Since we've had Holly we've really fallen in love with having a dog in the house and we're starting to think about getting another dog in 3yrs time. The breed that we're looking at don't like to be kept with another dog of the same sex so we'd have to get a male. This is where the problems start.

I don't really like male dogs, I don't know why but I'd always rather have a bitch than a dog. We're not planning on having Holly spayed, we'd like to show her, so we'd have to get the male castrated to prevent some hideous cross breeding.

How would a castrated male cope living with an entire female? Would it not drive him mad?

HELP!!

Fiona

Hi there,
we have a castrated male GSD and a bitch Mal. When our bitch had her first season four weeks ago, our GSD payed no attention to her what so ever for the first 10 days or so, then for a few days he kept trying to mount her. Other than those four days or so, we have had no problem with them being together what so ever. His castration probably kept his hormone rush to a minimum lol.
Naomi

You say you don't really like male dogs. Have you actually ever had a male dog? I always thought I would only have bitches until I started to help out a local rescue with fostering last year. As we had bitches at home the policy was that we should only foster dogs (males) and am I glad we did. These dogs completely changed my preconceptions. I have had dogs (bitches) for almost 40 years and maybe missed out in some ways by never having boys. Needless to say we finally kept one of our foster dogs (neutered) and he lives happily with 3 entire girls!!
Good luck in your search.
jackie

We had a male labrador for almost a year on a sort of extended foster deal and although I loved him to pieces I still prefer females. I don't know why, I can't explain it, maybe it's a willy thing - I'm not sure, but it could well be :D

Trust hubby to want a breed that doesn't live well with the same sex!! I'm not prepared to tkae a chance on getting a female so we may end up looking at another breed all together or waiting until we lose Holly, afterall 13yrs or so isn't that long :D

Fiona

what breed are you thinking of getting,that dose not like living with the same sex,i have 3 bitches of two different breeds and they get on great,plus they live with two males,all in indoors,,so where the problem,i have not heard of a breed that dose not like the same sex,

Malamutes apparently don't get on with dogs of the same sex as them. However, there are many people who keep more than one bitch or dog mal together. I guess it depends on whether your intending to get a puppy or an adult dog.

It's a Malamute that we're thinking of getting. Although in theory Holly would be top dog, from an age point of view, I can see we'd have problems when the Mal got fully grown.

We've been advised by numerous Mal people not to get a bitch where we've already got Holly. Hubby has waited 25yrs to get a Mal, so a few more won't hurt. We were hoping the puppy would be his 35th birthday pressie, now we've got Holly it may end up being his 50th!!

Fiona

Malamutes usually get on very well with any size dog - of the opposite sex! Unfortunately the same cannot be said for dogs of the same sex, although they can be fine it would be recommended that, as you already own a bitch, you should get a male Mal (or be willing and able to cope with the situation if you get a bitch and they don't get on). I've been told this by numerous different breeders. As we've already got a Cocker Spaniel things could get very nasty if they don't get on.

Hi Fiona,
Malamutes are wonderful. I am sure that Jacquie will give you advice later on this subject as she keeps three mal bitches together. Hope that you get your mal eventually they are such an amazing breed. When we breed ours we will be keeping at least one puppy, guess that we will have more than one dog/bitch of the same sex then. Three years time hhmmm, you will be able to have one of Kieras babies.
Naomi

I would look further into this, as my experience of Malamutes is that you would be OK. Remind me of where abouts in the Country you are

Fiona

Have just looked up your profile, there is a race organised by the Alaskan Malamute Working Association at Wellington Country Park on 24th March, not very far from you at all...do you know the park? There will be lots of Mal owners there, many of whom have packs including non mals. This would be an ideal place to go along and ask questions

Thanks Sarah, I've just added that to my calender. WOW - Mals in action, I can't wait!!

Thanks,

Fiona - can't wait to tell hubby!!

I know that it is possible for a female Mal to live with another female but not having owned the breed before I'm not sure I want to take the chance.

Hi Naomi,

Jacquie and a lot of other breeders have advised that as we haven't had a Mal before we don't get a female just incase, as we wouldn't be experienced enough with the breed to sort any problems out.

Why is life so complicated?????

I don't object to having a male in the house, it's just that I prefer to have bitches. Oh well, I'll just have to get over my willy complex as I really don't want to give up on our dream of having a Mal whilst hubby is still young (ish) :D You can put us down for a puppy, assuming Kiera passes all her health checks, it looks as if your waiting list has started already!!

Fiona

Would you mind sending me some pictures of her? I've not found many photos of Mal puppies and I'd love to see some more. Thanks

Fiona

I have sent a couple of piccies of Hudson , my 14 week old Mal boy , one of Jacquies last litter. Hope they are enough to persuade you that boys can be good!

:D

quite important that we know the breed! I know people say that some breeds don't like living with another dog of the same sex, but thats seems to reamin only within the breed - ie, 2 female SBT's will be difficult to have living together, but will live with a female of another breed quite happily. All depends on the pack system that you have, and because their will be 3 or so years between them, Holly should be the supieror dog and so no probs.