Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Maltese - Breed Comparison

Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Maltese - Breed ComparisonRhodesian Ridgeback is originated from Zimbabwe but Maltese is originated from Italy. Rhodesian Ridgeback may grow 44 cm / 18 inches higher than Maltese. Rhodesian Ridgeback may weigh 36 kg / 80 pounds more than Maltese. Both Rhodesian Ridgeback and Maltese has almost same life span. Rhodesian Ridgeback may have more litter size than Maltese. Rhodesian Ridgeback requires Low maintenance. But Maltese requires Moderate 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.

maltese - historyThe Maltese dog hardly needs any introduction as this is an ancient breed which is still as popular as ever. Some people refer to it as the "Maltese Lion Dog," or "Melita" which was Malta’s previous name.

It was in the 19th century, that the Kennel Club settled on the name of Maltese for the dog breed. The dog has been selectively bred to keep its small size. The exact origin of the dog is unknown and there are various stories surrounding where its origins are, thought to be Italy.

It is believed that dogs such as spaniels and poodles have been used to bring about the Maltese. The American Kennel Club, a registry for pure bred dogs, recognized the breed in 1888.

Basic Information

Group:
Hound dog
Toy dog
Origin:
Zimbabwe
Italy
Height Male:
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Height Female:
61 - 69 cm
24 - 28 inches
20 - 25 cm
7 - 10 inches
Weight Male:
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
Weight Female:
27 - 41 kg
59 - 91 pounds
1 - 5 kg
2 - 12 pounds
Life Span:
10 - 14 Years
12 - 15 Years
Litter Size:
7 - 10
1 - 3
Size:
Large dog
Small dog
Other Names:
African Lion Dog
Melita, Maltese Lion Dog
Colors Available:
wheaten, tan, Fawn
White
Coat:
Short, smooth, glossy
Long and silky
Shedding:
Minimal
Minimal
Temperament:
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Territorial
Affectionate, Alert, Cheerful, Courageous, Curious, Energetic, Friendly, Gentle, Independent, Intelligent, Lively, Loving, Loyal, Outgoing, Playful, Protective, Quiet, Responsive, Social, Stubborn, Sweet, Territorial
Grooming:
Low maintenance
Moderate maintenance
Trainability:
Easy
Easy
Hypoallergenic:
No
Yes
Kids Friendly:
Yes
Yes
New Owners Friendly:
Yes
Yes

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.

maltese puppy - descriptionThe Maltese is looked upon as a toy dog. Both male and female stand roughly between 20-25cm in height and weigh between 1 and 4kg.

He is as cute as a button with a rounded skull, a pitch black nose, brown eyes and medium length floppy ears. The tail is feathery and is curled. He has a long, silky coat without an undercoat.

The color of his coat is pure white, and because he doesn’t shed he is looked upon as being hypoallergenic. Most people who own a Maltese like having the coat short to one length all round.

Temperament:

These little dogs have been bred to be companion dogs. They may be little, but it is a good idea to have him trained and socialized as they are inclined to be a bit snappy, especially with children.

He is intelligent, so training him won’t be difficult. Brought up the right way though, he can be good with children as well as pets in the home. They love their human families and want to be constantly with them. He is an energetic little dog too, and will just love ball games both inside and outside.

His very temperament and smallness make it that he fits perfectly into life in the city or the countryside. He is sweet and gentle but he makes a good watchdog, alerting you with his barking to strangers coming close by. Don’t leave him for long period of time as he hates being on his own and then he may start barking from sheer boredom and frustration.

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.

maltese dog - characteristicsThe Maltese is a popular dog no doubt, and his smallness is a draw-card as he adapts easily to life in the city or the countryside.

He is loving, loyal, intelligent and responsive, making him a good family dog and being an excellent playmate for children. Teach your children how to respect animals because raucous, disrespectful kids might produce a nip from an agitated Maltese.

Being a light shedder is another draw-card, with him being looked upon as a hypoallergenic breed. He has got so many good things going for him that he is guaranteed to make you an ideal 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.

maltese puppies - health problemsYour Maltese is a feisty little thing who, with good care, can live for a good few years – up to 15 or even longer. As with any other dog, he can become ill. One or two illnesses to look out for include -

Skin Problems:

Sebaceous adenitis is caused by inflammation of the sebaceous glands and is an uncommon skin disease found in some breeds of dog.

