Hello all,

New member and first time poster here! Over the past few months we have been trying to find a good match (as a sibling, just to be clear) for our 4 year old Dobermann. We feel like we found that in a Rhodesian ridgeback to match her relentless energy levels. Clearly, with everything going on surrounding COVID-19 we are in no rush to find a puppy so quite happy to take the time to do some more research in the meantime. For those with experience with either breed, what are your experiences with introducing a new dog into your home and what advice do you have considering the temperaments of each breed? Would we be better getting dogs of different temperaments and energy levels? My instinct was that it would be easier getting a dog that could keep up with her rather than one that would get annoyed at the constant demands for running and play fighting.

Welcome to the forum. Is there any reason why you don't want another Dobe?

hahaha I knew this was coming. I would personally LOVE another dobe. or 2 or 3. My little girl is my everything and I would have a dozen if I could. There are a few reasons we decided to look at other breeds. My OH has fallen in love with the ridgebacks and since I got to pick the dobe I felt it fair to let her take the lead on this one provided it would be a good fit for us and most importantly our furry permanent resident. I also have a family ties to the breeds origins in Rhodesia so there is a somewhat sentimental aspect to it as well.

I'm sure someone will be along shortly to give you their thoughts on Ridgebacks Personally, I would stick with Dobes

I have no direct experience of ridgebacks, but plenty of dobes.  My primary concern regardless of the second breed would be recall.  Dobes are one of those breeds that is very easily led astray, so you'd want a good match in that way, that won't lead to you needing to do months of work to get them both recalling when off lead because they're both bogging off to get up to mischief together!

I have a Ridgeback X bluenose pitbull. This is one heck of a smart dog every one of her brothers and sister is amazing loving extremely smart. Beautiful to boot. The ridge ack is a very versatile dog. You can do everything you do and then change and they will change with you. Now I find her energy levels are varied. They love to lay around and get pets every day but also love to be out and about. What I am trying to say is that these so called aggressive dogs bred with other aggressive dog breeds are a great mix. Please let me know if you so this I would live to hear and learn how they Are sounds interesting. Rita May

Hi StarJupiyer,

I should have clarified, I don't intend to breed although I would think they would make for an interesting dog. I believe I've read at some point that there could well be either a Dobermann or a Rottweiler somewhere in the evolution of the RR breed. My original post was more enquiring about if anyone had any reason for why it might be unwise to bring a RR into my house with my existing Dobe. From what I have read RRs tend to be fairly easy around other dogs as they have a pack mentality. Your post gives me confidence that, with enough training and consistency, I can integrate a RR well into our family.

The original poster has made it clear, they are wanting a friend, for the dog they already have NOT breed the Dobermann to a Rhodesian Ridgeback!!