I have a 2yr old RR and would like to add another dog to my household over the next year.There are a couple of other breeds that I love but I feel I know what to expect with a Ridgeback.Have any of you always had one breed only and is it wiser to stick with what you know - faults and all !

I think more people should look outwith their 'own' breed.  there are lots of great dogs out there. most with their own really lovely traits.  for years I only owned one breed, then saw another with a lovely a plus personality. I still love my first breed and now am lucky enought to feel I can love another.

As a long time RR owner (25 years now :)) and current owner of 6 - I'd say get another RR, but I suppose I could be seen as just a bit biased :) :). They certainly recognise other RRs and love to play together (really rough play!) and to sleep together. I have Aussies as well. I got my first Aussie nearly 12 years ago and got my second 2 years ago. My first one is SO pleased to have another of her own breed to play with and cuddle, despite not having been exactly short of canine company.

There is something about the same breed. My Sal SBT will play with other breeds but with another Stafford she really goes to town. Plays rough really rough but all sides seem to understand the rules. She adored and totaly misses the games wiht her half sister. Tess sometimes she looks at me as if to say "I miss her" 

thanks for your replies, the thought of 6 RR's makes me feel faint!! will keep reading up on favourites although after a year of research nothing prepared me for my boy:)

It took me a LONG time to find the right breeds for me. In the end it turned out they were the total opposite of what I'd had for years and had THOUGHT was right. I've had Goldens for 29 years now but only recently realised it is not the breed for me and I won't have another. I've had Cavaliers for 15 years and much as I think I'll have another as a pet, that too isn't the breed for me. It took 19 years before I got onto Malinois and realised that was just right for me. I'd wanted a Papillon since I was 2 but had to wait decades, once I got them I realised that had I had one as my first dog (instead of ending up with a rescue Golden which kind of side tracked me and got me into that breed) I'd probably never have had another breed ever. :) I'm very happy with my combination now, Malinois and Papillon. Both very fast, energetic and active breeds.

I have had the same breed for 35yrs and would not have any other, but thats because i like the breed and dont see a need for another type...we all have our favorites.

Our golden retriever loved the same breed as her self, i guess she could tell. :)

I was born into a GSD family and never looked at anything else for 40 years, thinking that nothing else would comare to a GSD. Three years ago I got a totally different breed, and as much as I love my Shepherds, I think that if I had had a Golden Retriever as my first dog, I probably would have never has anything else.

there are lots of breeds out there that i would love to have, i have books on them etc, but each time we decide to have another dog to join our family, we seem to get more Bernese! :)

I swear I was born in a whelping box lol.. My father had Border Terriers, but I was thrown into showing as a child, when all I wanted to do was be with friends etc.. and it put me off.. I hated showing... although I was constantly drawn to the Labrador ring.. When I married, my late Hubby had working Labradors.. and that was me pretty much hooked.. I was around 10years without a dog, and then I had two working Springer Spaniels, it was not until much later that I was bitten by the show bug, but it had to be Labs.

I would dearly love a Flatcoat, but the chances of that happening now is becoming more remote, I really dont feel at my age, that I could have an additional breed.. or maybe I just cant see past Labradors :-) OR, maybe I just have too many Labs, there is no room for even the teeniest puppy Flattie :-O

surely there is room for a small one lol

I have always known that Newfoundland are for me...since I was a child that was the dog I knew I'd have one day.  Now I have one and will definitely always have more but....we also have a crossbreed.  He's weird, stubborn, selectively deaf, antisocial, fiercely independent and scarily intelligent.  He's everything I thought I wouldn't want in a dog but I find him endlessly fascinating and, perversely, I relish the fact that he's constantly a challenge.  Of course, there will never be a dog quite like him...he's a very unique cross (a true accident) so no chance of ever finding another even remotely similar but I find myself more drawn to breeds that have similar traits to him.  Newfies are so biddable and eager to please (most of the time) and I really like having the contrast between that and the more idependent, free-thinking dog that keeps me on my toes.

boy oh boy, he sounds like my Jozi.

Maybe Elkhounds are the alternative breed for me then :-)

Well you would get the affection you like.  But what clothes and soft furnishing would you have, would have to be tweed to cope with both kinds of fur.

Mind you I imagine all five of mine only weigh (and shed) what one of yours does, not to mention the food bill!

I think if there is another breed that you really love and have researched them well and they would fit in with your lifestyle then why not, but if you are smitten with the RR then keep to the breed you love most.

I always knew i would own a Rottie right from a very young age, i always found them magnificent and gentle and they were definately for me, didnt realise i would end up with 11...but here we are. I also fell in love with DDB quite some years ago and always knew if i got a place with land and lots of space for the dogs i would have one of those too, their characters are just something else...i now have 4 of those too and they are a breed that will always give you something to laugh about they are such jokers!

