I already have one pedigree staffy bitch and I am considering getting another staffy bitch who is 7 months old from a rescue centre.

Some people have said they will not get on.

Has anyone else found this to be true?

The rescue centre is on the other side of London but I wonder whether I should take my bitch up there and see how they get on 'off lead' and then make a judgement from that or whether I should steer clear?

I do really want to help the other little girl but mine has to come first ultimatley.

thanks for any help.

Hi,
Some breeders have many bitches and they all get on.
But! its not always guarentee depends on the dogs.
Does your bitch like other dogs?
Does the other bitch like other dogs.
Would they have it back if they didn't? get on.
I once took a rescue Samoyed, to go with my Sam.
My Male was 2yrs old then, this Male sam was 6yrs old.
It was in an awful state when we seen it so we brought it
home. Bathed it, spent ages trying to groom it to a
reasonable standard. It was o. k. with our dog for a time,
then, as it lept in the lounge it shoved my handicapped daughter.
She told it to stop it, thinking it was our Zack, and it went
for her. Then when my husband tryed to tell it to go out that
his behavour was not exceptable. It went for him.
So it had to be returned to the animal Sanctury were we had
him from. He cost £100.00 from there to rescue with no papers ect;
None returnable.
I would not do it again, unless I new the back ground of the dog.
It was sentiment again! not common sense that made us have him.
Do your homework first. Goo luck!
Regards
Denese

How old is the present bitch?  How well does she get on withother dogs,a dn the sme regrding the other bitch.  Unless they are particularly social and not in the least status orientated (unusual) then the chances are high they will eventually fall out, especially as the rescue has reached adolescnece so won't be given as much slack from your girl as a baby pup might.

My bitch is 22 months old and is fantastic with all other dogs of both sexes. She is an all round good girl - not at all agressive and has never growled at anything and I have had since she was 10 weeks old.

The other pup has come from Ireland where she was rescued from being mated at 6 months with a pitbull - she had a prolapse and the owners signed her over as she was 'no good' for them as she couldn't be bred :(

Pretty much damaged goods tbh, and I'd love to be able to help her.

Other then that I dont know much but have seen photo's etc.

Do you think I will be able to tell from a first meeting whether or not they will get on? (I guess if they start fighting then I will know)

I have considered just spending out on another pedigree puppy as at least i know what I will be getting but I do feel sorry for these dogs. :(

(I also don't miss toilet training :) )

I have got 3 dally girls and one beagle girl who generally live in harmony together.  They have the odd spat but nothing major and usually it is PMT related but they generally all get on.  Thomas on the other hand gets on with all of them. 

I have 2 bitches.

the first was a resue beagle aged 4, I then got a 9 week old English Pointer.  Our Beagle was fantastic with her, looked after her and tolerated all sorts of ear biting and puppy play. They are now 8 and 4 years old, and still get on, altho' like any sisters have the occaisional spat!

I think the breed of dog will ahve a bearing here as well as idividual temperament.  Hounds and Gundogs are generally pretty dog tolerant.  Terriers on the other hand are much feistier and more prone to falling out if they have a reason.

You may well find that you have to go back to basics with toilet training, she may never have been toilet trained or she may have forgotten it if she's been kennelled!

The breed is very important when keeping two dogs together, some terrier breeds are fine together, others can be intolerant, this also depends on individual temperament, even breeds that are normally fine kept together will have some dogs who must be kept alone.