I want to get another dog in about 6-12 months time. I've already got a bitch and she is very friendly around other dogs. After reading posts about having two bitches and what they can be like. It's put me off . I don't particular want a male dog as I've never had one before. I'm not sure what to do?????????????

A couple of friends are getting labs so I will sit them to find out if I can handle to at a time. I have an Elkhound at the mo and would be getting the same breed.
Reagards

I have always had bitches two or three at a time. Apart from normal squabbles which can happen with either sex and slightly hormonal days in seasons they are not a problem. In fact they are all very close to each other.If you are looking at the tread of fighting bitches which has been current this is not what I class as normal and so would not let it put you off. I am sure that others will be along soon to give their views:)

Lucy

Hi,
I've always had bitches in the past, some spayed, some entire, and never less than 2 at a time (apart from the 4 months in between getting 1st and 2nd) and they've never had spats.

I know that when bitches do fight, it's more serious than when dogs do, but they seem less likely to do it in the first place.

Hope this helps.
:)

hi hall,
well i have 6 dogs in my house 4 bitches and 2 dogs,and no fighting goes on in this house,between any of our dogs,and basically,i think if it is all done well and to a certain level,and depending on the amount of time that you share with any dog,it really seems to me that training dogs proporly is everyones answer to ensure that any dogs you may have around in the house together at all times do not fight.
i have kept bitches together for years and also dogs together for years,and i have never had any problems with any of them,its all down to training,well it seems to work for me,others may disagree.
but i hope this has helped,let us know what you do thanks.

Hi again Hal
I don't think theres a problem in the breed with keeping female/female or male/female.The only prob is keeping mixed sexes apart when bitches come into season.
Brainless has 4 bitches together and I keep 2 males with no problems.My next pup which I'll be getting later this year will be another male since introducing a bitch into a multi-male household can only cause disruption IMHO.
However since you have a bitch at the min it is completely up to you but bear in mind that if you choose a male you will either have to keep them seperated and put up with the noise and the disruptions when shes in season or have one of them castrated/neutered
By the way ADDICTIVE AREN'T THEY!! LOL
Regards Archer

Thanks for for all your comments guys . I'm still not sure what sex??? I must admitt I'm inclinded to get a bitch. However I would like to see what male dogs are like. I could just wait and see what is available when I decide to get one and let faint take its course.

By the way Archer after Jaz's last heat her training has picked up and re-calling her when out has improved a lot. Adulthood doesn't seem so far away!!!!!!

Thanks

Hi Hall, I have Elkhounds too. Till a few weeks ago I had 4, 3 males & 1 bitch. Never have trouble with the dogs but did have to rehome a bitch once. At the time I had 3 bitches and 1 male, and one of the bitches, the youngest, started to attack one of the other bitches after her first season. We tried everything to cure the problem but she was only going to stop when she had managed to kill the bitch she had fallen out with. So she had to go. Now in the breed there are a lot of people who do have bitches living together with no trouble but there are those who have had the trouble I had. If the boys have a disagreement they forget it within a few moments but once the bitches have fallen out they never forget.

Think you will have to decide for yourself, if you have a male you will need to make arrangements for when the bitch is in season, if you have a bitch the chances are that you will have no trouble but it can and does happen in our breed as in others.