If you get two dogs, is it best to have 2 different sexes?

Question

I am wanting to adopt another basset hound. I have a 3 year old female already. I called a animal shelter and they said it would be best to have a male with a female. I am just curious of how correct this info is??

Answer 1

Yeah, that is usually correct. From all the research I have done, most sources say to get opposite sexes to avoid aggression problems and other issues. There are going to be people who have two dogs of the same sex that get along great but most recommend not to do that.

Answer 2

It has more to do with personality than gender. To begin with I had two females from different shelters, one of which was unspayed for a while due to heartworm. They have never had a fight. Then my boyfriend's unneutered male moved in and he had minor disagreements with my more dominant dog to begin with, but these were soon resolved by them. I just rescued another unneutered male (soon to be neutered) and even he and the other male get along as he is submissive. Introduce them and see what happens before adopting the other dog. If your 3 yr old is also a hound I doubt they will have any problems unless they are both alpha females; hounds were bred to work in packs so are not typically dog aggressive. Just make sure they are introduced on neutral territory first, it is not fair to just bring a strange dog home and expect your dog to accept it.

Answer 3

It truely doesnt matter. If you would like a male then make sure that one or the other is fixed so that you dont have unwanted puppies. Another female should do fine because it is a puppy, although in some cases their can be jealousy, she may not be too happy with an immature boy running around either. In any case the older one will teach the new puppy to stay in line. I have two dobermans. One was about four when we got the other at 6 weeks and they're best friends. Then i brought my male kitten in about five years after that and they loved him! From my experience i believe that as long as it is a puppy most adult animals will see it as a baby to look after and not as any kind of threat as long as you still give adequate attention to both dogs.

Answer 4

It is generally a good idea to get two dogs of the opposite sex. Serious aggression is most commonly seen between 2 entire females, then 2 entire males, then same sex neutered pairs. Pairs of dogs of the opposite sex are the least likely to have problems. Just make sure they are neutered to avoid unwanted puppies!

You may not see any problems introducing a puppy to an older dog until the puppy reaches 'social maturity', generally at about 18 months to 2 years old. Then aggression tends to occur as the younger dog tries to become the dominant dog in the hierachy. I am not saying this will always happen, or that by getting dog of the opposite sex you are guaranteed of no problems, but it is much more likely with two bitches.

Working as a vet I have seen some very tragic incidences when 'sibling' dogs became aggressive, I think it is important to do as much as possible to avoid it happening.

Answer 5

It depends on the dogs. Usually it is better to have one of each unless the were from the same litter. Put it this way your dog now is the dominant female. If you get another female more than likely the new dog will dog was is natural to her and challenge the dominance. But, if your set on getting another girl put them together for a long time at your house and see home the get along. Putting them together at a remote location will not be the same. Your dog need to feel comfortable in her own home with another dog present.

Good Luck.

Answer 6

Not really. In general I have found the females do cause more trouble in the house.

No matter what they may not like each other. Bear and mack have lived together since they were young and still don't pay any attention to each other at all. They never have any altercations or any trouble out of them with any fosters. Bessie the last female I kept as an adult HW survivor tries to start with males females it doesn't matter. Its really going to be dependant on the dog itself.

Answer 7

Well, any two dogs should get along. But when you start adding more to the mix it getts complicated. If you have 2 males or more males with any number of females, they will fight for dominance of the pack. However all males will get along with each other. So it really depends on how many pups you are looking to add to your family.

You also need to consider not mixing sexes for the reason that you may produce puppies. Unless one of the sexes is fixed.

Good luck on your pup adventure!

Answer 8

i have 2 males that have been together from puphood. my aunt as a mixture of males and females that she has adopted at differ times. it depends on u and ur dogs...my dogs play well with males and females...because i do not allow any fights to even start not that they do often. and with my aunt having so many dogs she crates the ones who will start fights when she is not home.

Answer 9

It depends if your females is spade already if not then you can real problems with them when she is in heat.

I have nerver advised anyone who whant 2 puppies to get a male and a female. I always advised to get 2 of the same sex. I currently have 2 male Goldens living with me now and they get along just fine.

I would not get a male and a female. I would keep the sex of the dogs the same.

Answer 10

If i were you.. I would get a male. Unless your dog is spayed. Because you will have tons of puppies running around if not!!! =) And also, your female dog might get a bit jealous if you bring another girl into your life!!