Both breeds different and every dog is an individual, everyday is hard work and a very long day it is too, they bring me laughs, tears, worry and total unconditional love  and i for one wouldn't be without any one of mine :)

I hope you find your new companion this year and whatever you decide i wish you all the best with him/her.

Bull breeds in particular APBT have always been my prefered breed/s but look at me now, lurchers lounging about the place, an ickle spitz scrounging his way into my fridge, otterhound lazying on couch... Takes all sorts ;). Still have my APBT though ;).

I've had dals since 1973, and find it hard to imagine being without one. But we're seriously considering a different breed for the next puppy - the last loss was so devastating that any other dal would lose out in comparison from the outset, which is hardly fair.

I've had a few different breeds over the many years (dachsie, saluki, standard poodle, Lancashire heeler...how diverse can you get???) but my three WSS are the love of my life, and I'll be happy with them for as long as I'm around...although I would really love to have more one day, but am waiting for offspring to move out and get their own place first. :D

we've had a few too. my grandma always says you have to kiss many frogs to find your prince.... very true and can be applied to dogs too... although i found my breed years ago, there was no way i could afford one so had to wait for a leo until 2008... i really cant imagine changing now... however i have a list of breeds i'd like one day, but i'll never be without a leo..
my list, very random combination tho...
irish wolf hound
bloodhound
dane
english setter
gor setter
standard poodle

As growing up we had black labradors crossed with; basset then doberman then beagle collie. My first dog was a BSD absolutely love the breed. but ended up with a EBT... you could not get such a different type of dog!

I love to see & notice the differences in breeds and types plus working out what makes them tick. Saying that it is more of a challenge knowing which to go for though as you have a dog to introduce already. I only had a one dog household now have 3 but they are all terriers snoop bully the other 2 staffy x lab mutts so they have a general understanding with each other... maybe a different type of hound that would be more mentally the same but look different? Am I right in guessing the RR is a hound ? One of my dream breeds too :-)
My sister found a RR at a Bristol dog shelter that her hubby really wanted but they ended up with a  rescued weimaraner Daisy the same breed they had before, shame they always compare her to their first weim Chloe who was a very cool & calm collect girl- whereas Daisy is a nutter.

>>shame they always compare her to their first weim

yes, the main reason I could never have another saluki, after 30 years he is in my thoughts every day

After i lost my tervy girl kye a year later my next door neighbour brought one, in the end I had her (she is a rubbish dog owner) for 6 months then re homed her as I could not stop thinking of kye but I did have snoop as well the same time and I couldn't afford the spaying vets fee's or to care for 2 dogs properly.

It's been interesting to read about different folks tastes.

As a youngster, all the dogs I knew were WSD and BC's.  I don't know if it's why I have always leaned towards the pastorals.

Then, when I bought my own place, I had a tiny garden, and ended up with Toy Poodles.  Looking back, I suppose they were chosen for size, as, until I kept them, I had no idea how clever they are.  But this is the first time in over 30 years that I haven't had one in the house.  Lost my last in June last year.

I had Yorkshire Terriers next, and learned that terriers are like no other breed!  But loved them anyway.  Then, I had my very own Border Collie boy, and was smitten.  He was everything I ever wanted in a dog.  When I lost him I just couldn't have another, it was too distressing.  So I got a Bearded Collie.  She was a dream, and I went back 2 years later for another.  Nothing alike!  Complete and utter dope!  I love her anyway.

I now have room for all my gang, and, as my Beardies are elderly, have, at long last got another Border Collie.  Couldn't have another Blue Merle, it would have hurt too much, so I have my red and white boy.  Temperament to die for.  So, in between somewhere, came the Chihuahuas.  And it always seems that the Yorkies love playing with my BC boy, and the Chi's love curling up with the Beardies.

I was going to have an Australian Shepherd, and was actually on a breeders waiting list, but, shortly after the litter was born, I had hand surgery that went wrong, and I was unable to take on a puppy at that time.  Maybe one day?

:-)

Staffords for me all the way!  Would love to own a Frenchie, though I've been told they can be even more boisterous and stubborn than Staffords (though I hasten to add my two don't seem to be that stubborn at all!).
My first breed was a GR.  Lived to a good old age and still miss him :(
But personality-wise, my Staffords are just great :)

As others have said: if you have one dog you consider perfect then it's difficult to imagine another will meet your expectations!

We have a wonderful rescue mutt and, when it became time to add another dog, I didn't want to tempt fate by getting another rescue.  In the meantime several of our friends had followed our example but with very different results, and it had rather put me off.

