towards other dogs.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 88 out of 124 dog breeds for aggression towards other dogs.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a dog-directed aggression score of 32.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit dog-aggressive just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Aggression Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Aggression Score |
|---|---|---|
| 85 | Weimaraner | 35.2 % |
| 86 | Chow Chow | 34.6 % |
| 87 | Poodle (Toy) | 34.5 % |
| 88 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 32.7 % |
| 89 | Siberian Husky | 31.8 % |
| 90 | Samoyed | 30.4 % |
| 91 | Mastiff (English) | 29.9 % |
The dog breeds that show the most aggression towards other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least aggressive towards other dogs are the:
Usually, small dog breeds display aggression not because they are mean but because they are afraid and feel insecure due to their small size.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Afraid of Strangers?
Some dogs breeds tend to be fearful of strangers.
Dogs that are fearful of strangers will avoid strangers. These dogs will crouch, cringe, or tremble when approached by strangers.
Extreme fear in dogs is characterized by serious attempts to escape or hide from the feared stranger.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a little bit fearful of strangers.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks low for fear of strangers.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 89 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of strangers.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a stranger-directed-fear score of 16.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit stranger-fearful just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Stranger-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Stranger-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 86 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 17.0 % |
| 87 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 16.7 % |
| 88 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 16.6 % |
| 89 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 16.6 % |
| 90 | Bouvier des Flandres | 16.4 % |
| 91 | Akita | 15.8 % |
| 92 | Gordon Setter | 15.7 % |
The dog breeds that show the most fear of strangers are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of strangers are the:
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Afraid of Other Dogs?
Some dogs breeds tend to show fear when an unfamiliar dog approaches them.
A dog that is fearful of other dogs will try to avoid meeting other dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a little bit fearful of other dogs.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks low for fear of other dogs.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 87 out of 124 dog breeds for fear of other dogs.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a dog-directed-fear score of 26.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit other-dog-fearful just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Dog-Directed-Fear Rank | Breed | Dog-Directed-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 84 | American Staffordshire Terrier | 27.3 % |
| 85 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 26.6 % |
| 86 | Boston Terrier | 26.5 % |
| 87 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 26.4 % |
| 88 | Mastiff (English) | 26.3 % |
| 89 | Portuguese Water Dog | 26.3 % |
| 90 | Bouvier des Flandres | 25.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of other dogs are the:
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Have Non-Social Fears?
Dogs that are fearful of sudden or loud noises, traffic, and unfamiliar objects and situations are said to exhibit nonsocial fear.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not fearful of unfamiliar sounds, situations, and objects.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very low for non-social fear.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 117 out of 124 dog breeds for being fearful of unfamiliar things and situations.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a nonsocial-fear score of 5.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are not nonsocial-fearful just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Nonsocial-Fear Rank | Breed | Nonsocial-Fear Score |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Rottweiler | 6.2 % |
| 115 | Portuguese Water Dog | 6.1 % |
| 116 | English Setter | 6.0 % |
| 117 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 5.9 % |
| 118 | German Wirehaired Pointer | 5.7 % |
| 119 | Eurasier | 5.7 % |
| 120 | Borzoi | 4.0 % |
The dog breeds that are most fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
The dog breeds that are least fearful of unfamiliar situations and objects are the:
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Get Along Well With Other Dogs?
Some dog breeds display high dog rivalry. These dog breeds will threaten or act hostile to other familiar dogs in the same household.
These dog breeds will compete with other dogs. Also, these dog breeds do not get along well with other dogs.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not competitive when dealing with other dogs.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very low on dog rivalry.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 99 out of 124 dog breeds for displaying dog rivalry when dealing with familiar dogs.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a dog-rivalry score of 25.0 %.
Other dog breeds that are not competition-driven just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Dog-Rivalry Rank | Breed | Dog-Rivalry Score |
|---|---|---|
| 96 | Whippet | 26.3 % |
| 97 | Collie | 26.0 % |
| 98 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 25.4 % |
| 99 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 25.0 % |
| 100 | Mastiff (English) | 24.9 % |
| 101 | Bichon Frise | 24.6 % |
| 102 | Poodle (Standard) | 24.6 % |
The dog breeds that do not get along well with other dogs are the:
The dog breeds that get along well with other dogs are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how well they get along with other dog breeds.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Easy to Train?
Dogs have high trainability have the willingness to listen to their owner. These dogs are not stubborn. These dogs obey simple commands, and they learn very quickly.