There are two types - one for long coated breeds and one for short coated breeds. For long or double-coated dogs, you’ll notice a white/silvery kind of dandruff on the coat as well as hair loss. There can also be skin lesions along the back and ears. It can make your pet miserable and he will need to see a vet.

Thyroid Problems:

A common hormonal problem is canine hypothyroidism, brought on by inadequate levels of thyroid hormones. Symptoms include hair loss, weight gain, coldness and a weakened immune system.

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.

Diet:

maltese dogs - caringYour Maltese is going to require quality food, water, exercise and shelter to enjoy a good life. The type of food you feed any dog has a direct impact on his health.

You need to provide him with quality food, and if its commercially manufactured food, you need to read the labels carefully so that the food is appropriate to your Maltese. For instance, you can’t mistakenly pull a ‘large-breed’ packet of food off the shelves and expect your Maltese to be able to stomach it.

If you do buy him this kibble, make sure the ingredients are wholesome. To break the monotony of eating kibble every day, give him some boiled chicken, brown rice and some raw or cooked vegetables chopped up finely into his kibble. He will love you for this as it makes a tasty meal for him and will keep him healthy.

Try to keep his diet nice and simple to avoid digestive problems.

Make sure he has constant access to fresh, cool water.

General Care:

Make sure your Maltese dog has a nice warm, dry place to sleep.

Get him to the vet if you notice that he is ill.

Brush his hair twice a week and take him to have it professionally cut if you prefer.

Clip his nails when they become too long and check around his eyes and inside his ears for any kind of infection.

These little dogs are prone to dental problems and he will need to have his teeth brushed 2 or 3 times a week.

Comparison with other breeds

  1. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Bloodhound - Breed Comparison
  2. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  3. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Francais Blanc et Noir - Breed Comparison
  4. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American Foxhound - Breed Comparison
  5. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Borzoi - Breed Comparison
  6. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black and Tan Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  7. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mountain Cur - Breed Comparison
  8. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Black Mouth Cur - Breed Comparison
  9. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rajapalayam - Breed Comparison
  10. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs American English Coonhound - Breed Comparison
  11. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Plott Hound - Breed Comparison
  12. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Petit Gascon Saintongeois - Breed Comparison
  13. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Otterhound - Breed Comparison
  14. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Mudhol Hound - Breed Comparison
  15. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Ibizan Hound - Breed Comparison
  16. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Rampur Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  17. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Austrian Black and Tan Hound - Breed Comparison
  18. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Galgo Espanol - Breed Comparison
  19. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Azawakh - Breed Comparison
  20. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Hanover Hound - Breed Comparison
  21. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Majestic Tree Hound - Breed Comparison
  22. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Chart Polski - Breed Comparison
  23. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Polish Hunting Dog - Breed Comparison
  24. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Grand Bleu de Gascogne - Breed Comparison
  25. Rhodesian Ridgeback vs Hortaya Borzaya - Breed Comparison
  26. Pomeranian vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  27. Maltese vs Cavalier King Charles Spaniel - Breed Comparison
  28. Maltese vs Cockapoo - Breed Comparison
  29. Maltese vs Cavapoo - Breed Comparison
  30. Maltese vs Cavachon - Breed Comparison
  31. Maltese vs Japanese Chin - Breed Comparison
  32. Maltese vs Bolognese - Breed Comparison
  33. Maltese vs Italian Greyhound - Breed Comparison
  34. Maltese vs Jug - Breed Comparison
  35. Maltese vs Australian Silky Terrier - Breed Comparison
  36. Maltese vs Dorgi - Breed Comparison
  37. Maltese vs Belgian Griffon - Breed Comparison
  38. Maltese vs Carlin Pinscher - Breed Comparison
  39. Maltese vs Dorkie - Breed Comparison
  40. Maltese vs German Spitz (Klein) - Breed Comparison
  41. Maltese vs Doxiepoo - Breed Comparison
  42. Maltese vs Bospin - Breed Comparison
  43. Maltese vs Bantam Bulldog - Breed Comparison
  44. Maltese vs Damchi - Breed Comparison
  45. Maltese vs Lowchen - Breed Comparison
  46. Maltese vs Cyprus Poodle - Breed Comparison
  47. Maltese vs Doxiepom - Breed Comparison
  48. Pug vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  49. Maltipoo vs Maltese - Breed Comparison
  50. Papillon vs Maltese - Breed Comparison

View/Compare Breeds

Popular Dog Breeds