[Steve Carlton]

I was recommending a German Shepherd, probably of german bloodlines, to a buddy as a family pet and for protection. He and his wife have a 3-year old son and a 7-month old daughter. Recently someone tried to break into his house at 3:30am when he wasn't supposed to be there, and he wound up only a few feet from the would-be intruder when he got up and looked through the glass of his bedroom door. Now he's hot for a dog, but another friend was touting the Rhodesian Ridgeback. I've seen a few over the years, and I know they're tough and very brave, and seem to be fairly mellow. His friend raves about his RR, and my buddy likes the shorter coat. What do you think the pros/cons are between these two breeds?