Companion or Show, which is right for you?
When you first contact a breeder one of the first questions they will ask is are you looking for a Companion (or Pet quality) puppy or a Show pup ? It is not a tough question but if you are not aware of the differences it may seem more confusing than it needs to be.
Many breeders have two separate prices for puppies. A companion or pet quality is a puppy not intended to be a Champion of Record. For one or more reasons they might not be able to finish in a dog show ring as a Champion. It may be simple, things like the shape of their ridge, the amount of white they have, the markings on their face, their bite, the tail and how it is placed or carried. A Companion, or Pet Quality puppy is not intended to be part of the breeding pool. Normally placed with a Spay/ Neuter contract, they are altered within an agreed upon period of time . They are sold with a Limited Registration, if they are bred their puppies can not be registered .
Aside from a cosmetic variation there are rarely any differences between the Companion and Show pup or dog. There are almost always both types of pups in any given litter. The most important part of a Rhodesian Ridgeback is very simply it's personality and intelligence. They have great heart and soul. When buying a dog you need to choose a dog you can live with, if you are not planing on showing or possibly breeding in the future, opting for the Companion is an excellent way to go. You will not have to deal with seasons for a bitch or testosterone surges for a male. Eliminating the breeding "equipment" also means greatly lowering the chances of mammary cancers, prostrate cancer, other health issues and many behavioral issues . Intact animals require an entirely different level of commitment. Protecting them from accidental breedings , dealing with strays , and the simple mess of dealing with a season.
Companions can enter almost every event and actively that a show dog can be. (Excluding the conformation ring, and for Ridgeless , Lure coursing. ) You can enjoy obedience, agility, rally, tracking, herding, hunting, and our personal favorite Therapy dog work.
A Show dog will be sold on a Full Registration. This is required to both show in a dog show and to breed puppies that may be registered. A show dog has to have a correct ridge, correct bite,decent structure and with proper training and handling the dog should have a decent chance of finishing as a Champion. They are not smarter or more loving. There are a great many demands that are associated with owning an intact dog. You are not required to show your show dog unless it is stipulated in your contract with your breeder. You can spay or neuter your dog as long as long as your contract allows you to. Should you keep the dog intact you will be facing the increase risk of health issues, an increased level of training and socialization and absolutely an increase in the expense of owning the dog.
On occasion a dog may have a different personality, more timid or aggressive than other Ridgebacks. It is our belief that dogs like this should not be bred. They may be wonderful companion in a Ridgeback experienced home. It should never be forgotten this is a powerful breed of dog.