So we got a pedigree and he's perfect too!  The breeder was fantastic, the dog is everything we wanted and as a pair our boys are lovely together.  The mongrel is a terrier type mix and he makes such an interesting combination with our HPR.  Each dog seems more of their 'type' when seen against the behaviour of the other.  The only downside is that our HPR is more interested in mousing than I'm sure he would otherwise have been!!

We are very close to the owners of others in our litter and it's so interesting to see how much of the behaviour is breed and type, and how much is simply our dogs personality.  With our mongrel we've nothing to compare him against, but the pedigree is clearly like others in his breed.  Now have the dilemma of adding another.  We keep thinking about it, and another of the same HPR breed makes so much sense - I love them, and it will be easier at shows - BUT ours is so wonderful and our expectations now very high .  I'm still thinking!!

I've lived with various different breeds in my lifetime (both as family dogs and my own) but now we've got our papillon puppy I can't imagine ever owning a different breed.  He's everything I love in a dog (albeit a little low to the ground for patting when he stops at the curb!) and I honestly can't see how we'd ever find the same qualities in a different breed.

We're planning on getting another 1 (or 2 or 3 or 4 *shhh* don't tell the OH!) over the next 4/6 years and I can see myself surrounded by paps as I go into middle age and then into retirement.

I grew up with all kinds of dogs from all mixes of mongrels to some really posh pedigree's but predomiately racing greyhounds.  When I got my own home my OH who had never had a dog in his life wanted a Border Collie and I wanted a GSD, :) we got one of each.  Ten years later when we only had the Border Collie I was looking for a sleve peke as one of the dogs I grew up with was a small peke called Susie and living in a house full of children and hounds she was the bravest wee dog I ever knew.  Even surviving being run over in our driveway by my uncle when she was 10 years old.  She died at 17 from kidney failure.  Anyway OH bought me a gift and the only resemblence to the peke I wanted was that Papillon started with the same letter :)  Now had Papillons for 15 years and love them to bits.

Would love to have had time and space for some hounds as well and maybe fit in a wee jap chin oh and would still love to have that sleve Peke. 

But now I am content with my Papillons and Phalenes because I know my limitations and how far I can push OH LOL :) :)

Sometimes it just comes down to the individual dogs temperament and not it's breed. We have owned rotties for nearly 20 years and after my last beautiful and special girl had to be pts at nearly twelve years old I decided to change breed. We now have a bullmastiff (very calming, stubborn and cuddly), a working clumber (out and out worker, very laid back indoors but lightning in the field), a cocker (lovely kind girl but slightly dim), a pom and a border. This mixed pack are an odd mix but get on famously!  I am very tempted by a frenchie as I love the size, coat type, build and temperament but unfortunately I will have to keep saving!  It is very difficult to find the 'one' breed but as I said sometimes it comes down to the individual, some dogs just have something special above another.

We're planning on getting another 1 (or 2 or 3 or 4 *shhh* don't tell the OH!) over the next 4/6 years and I can see myself surrounded by paps as I go into middle age and then into retirement.

Same here, When we get too told for the malinois which are high maintenance as far as training and exercise goes) we will have Papillons only. Started with one as a pet 5 years ago, somehow now have 4. :)

I was very young when I decided what breed I would like to have.
I got my first 17 years ago and am now on the number 4 of the same breed and planning my first litter...

I have really tried to look for a different smaller breed to have as "just a pet"(and to do agility with) but am still to find one that I think would suit the family.
My problem, I keep picking breeds that do not exist in UK and I'm not willing to import a dog that is destined to be a family pet!
Maybe one day the light bulb will light up and I will find the right smaller breed, so far after about 4 years of "keeping my eyes open" I have not found one.

We are a GSD family, now I have a Rotty girl aswell and must admit my next dog will also be a Rotty.  Apart from the fact it is getting harder to find really quality GSd's now I just adore the calmness and steadyness of my new dog.  I will always love Sheps but feel I have found my new breed.

My family always had border collies and gsds and I love both breeds, but as a child I saw a borzoi and was besotted with it. I obsessed about them for years, my parents wouldn't let me have one as they were 'stupid big dogs' so I went to every show I could and read as much as I could find about them. It wasn't until I was 20 that I finally owned my very own borzoi and he was everything I'd imagined and more. I was hooked, since then I've had 15 of them over the years but I've always had a border collie or two too. Now I'm moving from borzois to silken windhounds, same dog really in looks, mannerisms and temperament but in a much smaller and easier to manage package :-)

To answer the ops question though, I think most people stick to one or two breeds, most breeds recognise their own type and prefer them in my experience.

> most breeds recognise their own type and prefer them in my experience.

