Toby is nearly 1 year old, he is a male black lab, if i got another dog would i be best getting a male or female, Toby has been castrated but i need to know if Toby would get on better with another male or would a female be best, not that i will be getting another dog soon hubby is against it but i would like a second dog and i can proberbly persuade him :o

Heidi

Difficult to say, a bitch may well bully him and a dog may well treat him like a bitch. So choose which you like best and deal with any problem as and if it happens.

Why is your hubby against the idea? THis would seem the most powerful argument against the second dog to me. Also consider if Toby is reliiably trained now as youre still in the Kevins, and a new dog will follow his lead. Friend of mine keeps 3 Weims, I male castrated for medical reasons and a mother and daughter without any bullying so it need not be bad.

You do need to sort out the problem of your husband disagreeing on a second dog BEFORE you get the dog. It is never a good idea to bring an animals into a house where not everyone is happy with the idea, because when it comes down to it and there are choices to be made, the animal always loses out. Well unless you rehome the hubby ;)

As for whether to get a male or female really depends on the new dogs personality. Do u plan to get the new dog neutered/spayed? It is true that females can be a bit bullying, but then again some males and females love each other to bits. The same goes for males. If they are both neutered then I doubt there will be a problem as far as dominating each other, but they just might not like each other and not get along!!

Make sure that both dogs are introduced to each other slowly and always back your current dog up with lots of attention and treats to show him he his still top dog.

Good luck what ever you decide