English Deutsch Français Italiano Español Português 繁體中文 Bahasa Indonesia Tiếng Việt ภาษาไทย
All categories

We have a six month old neutered male yellow lab mix -- he is very sweet and fairly mild mannered. We'd like to get a second pup and wonder if gender matters or if it is just personality as to whether the two pups will get along and be pals. What is your experience?

2007-01-12 10:52:36 · 20 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pets Dogs

20 answers

With dogs, gender doesn't matter so much, they can get along with either.

If you are getting another pup, bring your dog along to meet the new dog too. See if they immediatly get along or not before you buy

2007-01-12 10:56:10 · answer #1 · answered by allyalexmch 6 · 0 3

Gender isn't as important as individual temperment. Two alpha dogs can be a real pill. Take your dog along to meet the new pup and see how they react to each other. You'll want a pup with enough confidence to not run howling the first time your current dog tries to play with him, but not one that starts snarling at him right off the bat.

Also, it's gonna be tempting to fawn over the new pup and not so much your current dog when the pup arrives. DON'T! You need to let your current dog know that he is top dog. Show him plenty of affection and try not to go overboard with the puppy while he is watching. Make sure he does not feel insecure as this can lead to him trying to reinforce the pecking order himself, by being too rough with the puppy, making it cry, you come running to scoop up the pup and yell at him, and reinforcing his insecurity. Good luck!

2007-01-12 19:00:41 · answer #2 · answered by Jadalina 5 · 0 0

First before you buy the puppy, bring your dog with you when you pick it out, so you can see how your male reacts to the puppy. I don't think it matters if it's male or female. I think it's more about personality. Either way, you'll get a better idea of how they will get along, if you introduce them from the very start. Good Luck!

2007-01-12 19:04:17 · answer #3 · answered by Chihuahua Lover 5 · 0 0

At 6mo, he should do fine with either sex. Adult female dogs often act aggressively toward other females. I've known NUMEROUS female dogs who get along great with males, but fight with other females (fixed or not). That probably has more to do with poor socialization than anything else though.

Just be sure to get the new one fixed young too. That'll help avoid any aggression issues. Take them out often if you want them to be good with dogs they don't know. Dogs who ONLY hang out together tend to become aggressive or fearful of unknown dogs, which can make walking them or taking them on trips a pain. Good luck!

2007-01-12 19:00:22 · answer #4 · answered by kittikatti69 4 · 0 0

Gender does make a big difference in two dogs living in the same house hold.
Has no one heard of same sex aggression?
It is common. Same sex dogs no matter if males or females can and do fight. There is a pack heirachy and they are trying to be the dominant one in the pack.
In our rescue we will only place dogs of opsite sexs in the same household.
I recommend to my clients for the easiest and best combination is one male and one female both fixed.
It is a natural setting and the dogs do best that way.

2007-01-12 19:45:53 · answer #5 · answered by tlctreecare 7 · 0 0

In my experience, it's both. I've had several intact males in my house with never a problem, but the breed is not the type to be aggressive (at least not most of them). But your safest best is always to have a male and female - they just seem to get along better with little or no human interference needed.

2007-01-12 19:00:19 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 1 0

It does matter. Especially depending on what breed you were planning on getting for your second dog. Some dogs, like Akitas for instance, tend to fight with members of the same sex. To be on the safe side, I'd get a female. I'd also let them meet before you adopt the second dog.

2007-01-12 19:02:35 · answer #7 · answered by Nancy B 2 · 1 0

I prefer opposites. Dogs of opposite sex get along so much more smoothly and safely than same-sex dogs.

When you put two dogs of the same sex together in your home, there is always a risk that they will not be able to get along. Sometimes they will fight, and it can be severe. It's important to realize this is usually not a temperament problem with either of the dogs. This is nature taking its course. Dogs are much more the victims of their own instincts than humans are. Human siblings, you can reason with (sometimes), and they can learn that they have to get along. Dogs are not capable of that kind of reasoning. They will largely do what their instincts drive them to do.

2007-01-12 19:00:58 · answer #8 · answered by mistresscris 5 · 0 0

Yes gender does matter. Male and female all the way. 2 Males will sometimes develope a "pack" attitude with each other often which can lead to fights. Not to mention they will try to stake out their territory and pee on everything. Get a female.

2007-01-12 18:56:54 · answer #9 · answered by Rob K 2 · 3 1

Their personalities matter most in this situation. Make sure the new one is fixed or you will have problems, regardless of whether you choose the male or female.

2007-01-12 18:58:40 · answer #10 · answered by dog7788 3 · 1 0

fedest.com, questions and answers