Highly trainable dogs excel at fetching objects. They also respond positively to correction and ignore distraction.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are somewhat easy to train.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks average for trainability.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 50 out of 124 dog breeds for easiness to train.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the trainability of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a trainability score of 71.4 %.
Other dog breeds that are somewhat easy to train just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Trainability Rank | Breed | Trainability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 47 | Boxer | 72.3 % |
| 48 | Poodle (Toy) | 72.2 % |
| 49 | Dalmatian | 71.9 % |
| 50 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 71.4 % |
| 51 | German Shorthaired Pointer | 71.2 % |
| 52 | Brittany | 71.2 % |
| 53 | Norwegian Elkhound | 71.2 % |
The dog breeds that are most easy to train are the:
The dog breeds that are difficult to train are the:
Learn more about how intelligent the Rhodesian Ridgeback is and how the intelligence of the Rhodesian Ridgeback affects its trainability in this article on how smart the Rhodesian Ridgeback is.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Get Along Well with Cats? Do They Get Along Well with Other Pets?
Dog breeds that have high chase-drive will run after (chase) cats, birds, and/or other small animals, given the opportunity.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are very much into chasing after other smaller pets like cats, squirrels, chickens, and birds.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very high for small-pet-chasing.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 24 out of 124 dog breeds for chasing after smaller pets.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a chasing score of 67.1 %.
Other dog breeds that are very much into chasing after smaller pets just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Chasing Rank | Breed | Chasing Score |
|---|---|---|
| 21 | Akita | 69.5 % |
| 22 | Miniature Schnauzer | 69.1 % |
| 23 | Schipperke | 69.0 % |
| 24 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 67.1 % |
| 25 | Belgian Malinois | 66.4 % |
| 26 | Rat Terrier | 65.4 % |
| 27 | Alaskan Malamute | 65.1 % |
The dog breeds that like chasing after cats and other smaller pets are the:
The dog breeds that will not chase after cats and other smaller pets are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their prey drive.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks Like Attention? Are they Clingy or Aloof?
Some dog breeds like to stay close to their owners all the time. These dogs like attention, and they like to receive the affection of their owners.
These dogs get jealous when their owners give attention to other dogs or other people instead of them.
Dogs with these traits are described as attachment/attention-seeking.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not attachment/attention-seeking.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very low for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 102 out of 124 dog breeds for attachment/attention-seeking behavior.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an attachment/attention-seeking score of 31.7 %.
Other dog breeds that are not attachment/attention-seeking just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Attachment-Attention-Seeking Rank | Breed | Attachment-Attention-Seeking Score |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier | 33.2 % |
| 100 | Eurasier | 32.0 % |
| 101 | Alaskan Malamute | 31.9 % |
| 102 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 31.7 % |
| 103 | Ibizan Hound | 29.4 % |
| 104 | Chinook | 29.4 % |
| 105 | Airedale Terrier | 28.8 % |
The dog breeds that are always seeking the attention of their owners are the:
The dog breeds that are aloof are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their clinginess.
Do Rhodesian Ridgebacks have Separation Anxiety? Do They Like to be Left Alone?
Dog breeds that have separation anxiety do not like to be left alone.
These dog breeds tend to bark and destroy things when separated from their owners.
They become restless or lose their appetite when left alone.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not prone to developing separation anxiety.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very low for separation anxiety relative to other dog breeds.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 117 out of 124 dog breeds for separation anxiety.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a separation anxiety score of 13.6 %.
Other dog breeds that are not prone to develop separation anxiety just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Separation-Related-Behavior Rank | Breed | Separation-Related-Behavior Score |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Nova Scotia Duck Tolling Retriever | 15.6 % |
| 115 | Portuguese Water Dog | 15.5 % |
| 116 | Flat-Coated Retriever | 15.0 % |
| 117 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 13.6 % |
| 118 | Scottish Terrier | 10.6 % |
| 119 | Norwegian Elkhound | 10.4 % |
| 120 | Bernese Mountain Dog | 9.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most prone to develop separation anxiety are listed below. These dog breeds do not like to be left alone. These dog breeds are the:
- Treeing Walker Coonhound
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- Chinese Crested
- Miniature Pinscher
- Australian Silky Terrier
The dog breeds that are least prone to develop separation anxiety are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their tendency to develop separation anxiety.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Touch Sensitive? Do They Like to be Groomed?
Dogs that are touch-sensitive are fearful of `painful` procedures such as bathing, grooming, nail clipping, and veterinary examinations.
