I have a two year old male rotty, thinking about getting a male malinois pupp aprox 9 weeks old.
Do you think I am in for constant fighting or is it possible they live as mates onece rank is sorted out.
Generally there is always someone at home and when there's not they would be kenneled.

My two are curled up sleeping together right now. Rott and Shepherd. I didnt let them sort out anything though. Your's may, or they may not. Hows that for an answer? Lol.

It will depend on their temperaments and how you manage them Brent. No one can give you a definate answer.

"In for constant fighting" .... ? You wouldn't allow such a situation. That's part of your job.

But don't even do it, is MHO, unless you are prepared for the possibility of full-time separation. There is no guarantee that this won't be required.


I hope you picked up on what Steve said. He didn't let the dogs sort out anything.



"It will depend on their temperaments and how you manage them Brent. No one can give you a definate answer."

Yup.

When Haz was still with us, vicious and brutal fighting took place a few times; it was surreal while it was happening, Haz was very ill, therefore, I can’t say with any certainty that that would have been the status quo, because we never got to the mature stage with both male Boerboels.

In my pack now, I have two males and two females, and it is a very relaxed and happy pack, but I am sure what helps, is the Pointers are a soft breed, and don’t have any interest in challenging the Boerboels, so the situation has never arisen, save one time with the girls when Sugar tried it on once with Bon when she was a few months old, but it has never happened since.

I suppose it depends on a lot of outside stimulus, and you would have a couple of fairly hard headed breeds on your hands; you will get a lot of more helpful answers than I have given you, and the two breeds you are contemplating living together would not be an experience for the novice.

And of course, as I am sure will be reiterated, you can’t let either of them set the pecking order or decide who is in charge, but I am sure this is something you already know, and I don’t want you to think I am teaching you to suck eggs LOL!

Edited by tracey holden (02/16/2013 03:48 PM)
Edit reason: peculiar numbers on end of post

Brent,

What troubles me is your comment about once rank is sorted out. Your rank? Or do you plan to have one dominant and one submissive dog.

The breeds you mentioned are certainly capable of trying to sort out rank.

If you have not had a bunch of experience and are not adept in doing the sorting out thing, two of any dogs is a bad idea. In my opinion.

As I've noted ad nauseum, I have four GSDs at the moment. Three females and one male. It would be WW III around here if I let them sort the rank thing out. They'd be sorting stuff out every day.

Some one at home, ill prepared to do the sorting of rank out, is having no one at home.

My 'pack' has variously been two females and two males, three females and two males, three females and two males one GSD and one Malinois. The malinois did not suffer any other dogs gladly. In short, an arm load of issues, until we reached an understanding, and the understanding had to do with who would do the rank sorting thing. That would be me.

Suffice it to note that your post was an attention getter, for me.

Some dogs will NEVER get along well together. Some will until maturity sets in & some will get along as time passes. Like Steve stated some of it depends on the dogs.

ALL of my comments are with a strong leader structure in the pack....meaning YOU!

But be prepared to live with them separated FOREVER...it can be the case. It is doable...but can be a royal PITA. Been there with 3 dogs & 2 that did not get along at all. It is stressful & requires constant attention so that no mistakes are made & the dogs don't ever get out together. Everyone in the house needs to seriously be on board.

thanks to all posts.
So I keep control {no fighting between dogs} Do you think it helps in a positive way the age differenc?
Worst situation dogs live apart.

Some older dogs (mature dogs) tolerate pups for a while....but once they are 6-7 months or older...many are not.

Once dogs fight...they may never get along again.

just went back over the replies good information.

Just as a ps...

If you do decide to get another male, and they don't get on and it ends up in a crate and rotate situation, it isn't only a logistical nightmare, it is a very sad situation, in as much as you never actually get to enjoy your pack, because your entire time is taken up with the vigilance you need to keep the dogs apart.

I had rooms smashed up, and doors torn off their hinges, not to mention waking up knowing it is a pretty good certainty you will be wading in and trying to split a fight up, which makes life a misery for all concerned, and most specifically the dog that gets the crappy end of the stick, it can be a life of stress for you and the dogs if it doesn't work out.

I don't want to be the voice of doom, been there, done that!

Edited by Connie Sutherland (02/22/2013 11:07 AM)
Edit reason: edit for language ;-)