We currently own a female bedy and are thinking of getting another puppy but we're unsure about whether to buy a male or female. I'm worried that two girls may be more prone to fighting amongst themselves in order to get top dog status whereas I've heard a boy will be less likely to challenge and more likely to get along. I notice that most bedy owners tend to have more than one and I'd be most grateful for your viewpoint on this. Our bedy is one and a half and neutered and we'd plan to neuter the next one. My only worry is that she seems very happy as she is and does like to play with 'some' dogs, but not all, and I do worry that by introducing another, she may not be as happy. Or might she love having a companion? I don't know. It's a difficult decision so any advice would be most appreciated. Jo
14 comments:
the more the merry
I agree with Billy. I have 5....all females. I have always felt that it was my dogs job to accept anyone I introduced into my pack. I have gotten 2 of the 5 as adult dogs from rescue and have never had a problem with them. I know, that as much as we love our dogs, we can never be a dog with them like another dog. I say go for it, they will have so much fun together....if you anticipate trouble you will get trouble, if you anticipate harmony, you will get haromny.
Competition and fights sometimes happen but it's not about 'status' it's just nature, done right its unlikely to happen. Introducing a new dog to a family with a dog already is the same as someone bringing a complete stranger in, they have to get to know each other and become friends. The best thing to do is supervise them when they are together and seperate if it gets too much. It's about management and appropriate training, seperate sleeping places, one on one attention...but the dogs may get on so well that they're best buds from the start :) I say go for it, I would love a friend for my 8 month old bitch.
Young dogs like compnay and a playmate, which is why we got Ed and Ossie together. We then successfully introduced two 11 year old rescue dogs to our boys, without any problems. You need to be top dog. There have been the odd little squabbles, usually over a crumb one of them found on the floor. All 4 now happily share their beds in fornt of the AGA.
We had 2 up until recently. When Fos came along there was a marked change in Jasper - he really went into himself and became quite withdrawn. Now he's on his own he's back to his old self again, much more lively and alert.
During the 4 years we had 2 dogs they were never playmates; they just rubbed along and mostly ignored each other. There were a couple of spats but nothing more, never any bared teeth or proper fighting.
Hi, I have 4, 2 dogs and 2 bitches.
All are entire and up to now(touch wood) I have not had any serious problems. As someone else has said it is about management, if play fighting gets too much I put my foot down. I am top dog! I never leave the dogs together when I am out and they all have their own sleeping quarters where they can go for peace and quiet at any time if they wish. They also have 2 dog beds in front of the radiator which mostly they are quite content to share. Solomon and Boudica are only disantly related and got on fine from day one, the other 2 are home bred. My Mum though has a bitch and took in a rescued bitch, they hated each other from the start and eventually Rio had to be re-homed again. This could have been because of my Mums attitude towards them. I dont know. My dogs have great fun together, and how many people do you know who just have one Bedlington. Not Many!
Larry was 4 when we got leo, quite a few people said dont get 2 boys, but they have never been a problem, larry who is much bigger is more laid back, leo is the dominant dog but in a nice way, they share their food, and toys, and chew bones. I think theowner has to be in charge. when play fight is a problem rare I might add, I just go a sit between them, and take over the play. good luck,.
Many thanks everyone for your comments/advice. I have taken it all onboard and found it very useful. Still can't decide tho!! If I knew for sure that our bedy would welcome a new friend, we wouldn't hesitate as we love the idea of two. Just to clarify then, do you think then that a boy and girl are more likely to get along more than two girls or is there no difference? just don't want the other trying to dominate her as she is a bit soft and i don't want her life being made miserable as a consequence, but I suppose that's our fault because we've spoilt her. Does one of them always have to be top dog or can they be equals? Sorry
about the questions!
I don't think it matters Jo - we have two, a dog and a bitch, they get along fine, never a cross word but never play together.
My daughter brings her beddie bitch to stay every month or so and she is accepted every time, it is as if she never goes away, fits into the pack like an cosy old slipper. Mac she treats as someone to snuggle up with while Lily is her mad play mate, they tag, tug and wrestle for hours while Mac watches with a bored expression.
None of them are top dog - that's my job.
We have been on Derek's Beddie walk and meets in the past and even with that number of dogs in one place it is never an issue or problem, all just get along fine - I would guess that was the same today.
Bite the bullet - they are really sociable animals and love company - two is definately easier than one :-)
I think you should have a read of 'In Denfense of Dogs' by John Bradshaw. Dogs don't think in terms of 'dominance' and 'submission'. The whole dominance thing is outdated and does not apply to our dogs. Even the word dominance, it's been taken out of context, it's not a personality trait its just a description of a relationship. They think 'whats rewarding? I'll do that again, what's not rewarding? I won't do that again'. You are the one 'in charge' but out of mutual respect and understanding. Dogs just want an easy life and try to avoid conflict as much as possible, show them how to live, how to survive, what you want from them and there wont be any problems.
...and now I'm seriously thinking what breed and boy or girl for our next dog! It's gonna have to wait till she's a bit older (and calmer!!!).
oh I forgot to ask!... does she get on with males or females better? Have you ever had a friends dog over, how has she coped with that?
Thank you again everyone for your comments, I am really grateful to you all! In answer to your question EJ, Tilly actually prefers males (probably there's my answer!) but really I think she just likes flirting with them more than anything. She has a special friend who is a Jack Russell cross and she absolutely adores him and they play for hours. He's quite big, dominant with her and a bit rough really but bizarrely, she seems to love it! Eventually after being submissive with him for a while, she retaliates but in a playful way - I think!! Anyway, having said she prefers males, she detests a male sheepdog cross in our village and actually ended going for him while they were both on leads this morning. They used to play happily as pups as both same age but one day she was chased by a husky dog and then a Labrador the following day and she was terrified and just bolted. Thankfully, she out ran both but was spooked afterwards. The next day when she met the sheepdog cross who she had previously liked, she was vile towards him and chased him trying to bite him. Thankfully, he has a lovely temperament and continued to try and play with her but she was having none of it. Since then, she hates him on sight. She has been mostly okay with most females she's met but can be a little temperamental. I never really know how she'll react from one dog (male or female) to another (hence my dilemma!). She was totally ok with all dogs until she was chased on those two consecutive days by separate aggressive dogs (both males). Sadly, that seems to have changed her. Sorry EJ, I've gone on and on. I'd say she gets on with both sexes (most of the time!) Which sex do you think you'll get when/if you get a second one? Again, apologies for rambling!
Don't worry you'll get way more rambling back from me! I thought maybe mine liked males more but same I think she's just a big flirt too! As she is still growing up I have no idea if i'd get male or female. I have always had female dogs so feel comfortable with that, I feel like I know what to expect a bit more but since I've never had a male I'm also interested in seeing if there is any difference. I've heard from owners of all different breeds that males are much more affectionate. Quite like the idea of a male bedlington for some reason (the question then is blue or liver!?). If you do get a pup, Tilly will get to know him/her and know what to expect, where as with strange dogs she doesnt know what to expect and it worries her, it doesnt sound like she has any huge issues she's just unsure and likes some space now? Has she ever caused damage? I think I would go with a boy but can't stress enough the importance of management and training, supervising them when they are together until you know no one will get hurt etc x
Post a Comment