new pup

[missmoore]

I have currently got a two year old female crossbreed, and we're thinking of getting a new pup. We'd prefer a smaller breed than the dog we have at the moment to avoid any pack-leader issues. Would it make more sense to get a dog or a bitch? Also, any tips on helping new dogs to get on? Thanks! Oh, and the current dog is a staffie/lab cross and the new pup would be a french bulldog...

[jules77]

is the female spayed, as if not you will have to separate them when she is in season. I would have said a dog is preferable as dogs and bitches rarely fight, but staffies are not the best at getting on with other dogs, and I am not sure how your female would react when you introduce a new dog into the house.

[lankeela]

Size certainly does not come into it - the smallest of dogs can decide it is going to be top dog, and then you would have problems. I would get a male and have it castrated if the bitch is not spayed, although I would spay the bitch to prevent unwanted attention from neighbouring males.

Dogs get on better than bitches, if two bitches decide they don't like each other they don't forgive and forget, they just wait the next opportunity to get at each other.

Two 'bull' breeds could be a bit of a problem, as they are both rather headstrong although the Frenchie would probably be a bit more amenable.

[missmoore]

Honey (my dog) has been spayed, and in general gets on alright with other dogs - sometimes she gets a bit nippy, but I guess I was wondering if it made any difference if she had known the other dog since it was a pup...

[jules77]

If she generally gets on OK with other dogs, she may take to a male puppy better. It would be better to introduce them on neutrel territory if at all possible in the beginning. When you get them home, ensure you are always with them when they are together, at least for the first month, as the new puppy will want to hang off ears and tails and you bitch may not be too keen! And dont pay too much attention to the new puppy so your existing dog doesnt get jealous.

[Mysifier]

i agree that a male puppy would be better, and size doesnt matter when it comes to dominance, if the new dogs decides to become dominant then you just have to let that happen, if you interfere you may make matters worse! the dogs may argue a little at first, and dont scold the older dog for putting the pup in its place, puppies need to learn the rules and who better than to teach them than another dog! however supervision is definatley needed incase things get out of hand! hope this helps

[missmoore]

Thanks all - great advice all round.

As a bit of a test run of having two dogs, we dog-sat my brothers dog over the weekend, and I suspect we won't be getting the second pup after all!!