Hi all, Happy Father's Day to all the Fathers on the board.

OK. I understand Leerburg's position, it is a hand full, and more than I might bargain for.

The question for edification is. When is the best time to introduce a second dog to the Pack.

I have a male GSD pup that is promising future fame and success. (Just the facts ma'am) Sgt Joe Friday " Dragnet.

I want to have a female GSD that compliment my male, for the best of the bread.

So what say you? I don't think it should be when my male is being the sole dog in the house for so long, that it might cause more problem that could be already in the mix. Dan

After 2 and before 5 is what I usually tell people. I want a well trained dog and before two is when you're still developing the solid personal skills your first dog needs and learning who he is. Before 5 means that you won't have a dog entering mid to late life and will be just as active as your puppy.

Keep in mind you need to have just as solid if not more solid obedience for a second dog to avoid 2nd dog syndrome where the first dog is an angel and the second is a dog bonded tyrant.

I personally think it will vary with each dog. I have had and do have a number of dogs (not GSDs right now) of various sizes and breeds. I have added pups to 12 yr old dogs down to one year olds. I definitely back the DO NOT RAISE TWO PUPS TOGETHER. To me this is anyone added before your dog is two yrs old. I did raise my two Bullmastiffs together. They were raised by the same mom even though they were separate litters. One mom died in C section. Anyway, I was younger with the energy to train them, had loads of time, was a stay at home mom and had the support of my whole family. I took them each separately to places and classes and also together places. I did everything with them. And I would guess I spent 3 times the energy it would have taken to raise them separately. The dogs deserve more time each.

I have to say too that most any dog will give a young puppy the benefit of the doubt and fit them into a pack much easier than addding a grown dog. It is once the pups hits teenhood and then maturity at two or so years old that you see whether your little pack works.

Good answer, I can see your reasoning, but a question? Won't my dog be getting out of his prime for mating, that shows my novice, concerning the procedures, honestly, I was thinking about a year. that way the pack is introduce, and still young. Dan

Yes Sonya, I come up at the two year mark again, OK. I am at home, I did not mention my disability,I am ambulatory some, I also have a scooter for exercise with them. plan to have them separate.(two outside kennels, not close in case of fence fighting, Work them separate, and play and walks at times together if permitted. plenty of one and one time with each one, training at club, the way they do it. Am I still out of range with a one year mark.?

Are you planning on breeding?

Some male dogs are bred until they are OLD, so don't even worry about that part. You would be better off on focusing on the pup you have until he becomes a young adult, around two as others have pointed out.

Plus, if you are seriously thinking about breeding but are not experienced, you would probably want to take a lot of time finding your female and learning. There is so much to learn about genetics, whelping and raising pups.

Also, you would want to make sure that your current pups hips and elbows are good before breeding him, and you won't really know that until he is at least two anyway. .

Like Lauren said, don't worry about age for breeding for the male...worry about raising both dogs.

The sire of my one border collie was 16 when he sired her litter. Many show people don't finish their dogs til a couple years, then testing and finding a great match....dogs can be 5, 6, 7 easy. Heck bitches are often that old.

 Quote: Danilo A. Nelson

Good answer, I can see your reasoning, but a question? Won't my dog be getting out of his prime for mating, that shows my novice, concerning the procedures, honestly, I was thinking about a year. that way the pack is introduce, and still young. Dan

If your dog is really of quality to consider breeding, collect on him young, after health screening and before age 5 when you'll get the best collections. Freeze at a decent cryo bank and then don't worry about it. When you find the right girl, you'll find the right girl. I remember one of the top winning dogs of last year in confirmation who was two actually had a sire who had been dead since 1981.

Edited by Melissa Thom (06/20/2010 05:05 PM)
Edit reason: punctuation rocks!

touche: Lauren, seems as if the consensus is two years, when is it you do a preliminary hips and elbow x-ray? Genetics is a whole new ball game I now nothing about, except the numbers on the mock mating on pedigree database. OK. I am learning, step forward. Thanks Lauren. Dan

Anytime as long as you have the time! I have 4 and wish i had more, lol