What Breed for me?

grayada1

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#1
I am not close to getting a second dog, but i want to someday. So i am thinking about which breeds would be the best fit.

I currently have a 3 year old rhodesian ridgeback and I am in love with him. There isnt anything i would change about him, BUT there are some things i would change for my next dog:

1. hes around 95lbs and i wouldnt want anything bigger. Would be willing to go smaller down to around 40lbs.
2. He is shy, and gets uncomfortable around strangers. This isnt uncommon in the breed which is why im looking at other breeds. They dont need them to love strangers, but i want them to be able to handle them without being afraid.
3. I love the RR activity level. He wanders around the house and isnt crazy active but in the yard loves to run and play. I want that same activity level, not something that is 100mph all day long
4. i want them to be good with other dogs as i have one dog already and take my dogs with me to my parents house who already have a dog.
5. I would like my next dog to be alittle more handler focused. My RR is always watching me and always knows what I am doing, but isnt always interested in pleasing me.

I am not sure if this fits into one breed of dog but i would love your suggestions!

Thanks
 

grayada1

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#3
I think I must have been confusing in my post. I have a RR and am looking for a second dog that would fit in well with him. One that is similar but will be less fearful around strangers. Maybe I just need another RR that isnt as fearful.

I know i didnt do enough socialization, (can you ever do enough?)but he has been everywhere with me. he just takes a long time to get used to people. A long time not seconds but days probably. He can go to a pet store with me without having an issue really, but i can tell he doesnt like it and is scared the whole time. That is my only complaint with him. Maybe another RR I could do better by but i was lookin for similiar breeds that might be more confident around strangers....but in my searching i keep coming back to RR!!!

Heres some pics of my current boy:








Henderson and his brother duke
 

Barbara!

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#4
Lol sorry! No, you weren't confusing...I'm just not all the way awake. Haha. I have a lab/pit mix and a pit bull and they both get along great with my RR.

And he's gorgeous...if you want a second one, go for it! I plan on having two one day...they aren't technically supposed to be fearful around strangers...so idk about that one. How many have you met? They're not very common...I wish mine had an RR playmate lol
 

grayada1

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#5
well my sister has one of his brothers from the same parents but another litter and hers is a little less fearful, but still is shy of strangers. Maybe its the lines....

Mine is OK around strange women. he keeps his eye on them and wont let them pet him but doesnt really bark unless they move to fast. Strange men he will bark if the stand up and it takes a really long time for him to trust them....I will probably just talk to some more breeders and see if i can get another one that is more confident and do my best to socialize better.
 

Barbara!

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Yeah, talk to some breeders and see what info they can give you. I know I socialized my pit bull when she was a puppy by leaving her at the vets. They would keep her up at the counter and she would be exposed to the dogs and people that came in. Maybe your vet would do something like that for you?
 

Barbara!

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#7
This is what the RRCUS says about temperament, so idk if it is common or not. I know mine is shy with strangers, but just ignores them. Lol.

"Dignified and even-tempered. Reserved with strangers.

Elaboration: Stable, fearless, intelligent, reserved with strangers, yet accepting of his master's judgment. In the show ring, a reserved attitude should not be confused with shyness. Unnecessary aggression is not to be tolerated."
 

grayada1

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Yea, he is reserved with females and probably shy/fearful with males. Im sure i could have done better with socializing but i did do alot. He is definately not aggressive just concerned.
 

monkeys23

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#9
I would stick RR and go to a different breeder... be a lot more picky and ask to meet not only parent's but other dogs they've produced. To me the breeder you got him from sounds like they aren't doing a very good job temperament-wise.

I freaking love the pics though. Omg they are awesome dogs! My friend and her mom have a couple (one is a mix) and I just love them. Neither is at all shy. Totally the opposite actually, lol. :)
 

Barbara!

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I would stick RR and go to a different breeder... be a lot more picky and ask to meet not only parent's but other dogs they've produced. To me the breeder you got him from sounds like they aren't doing a very good job temperament-wise.

I freaking love the pics though. Omg they are awesome dogs! My friend and her mom have a couple (one is a mix) and I just love them. Neither is at all shy. Totally the opposite actually, lol. :)
Yep! This is great advice!
 
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Kaydee

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#12
I might suggest at least window shopping AmStaffs. Sometimes quite similar facial features to a ridgeback. If you socialize them with other dogs from the beginning they can be quite dog friendly. Easier with puppies, we always got grown dogs and that can be trickier.

Amstaffs are medium sized, they can hike for miles and are happy to flop down and snooze when they get home. N' best of all they are people-pleasers...always watching to see what you want them to do next...
 
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Kaydee

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#14
I'm not sure, I would also call AmStaffs protection dogs even if they aren't technically. My Sophie is medium sized but people clear the sidewalk for her...she doesn't bark or growl or even look at anyone beyond a passing glance. But like they say...other people don't know your dog, especially someone up to no good. They don't know how much that dog is going to protect you, you're safer walking with any good sized canine.
 

grayada1

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I would stick RR and go to a different breeder... be a lot more picky and ask to meet not only parent's but other dogs they've produced. To me the breeder you got him from sounds like they aren't doing a very good job temperament-wise.

I freaking love the pics though. Omg they are awesome dogs! My friend and her mom have a couple (one is a mix) and I just love them. Neither is at all shy. Totally the opposite actually, lol. :)
I am doing this currently! you are right. I didnt take the time i should have to find the BEST breeder. I was in to big of a hurry, but i am so glad i got my boy!

I learned my lesson and I am glad I learned it as easy as a did by getting a dog that I love and can handle, but know could be better. I am sure many people learn that lesson harder and I know some people seem never to learn that lesson.....
 

RRs

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#16
How about a female RR?
Generally smaller in size (Although my 2 girls are not good examples as they are right around 90 lbs.), same activity level that you're accustomed to (after puppyhood), and generally will be the more domineering of the 2 sexes and may help your boy get past some of his trepidation with new people.

"5. I would like my next dog to be alittle more handler focused. My RR is always watching me and always knows what I am doing, but isnt always interested in pleasing me."

Can't help you with that one. However, a female RR will make you appreciate just how attentive and willing to please your big guy is by comparison. :)
 

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