OK, so this is a question which is a possible future senario for me, and I wanted some advice. My shepherd pup is 6 months old (we miscalculated and thought she was already 7 months, but she is six months old for another week and a half). She adores the company of other dogs, and although she is very attached to myself and my partner, and she does show some signs of jealousy when we give attention to other dogs (barging in when we stroke another dog, or barking in a puppy bark at another dog we are petting) in general she adores the company of dogs, and does well in an environment with other dogs (although I must admit, when she stays with my mother in law with three other dogs, her dicipline does go out of the window). We were thinking of getting a second dog when my pup is at least a year old (giving us time to iron out any problems in terms of her training and behaviour by then!), but ideally when she is between 1-1 1/2 years old. We would ideally like an older dog as I would like to provide an older dog with a good home, and I also think the influence of an older dog might do my girl some good. There is a dog who is currently entire and I know his owners will be looking to rehome him in the next 6-8 months. He is going to be castrated this month. My bitch is going to be spayed once she reaches at least a year old (she is already over 30 kilos at six months and we do not want to spay her too early in case she grows too much - this was under the advice of the vet). Now, what are the potential problems with having an ex-stud dog as a family pet? I know with male dogs castrated when they have never had a mating, they don't know what they are missing, and so they don't carry on displaying sexual behavior habits, but with a dog who has been at stud for about a year and a half, will there be behavioural problems I will need to be aware of, and will these problems adversely affect my girl? My priority is obviously her at the moment, and although I know she has the kind of personality that would love companionship, I know she would not take too kindly to being mounted left right and centre, and generally having to tolerate that kind of thing! How will an ex-stud fit in with a family home and with a spayed bitch?

All depends on the dog & how he was managed whilst at stud. My strud dogs were all "gentlemen" & never showed an interest in a bitch when she wasn't ready. However this is now always the case & BTW castrated dogs can still mate & tie etc & can even be fertile for a period of time after castration

Becuase of my type of male dog has always been one of exceptionally good temperament & character before being allowed to be used(on an experienced bitch)as well as all the usual health tests etc  & the experience I have of owning stud dogs my experience is always whet others have. Some breeders ideas of owning a stud dog is allowing a dog access to a bitch that is in season & let nature take it's course can lead to a "stud"dog that will bitch 24/7 even after castration !

There are plenty of nice GSDs in rescue that have never been used at stud & have no interest in bitching BTW ;)

I know with male dogs castrated when they have never had a mating, they don't know what they are missing, and so they don't carry on displaying sexual behavior habits

Erm well hate to say it but I have a male dog who was castrated at 5 months of age and he mates and ties with in season bitches...... Think this is definitely an area where individuals will differ from each other.

I see. I was under the impression that experienced stud dogs will continue in the pattern of mounting (and in some cases penetrating) bitches even long after they have been castrated (i.e. no longer a hormoanal reason for them to do so, but because of the habit) I am certainly learning something here! This particular dog did have a hard start in life (beaten as a pup by male owner)until he came to his present owners who have been absolutely wonderful with him and have done a lot in the way of rehabilitating him and building up his confidence. I would consider a rescue dog, but in the case of this particular dog I knw there will be problems with rehoming him because of his age, his size and because most people don't like to take on an adult dog from a breeder. Also, unlike a rescue case, I know his medical history and all about his previous owners, and I have a lot of respect for the breeder who currently owns him. I was just wondering what factors I would need to be aware of in the case of taking on a castrated former stud dog. ANyway, it is a long way off yet, and all a bit of a pipe dream as it depends on a number of factors in the future, and primarily my focus is on my own beautiful girl, but just out of interest, I wanted to learn more about a dog such as this.

Not all rescues come from unknow backgroundsTBH most of ours  come from owners who simply no longerr want the dog for what ever reason new puppy, bored with the dog etc

If his home is so wonderfrul why are they parting with him ? I took back one of my dogs(he was a stud dog)at 7 years old & he never went anywhere afterwards

It is not because there is anything wrong with him! He cannot be mated to any bitch but one because he is distantly related through grandparents to the rest of the bitches. This bitch is now going to be used for breeding along a different line. They are happy to keep him as a family pet, and may very well still do so, but I offered up the possibility that we could take him in the future, which would free up more space for the breeder who wants to eventually get in a different stud dog of her own, and I like him very much. There is nothing ruthless or heartless about him perhaps going to a new home, or relating to there being a problem with him. The breeder is a friend of mine.

To be honest I am actually more interested in knowing if there are any tips or pieces of info I would need to know when it comes to introducing an older male dog to a younger female. Any advice?

I never had any problems as all my dogs had shared their home with other dogs & it usually same sex mixes that cause problems if the new dog is the older one. GSD bitches IMHO tend to be the alphas. Do they know each other already ?

The only problem I can see is if he hasn't been taught to be a stud correctly & has been used extensively on bitches in which case he may consider any bitch he meets as a mate despite her being spayed & not having seasons. For instance has been allowed to try to mate bitches that weren't quite ready ? What sort of stud dog is he-Bull in a china shop get on with it type or like mine were the  flirt-check & only if the bitch signals she's willing do the job type ?

Has only been used on 'his own' bitches, and not 'outside' ones? I'd be wondering why other people didn't think he was right for their bitches ... but if he was only going to be a pet then that shouldn't matter, unless he considers bitches he lives with to be there for mating.

The breeders I've known tend to just have their stud dogs as part of the family, if they are well trained then I suspect they would not be a problem to be honest. If a bitch was in season you may have a dog who might be prone to trying to find her, but if the dog is placid and basically under control, then again that wouldn't really be a problem. Just my view though :)

Thanks for all that advice from you all. I think it is definitely something I need to consider very closely. As I said, it is for no time soon, so I am in no hurry to reach a decision. At the moment I have quite a handful enough with my 6 month old who is going through a typical teenaged phase. She is finally asleep but only after driving me to distraction all day!

Thanks all xx