Having two female dogs

[Houndhill]

[QUOTE=S1969;7870725]
Most of my friends that show/hunt purebred dogs have single gender “families”. Some have mixed genders, but since many keep some of their dogs intact for future breeding, that is a difficult setup.

I know many people that have all bitches, or all males, and I have not heard any horror stories. My field trainer has five GSP bitches that all live in the house, uncrated, and have actually had the grandmother of new puppies take over some of the litter supervision roles without issue.

My own breeder only keeps females as well. Whimoreshey don’t always have run of the house (e.g. don’t sleep in beds with them), they have always had them “turned out” together, whether in the house or in the yard.

Up until recently I had only males, and didn’t have any problems, although my young stud dog (almost 5) has had a couple of “posturing” demonstrations with my old man (neutered, almost 14) this past year. But I don’t think that was as much about gender as “pack leader” status (Who is most macho?). We shut that down immediately and since then they have maintained a friendly relationship.

The only issue that I see is that you will be introducing an adult female, which is the difference between your example and the ones I’ve mentioned (who have typically – althought not always – added to the pack with a puppy). All things being equal, I think it would easier to ensure pack happiness by getting a male, but I don’t think it would be impossible to add a female and have harmony in the house. Temperament will be important, and also a slow and gradual process of putting them together and supervising carefully.[/QUOTE]

Yes. I’ve had two or more (usually lots more, usually at least four, sometimes six or seven) bitches (mostly intact, a few spayed) who live together in groups in the house and/or kennel for 44 years, as have most of my friends. Of course, these are sighthounds, and they actually seem to enjoy living with other sighthounds, who are often their own family members (including littermates).

They do not try to kill each other. There have been a few fights over the years, but nothing that has ever required veterinary attention among the bitches. I’ve had intact males who have had fights that did require stitches and separation.

That has been my experience, and that of most of my friends and aquaintances who have hounds (including the local pack of foxhounds).

I don’t think you can generalize. I have friends with sporting breeds who have had similar experiences. Also have friends with terriers and herding breeds who have had very different experiences, who cannot keep their dogs in groups in the house (not all, I hasten to add!)

I just think it all depends…my guys are not usually resource guarders or possessive, could care less about toys or balls, and usually eat together, so these situations which can cause fights between some dogs, usually don’t with them.

Fights look and sound terrible, but more often than not with my breed, do not turn lethal (amongst themselves). Most often, in the infrequent event there is an altercation, someone gets a puncture or two. I think there have only been a couple of more serious fights that I can recall with mine, and it has been two intact males, same with most of my friends.

In the case of OP, I think it will be the individual personality, rather than the gender, that will best predict your success, especially as I’m assuming everyone is neutered.

[arapaloosa_lady]

I think the recommendation not to house two females together has the same basis as the recommendation to only house dogs of similar size together. Many people will chime in with their happy experiences, but that rare bitch-bitch or big dog/little dog fight is so traumatic that it’s worth trying to prevent that situation from occurring. I’d consider ignoring that warning if you own a dog whose breed is usually housed in packs, and I’d definitely heed that warning if I had a dog whose breed commonly has dog aggression issues.

Stop browsing the rescue sites & contact the rescue people directly stating your needs in a new dog. They’re going to know the dogs beyond the cute picture & pithy description on the internet. Some of the worst matches I’ve seen with adopted dogs are from people who fell in love with a picture of their dog on the website. They love the dog in the picture & the dog in the description, so they’re not as discerning about whether the dog in person was actually a good fit. Before anyone gets offended, I’d actually put myself in that category. I love my dog, but she didn’t actually fit any of the criteria I’d been looking for in a dog. She was just so darn photogenic!!

[Ritazza]

Really and truly, it depends on the dog’s personality more than the sex of the dog. We had four spayed bitches live harmoniously together for years, including one very grumpy elderly Corgi - they listen to her and back off. Started with one old lady greyhound, added in a female Doberman (went great), added in a female Corgi (all went great), added in a female Catahoula (all went great), they lived together in that pack for a long time. All were adults when introduced. We tried to bring in another female lab mix when the old lady greyhound died, and she and the Corgi got into a vicious fight. We instead ended up bringing home a neutered male, and he is the wimpiest and dopiest guy ever, gets along great with all of them.

