Now as some of you probably know I have been thinking about my next dog.
Gemma is getting old and I I know she wont go on for ever,
Beano cant be left on his own at all so if Gemma goes he is going to have to be with me 24/7 which is not an option, and even less of an option is leaving him in the car due to the increase in dog napping..... so.....................
I have been thinking about my next dog, a rottweiler.
Decided there is no way I could have a puppy due to work and it wouldnt be fair on Gemma,
So....I have been looking at a rescue Rottie.
I have seen one not to far away from me (distance isnt an option as picked Beano up from Blackpool 400 mile round trip in a day!!!) he is a 6 year old rottie.  I have been told by rottie rescue to get a male as a female will vye for top dog and it wouldnt be fair on Gemma,
What do you all recon.
Should I or shouldnt I??????
Lea :)

What about Beano, I assume heis male and a male Rottie may well not appreciate him.

Why is that Brainless???? Sorry this is a genuine query????
I have had my ex's two dogs here, a female Rottie and a female collie cross.
He has also stayed with a load of dogs when I have been away. The only dogs he has had problems with are puppies.
Any advice would be much appreciated.
Lea :)

Well adult male Rottie may not like your current male and try to fight him for top male spot. 

Most male Rotts (as in many breeds) are not tolerant of another male in their home especially if not brought up together.

I certainly wouldn't introduce a full adult to a home of a male of my breed, even though they may get on fine with other males outside.

Also Beano may not want another male bossing him about and moving in on his girlfriend.

I'm afraid I agree with Brainless, whether you get a male or a female adult dog it can always be a bit miss and match. A Rottie going in will most probably take an Alpha male role, unless he is a completely submissive sop, which I know they can be. Rotties can be quite possessive of their owners, you are going to have to take that into account aswell and how that would settle with the other dogs in your home, an owner possessive dog will not tolerate others wanting your attention.

Honestly, I would definitely do a one week, (if they really don't hit it off) - one month's trial run before settling on any other dog moving into your household as Brainless has already said, dogs greeting each other outside and even a visting dog is totally different to a dog moving in, visitors don't need to join a pecking order, but a pack living together definitely need rules and heirarchy dictations, what dogs are like with humans is totally different to dog on dog.

Take things slowley and introduce carefully as you are planning on leaving your male dogs alone together eventually whilst at work you need to make absolutely sure there will be no in fighting. :-) Good luck!

If he's the right dog for you and he'll fit in with Gemma and Beano, then go for it :)  But I love Rotties so I would say that, wouldn't I ;-) :D

Hmm Not sure if that is the best advice. Two adult males of any breed being introduced into the home environment can be a very scary situation never mind 2 large breeds.

I would be very careful about that decision.   Maybe look into why the dog is in rescue. Most don't come out of rescue with no problems , with gentle training and love msot over come it but the OP needs to look at the whole picture.

If you asked me if I would do it , I would without any doubt say no.

Just asking out of curiosity - is this advice because of the breed or the sex or because it would be an adult.  For example if they were to go for a puppy would the sex matter and if they particularly wanted an adult female what sort of breeds would compliment their family - as I say just interested.....

We would like to have a second dog maybe next year once our dog has settled more - just interested in what takes priority in the decision making process - especially adding an adult dog to a home with an existing adult dog....

Maxine 

Everyone may give you a different answer on this but for me it the Sex first, breed and age. All of them combined would concern me. Rotties can be very territorial and this can also include the female dog should it regard it as his.

Just my opinion though.

I would say age sex and breed.

With some breeds same sex pairings just do not work at all, with others two males won't work or only if brought up together from puppyhood, and more rarely some breeds accept other males fine even if adult.  A few breeds the bitches will not get on unless brought up and born into the hierachy.  Of course3 there will always be individuals that don't get on.  Generally dogs and bitches will get on OK.

I have only twice had to introduce adolescent bitches ito my female household and there was a bit of adjustment that had to be handled whereas those born into the fold have accepted their places, adn even changed them with time (oldest gave way to grandaughter) quite painlessly.

The girls consider males irrelevant bu5t have never had one live here full time.

They have always accepted short term visitors (less than three weeks) politely.  After that they are subject to fitting into the pack.  Have had 3 rescues being fostered this year and that went fine, but they came from a pack situation and accepted that they woudl need to tow the line.

I know a fair few Dobes and Rotties and they are not nown for being tolertant of other males once adult.

So with all of that, what would your advice be brainless????
Leave getting another dog until Gemma is not with me anymore???
Get a bitch?????
Sooo many things to think about!!!
Lea :)

Any body?????
Lea :)

Lea, contact that Rottie rescue lady I gave you the number for. She has been in Rotts for over 20 years and bred numerous champions. Last time I spoke to her she had about 13 of her own Rotts plus the rescues she gets in. She can read the breed like a book and can tell you lots about an individual dog. All rescues are thoroughly vetted and temperament checked . History is gained where possible. When we got the rescue bitch from her we were allowed to take her on trial to see how she got on. She now lives with other dogs and bitches, and was the best thing to happen to us for a long while, she is a joy.  My own Male rotts will let any male or female, entire or not onto our property and into our home.Not territorial in the slightest, I am very lucky and have made my dogs like this through good socialisation.

