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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

Original poster

Dog or bitch puppy?

12 replies

Decideforme · 25/08/2023 10:29

I already have an old entire male dog. He is good with our cats and rabbits, and good with my parents dogs (despite one being very grumpy with him). But he is very soft and can be anxious, so after being attacked a few times on walks, he can be a little reactive on lead. I think the fact that he is entire, plus his puppy like ears make him a bit confusing for other dogs. Having said that, he went to the vet hospital yesterday and was very well behaved in a waiting room with several dogs.

We want to introduce a puppy into the house. I'm not sure whether a bitch or a dog would be best? A bitch might be better because mixed sex dogs are less likely to be in competition, but as our existing dog is entire, we'd have to spay before the first season, or keep them entirely separate for 3 weeks, or give our existing dog the chemical castration implant. If we get a dog, we'd have to neuter early or hope they didn't get competitive, or give the older dog the chemical castration implant.

When we got our existing dog from the rescue, they didn't recommend castration because he has a very soft temperament and they felt he could do with the testosterone.

Does anyone here have more than one medium/large breed dog? Do you have same sex or mixed sexes?

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 25/08/2023 11:27

If he's old and reactive, I wouldn't really want to bring any dog into the household personally.

Leonberger · 25/08/2023 14:22

How old is he and does he actually want company?

Ive had mixes of entire males, neutered males and females (spayed and entire) and never had any problems. They have all got along. I have not ever had two bitches though as I’ve heard bad things.

Hands down the best relationships have been male/female though. My current two are inseparable as were the ones before that. The boy pairings have tended to be friends but nowhere near as reliable or close.

Original poster
Decideforme · 25/08/2023 15:50

He's about 10 (rescue). He's lovely and he dotes on our cats (when they let him). He plays beautifully with my parents' bitch who has known for several years, and he's friendly but keeps a respectful distance from their dog who doesn't enjoy having other dogs in their territory. He's stayed with them for a few days at a time with no incident, and for two weeks a few years ago. He seemed to really enjoy their company.

The only thing that made me hesitate is that because he's been set upon by strange dogs in the past, when he's on lead he can get a bit stressed if a dog rushes up to him.

OP posts:
Incywinced · 25/08/2023 15:52

If your set on a second dog I would 100% go with a girl.

You may find having a male puppy is okay, but as he comes into adolescence then having two entire males (even if just waiting for neutering age) can be tricky. It can be done, but far easier to have a girl

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 25/08/2023 15:55

Have you had other dogs staying in your home before, though? If so, how did he behave?

HerMammy · 25/08/2023 16:04

I personally don't agree with new puppies when your dog is getting older, let him enjoy his older years in peace. If he's reactive a nee annoying pup could be overwhelming and make whatever years he has left miserable.

ScottishDora · 25/08/2023 16:05

I think if your getting a puppy it doesn't matter as much, my dog has a tendency to be a bully, particularly adolescent intact males, however if he's known a dog from puppyhood we've never had any issues. In fact he's excellent with puppies they can do whatever they want to him and he just lies there like a climbing frame, and as puppies grow they get to know each others boundaries. My MIL is really boisterous in her style of play, jumping over him, battering him with her paws and allsorts, any other dog he would 100% not put up with it but the most he's ever done his had a half arsed grumble at her when he's fed up.

SidekickSylvia · 25/08/2023 16:11

ScottishDora · 25/08/2023 16:05

I think if your getting a puppy it doesn't matter as much, my dog has a tendency to be a bully, particularly adolescent intact males, however if he's known a dog from puppyhood we've never had any issues. In fact he's excellent with puppies they can do whatever they want to him and he just lies there like a climbing frame, and as puppies grow they get to know each others boundaries. My MIL is really boisterous in her style of play, jumping over him, battering him with her paws and allsorts, any other dog he would 100% not put up with it but the most he's ever done his had a half arsed grumble at her when he's fed up.

You should probably ask your MIL to stop that.

ScottishDora · 25/08/2023 16:17

Sorry i realise i missed out a that part about it being my MILs dog not my actual.

Original poster
Decideforme · 25/08/2023 16:17

cinnamonfrenchtoast · 25/08/2023 15:55

Have you had other dogs staying in your home before, though? If so, how did he behave?

No, we haven't. We did have to bring a newborn lamb into our lounge into the middle of the night in a dog crate, and he was beautifully behaved. Obviously it's not a dog, but it was a noisy small furry (fleece) thing. He was also beautifully behaved when the rabbits appeared. Impeccable behaviour with chickens we used to own, who free roamed at times.

OP posts:
cinnamonfrenchtoast · 25/08/2023 16:27

Decideforme · 25/08/2023 16:17

No, we haven't. We did have to bring a newborn lamb into our lounge into the middle of the night in a dog crate, and he was beautifully behaved. Obviously it's not a dog, but it was a noisy small furry (fleece) thing. He was also beautifully behaved when the rabbits appeared. Impeccable behaviour with chickens we used to own, who free roamed at times.

Show quote history

Dogs are very different to prey animals, though.

I would really recommend seeing how your dog behaves with other (known) dogs in his home before you commit to taking on a new puppy. The last thing you want to do is upset your 10yo senior dog and end up in a position where you can't keep the puppy.

IngGenius · 25/08/2023 16:32

An entire male and a bitch will be fun! You will have to have plans when the bitch is in season. Best to allow most bitches to have one season.

I have 6 dogs in a household together and no issues at all. It is a bit of an urban myth that a male household is tricky. Most dogs will treat the dogs they live with differently from random dogs they meet out and about.

It is down to the dogs rather than being male or female.

My oldies love it when a new puppy comes into the house whether foster or to stay. It can often give them a new lease of life. The oldies and the puppies tend to sleep a lot and have moochy walks so similar pace of life for a bit.

When they become teenagers then the oldies usually let them get on with it and step back a bit.

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