:-\ Hi! Have just found this great site!! Have spent my weekend reading some of the fab articles on this group!!!!! We are looking at getting an addition to our family and value experience/advice on pros cons of two males? Or Male and female? Currently have a 4yr old chocolate entire male,very chilled and relaxed, has some personality when out and about Loved the articles on castration-our vet also urged on not getting him 'done' due to his easy going nature, have experienced a couple of 'cuddles' with neutered males though???? So any views greatly welcome
Re: A brother or sister?? Hi Kel and welcome to the forum from me Helen, Hattie 6 years and Charlie 3 years our rescue. I only have experience of a male and a female and have had no issues, Charlie arrived with us 2 1/2 years ago, it was a little tricky to start with but settled. The only issue I can see is your boy is entire so if you are getting a female that might be tricky :-\ So many experienced owners on here will give you the advise you need. Good luck x
Re: A brother or sister?? Hi and welcome for the forum Sorry, don't have any experience as Harley is my first dog. What is your boy called? Photos please
Re: A brother or sister?? Hello. I have had all combinations, two girls, girl boy and now two boys. Our older boy Merlin sounds like your boy, we didn't get him neutered as he is so soft and gentle. We got another boy because of this, Willoughby. I didn't want the stress of keeping an entire male away from an in season female. Both my boys get on well, we were told two entire males would fight but with Merlin being so chilled he's been a great role model for Willoughby.
Re: A brother or sister?? I have two males, both neutered, they get on well and when they meet other entire males. If you had a female you would have problems when she came into season.
Re: A brother or sister?? Hi Kel, welcome to the forum. Sorry I can't help you with this - Lilly is our first dog and a firm singleton Just wanted to say hello. Jac
Re: A brother or sister?? Hello, welcome! Charlie (entire male) is my first dog on my own. But my family always had male dogs and never had them castrated. They always got on just fine, no problems at all. I also want a second dog, and was minded to get a bitch and have it spayed early. But reading a bit more, I'm not so sure an early spay is a great idea. So now think I might get another male (and also wouldn't have it castrated, as see no reason to do so - although would if I had problems that castration might solve).
Re: A brother or sister?? We're in a very similar position to Julie, one entire male so if, as I hope, we get a second dog it would be male to avoid the complications of two entire dogs of either sex They most likely will be different breeds too so an accident could be doubly difficult.
Re: A brother or sister?? Hi there and welcome. I had two half-brothers for many, many years; they were inseparable, and there was never a cross word between them. Neither of them were castrated. They were about two and a half years separated in age. The only problem was that they did sometimes egg each other on - they would run away together if there was a bitch in heat around, for instance. If one was on the lead, the other one never ran away! Also, they backed each other up and felt much stronger as a pair - this can be a good and a bad thing... Bones got attacked by a really vicious dog once and dear old Billy, aged 14 and with worn old teeth, rushed in to try and defend him... But usually they were very well behaved and nice dogs. When Billy died (at the grand old age of 16!) we got Poppy, and it was a problem when she came into season. Poor old Bones had to go and stay with a neighbour for the duration. When we do get another dog, if we choose a male then I would definitely have Poppy spayed. It's too difficult otherwise in a normal household.
Re: A brother or sister?? Hi there, and welcome to the forum. I have had all combinations of males and females, almost all entire, with very few squabbles. On balance a male / female combination is probably the least likely to fall out, but as others have pointed out, it would be a real hassle keeping your older male away from a young female during her first season. And any thereafter if you did not want to spay. So probably simplest to get another boy.
Re: A brother or sister?? Thank you all so much!!! I'm sure with all the great training tips I'm finding on this group it will make this scary decision of ours a bit easier
