After much consideration I have decided to "bite the bullet" :p and buy another puppy. I had decided to get a dog because of the alleged difficulty of having 2 female staffordshire bull terriers in the same house. However, as time goes on i keep thinking about wanting another bitch - i prefer them: easy to train, no agressive or dominant traits at all (though i think i was just lucky with that). I think it is also because i'm used to bitches. However, i have also been told that you can have as many problems with male female pairing as essentially they are fighting dogs and may not get on (cleo has never ever shown any sort of aggression - though thats not to say that she wont). I do not really want to have to separate the dogs when i go out, and how do i decide who gets access to the garden and who doesn't!
I just wanted to ask other people who have the fighting/dominant dog breeds what their opinion on the pairing of dogs is.

Hi Cleo,
I'm all for having two females. I've had less problems over the years with girls vs. boys. I know there are others out there who do not share the same opinion and that's ok.
I can't remember how old your sbt is, but she sounds quite nicely mannered. Try out various puppies, under supervision, of course, and things might go easier than you anticipate. She might pick the puppy that she likes the best. Anything is possible :D
Good luck
toodles

One thing to remember is that if females do fall out then it usually for life. A couple of males will fight it out until one backs down and becomes the submissive animal and then usually there are no more fights. But when females fight they tend to resume the fight on sight of each other. I have not had personal experience of this but a friend of mine has and when she mentioned it to her vet all he said was she should have known better than to house two dominant females together. I have also read in a book, don't ask me which one, but I remember it said if dogs fell out, the combinations of dogs went like this...worst was two females of the same breed, next was two females of different breeds, next two males of the same breed and best was two males of different breeds. I wish I could remember where I read this but its something I have always remembered.

Kind of like humans in this aspect, eh. Still find it funny that guys can fight and then have a pint, make up, & then be best buddies until the next flare up.

I've yet to ever see this happen with women. When it comes down to open resentment and fighting, that's it forever. No more chances :D

Hi Alie, The problem with staffords is that they are a fighting breed no matter how sweet and docile they are, and if they do get into a fight when no one is around to stop them you will be lucky to find the pieces :(. The general rule of thumb with this breed is you should NEVER keep 2 males together as they will fight for dominance and not stop. There is varying opinion on 2 females together, and it is accepted that male and female pairings have a better chance to get on, as a male will take a dressing down from the female without retliating - supposedly! There will be a 3 year age gap between the 2 dogs, and luckily cleo is not a dominant type, but i will do everything to reinforce her as top dog, after me of course :D
Very difficult decision - also slightly concerned about the aggression towards other dogs, and want to look into early innoculations so that socialisation can start ASAP.

hi

like you i have kept Stafford bitches and well most of them have gotten on but about 8 months ago i had 3 bitches and 1 dog in the house. let me tell you all wot happend, i have had 2 of my Stafford bitches since they were puppies and they have gotten on very well but the trouble started when i tock a friends Stafford bitch and dog in, we were going to try to rehome the bitch but we wanted to keep the dog but after a few days becided to keep her aswell :) (all of them new each other and got on well before we bought them in to our home).

At first it was fine and they all got on very well, Sally was still the top dog and the others did not mind that. After we had the 2 new ones for about 6 weeks we started to let them all out the back together as they all got on very well (there had not been any signs of them not liking where they were in the pack order) the order was Sally, Cassie, new bitch Tasha and last new dog Kane.

On one day when all 4 were out the gardan the ice-cream van came around and i went out to get things for the kids(i had been out the gardan with the dogs), and then someone said wot the hell is that noise :O. I run in the house and then out the gardan and what i so did not make sence Cassie and Tasha were fighting and Kane and Sally were just standing there watching :(

After i stoped them we becided to try to keep the apart(they were aloud to be together only if someone was with them), we did this for about 2 months and it was working out ok (both bitches could be left with any dog but not with each other) than one day Tasha ate thought a pine door to get at Cassie and we were out! (We know it was Tasha as you could tell by the markes on the door). When we got home we sore Tasha and Cassie still fight in the middle of the room and Sally and Kane still in there beds(as if to say that they dont want to get in the middle of 2 bitches fighting)lol :D