[Houndhill]

Yes I think it greatly depends upon personality, rather than gender.

I have just looked over the membership of my local kennel club, and just about everyone has multiple bitches that live together harmoniously.

When dealing with mixed breeds/neutered dogs, all bets are off. i am so grateful those of us who have dogs of breeds with predictable temperaments have predictable situations! We would not be able to maintain breeding programs or hunting packs if we could not house bitches together. I do understand that mixed breed/neutered animals might be different, in such cases perhaps you cannot house bitches together, how unfortunate.

The experience of those fostering these mixed breed dogs seems key. I maintain that the individual temperaments are far more important than the gender.

[Houndhill]

[QUOTE=arapaloosa_lady;7871380]
I think the recommendation not to house two females together has the same basis as the recommendation to only house dogs of similar size together. Many people will chime in with their happy experiences, but that rare bitch-bitch or big dog/little dog fight is so traumatic that it’s worth trying to prevent that situation from occurring. I’d consider ignoring that warning if you own a dog whose breed is usually housed in packs, and I’d definitely heed that warning if I had a dog whose breed commonly has dog aggression issues.

Stop browsing the rescue sites & contact the rescue people directly stating your needs in a new dog. They’re going to know the dogs beyond the cute picture & pithy description on the internet. Some of the worst matches I’ve seen with adopted dogs are from people who fell in love with a picture of their dog on the website. They love the dog in the picture & the dog in the description, so they’re not as discerning about whether the dog in person was actually a good fit. Before anyone gets offended, I’d actually put myself in that category. I love my dog, but she didn’t actually fit any of the criteria I’d been looking for in a dog. She was just so darn photogenic!![/QUOTE]

Oh my, most of the wolfhound people I know have a small dog breed as well, and 100% of them keep bitches together…

[Houndhill]

I realize Irish Wolfhounds, and sighthounds, and hounds in general are atypical dogs, in their general harmonious relationship with others, but hope my extensive experience helps you realize that dogs are very different.

OP, you need to match your situation to a known dog situation. Dont think “OMG its a bitch and it could kill my bitch” , because, yes it could, but so could a male have a serious fight, if it were the wrong dog.

You need to know as much as possible about the temperament of this potential dog, and how it reacts to other dogs, and then decide. Hopefully adopt a mellow, nonaggressive dog, of whatever sex, and you will be good!

[Brooklyn_Born]

What great responses! Basically you are all mostly confirming my gut instincts and own experience that matching temperaments is the key factor, rather than over focusing on gender. It’s interesting that several of you mention the importance of knowing breed tendencies as well. I chose my girl through a photo on Petfinder. Fell in love with her picture, talked to the foster mom in TN (I live in MA), got approved for adoption, paid the fees, and picked my girl up at the New Hampshire Welcome Center off an RV a week later. She is of unknown breeding (likely pointer, border collie, spaniel, lab, who knows?). She is very smart, energetic, sweet but insecure with new people, and highly ball driven. Would play fetch 24/7 if possible"

Prior to her, all my previous dogs (except my first childhood dog) were pure breeds (golden retriever, two rough collies, and an English setter.). None of them had the ball drive or resource possessiveness that she has. Both my collies were the most laid back dogs, and my second one especially was a love bug who just wanted to get along with everyone and every creature. That 's probably the temperament I need to look for.

Also I think, as some mentioned, It is important that I allow my girl to meet the future housemate. So I wouldn’t go the sight unseen method I used with her. Although that worked out fabulously with her, because my husband and I adore her. But she didn’t have to adjust to another dog when we brought her home

Sometimes I wonder whether she would just prefer to be the only dog. Maybe it’s selfish, but I have always loved having two dogs. Feels like a family! And, as I have mentioned, I have had a good experience with two dogs before. In each case, a puppy was introduced into the household with another adult male.

I know the right dog for us, including my girl, is out there. Thank you all again for your advice and support!