Hi
I have a large breed bitch who is very kind natured, very good with other dogs, cats, horses, chickens etc... in fact fairly bomb proof, she even likes children!! LOL! 6 months ago I was looking after a friends 4 year old bitch, same breed, as she had decided to emigrate and needed someone to look after her baby whilst she got settled. All went very well for a few weeks, they became best friends, eating, walking, sleeping and eating together. Not even a mini growl until one day when I was hanging out the washing (Yes men do this too lady's) I heard them fighting in the house. My girl needed emergency medical treatment for bite wounds and it ws the worst day of my life. Needless to say, nobody hurts my baby's!! Friends bitch went to lodge with another friend!!
Anyway, I have just lost my small breed bitch to very very old age, she was a main companion to my remaining girl, I want to introduce a puppy the same breed as my remaining girl, my thinking is that as a puppy they will be ok and the pup will grow understanding the house rules! Does anyone have any comments, concerns, questions or advise that can help me along the way? I was always told that Bitch's get along better than 2 dogs together? Perhaps the fight was a top dog event. I was heartbroken, they were getting on so well aswell. ( My girl is fine now, loves being around other dogs but is really sad without her best friend here) The reason I have place this post here is that when the tussel happened my girl had said goodbye to the last of her pups a few weeks earlier, I wondered if female hormones may have come in to play aswell,

It really does depend on the breed, with some breeds (nothing to do with size) you cannot keep two of the same sex together, with some it is just males, with bitches usually OK, with others males are fine as long as there are no bitches to quarrel over, and yet other breeds mix fine with whatever sex.

With even breeds that are generally easy going and sociable you will get the occasional problem with individuals hating each other especially if socially of similar status (similar age, character etc).

Even more rarely you will get individuals in breeds that do not get on with their own kind live happily with each other.

I would talk to expereinced owners of mature multiple dog households in your breed and find out which way your breed is inclined to be when more than one is kept, just because an owner has a number of a breed does not mean they live harmoniously, some in fact practise strict segregation.

I had a few problems when I introduced my 2nd Newfie Storm in with Cassie initially, mainly jealousy I think and probabaly something I could have avoided if a little wiser! Both wanted to be dominant and these are quite a laid back breed too!!! There's also another bitch at the shows that hates Storm for some reason and will try to attack her if we walk past!!!!

Important I think to introduce on neutral ground and watch things like who you keep as the boss dog? Also seasons timing etc, things can change dramatically during that phase of their lives, all the best, Dawn

P.S Also absolute hell trying to part them when they decided to go for the kill!!! Without being gnawed on yourself!!!

Not Sure if I can mention the breed? Usually a very placid and loving, willing friend to all and anyone.

Not sure what breed you have?
I have 3 leonberger  bitches (1yr, 3yr, & 3 1/2yr olds) living in 'harmony' together - well most of the time :) They play, sleep and eat together. One of them can be a bit miserable around 'season' time (3yr) the youngest hasn't started yet and the eldest one is spayed. Although mine have never challenged each other for 'top spot' I have seen it in this breed.
I'd say it depends on the dogs individual personality? I've been lucky so far I guess but I wouldn't rule out a scrap or two between the youngest two in the future but they are such laid back dogs most of the time I doubt if they could be bothered :D
Does it depend on the breed? or breeding? or the dog?

I would say breed first, then maybe particular lines vary (breeding) and then individuals.

so I got it in the right order then ;) :)

The breed is Great Danes

I wondered if female hormones may have come in to play aswell,


I would say that most probably had a lot to do with it.

I don't think it is necessarily true that 2 bitches get on better than a bitch and a dog, or even two dogs, it is all to do with temperaments, breeds and most importantly age gaps.

You have the perfect age gap to introduce a pup of any sex, your current girl will be the top bitch and most probably remain so, keeping the pup in order and being a good role model too.

Good luck!  Goes without saying to go to a good breeder etc, etc, etc, ;-)

Thanks Carrington, I have known my breed for over 20 years, it was last year that I decided that it may be the time to introduce a new family member as I knew it was the autumn of my small breed girl's days (Dont Get Me Started, Its not good to see a grown man cry!!) I have put alot of time and effort in taking the time to travel the country viewing potential candidates, ensuring that there are no inherited faults that may be passed on etc, and also ensuring that the parents are sound in every way! I now know that I have found my/our new baby and just wanted some advice.

Carrington has an excellent point.  We had to rehome one of our bitches because she became so aggressive with our other girl - I won't go into details but there is no doubt whatsoever that it was hormone related - and she started to get more aggressive after being spayed then other things hormone related came into play.

As you weren't there when the fight started there could of just been something that startled them.  Unfortunately I don't know anything about GD's but know of people with the same sex in the breed. 

My breed do get on quite well but once two bitches have fought then that's it unfortunately.  Luckily my only problem was after my house was broken into and the two girls must of attacked each other rather than the burgular.  Unfortunately though now they live seperately as they hated each other after this event.

Hope all goes well and someone with you breed will be able to advise.