Reptile & Amphibian Forums

Ok I keep hearing this stuff about how you should always have dogs of opposite sex (what you do if you have three dogs is beyond me *g*)

I have had GSDs for 25 years - usually males. I have never had a problem between two males.

As a rescuer I rescue and rehab dogs - I also board occassionally.

I dont take females in because my bitch cant tolerate them - that is just her - not because she is female, but because she is a dominant female

I have had dogs and bitches board here - not a problem. Had my friends bitch here for 6 weeks - one clash at the start - nothing since!

IMO sometimes you will hve problems, but more often than not, 2 male dogs are fine and 2 females can be too!

Its when you get two dominant females that you can have problems - then again I guess two dominant males are the same

Actually, 2 intact females can be more problematic. Simply because their territorial guarding instinct from predators in higher than that of a males. Usually doesn't get as bad until after the first heat cycle. I've never had a real problem with males. I have 4 all living together now. And what's more, 3 of the 4 are all fully protection trained, and STILL no issue.

However, I still would not recommend same sexes with the "average Joe". A trainer should not have issue with being able to control them, whether the aggression is barrier, territorial, prey, or otherwise. I'm just not sure I trust the "uninitiated". I've been bitten on more than one occassion, I just can't tell someone..."well, if you want to make this work, you have to be fearless and still be able to enact a correction while being bitten". LOL

Tom
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"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion."
--Unknown

I have always had multiple dogs, usually 4 at a time and usually males. Never really had any problems. When I added my female 9 years ago, I had a couple of 'tiff's" with the two boyz at the time, most likely because the alpha male didn't appreciate the younger male playing with "his" puppy..Your right Tom, not for the unexperienced, when jumping in the middle of a "tiff" LOL..
Anyhow, I ended up with 3 males (one intact) and the female, no problems there..4 years ago, I was down to 3 GSD's, 2 males and a female, brought in a female aussie, (what can I say I've defected), very non confrontational aussie, wouldn't hurt a bug, always has a smile on her face..My female GSD, who is a very pushy alpha type bitch, tolerates her, but she will never be her "buddy"..She is on constant patrol mode and will correct her if SHE feels she needs it (doesn't make it so *vbg*)..So that's been a learning experience, and one I must say, I probably won't do again..Thank goodness the aussie is not a pushy dog and is happy being a follower vs a leader ...

So now the household consists of 2 males and 2 females, one GSD of each, and aussie of each gender..For the most part, the boyz behave themselves, the girlz, well they are monitored..

LOL intact didnt even enter my mind - I dont have intact dogs here, I do rescue - it isnt an issue - all dogs are desexed ASAP once they are here if theyre not done already

One prob i did have was between two desexed bitches and the same bitch and my dog - the dog was the problem and she was put to sleep - she mauled a dog twice her size, were he any smaller she would have killed him (for the record cappy screamed and bit me trying to get away, then as soon as I had her hanging in the air, he bolted LOL)

I cant say Im afraid of getting bitten - it hurts but Im cheaper to fix than my dog. Both dogs bit me when I was trying to get them apart (hose was on the other side of the garden - no time no thinking just in like flynn)

Vet thought cappy would need his leg drained - i have pics of the bruises somewhere - lucky she didnt get his face - he kept his head up

Cant rehome a dog like that, no man is an island etc - however I dont think that was a case of the owner not being in charge - it was a case of rescue dog being put into a situation she should never have been put in and a rescuer not being told the full story (apparently she had show a lot of possession problems before she came here)

point is, the prob wasnt with intact dogs - so I cant comment bout that LOL

I have 2 females...1 is week nerved and would never cause a problem, and the other is a JRT....nuff said LMAO...I also have 2 males for now..hehe..but my neutered male is boss over all the big dogs. I think if you are good with dog language, the posturing can be cought b4 anything happens but I do think that the novice GSD owner could get in trouble real fast with multiple dogs of any sex.
Heres 3 of my pack....nova is shy
lisa

omg i swear youve stolen Cappy LOL - will have to post a pic of him and a pic of rex, causee the dog on the right looks like cappy, the one the left like rex (cappy is a very feminine male)