NPCE: should we get a girl or boy puppy?

[MrsAxilla]

We're ready to add a new puppy to our family! We have two boy dogs (11 and 12) and two cats (one of each). The cats and dogs have staked their territory and reached a truce. We've only had boy dogs, and we like that dynamic, but I'm wondering if a girl dog might fit in. I need some more estrogen up in here! Thoughts?

[aw]

It depends on the breed. We learned our lesson after bringing a boy bull terrier into a house with an already dominant male dog. The two did not get along. After this I decided that we would never bring another aggressive breed male into the house while our other male is alive.

[redheadbaker]

Aug 20, 2012 13:13:48 GMT -5 aw said:

It depends on the breed. We learned our lesson after bringing a boy bull terrier into a house with an already dominant male dog. The two did not get along. After this I decided that we would never bring another aggressive breed male into the house while our other male is alive.

Aggression is not a breed trait.

[redheadbaker]

OP, I'd say it would depend on the puppy. Are you going through a breeder or a shelter/rescue? Do you have any way of meeting them (and having your current dogs meet them) ahead of time, before you commit to one?

[aw]

Aug 20, 2012 13:20:27 GMT -5 redheadbaker said:

Aug 20, 2012 13:13:48 GMT -5 aw said:

It depends on the breed. We learned our lesson after bringing a boy bull terrier into a house with an already dominant male dog. The two did not get along. After this I decided that we would never bring another aggressive breed male into the house while our other male is alive.

Aggression is not a breed trait.

Yes, but certain breeds do better with other males. We learned after the fact that most breeders advise you not to bring a male bull terrier into a house with another male.

(Our bull terrier ended up attacking our older dog out of nowhere one day. He nearly tore off the older dog's ear and half of his face.)

[MrsAxilla]

A BREEDER?!? :::clutches pearls::: Never! In fact, this a slight point of contention because DH really wants a Doberman. He has a friend with two males and he likes their personalities. They've met our dogs and they get along fine. We had three dogs for a long time and they've had lots of doggy friends over the years, so they're pretty cool with the pack structure. Anyway, I put my foot done on a Doberman breeder and told DH he better start stalking the shelter's website if that's what he wants.

Meeting in advance will never work. We almost always fall in love with a pet. How do females fit into a pack structure?

[rosiedozie]

In *general* females will be alpha. However, personality of an individual dog trumps gender.

Though you say that you always fall in love with a pet, considering how a future dog fits in with your current group is so, so, so important. Allow yourself to be objective in meeting with potential dogs until you find the right fit regardless of gender. If you can tell a rescue/shelter the personality of your dogs they should be able to help lead you towards some good fits.

Good luck! Adding our second dog was a lot of work in the beginning but because of how well their personalities, energy levels and play styles match, it's well worth it.

[aw]

Aug 20, 2012 14:06:44 GMT -5 MrsAxilla said:

A BREEDER?!? :::clutches pearls::: Never! In fact, this a slight point of contention because DH really wants a Doberman. He has a friend with two males and he likes their personalities. They've met our dogs and they get along fine. We had three dogs for a long time and they've had lots of doggy friends over the years, so they're pretty cool with the pack structure. Anyway, I put my foot done on a Doberman breeder and told DH he better start stalking the shelter's website if that's what he wants.

Meeting in advance will never work. We almost always fall in love with a pet. How do females fit into a pack structure?

This is how it is with DH and I. I want shelter dogs and he wants pure breeds. He won the last time, but since his pick turned out to be a disaster, I'm hoping to have my way the next time (years and years from now when I can even think about adding a pet to the insanity in this house).

From what I understand about females, they can and will lead a pack, but they are less likely to be aggressive toward other pack members.

[pixy0stix]

I have a male and a female and I love them both. I'd say it's really dependent on the dog's personality.

FWIW, we have no clear alpha dog in our house. That position is filled by a female cat.

[katietornado]

We have had over 40 foster dogs through our house. We have two resident male dogs and generally the male fosters do best with our male dogs. Females just aren't my thing. The boys tend to be dopey and easygoing, and the females are high strung and bossy. That's just my experience, of course.

I can't keep track of where you are now, but there are tons of great Dobe rescues. I definitely want one someday, and I stalk our local Dobe rescue (along with our local Dane rescue).

Good luck!

[basilosaurus]

Go to DDFL and let the dog pick you

[jdbyogi]

Females, especially together, can be really rough and more likely to be aggressive with others, especially other females, in the pack. 2 males and a young female may actually be nice. I have 2 females, and our breeder was clear that this can be a challenge. Both were spayed before their first heat and introduced when they were young. Even still, there was a struggle for dominance early on, and they can play pretty rough. My breeder said the easiest pairing is male/male, then male/ female and female/ female is the most work.

At least with goldens, boys tend to be laid back good ol' boys, while girls are more demanding and high activity. I grew up with male dogs, and this is my first time with females. They are more needy, but I kind of like that they want to be entertained and be the center of attention. Keeps me on my toes

[sweettooth]

There are gorgeous pure breeds in shelters! Go to petfinder.com, put in the breed you want and your zip code and you should find some in shelters and rescues. Those in rescues will likely have been in foster homes with other dogs and will have a personality profile from that. Especially now, there are a lot of larger dogs in shelters because of the economy. Bless you for wanting to adopt. They know they have been saved and give back so much love!

[sweettooth]

I just looked in my area and saw a lot of Doberman mixes and what appears to be pure Dobermans. There is a puppy that is a mix that is adorable.



I'm sure you can find a lot near you also. I adopted from Petfinder recently and found it to be easier than walking up and down the aisles of hopeful faces and wanting to take them all. I could just ask for the one I was interested in--easier.

[MrsAxilla]

Aug 20, 2012 22:12:58 GMT -5 sweettooth said:

I just looked in my area and saw a lot of Doberman mixes and what appears to be pure Dobermans. There is a puppy that is a mix that is adorable.

Aw!