Just a daft question really:  I've often heard it said that many dogs have problems/fears/concerns with black dogs (one of mine certainly does).  Do black dogs of one breed immediately recognise their own breed, and do they have the same concerns/anxieties about other black dogs?

My mind is just bimbling along... :)

> My mind is just bimbling along... :-)

Don't have the answer to your question  :-(

But have never heard that expression before.

So why does it conjure up funny images?  :-)  :-)  :-)  Can't stop smiling!

I've grown up with Wheatens since I was 4 years old. When I was 16, I got a Lakeland Terrier and although he's nice, he really has just made me realised Wheatens are my breed!

> most breeds recognise their own type and prefer them in my experience

Reminds me of my Wheaten called Dougal. He was named after Dougal in Father Ted, because he's really blonde and a bit dumb lol. We were staying on a farm in Scotland for Border Union show, when a delighted Dougal saw a whole field FULL of Wheatens! He got super excited until one went 'BAAAAA' right at him, i've never seen him so shocked in his life lol. He then looked at me and wagged his tail when I laughed at him, as if to say 'Yeah, I knew they were sheep really! :)

Don't know about one black dog recognising another but I have both Papillon (erect ear) and Phalene (drop ear), same breed only difference being the earset and I have found that they tend to group together in earsets. :)

I have always been a GSD lover (rescues only), but having a 7yr old at the moment who has been hard work & still has his moments, I decided on a terrier x for company for him. She is 6yrs old & they get on very well. I know that I can't manage another GSD while I have him & as much as I love him, I have decided on something completely different...... I have done my homework & decided on a whippet. He is 11 weeks old & I pick him up on Saturday! Hopefully I will do a bit of fun agility with him, if I have half as much fun as I have with my GSD, it will be a match made in heaven.

> I'm very happy with my combination now, Malinois and Papillon. Both very fast, energetic and active breeds. <IMG

Agree there Marianne that the Papillon is surprisingly fast and active (ours is anyway!) and turned out to be very different from the breed we chose by careful research and thought suited us best.
We never intended to have a Pap, I was hunting for a Golden, but can't really imagine having anything else now.  Maybe you know when you have the right breed because you can't really think of any negatives! I can't think of anything I don't like about our Papillon!

>> My mind is just bimbling along... :-)
>
> But have never heard that expression before.
> So why does it conjure up funny images?  :-)  :-)  :-)  Can't stop smiling!

It's a lovely word isn't it - my breeder (now that does sound odd!) gave it to me in conversation once and it's charming.  I just looked it up - here is the definition.  Describes my state of mind to a T :)

Over the years i have had a WHT, a Collie, GSD x 2 and Leos, Leos are by far the dogs for me, love everything about them, concidering a POM as well though as the more i watch them the more of their character appeals to me, but Leos will always be with me

I've grown up with working Labs..

My breed of choice is Bernese and hey have taken my heart, great dogs..
I'd like to add another breed into the mix at some stage, but toying around a few breeds and want all of them..

As it is i'm in no position to have another at this time, so i have muchos time to have a good think, but i know i'll always have Bernese...

I grew up with border collies and would love to own another again in the future. Currently have 2 Siberian Huskys and now can't imagine life without a husky in it. I absolutely adore them! However there are several other breeds I would love to own number 1 on the list being a shiba inu - gorgeous little dogs. I'm hoping to own one in the not too distant future although the OH is after another husky :-)

There are quite a few breeds I like the idea/look of but when it comes down to it I don't think I can see far past working Cockers. Our old family dogs were a Goldie and a GSD but my Stepdad introduced me to working gundogs with his Springers and I never looked back from there and when I met my first working Cocker on a shoot as a teenager I just thought they were the perfect dog. I had to wait until my mid-20s to get my own dogs and there was only ever going to be one possibility as to what it would be. To me they have it all - character, working ability, intelligence, looks, athleticism, boldness, trainability, amazing temperament and they're so much fun and all in a nicely sized, easy to lift over fences package. The only other breed I know I will 'definitely maybe' have one day is a Field Spaniel if I can find one from good working lines but it'd be an addition to the working Cocker pack!

Hi Candygirl,
As a fellow RR owner I would have to say stick with your breed. I have always loved RRs but had to wait along time before I was in a position to have one but the wait just confirmed that it was the right breed for me! After one came the desire to have another but as my bitch was rather immature I waited until she was 3yrs old before I started looking for another but then decided to breed and kept another bitch & they are best friends. Its true what they say - they like their own breed and when my 2 play it is great to watch but neither of them will entertain my old springers when they try and get involved in any games. RRs are addictive and I will soon have 3 running round the place so that will be fun. Good luck with the search for your new hound!