Well after that we decided to rehome Tasha to a home were she would be the only dog and she is now a lovley dog again, i have put a lot of it down to Cassie comeing in to season and then being mated and being with pup as at the time of the last fight she only had one week left to go, but the vet said it could not be that as Tahsa had been done!(there had been aout 6 little fights and 2 very bad fights) :(

Cassie and Tasha now get on very well as long as Tasha does not come in my house(but Cassoe can go in her's)

wot i am trying to say is that if u want to bring a bitch puppy in try and let your bitch pick her, i now have 2 bitches and 2 dogs (one dog beening a pup) and at the moment all is fine (but we do not let both dogs together at all)but i think that a bitches fight is far wores than a dogs because they never foget

bobby :)

Bobby, thanks so much for your reply, i have heard many stories like this, and others that say that 2 bitches have been fine together all there lives - it all very comfusing It would be great if i could let cleo have the pick of the litter :D but i don't think the breeder would be entirely happy about it, nor the mum i should think!!! I will ask her if its possible, but basically the best bet seems to be to stick with the original plan and go for a dog - haveing said that i might well fall in love with a bitch and that'll be the end of it! I want to pick a dog to show, but will always pick the temperament i like best - normally the quiet one: when i went to pick cleo i really liked 2 bitches, and had to go for cleo in the end cos i picked her up and put her on my lap and she promtly fell asleep - been the same ever since ;)

well most of the time it is the puppy that picks you just like Cleo did and yes i would say that a dog would be better
Bobby

Hi

I know what you mean about prefering bitches to dogs. Our next puppy that we get is from a breed that doesn't live well in girl/girl pairings so we'd have to get a boy. I really don't like boys (it's a willy issue :D) but I'm having to learn to overcome this or we'll never get the breed we want.

Why does life have to be so complicated ?

Fiona

Fiona,
You're talking about Holly the Cocker, right? Never knew that the female/female thing was a breed profile. So I take it Cockers tend to do poorly with other female Cockers? Chienne just doesn't like boys anymore, regardless of breed. They're too rude for her. She's never met up with another female Cocker, so I don't know what she would do...if anything different. They are just not that common here.

Now what was funny was when she met up with a female Great Dane. They had a blast running through the field together. The only problem was when the Dane zigged and Chienne zagged. She saw the big sweetie coming and flattened against the ground in fear that she'd be run over. The Dane just made a bigger step and comfortably missed her, but that was enough. 17lb vs. 95lb was just too much for her that day. She knew she was about to be squashed and that was it :D What was sad is that the Dane was a year younger, but was already aging & looked much older than Chienne. :-(

Perhaps that's what was wrong with Pepper. I just thought she hated other Yorkies because they reminded her that she was small (good as reason as any). She would tolerate other breeds, though. Hmm. You gave me something to think about.

toodles

Hi Sara,

If only we were going to get another Cocker, things would be alot simpler, and cheaper :D Hubby has always wanted an Alaskan Malamute and seeing as we've survived the first 5 wks with Holly and the children have taken to her really well, I've decided to relent and let him have one.

We would never have started off on a Mal but hopefully in 2 or 3 yrs time we'll be able to get one. Mals don't live very well bitch to bitch which is why we're looking at a male.

My main problem is that I'm not sure we would stop at two dogs! When the children are a lot older and Holly is on her last legs I'd really like to get a Dobermann, although Beths tales of Jake have almost managed to put me off :D, and then there's the ever loving Clumber to consider!!!!!

I don't drink any more as I have an addictive nature and unfortunately that seems to be spreading to dogs now!! Will I ever know when to stop???

Fiona

Hi Fiona,
Oh boy, a Mal on top of everything you already have So it's going to be "hubby's" dog.. righto. Just like Samma is Michael's eh? (tongue planted firmly in cheek). I love the breed, but I know it wouldn't fit into my life-- double coat o' hair + hard steady exercise. mmm. Cleaning [$ exercise, not my two favorite words in the English language, if you know what I mean ]-)

Well, if you have Holly as the older dog, even a female puppy wouldn't learn to live with another girl? That's an odd one, but I'll trust your research ability.

