I have a 3 1/2 year old neutered black and an 1 1/2 year old intact chocolate who get along amazingly well. Rex loved the puppy until puppy got to be about 11 months. We had a couple issues, humping and food, that I attributed to Zeke's hormones and acting dominant. It seems they have worked things out. The older dog Rex is the boss, Zeke is still his happy go lucky self. They play, they snuggle. This forum is incredibly helpful! Reading a couple other threads about fixed dogs reacting to intact dogs has me wondering about things I should do to get him ready for being around fixed dogs if we choose to leave him intact. It would mostly be in the hunting groups that he would see new dogs. The hunting is my husbands area, he seems to think its all just fine, don't worry. I am wanting to organize a few play dates with others and see how Zeke reacts. Advice appreciated. Also will Zeke become more dominant as he gets older? So might I have a few more issues with Rex?
I think your boys will be just fine together; they are used to each other and I doubt there will suddenly be a problem. Regarding Zeke working around neutered dogs, I think your husband is completely right. When working the dogs are pretty focused, and really don't bother much with each other.
Ditto @Karen There are no guarantees but I think as well you will not have problems while hunting. We did not hunt but we did Obedience and Rally training and trialling. At both situs, especially trials, there was so much scent of everything in the air I think dogs didn't know who to target, if indeed they felt like targetting anyone at all. We did have a very scary incident with a neutered male attacking the intact young male he was training with and both attacked young dog and his owner needed medical help. Perhaps tellingly, it happened at the end of class as both dogs were leaving the ring. However I do believe that was a very isolated instance. My own dog is intact, we trained with that same neutered male and never had any inkling of a possible problem between my dog and him. You mean how Zeke reacts with neutered males? My dog doesn't think they exist, for the most part. Some he acts like they are the best playmate he has ever met. The house across the street from me had, at times, four intact male GR. Each knew the other was part of the family and even though the two only visited, being the adult children's dogs, all four respected each other. No guarantees but somehow dogs know who belongs in their family, even if they only visit.
Thanks for the replies. So the testosterone thing is something to be aware of when meeting new dogs but not so much in the field hunting. And since Zeke is a pretty mellow dog I have no worries about leaving him intact.
