Okay to have 2 female Italian Greyhounds (if from same litter?) or will they always fight for dominance?

Question

I've been doing a lot of research on Iggys (and I still have a lot more to do!).

I've read that it is okay to pair male/female and even 2 males, but as I prefer female animals, I was hoping to adopt 2 females (together or individually).

I assume that as long as I (their female "human") would establish dominance/ alpha status over BOTH female Iggys, that there shouldn't be much of a problem, as I've read consistently that Iggys are submissive.

What do you think and what exactly is your experience level with Iggys? What is the best way to pair two females, should I take on the challenge (if there is one)?

Thanks.

Actually, I would prefer to get them separately (about 6 months- one year apart), but I would do whatever is best for the girlies in question.

I read that they prefer companionship all day long (I work, of course, but I'm a homebody otherwise with lots of time for them), and that an Iggy gets more exercise anyway if it is paired with another Iggy!

Thanks for your responses so far. Any other pertinent info will be most appreciated!

Answer 1

At about to years of age some female pairs can all of a sudden start fighting. There is no guarantee it will or won't happen. Even with you establishing dominance as a leader it won't necessarily stop them. It will help greatly but relize as people we can only be there leader to an extent because we communicate differently. If it was this easy there would be no such thing as aggressive dogs. Spaying them early will help too. I would say go ahead with it but continue your research and be prepared to have to hire a behaviorist if it does go wrong.
Be sure to buy from a reputable Iggy breeder because they will help you tremendously and they have bred stable temperments and are trust worthy.
You may have looked here already but here is the IG clubs site. There are very good articles and a breeder referal section.
http://www.italiangreyhound.org/
If you contact a reputable breeder I'm sure they will answer any questions.
Good luck and thanks for being a responsible future dog owner.

Answer 2

It really depends on their personality towards other dogs. In my house I am the pack leader, then my German shepard is the 2nd in command because she is more dominant. My Golden Retriever is very submissive and so she is in the bottom spot in my house. They had their quarrels when first put in the house together but as long as one submits to the other you should be okay. However if you have to dominant Iggys, like my shepard and my moms shepard, putting them together can be bad. Our dogs will not submit to each other and have gotten into a lot of fights if they arent separated. So if you have two dominant Iggys the same thing can happen, just on a smaller scale (though little dogs can be as brutal) I think you should be okay but just watch how they interact with each other to make sure no one gets hurt. They are about the cutest dogs. I love them to death. Have you thought of names? I like Issabella, or Gabriella (Izzy and Gabby) or if you chose a boy how about Antonio, or Leonardo. just a few Italian names for you to go with your Italian Greyhounds. lol

Answer 3

Sighthounds are generally not scrappy type dogs, some people have hordes of IGs with no problems. Any Sighthound breed prefers to have their own kind around and they are MUCH happier in a multi SH family.

That said, littermates tend to bond with each other and not as much with the owner. I would get one and then plan on another in 6 mths - 1yr. Littermates, and those very close in age, WILL tend to 'feed' off each other, and IGs are ALREADY very busy dogs.

I kept 2 Whippet pups from my last litter, and haved vowed to never do it again. Two is MUCH harder than one! SH people that grow out whole litters must be INSANE!


You should also know that some are susceptable to having seperation anxiety, which is another reason 2 are better than one. Maybe you should think about getting an adult IG to be with your puppy.

Answer 4

They may quibble a little bit over dominance over each other. As long as both recognize you as the pack leader, and they don't cause actual injuries to each other, let them. They'll work it out and all will be peaceful when they do.

I prefer females, too, so I know where you're coming from. I find that if they're spayed/neutered, neither gender fights more than the other. Good luck with your new pets!

Answer 5

o.k., German Sheperd canines are used for police and self protection purposes for people. it somewhat is by using fact they have a tremendous capability of their jaw and their chew is amazingly powerful. they have a tremendous preying instinct besides. however my canines has in no way killed something different than a already dying fowl. Angel would have been twiddling with the kittens and ended up killing them instead. or consistent with danger you have been giving too lots interest to the kittens and the canines have been given curious. yet another possibility is that the kittens very own mom killed them. It takes place on occasion... self-discipline is amazingly substantial, it's going to be no longer uncomplicated now that those issues have happened yet do no longer provide up. you have an corporation hand while it includes canines, don't sense "undesirable" approximately giving them suited self-discipline. you are the boss around here, Angel has to appreciate that. attempt training her with a reasonable plush kitten, in case you spot any indications of her being aggressive, immediately take action. Stand tall in between them and scold her. do no longer hit your canines, which will in basic terms strengthen its aggressiveness. show her to "go away it" on my own. do no longer quiver on your voice or sound uncertain, in basic terms approximately scream it in an expert-like voice. considering this had already happened two times...do no longer go away her out via herself, continuously supervise her. paying for a muzzle additionally enables. If all fails, sign up Angel right into a canines self-discipline facility,

Answer 6

well i have TWO rat terrier puppies, they ALWAYS fight and they came out of the same litter, there figting for ranks if they know your the alpha! if your going to get both (its a big time consuming process as a warning) at lease get them there own sleeping spot, ALWAYS watch them when there in the room together just incase any fights break out, and you may want to consider obdience training, dont ALWAYS put them together then they will suffer from seperation exotidy YOU DONT WANT THAT! and always spend time with each one, teach them sepreatly, walk them sepreatly as well because since they will be puppies they will need to walk on the leash.

best of luck.
-Syetta

Answer 7

If you get them as puppies and they're raised together, your chances of having problems are much less. I've found that sight hounds in general (and yes, I know they're toys) are much more willing to get along. I've always had afghan females together with never a problem, as well as greyhounds (my own and fosters) and females tend to get along. Unless you're unfortunate enough to get one who's very alpha, but you can nip that in the bud when they're puppies.

Answer 8

um, maybe u should put them together before u buy them so u can see if they will get along. don't bring a male in if u got 2 females? hope they get along! best of luck!

Answer 9

There is no problem having two female dogs together. I'm delighted you are doing your research.

Answer 10

any dog will fight for dominance wheather there the same breed, my mini dachshund fights his own mother for dominance because he is an idiot half the but anyways you will get it no matter what.