So, as the deposit-towards-puppy time approaches, I'm getting last minute jitters. (But excited about my rhodesian ridgeback puppy!)

I had it down to two breeders, one which had dogs with titles from MANY different activities, and everything seemed great, but I really just didn't like her and didn't really like her dogs - they seemed more like labs than rhodesian ridgebacks to me.

The second breeder had African-line dogs, with temperaments I ADORED, but other than conformation she's only dabbled in obedience. I like her a lot though, and all the necessary testing is being done, etc.

I picked the second breeder. As you may or may not know, I'm hoping to do tracking and obedience with this dog. Should I have gone for the more "proven" dogs in terms of titles, while settling for a breeder I'm not keen on and dogs who don't thrill me? Or am I right in going for the breeder I like and dogs that give me butterflies in my tummy?

Sorry if this post is ridiculous, I'm just a nervous puppy-buyer! My last puppy was a rushed decision and it was a catastrophe.

You probably did good. The parent's awards only hint that the puppy might be good. Kinda like carfax doesn't mean the car will be good, it just means the car wasn't totaled. Your experience with the puppy will take you far.

If you get to pick the dog out of the litter, get the one that wants to be with you the most. I wasn't a believer and had several so-so dogs until I took my bride's advice on the issue. Every dog since then has been stellar.

The first three nights Jäger was in our home I slept on the floor in front of his crate with my fingers sticking through the door. The next week I slept with his crate on the floor next to my bed with my fingers sticking through the crate's vents. It was probably over-kill or pointless, but we've really bonded and Jäger lives to please me.

Do your homework on the breed. I wanted a German Shepherd and I made sure the breed's basic temperment and instincts were compatible with my lifestyle. Dogs are like tools, what do you want to do? Is the Rhodesian Ridgeback's instinct and habits compatible with your life. Don't get a working dog and expect it to only want to work on weekends. You'll need to exercise it daily (maybe more) and at an appropriate level.

Thanks, Red. I've definitly done my research, and I know what I'm getting into. In fact, that was part of the reason the first breeder's dogs didn't appeal to me - if I wanted a dog with a personality like a lab, well, I'd get a lab!

The more I talk about it, the better I feel about my decision. Even if the dog is a terrible failure in any dog sports, at least it'll be a dog I like from a breeder I enjoy dealing with.

The dog has to have the drive to track and it makes ob really simple. I don't know about R Ridgebacks but dogs are dogs and drive is drive. there are some labs with excellent drives for tracking. Konnie Hein on this site has a couple and they have drive, they do USAR, so maybe the one like a lab wouldn't be a bad idea, just a thought,
Good luck with your new puppy!
AL

Heather, go with your gut. Logic may be telling you to go with titled parents, but if that pup isn't everything you want, you'll be wishing you'd trusted your instinct. Knowing that the parents aren't titled, at least you won't have ridiculous expectations and may be more realistic about your pup's capabilities and be happier w/what you have.

And boy, am I with you on the lab thing!!! Blech! I keep running into people who think it's "sad" that my GSD doesn't give a rat's behind about them that "if I wanted a Lab, I'd have bought a Lab." Not every breed needs to act like Labradors!!! RR's are one!!!

I don't know about RR's, but if I was looking for a new GSD pup, I would be checking out working line dogs not show line dogs. If the "African" line breeder is not breeding working dogs & you want a working dog, it sounds like that is not the breeder for you. If you don't like the 1st breeder, than keep looking. RR's are not an uncommon breed, I'm sure you can find a breeder of working lines that you feel a rapport with. All puppies are adorable. It is really important that you use your head & not your heart when finding the right breeder. I also agree with Red, be careful what you wish for! Make sure you are willing to commit to a high energy dog, especially if you go with working lines.

it sounds to me like you made the right choice. you are choosing a breeder, first and foremost. the breeder has to be someone you can have a good relationship with. and just because her dogs aren't titled doesn't mean you can't title one of her puppies.

pick the right puppy from the litter, and none of that should matter. for that matter, if you got the wrong puppy from the titled parents, their titles wouldn't help you.

you got the right breeder. now focus on getting the right pup from the litter.

Thanks guys, all things to think about.

The show line/working line divide isn't very big in ridgebacks. In fact, the #1 Ridgeback in Canada who won the last two specialties has set records for the breed in working titles (in Canada, anyway).

The African line dogs tend to have a little more drive, from what I can tell, although the #1 dog in Canada makes that statement sound like total bogus...he's completely American show lines.

I'm going to stick with the breeder I've got. She's got good lines, even if she's not making the most of them. Her dogs' temperaments are impeccable. Also, a few of you have suggested going for a different breed if I want to do tracking - but the tracking is just an activity I'm interested in participating with the dog I get, the dog I get isn't FOR tracking. I'm looking for a rhodesian ridgeback first and foremost, not a tracking dog. \

Besides, I'm getting pick of the litter!

I think you're right on track... You're right, the breeder doesn't HAVE to be making the most of the lines she has, if she knows how to pick the lines.

Keep in mind that "working" for a Ridgeback means "hunting". It doesn't mean "obedience" or "agility" even though it's great a dog can do these things. In a lot of ways I'd say that the Ridgeback can do those things IN SPITE of his natural heritage and drives, not because of them. So you may not really want a "working line" Ridgeback. They're a hound and a hunter through and through. Expect that, embrace it, and learn how to channel it and you'll be fine.

Best of luck!

Yeah sorry, by working lines I meant the hound/hunting capability.

I have a strong background in hounds, so, I'm definitely prepared, and very excited.