I was under the interpretation that a male dog and a female dog will not fight and get along well, as living in the same pack. Alpha male/Alpha female. secondary to the handler or any human in the pack of course. I know there has to be success stories. and I know it can be done by separation, training and exercise. Please give examples or feedback on male /female dog relationship in same pack. Thanks. Dan

I wouldn't say they simply won't fight...but it is often less likely or lessened in severity. Usually when someone wants a second dog I would say the chance of success is better going with the opposite sex. But it is not a guarantee that they will get along and share the lead. Some dogs just don't like one another.
Personally, counting just the dogs (not the people), I have always had a female that is top of the hierarchy. The next is often, as you say, the alpha male. After that the group has to work it out. Depending on the tendencies of the individuals this may be simple or complicated. Depending on the leadership of the people and the other dogs this differs too.
Our house has two Border Collie bitches that are a week different in age, the same size, the same temperamental tendencies and who, for many years, could NOT be trusted together AT ALL. This has been for many years (they are 11 this year) and the only shift to some allowance we have had was when the Brussels Griffon bitch had a litter of pups nearly two years ago. This seems to have cemented the pack attitude a bit better and the two BCs neutraled out much more. It may be helped that they are both getting older, a bit stiff and tired and a bit senile and can't remember stuff. ;P
The other thing that changed was the removal of a very selfish, possessive aggressive beagle who kept everyone on edge. He is a much better dog in a kennel where I am still working on his issues. He would fight with everyone and anyone especially if some food or stolen item was involved. At the kennel he has no tendecies to scream about someone poking him or taking his stuff.

My sister has had trouble with two intact males fighting. She finished (conformation showing) the one and had him neutered since breeding was not in his future anyway. This has lessened the tension but not gotten rid of it. She has other dogs in the house and had an elderly bitch with health issues that seemed to exacerbate the fighting.

It is really going to differ for each instance. There is the generalitys but nothing is a guarantee. I would say I find that if you are going to spay/neuter that males get on better than females. In my experience a male is the perfect pet, a female, even spayed, is still a bitch. You also may see them getting on just fine until one reaches a key point in age....maturity at 1.5-3yrs or elderly and failing. It is something that is always shifting.

Yes Sonya, I know dog personalities, handlers discipline, and maybe a lot more than I recognize go in to a happy pack. And as you truly stated, dynamics is always changing. Dan

For what it's worth, I've got a 10 month male and a 4 year old spayed female......and while they have their moments of joy together..... it's too far and few between, they don't really like each other all that much.

Shrug, it be may be forever before I can leave them alone together.

I am one of the very lucky ones. I have two GSD's a two plus year old female and a year and a half old male.
Mine get a long very well, and appear to be best buddies nearly all the time, 99%
When they play though, I am always there making sure that my male is always in check, and doesn't get overly excited in anything he does.
My female is submissive to him and they are both submissive to me, so it has worked out for me.

That said, I have worked to make sure that my male knows that any attempts to get overly aggressive are not tolerated.
He has learned what is exceptable and we have not had any troubles so far.

Randy, I have the same situation here. It took 2 years before I was able to have my 2 together without constant conflict. They still have their moments. My male is always pushing the envelope with her & of course she is very reactive & ready to oblige him. I have to be vigilent to catch the sparks before they fly. LOL At one point I had another male here (for 6+ months)& he got along with the other male but not the female,at all. That was fun. Some dogs you can pack up & others you just never will be able to do that with. Each dog & case if different. If you like the dogs enough & want to keep them all, then keeping them seperate is what you have to do. It's not always easy but you can make it work if you really want to. There are times when they are out in the yard together alone, but I always have a window open & am vigilent about keeping an ear on what is going on. Most of the time they will lay in the yard or sit on the deck waiting for me to come out, because of course, that is when the real fun begins as far as they are concerned. LOL

Randy, was that from the beginning, whoa! So are you always on pins and needles? Do you use crates? or have them kennels? If you don't mine, teach me on my miss education.

No Danilo,
LOL, I'm not always on pins and needles. I just don't leave the dogs unsupervised alone together.
They both know what crates are but I don't really use them other then for transportation. As long as I'm around they are fine day or night, I just don't allow any interaction to escalate period.

A couple of months ago, my other half couldn't get it through her head what I was on about in not leaving them alone together. So I let an seemingly innocent play session go a little farther than I normally would. She hasn't questioned me since.
They are not left alone together, in the house or the kennel.

It's not that big of a deal.
Just something that becomes a part of life.

Yep, from day one.

Erika pushes around my Max and gives him a hard time, knocks him down when she starts her heat cycle, Roxie will mark over him

Oh,
So you guys are telling me that I need to get another dog to even it all out?!!!???!