We own an 8 yr old Rottie (neutered) and a 6 yr old Bullmastiff (entire).  We would like to have another Bullmastiff puppy at some time in the future. Our current pair are both well balanced and calm dogs, but we would like advice as to whether we should have a girl next time or if they would tolerate a male.  I am well aware that if we have another male that  he could be a problem with the two old boys when he is bigger and older. We live in the countryside on a farm. We have owned Bullies and Rotties for about 20 years.

It's a difficult one isn't it. My initial thought would be go for a girl, as in theory she would be better tolerated, however you don't know how she could upset the apple cart as she matures, it could cause scraps between the boys if they each consider her "theirs".

Sorry - no help whatsoever really. I've owned both breeds but at different times. I used to have Bullies, but never more than 2 at a time, and they were of opposite sex. My current brood (rotties) are 2 girls and a boy (all neutered), and my eldest girl is the matriach and keeps them all in line. They are very similar breeds temperament wise I've found.

There are a number of Rottie, and Bully breeders on this forum who I'm sure will be able to give you a much better steer

Thanks anyway !

I have 3 boys, an older mongrel 8yrs (neutered), a nearly 4yrs gundog (entire) and we added a same gundog breed puppy last year.  The puppy is now 9 months

I too wondered about the gender combinations but I opted for a dog, partly because I feel I understand them better.  We had bitches in the family when I lived at home but I've never lived with the full time responsibility of one and figured that I'd be better equipped to read subtle signs from another male in the event of problems.

My older dog is a steady eddie and a great influence on the younger ones but I thought that he too might be better off with a boy.  My friends bitch is seriously attracted to him and attempts to hump him rather too often for his comfort.  He's very polite but I thought it might stress him if that were to happen with a bitch that lived with us full time.  I also didn't want the issue of seasons with an entire dog in the house and lack the facilities (or the desire!) to find a workable solution to that problem.

Maybe there isn't a clear answer, perhaps it's simply down to the character and personalities of the dogs concerned, your preferences, a bit of breed knowledge, some breeder input and the size and layout of your house!  Good luck deciding :)

Thank you so much. I think I will have to take this on instinct.  We had one bitch Bullmastiff and she made life hell for our 9 yr old Rottie.  We know boys best.  What we have found over the years is that dogs feel the loss of their best friend just as humans do.  What has worked for us before is having a young one coming along so that when one of the old boys sadly leaves us the young one helps both the other dog and us humans to cope with the loss.  We have never had the combination we have now or the dilemma. Our two are not so bonded  that it would be a problem - it just needs very careful handling. We have never managed to keep a Bullmastiff beyond 8 years or a Rottie beyond 9 and a half despite our best efforts.  As our gentle Rottie is now 8 and the Bullmastiff 6 we don't know how much longer we shall have them.

I have never had a problem adding males to the gang, only ever had a problem once and that was a bitch on bitch problem the lads like a peaceful life.