Ridgebacks?

[monsterpup]

Would a pointer or German Shorthair or Vizsla be a good running companion for your husband? The Vizslas look much like liver nosed ridgebacks. Other sporting dogs may do better with a Lab.

Funny you should mention those, as I'm partial to both the German Shorthair and the Vizsla over the Ridgeback. Although I've met a few Vizslas that tend a little too far toward the neurotic side for my taste.

Although I suppose much of this comes down to good breeding, however.

[Labradorks]

They are majestic and beautiful for sure, not to mention interesting. Do you know why your husband wants one? Has he met one? There are two I know that are well-bred (both have their CH) in a drop-in rally class I go to and they make my dog look like Einstein. Not that they are dumb but they don't seem very trainable. The trainer says the dogs are amazing...for Ridgebacks. My sister's best friend has one from a good breeder and he is dog aggressive. Those are the only ones I know at the moment, though one of my Lab pups was bitten by one several times. He wasn't even looking at her and she ran up and bit him in the ear. The owner grabbed her, took her away, then let her go and she ran back and bit him in the ribcage. It was bizarre!

I would be worried about how they'd do with my Lab, but if your Lab is an adult and you get the Ridgeback as a puppy, that's probably not going to be an issue. If you planned on getting a Lab puppy when the Ridgeback is an adult, I might say that I hope your plans are flexible. I'd second what was said about going to a most excellent breeder and getting the opposite sex. And, probably have a really frank discussion with someone from the local Ridgeback club who is not interested in selling just anyone a puppy, as you're most likely to hear not only the good, but the bad and the ugly, and maybe even a "this might not be the breed for you."

[Meeps83]

Maverick's BFF is a female Rhodesian Ridgeback. She is a shy sweetheart and was terrified of Maverick when they first met. She has come out of her shell quite a bit, but is still very shy. They are a good complement to each other. Other than Bella, I do not have much knowledge or experience with Rhodies.

[Candy and Spike's Dad]

Can you just get a chocolate lab puppy and use hair spray to make it look like a ridgeback?
I know a few ridgebacks from the dog park in Marysville. One is ok but the other one.. let's just say I don't let Spike get too close to her. She is scary.

[monsterpup]

They are majestic and beautiful for sure, not to mention interesting. Do you know why your husband wants one? Has he met one? There are two I know that are well-bred (both have their CH) in a drop-in rally class I go to and they make my dog look like Einstein. Not that they are dumb but they don't seem very trainable. The trainer says the dogs are amazing...for Ridgebacks. My sister's best friend has one from a good breeder and he is dog aggressive. Those are the only ones I know at the moment, though one of my Lab pups was bitten by one several times. He wasn't even looking at her and she ran up and bit him in the ear. The owner grabbed her, took her away, then let her go and she ran back and bit him in the ribcage. It was bizarre!

I would be worried about how they'd do with my Lab, but if your Lab is an adult and you get the Ridgeback as a puppy, that's probably not going to be an issue. If you planned on getting a Lab puppy when the Ridgeback is an adult, I might say that I hope your plans are flexible. I'd second what was said about going to a most excellent breeder and getting the opposite sex. And, probably have a really frank discussion with someone from the local Ridgeback club who is not interested in selling just anyone a puppy, as you're most likely to hear not only the good, but the bad and the ugly, and maybe even a "this might not be the breed for you."

A family friend has a young RR. As a personal trainer, I suspect my husband likes the lean athleticism of the RR. I agree they are beautiful, but as many people here have commented, I'm a bit hesitant about temperament. Just seems to me our family is a better fit for another lab, but he wants to try something different. I can accept that, but not sure I can accept a RR. : ) Personally, I've always loved German Shorthairs, if I wasn't going with another lab.

I sincerely appreciate everyone's comments!

[Labradorks]

You could get a German Shorthair or a Visla or Weimeraner or a Pointer type dog. They are trainable and seem to generally get along with others well, but have a similar build. The energy levels of such breeds would turn me off, personally, but I'd choose a working dog over any other type of dog, especially a guard type dog, any day. Maybe there's a breed show coming up that you could take your husband to where he can meet the different breeds of dogs. I think you'd have to go to a conformation show because the likelihood of seeing any of these breeds in obedience is slim to none (though I know a couple conformation bred Pointers and a really nice German Shorthair in obedience that do well).

[Maxx&Emma]

There was one in Maxx's first tracking class for one week. The dog was very aggressive and they were asked to leave the class setting. Our trainer said it came from a good breeder, I assume she knew this as fact as she is very involved in the dog world and has many contacts.

I agree they are a stunning dog but my one little experience and reading some of the comments here would defintely send me running in another direction.

[Annette47]

I think you'd have to go to a conformation show because the likelihood of seeing any of these breeds in obedience is slim to none (though I know a couple conformation bred Pointers and a really nice German Shorthair in obedience that do well).

I know quite a few German Shorthairs in Obedience - they can be a bit silly and don’t always think about what they are doing, but if you can get them to concentrate they can do well.

[katALlabs]

How about a Chesapeake bay retriever?

[monsterpup]

We've discussed all of your comments, and I'm swinging him back around to a GSP, which has always been my second choice pup.

Thanks everyone!