Hi,

I wonder if I could ask for some advice please...

I've currently got a nearly 2 year old neutered male Akita X Mastiff. He is very well socialised, trained & loves other dogs. He is very laid back. I've also got 2 Ragdoll cats.

I've always preferred male dogs therefore have opted to buy a male dog. My concern is of course the risk of dominance issues once the pup reaches maturity... I've done much research on the internet & most people's opinion is to get a girl... however, there are some people that do keep males together & always have without problems. I've emailed a few Dobermann breeders to ask their advice & most again have said a bitch would be easier. One breeder has said he's sold brothers together before & there's hasn't been any problems. This is the breeder i've sent my deposit to...

Has anyone housed 2 male Dobermann's together or a Dobermann & another dog breed without complications?

Advice would be greatly appreciated :-)

Male dobes as a rule will not live peaceably with other dobe males or males of a dominant breed.

I know the breed pretty well, socialised and looked after both sexes and boarded them with mine too.  I would say it is not worth the risk having a male with your existing male.

A very few males will get on with particular males, but very few will lvie together.

Is it worth the risk?

Thank you Brainless. My mind was set on getting a bitch until the breeder said he thinks it will be ok with a dog. Tank is neutered & I would get the Dobe neutered... but like say is it really worth the risk? I don't know if it is.......

Two males is a no go!  Ive had Dobes since 86 and have a male at the mo.  Although castrated I would love another male but it is not worth the risk.  I would question the breeder as they should know this.

Just re-read your post and this breeder has sold 2 males together?  I am really sorry to say this but this is not best practice and totally unresponsible.  I would never sell a male and female puppy to someone let alone 2 males.  Has the breeder carried out FULL breed health tests? Sorry to harp on about health tests but this breed does have its problems.

The only way around it is to seperate your dogs at some point as it may be needed.

My male is 7 years old, castrated yet does not tolerate other male dogs, really not worth the risk tbh.  Hope this helps.

Thanks FooFoo. Sent you a PM

Oh OK, not received anything yet :-)

I have a rather unique male Dobe (5 years old now) - he's intact, gets on with all other male dogs, and is even perfectly happy to have other males (intact or not) in the house sharing his toys, food, bed etc! He is most definitely the exception though, and you're more likely to end up with two dogs ripping each other to pieces.

I do think that the breeder sounds like a total tool for not only homing two Dobermann puppies together, but two males at that.

What lines is your Dobe zarah? Was he quite a submissive puppy?

> What lines is your Dobe zarah? Was he quite a submissive puppy?

Don't be tempted to get a male Dobe. I know nothing about Dobes, but reading what others have said here, it doesn't sound like a good idea to get a male. Even if you do get very lucky and get a laid-back male, you don't know if the Akita side of your dog will rear it's head on maturity and cause dominance issues. Mastiffs (as in English Mastiff), generally are very good with other dogs, but as your dog is crossed between Mastiff & Akita you have no way of knowing if the Mastiff side has come from a typical, good-natured example of the breed or from a poorly bred Mastiff with questionable temperment. You will not know for sure, how your dog will behave around others untill it is fully mature, at only 2yrs old your dog is not mature yet (judging by the fact Mastiffs & Akitas take a while to mature). Your laid back youngster may end up with the head-strong attitude of a Mastiff and the drive of an Akita, in which case getting a second male dog will spell big trouble.

I personally would not entertain the idea of getting a second male dog (and I much prefer males) if I allready had a MastiffxAkita, I would err on the side of caution, for the dogs sake and get a bitch, (whatever breed I was considering as a second addition).

Don't get a male would be my advice. I've had Dobes since 1989 and a few years ago I bred a litter and desperately wanted to keep one of the boys, but knowing the problems that can happen, and already owning 2 male Golden Retrievers, albeit a very easy going breed, I really didn't want to risk it so kept a bitch.

I refused a number of prospective homes for my pups simply because they had another male dog and, like others have said, if this breeder has sold 2 brothers together in the past I'd be very wary of them as breeders full stop.

Hi everyone, I really appreciate your opinion's & advice :-)

I spoke to the lady that bought the 2 male brothers today, she has never had any problems with them, of course they've had the odd squabble now & again, but apart from that, there have never been any serious incidents. They sleep together, chew marrow bones together etc., etc., she did have them neutered & that was the agreement between her & the breeder as he was quite hesitant in selling her 2 brothers. The sire of these's particular dogs is the sire of the pup I'm getting, so I feel a little more confident...

Just because it has worked out with these 2 brothers doesn't necessarily mean it will with others - IMO in the majority of cases it wouldn't. Also things may be OK initially but may not stay that way. I really wouldn't want to risk it.

> I spoke to the lady that bought the 2 male brothers today,

How old are they, issues may not emerge until adolescence, or even more often at full social maturity at 3 or 4 years of age, may take longer as they were neutered, but could still occur.

They're 3 years old Brainless

Well it could be that they are still somewhat immature (due to neutering young), or he is lucky and they have very different characters with one being much more willing to give way, or he may yet have issues.

hey! your back! hello :)

i say a bitch and i am another for the preference for boys.

for one thing a girl and boy should get on, so its easier for you. as your boys done it shouldn't be a huge issue at season time (but don't be complacent just in case!)

i also find that a girl compliments a boy very well. i find a girl around improves a boy quite often and brings out other facets of his character. boys can be so sweet to bitches and its often lovely to see them blossom with a girl around :)