I read that female dogs are more likely to fight and I'm planning to adopt a female labrador (8 weeks old) soon. Will my 10 year old female Shih Tzu fight with a female labrador? Is this just a myth or can it be prevented? Should I reconsider my choice of a female Labrador? Thank you!
It's entirely possible your existing dog will take exception to the puppy, but at that age it won't be anything to do with the sex of it. Both my older dogs (one male, one female) hated the new puppy so I kept them separate for many weeks, except during very carefully managed introduction sessions. After a couple of months, they accepted her and now they all adore each other. It may go completely smoothly and your Shih Tsu might love her from the start, but plan for the worst (so invest in baby gates, a puppy pen etc so you can keep them separate) and you might be pleasantly surprised. So, yes, your dog might dislike the puppy, but it won't be anything to do with the sex, so don't worry about that.
There is a saying, "Dogs fight to breed, bitches fight to breathe." So there is something to it but it's highly individual and not a given. On another forum I did read of very occasional times when an an owner decided homing one of the female dogs was best but it was very rare. From what I have seen and read odds are highly that they will get along just fine.
Two dogs can fight, two bitches can fight, a dog and a bitch can fight. It all depends upon the temperament and life experience of the individual dogs involved.
I have a 5yr old chocolate lab who is laid back my son bought a chocolate lab puppy who is now 5mnth old and the puppy still tries to jump at the older lab I now intervene and check the puppy to give the older lab some piece got baby gate and crate the older lab is very protective of the puppy when we are out but at home the puppy can be a little monster to the older lab will this get easier as I don't want either one to be stressed I take the puppy to classes to get her used to other dogs
Lilly is a bit of a grumpy girl. We often have puppies visiting. Most of them quickly learn to keep away from her but the odd puppy she has actually played with. I think they are all different.