Holly on her last legs? Egads, she's only a puppy, that's planning for the future! :D I hope you realize I'm just joshing with you. I can understand. Michael & I discuss what eventually will happen after our two eventually......well, you know. But dogs in need tend to find us at critical moments in their lives. All three of our dogs that we've had together have done that. So whatever we discuss is basically a framework of wishing. Not neccessarily realistic.

Your addictive nature I easily identify with....mine's with food and its made harder since it can't be completely abstained from. I can understand your worries about dogs. It's so easy to get caught up in their sweet selves. :D The one thing about small dogs is that you can have more in a smaller area (plus the size of the poop is considerably smaller & manageable). Since you're talking about when your kids are older, look at the smaller breeds, it's a thought and a dream at the moment, anyway :D
toodles

Hi, Eoghania, Fiona is absolutely right about the mal, she would have to get a male. Female pups once adolecence was reached would be sure to start quarrels with holly....and think of the size difference!! It will be "fun?" Fiona, a male mal is one dominant, stubborn animal. Beautiful dogs but a handful.

Oh, Alie, I agree with you completely. I just find it odd that Female Mals as "sled dogs" would be so aggressive towards other females. I'm guessing that mostly the males were used for the actual sledding.

I believe that a male mal and a female mal are usually hitched up together so they won't quarrel, thats if they are run in twos. I don't know what happens if they are hitched in any number. Again I suppose a male and a female are put side by side down the line. Again I have heard that male mals are often castrated so fights don't break out among them when they are running together. Don't know if this is true or not? Probably there are loads of entire mals running quite happily. I think I heard it on an american programme about sledding, so I am unsure but i do know that mals don't get on with dogs of the same sex regardless of breed once adolencence has arrived.

Oh Fiona

Jake is sooooooo upset by your comment that he has just told me that he is going to be an angel for the rest of his days ;)

Seriously though, it may well be my fault, not his (undoubtably). On a happier note, he has started to calm down and even now shows signs that he really loves me. And I thought it was going to take another 18 months to be worth it !!! I wouldn't be without him now and I AM winning (she convinces herself!!)

You get a Dobe if you want one. They are beautiful dogs and so misunderstood. The number of people I meet on my walks who say "oh he's so beautiful and so well behaved (which he is when not in the house) but he's a Dobermann..."

By the way, pictures of Holly are gorgeous, you may not wish Jake to ever meet her as she is the sitting image of Scarlett who Jake fell in love with @ training (and then forgot all about training!) :)

Beth
P.S. If anyone wants to see pictures of the mockodile (including defaced ones) please visit "the other fanous dogboard" and there he is posing in all his glory !!

Hi Beth Hope you don't mind but I went to that site to peep at jake - absolutely gorgeous!!!
I haven't even got my lab yet and I am already planning for the doberman when my daughter is older (grew up with one myself).
This thread is really interesting as to which breeds and sexes will live with who. Cleopatra, the only thing I can add is a very general one. A neighbour has 2 staffies a 4yr old white(male) and a brindle pup (female) and so far they are getting along fine. Rio (the male) seems to really look after the pup - e.g. when walking (running) he stops and waits for her to catch up - bless :D

Hi Leahloo

He is gorgeous isn't he but he can be a handful, although hopefully in the end that means more reward :D

Which did you like best, the real one, the angel, the devil or Cool ??

Beth :)

Got to be the one with the fag and glasses - doesn't that just sum the dobermann up - just too cool to be taking any notice of us humans!!!:) Hopefully in about 7 years time (bit of a forward planner me - just like issysmum ;) ) I can be as proud of my own dobe as you are about Jake!

Hi LeahLoo

Proud, yes I am :) but knackered I am too :p
Word of advice, if you get one like my mockodile, you should probably sleep for the 6 months before as he may well tire you out :o

Oh well, I soldier on, only 2 hours till bedtime (please god)
Beth

When cleo was a pup a friend of mine used to bring his 2 yr old staff over to visit so that she could get used to dogs before she had had her innoculations, and he was an absolute angel. He used to roll ver and let cleo jump all over him, and let her win all tug games,etc, was soooo sweet as cleo was about a 5oth of the size of him - bless: he would have made a great mum!
cleo will be very maternal anyway, but figure if i get a boy there should be less jealousy - plus cleo will help teach him the civilised way to behave!!!!