These dogs do not like going through these `painful` procedures, and they will react to show they do not like the procedure.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are a little bit touch-sensitive.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks low for touch sensitivity.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 90 out of 124 dog breeds for touch sensitivity.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has a touch-sensitivity score of 21.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are a little bit touch-sensitive just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Touch-Sensitivity Rank | Breed | Touch-Sensitivity Score |
|---|---|---|
| 87 | Havanese | 22.3 % |
| 88 | Australian Shepherd | 22.0 % |
| 89 | Dingo | 21.8 % |
| 90 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 21.8 % |
| 91 | Bullmastiff | 21.6 % |
| 92 | Italian Greyhound | 21.4 % |
| 93 | Bulldog | 21.4 % |
The dog breeds that are most touch-sensitive are the:
The dog breeds that are least touch-sensitive are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on their sensitivity to touch.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Hyper? Are they Highly Excitable?
Excitable dog or hyper dog breeds display strong reactions to potentially exciting or arousing events, such as:
- going for walks
- car trips
- sound of the doorbell
- arrival of visitors, and
- the owner arriving home
Highly excitable dog breeds have difficulty settling down after arousal.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not hyper (excitable).
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very low for excitability.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 117 out of 124 dog breeds for excitability.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an excitability score of 16.9 %.
Other dog breeds that are not excitable just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Excitability Rank | Breed | Excitability Score |
|---|---|---|
| 114 | Dingo | 20.4 % |
| 115 | English Setter | 20.3 % |
| 116 | Kuvasz | 18.1 % |
| 117 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 16.9 % |
| 118 | Eurasier | 15.0 % |
| 119 | Collie | 14.0 % |
| 120 | Anatolian Shepherd | 11.7 % |
The dog breeds that are most hyper (excitable) are the:
- Australian Silky Terrier
- Fox Terrier (Smooth)
- American Eskimo Dog
- Parson Russell Terrier
- Miniature Schnauzer
The dog breeds that are least hyper (excitable) are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds based on how hyper they are.
Are Rhodesian Ridgebacks Playful? What is the Energy Level of Rhodesian Ridgebacks
Energetic dog breeds are very playful dog breeds. These are the dog breeds that do not get tired easily.
Rhodesian Ridgebacks are not energetic.
This is because the Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks very low for energy level.
The Rhodesian Ridgeback ranks number 102 out of 124 dog breeds for energy level.
This information is based on what 109 Rhodesian Ridgeback owners reported on the temperament of their Rhodesian Ridgeback in a research survey.
Based on our further analysis of the survey, we found that the Rhodesian Ridgeback has an energy-level score of 33.8 %.
Other dog breeds that are not energetic just like the Rhodesian Ridgeback are listed in the table below
| Energy-Level Rank | Breed | Energy-Level Score |
|---|---|---|
| 99 | English Setter | 37.0 % |
| 100 | Great Dane | 36.5 % |
| 101 | Akita | 34.1 % |
| 102 | Rhodesian Ridgeback | 33.8 % |
| 103 | Alaskan Malamute | 32.9 % |
| 104 | Basenji | 32.4 % |
| 105 | Bulldog | 32.1 % |
The dog breeds that are most playful and most energetic are the:
The dog breeds that are laziest are the:
See our complete ranking of dog breeds from the most energetic to the least energetic.
Conclusion on Rhodesian Ridgeback Temperament
The temperament of your Rhodesian Ridgeback comes from a combination of its genetics and what environment your Rhodesian Ridgeback is exposed to.
You cannot change your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s gene but you can change the things you expose your Rhodesian Ridgeback to.
Exposing your Rhodesian Ridgeback to dog training sessions early in its life can help you mold the temperament of your Rhodesian Ridgeback to what you desire.
Again, with proper training, you can better your Rhodesian Ridgeback`s temperament. To learn how to properly train a dog, I highly recommend Dr. Ian Dunbar`s online dog training classes, which you can find here.
I learned most of the things I know about training dogs by reading Dr. Dunbar`s books and watching his training videos. Dr. Dunbar`s dog training methods are for people expecting to own a puppy soon, new dog owners, and experienced dog owners.
Another helpful online dog training class that I recommend is this one. The class will teach you how to properly train your Rhodesian Ridgeback.
If you think the Rhodesian Ridgeback is the right dog breed for you, see our article on how much Rhodesian Ridgebacks cost and Rhodesian Ridgeback puppy buying guide.
Also, see our list of reputable Rhodesian Ridgeback breeders in the United States and the prices of their Rhodesian Ridgeback puppies.