Regardless of what breed you choose, just take your time and only go to a rescue who know what they are doing and will support you.

Good luck, keep us posted.

are beano and the rotti able to meet on neutral ground? if so go for it and see how they get on. One of the rottis at work (7 yr old male) who can be dog aggressive is now living with a 4 yr old lab entire male and a 18mth old neutered labx, he also gets along with all of my dogs but as of late we have decided that it is best that Bruce and Bruno (bruce is my 3yr old entire lab) dont meet face to face as Bruce has started to growl upon meeting other male dogs this we feel would ruin the 'relationship' the pair have. Bruno (the rotti) only started to live with other males last year, bitches he has always got along with but he does try to dominate them, until he tried to, to my tess she is the only dog i have seen get away with having 'a pop' at him :)

hth

tanya

I would say get a bitch who is known to be good with her own sex and not an alpha wannabe, an adult but younger than your current dogs.

so if you have a male 4 year old neutered hungarian puli and had seen a 4 year old spayed beardie collie - the likelihood of them being okay..  any guesses or thoughts?  ( realising the true way to tell is to introduce them and see ) just interested in views....

Maxine

Depends beardie bitches can be very dominant with other dogs(well mine all were) & they are quite close in age too.

It would very depend on what temperament & behaviour the beardie displays, one of my bithces"sorted"a large labrador that attacked a black GSD bitch I was holding ! Tabby was not a first time beardie owners dog !

:rolleyes:I have seen one in a rescue centre (online) - and she is pleading with me to pick her up - I can tell from the photo........ but it does say better as an only dog or with one very steady one.  Maybe my gobby puli wouldnt be the right one......

my friend has a beardie bitch and she is definately the boss over my GSD, she is lovely though, no trouble(except for the coat)but....oh....dont look at those online rescue centres..................you will end up with so many dogs!!!!!!!!!!

I think it depends on the breed and the dog and certainly, if a rescue suggested that any particular dog would be best as "only dog", I'd be thoughtful about ignoring their guidelines.

But there's no hard and fast rules that say one dog won't accept another so it's always going to be trial and error although there are certainly some breeds where the likelihood of the end result being an error is a greater probability.

It's a difficult one because I'd really love a second dog (having got Nips through puppyhood I think my memory of all that hard work is fading too fast) and have been invited to consider having his 7 week old half-brother when he's ready to leave their mum. Unfortunately (for my quandary!!) Nips has bonded exceedingly well with his little half bro and they are inseparable when together but that's not the same as having them under the same roof and commonsense says leave it for a while since Nips may give the impression of adulthood but is actually only 16 months old. 

Plus if I took breed factors totally into account I'm sure I'd be advised that two entire JRTs may well not co-exist peacefully. Decisions, decisions....;)

roz....thought you said you werent alowed another one!!!!!???????

Well that's what I've encouraged the OH to believe I've agreed to... ;)

Oh go on roz and join us on the dark side - the dark side of morning. :-D Standing in the garden in the wee hours. Missie just brought her new girl home, my new girl is a nice cluster of dividing cells with any luck. You know you want another one. bwahahaI have to say with current boy only 18 months old I thought getting a puppy was on the edge of wisdom, but having a young puppy in the house almost seemed to make him more mature.

Just had the go ahead from landlord to get another dog, and have foound a lovely 6 year old male rottie that sounds lovely. I think it may well have to be take on for a trial period as one side say not a bitch and one side says not a dog. I am not in the position to take on a pup so I have to go one way or the other.
Will speak to them tommorow and see if I can take on for a trial period if I pass a home check. The opne thing I donnot want to do is upset resident dogs or new one.
Thankyou for all your advice.
Lea :)

I would just point out that the trial would need to be for around a month in order to be sure they all get on.  Often things are fine until the new dog gets it's feet under the table and becomes confident in it's new home.

thankyou brainless.
I will add I have taken on board everything you have said. And out of the two I know Gemma could cope with another dog and beano is bolshy enough to stick up for himself. Yes I will make sure that I can return a dog if things dont go well. I know it took 3 weeks for Gemma ad Beano to settle down and I will keep the new dog apart from the resident two for a while. But think it is something I really want to do :D :D
Lea :) 

My little rescue terrier X 'Tilly' had obviously been taking lessons in the 'please take me home, I am so quiet, I need a home, desperately' category. She was so calm & perfectly well behaved for at least a month. Then she became confident, she leads my GSD a right life! Her latest trick is barking when she has finished her food. Zak (GSD) used to give her a little growl if she tried to take the food from his bowl. He knows I will raise my voice to tell her to stop barking, so he get's in his basket because he doesn't like me telling her off. She won't be able to get through the door soon because of her size! Mind you I have started to give him a bit of raw & the odd bone & now when he growls she knows he means it & gives in to him straight away. I wouldn't be without my 2, they are great together.