"The dog formerly known as Splodge" -this is how I usually introduce Z (pronounced "Zee", not "Zed") to people. Pretty much everyone in the breed knows that Z was my favourite puppy in the litter he was born in (he was then nicknamed Splodge and it stuck with me), and I was very, very reluctant to let him go -but it didn't make any sense to keep two puppies and I needed a bitch. He very nearly did stay, was left until last and didn't find his home until 14 weeks of age.

Then he found the perfect home and I have been raving about him to friends, about the things he can do. There is very little training this dog has NOT had. His owner has had a go at virtually anything. (All clicker.) Agility, obedience, working trials, tracking, you name it, they've done it. And Z is still only just under 18 months of age. He's been shown as well, which is why I have met him regularly even though he lives in London and I'm in Yorkshire. Because I've been in touch with his owner every single week since he was sold, and have met him several times, I have never really stopped seeing him as my dog. He goes mad with happiness when he meets me and my other half. Apparently he doesn't do that for other people. Ripley (his mum) and Rio (his litter sister) still treat him like one of the family.

I was heartbroken when his owner announced she was moving back to America (where she is from) early next year. We quickly decided we would HAVE to go over for visits to see him.

I had an e-mail yesterday evening from Z's owner. She has for a variety (quite a large variety!) of reasons decided she cannot take him with her when she moves to the US.  She wants me to find him a new home. It won't have been an easy decision for her. John and I talked about it, and maybe it's heart ruling head as so often, but neither of us can imagine him going anywhere else.We'd always take a dog we bred back of course, but probably then find another good home. But with Z, we want him to come HOME.  He still feels like our dog -and after losing Rambo at the beginning of this year, it would be even harder to let his half brother go for the second time.

This isn't going to be easy, and it's going to be hard work. Z is almost perfect. What issues he has are very minor ones, in my view anyway. He's been very well trained and socialised. He loves other dogs, either sex. He's very well behaved. I can't really say the same about my Golden Simba (male neuter). Simba is a trouble maker, wanting to pick fights, and when he starts trouble, the other two male dogs join in. (Simba's issues are health related -so in a way he can't help it.) We really need another male dog like we need a hole in the head, but it will HAVE to work.

I have never  introduced an adult MALE dog to my other dogs. Bitches yes, dogs no. Well actually ONCE, thinking back, but they were both easy going Goldens and I only had 3 dogs in all then so it wasn't hard. If anyone has any helpful suggestions on how to work this introduction practically, I'd be glad to hear them. Z will be coming home in a few weeks time.

Simba may shock you, but then again......

I sold a pup (ok, he was a lot younger - only 8 weeks old ;) ) to a household with a dog that wasn't too friendly with other males. The older dog was kept in a kennel with another male that he got on with. Apparently it's the 'unfriendly' one that has taken the pup under his wing and looks out for him, whilst the other one is disgusted :) They all get on now, but the owners were shocked and pleasantly surprised. They were well prepared to keep the apart if needed.

As always, I think you will have to go softly, softly with this. Letting them meet up on neutral territory is a must. If you have to then I would set up a crate for one of them to go into. You might just have to keep them apart for life. Letting them get used to the  smell of the other by swopping blankets might help.

I know you have had issues in the past with dog on dog aggression, as you say you need it like a hole in the head, I think you already know Simba is likely to have the odd go and incite the others.

I agree with you keeping Z, :-) if he had been my favourite and is sounding to be very promising, I would keep him too.

I'm not sure about your dogs and which are related and which are for breeding or neutering, but if Z is likely to become a stud dog, (as he sounds like a good speciman) can you work your home around segregation? Keep him with the neutered or not in season bitches and one of the males and alternate at keeping him away from Simba. Put up dog gates and just keep switching your dogs around to keep a harmonious household.

Of course you can try gently allowing Z and Simba to spend supervised time together, (you never know) but you know Simba better than anyone, I get the impression you know there may well be trouble, and as you know all can be fine one minute then all kick off in the blink of an eye the next.

I would just begin to start setting your home up with the idea of segregation that way you will not be caught unaware. ;-)

Yes this is it, I have had past problems. Had planned another male Malinois, but NOT until two of the three male dogs were gone -so few years off. However yes, it is not at all impossible to work round things if needs be. I don't know if Z would be used for stud work, but in this breed sometimes dogs don't get used until 7 or so so I'd like to keep him entire -if for no other reason than that I'd like to show him. (He is already qualified for Crufts.)

My other male dogs are Dandy, 11 ½ year old Golden, entire. He has mellowed a lot with age and will not start trouble unless really provoked, i.e. if there already IS a fight he will join in. Arnie 5, crossbreed, neutered. He was neutered young but doesn't know it -mates and ties with in season bitches. Again doesn't start trouble but will of course retaliate. And then Simba 4, Golden, also neutered (done few months ago) and he's the one who always looks to start a fight. He will deliberately provoke.We've learnt to work round it a lot of the time, we now know what sets him off, what situations to avoid etc.

I think if your males are good with other males on neutral/open ground this is the way to start.  Introduce them on a walk and at least they will have met and you won't have the over interest that might spark the youngster into getting defencive and the spiral that can create.

If they get on well then allow them one at a time to spend time in the garden with nothing to quarrel over (girls or toys).

If you do it right and they don't get opportunities for squabbles some of them may even become friends.

I suppose you can only play it by ear.

I know people with Belgians with mixed sexes and it very much depends on individuals if any don't get on.

Yes will do neutral to start with. The thing is, daft as it may sound I don't KNOW what Simba the Golden is like with other male dogs he doesn't know, now. Before he got ill and was put onto epilepsy medication, he was 100 % fine with any dog he met anywhere, regardless of sex, age and breed. Loved them all. This only started  when he got ill, and obviously after that we haven't taken him to training club or shows as he cannot cope with that now, and we now live where we hardly ever meet other dogs during walks.(The only regular is a bitch.)

Good lUck Marianne, I hope that it all goes well.

Oh I remember reading about your dilemma whether to keep him or not when he was a puppy and his first buyer didn't work out. Sounds like fate he's now coming home, how great to have him in such a good home to be socialised and trained separately from his sister and then you get him back - great stuff :D  Don't you keep two sets of dogs separate anyway - big and little? If there where any problems could Simba stay with the little dogs?

Good memory. :) Yes I have to admit -a perfect way in many ways. His current owner once had one of the top TEN obedience dogs in all of the US so she really knows her stuff and I have often raved about how Z knows exercises I've tried for years to teach my own dogs!

Yes the little dogs are separate from the big ones. I don't think Simba would fit in with them because of how unpredictable he can be (too much damage to be caused to a Papillon), but on the other hand -if needs be, Z would!

Should all fail, the stud dog owner will take Z instead, but I hope it won't come to that -for entirely selfish reasons. :)

Marianne, I'm sure if anyone can make this work, you can ;)

It does seem like fate that your favourite ever puppy is coming home.  Best of luck and fingers crossed that he integrated seamlessly into the pack :)