Hi cleopatra. I peeped at Cleo too on the 'other board' - what a lovely dog :) will your new pup be the same colouring? Sorry , not being nosey, just I mentioned my neighbour has a white staffie and a brindle one and people often know the brindle is a staffie, then ask him what breed the white dog is!!!! :)

Thanks leahloo, she really is a sweet heart! And yes, the new pup will be a similiar colour though with less brindle, and more than likely have a full black face! Really can't wait though they're not even born yet :p

Hi, I had at one time 3 bull terriers two females and one male, Nosher sissy and jenny :)and all was well, just one fight with nosher and the very quite Jenny ,over a house brick.
But a large saucepan over the head of the agressor soon sorted them out.Such fond memories of the smashing dogs I have owned, And not even a mating problem Nosher
just did not like female dogs ?:EEK:

Can't help but ask, is it really fond memories of the wonderfully smashing dogs or fond memories of actually smashing the dogs? :P :D

ha ha ha no I loved my dogs:) really had lots of fun with them Jenny was from a breeder at the age of 5 years, and sissy and Nosher from pups .but never had a problem with them only nosher when he was attacked that one time and hated every other dog and cat and bird, But still loved jenny and sissy But perhaps I was just lucky :)

Cleo was attacked by a GSD when she was only 15 weeks old - nice welcome to the world that was! But since then she has never shown any aggression, but if she sees a GSD she will literally turn round and walk the other way! Were all your dogs aroung the same age?

Nosher and sissy was the same age I got them together, but Jenny I got on the off chance from a very good breeder she was 2 years older but so quite.at first would not go near the other two but after a little time and patience she was the real matriach:D
but they are all still together in the garden:) I was hoping to buy another pup soon to go with Zachairah but just do not know what to get. I wanted a russian black terrier but the waiting list is so long .

cleo my husband jut corrected me:O Nosher and Sissy was 2 years and jenny was about
5-years when I got her, she had just finished her breeding programme .
the only thing I will say is no toys was left out when I popped out and never never allowed bones of any kind. So well feed so lazy to fight each other.

Thanks patricia, Did you seperate them all if you went out? And the females never had a falling out at all?

Hand on heart, never had a problem and they hated being seperated but I would always
leave the garden door open.But never left them to long anyway,and do you know they all died within about one year of each other.

Hi

Nickie's two, albeit Mother and Daughter get on great together, and since you are brining in a puppy I'm sure Cleo would be fine with a female pup.

Other Staffie friends of mine have bitches and a dog all together and by all accounts they all seem to get on fine :D

If I were you I would stick to bitches and not introduce a boy ...

Derryn

If cleo pups had survived i was definately going to keep another girl, but am now concerned about a dominance struggle once the pup reaches adolescence, whereas a boy should not try and dominate an older female. I just want to be able to leave them together when i go out and not have to worry about only finding bits when i get back - though i worry about that now: i think the cat will eat the dog some time soon

Well poor Zac scared to death of the lion cat round the corner:EEK:
only needs cotton wool balls in it's mouth would look like the godfather cat:D

Hi again Cleo..
Something came to mind and I thought I'd post it.
There has been something that I've noticed about the genders of pups. Males accept their lower placement until just after they hit that second dose of testosterone (puberty)...about the 10-12 month time. That's when it seems the trouble with agression and trying to get the dog to accept its "place" begins. It goes on for quite a while in many dogs that just don't seem to get where they are supposed to be.

Females, that I've raised and others that I've had experience with, didn't seem to develop the sudden problems with the onset of puberty. Their "aggression" was gradual and more manipulative, but, for me, easier to put them back into their pecking order by consistently maintaining the preference & privileges for the older bitch.... even when they didn't like the older bitch. I also gave them somewhere that they didn't have to remain together. Many times they would anyway, but the option to leave seemed to help.

We have 3 ESS bitches ,mum and 2 daugters,we also have a young CKCS bitch.I don't have any problems with ours appart from the odd scuffle usually down to a little bit of the green eyed monster,but one good shout of " pack it in u lot" usually stops them.Not a problem I would say ,ours have taken to our new arrival and it hasn't put me off getting another cav in the summer a bitch again