2nd puppy; the age old question boy or girl?

[kagzigian]

Hi,

My name is Kimberly. I currently have a 5 month old tri named Logan (he is the love my life). Although Logan has 5 kitty siblings they don't seem to think he's cool enough to play with. Logan has requested a sibling. I do have a tendency to gravitate toward boys and I always neuter/spay at 6 months.

I would love to hear from people with 2 pups. If you have 2 boys have you had any marking issues to establish dominance? I greatly appreciate all feedback!

Kimberly

[Whitney]

I personally don't have two, but I've heard that a boy and girl are the best combination. Although it depends greatly on the personality of the pups. I know there are a ton of people here with two boys or two girls or one of each. So it will be interesting to see what other people think

[SheltieChe]

I have 2 boys 2 year old and 1 year old, both are neutered at 1 year old. They are best buddies, we never had any marking inside.

[Emmasmom]

I have a female and a male. I love them dearly, but if I were to do it again, I would only have one.

You are the best judge of whether you want another male or a female. I had two male Shelties at separate times. After losing the second one totally unexpectedly, I wanted a sable female who would be nothing like the blue merle male I lost. Then I was offered the tri boy and gladly took him. He is the high energey one, always into trouble. I am used to Shelties who are more laid back and settled.

[Justicemom]

I really depends on the personalites of the dogs. I have 1 intact male and 2 girls(1 spayed and 1 intact). My male Justice gets along with both of my girls great. The girls do fine but they are a bit b**hy with each other at times. My friend has 3 males- 1 neutered Pike 8yrs and 2 intact(Grizz 2.5yrs and Jaime 1.5yrs). Pike is an a**. Justice gets on with him ok but sometimes they bump heads. Grizz and Jaime love each other and have never had issues with each. Same with Justice and Grizz and Jaime-no issues. But Pike and Jaime have had issues. Pike tried to cause issues with Grizz but if he starts anything, Cassi and Jaime go after him. As a result Pike doesn't hang out with the other shelties much. As long as Pike isn't there all is good. All the boys get along with all the girls. The girls all get along except rarely Ember(spayed) and Cassi. The only one that has had issues with marking is Jaime and a belly band cures that. Justice,Grizz and Pike would rather die than mark the house.

So in my experience-boy/girl pairs do very well, boy/boy and girl'girl depends on the personalites of the dog regardless if they are neutered or spayed. Marking is just an extension of house training.

[dmeyer123]

We have 2 girls here...getting along great!

[Chris]

Originally Posted by kagzigian

Hi,

My name is Kimberly. I currently have a 5 month old tri named Logan (he is the love my life). Although Logan has 5 kitty siblings they don't seem to think he's cool enough to play with. Logan has requested a sibling. I do have a tendency to gravitate toward boys and I always neuter/spay at 6 months.

I would love to hear from people with 2 pups. If you have 2 boys have you had any marking issues to establish dominance? I greatly appreciate all feedback!

Kimberly

Hi, Kimberly! I have five Shelties -- four girls and one boy. Each came separately and found where they fit into the family. There's no dominance issues -- we adhere to the newer science that does not believe dogs follow hierarchical dominance, but behave according to RHP. Resource Holding Potential refers to the tension between how much one dog wants what he/she has (food, toy, space) and how much another dog wants that same thing. Ours have difference values for different things, so they've managed to work out when to give. It takes a bit of time, but with your being a five-month old, he's still more interested in playing. I think you're safe either way.

[labgirl]

I have two boy dogs ( 1 lab, 1 sheltie) and they really get on well, but are definitely 'boys together'. They have to pee in the same place, see the same dogs, be the first to play tug with me, etc, etc

If I went for another gundog (perhaps a spaniel) I think I would go for a girl, but I would definitely spay as I have no intentions of breeding and seasons are such a nuisance if you don't need them, and like Dr Shelli said, girls can have that hormonal element.

If I went for another sheltie (which I would in an instant!) it would definitely be another boy, possibly a tri or another blue merle. (and yes, I do have the name picked already)

[Noneeds4me]

Three words...."Personality, Personality, Personality."

Individual personalities are a biggie in how they get along ;-)...not necessarily male vs. female.

Congrats ahead of time on your new little one. Planning for him/her is like waiting for Christmas to get here.. Ah...good times ;-)..

[BarbV]

I have two boys currently.

My opinion is based on belief, not science, but I would tend to mix two neutuered boys than and boy and girl to start.

My two boys play together and seem to be like minded - they wrestle with each other constantly. I did try an older female for over a week and she just could not put up with a 10 month old male hounding her. Females tend to me more reserved and independant - or so goes popular theory!

That being said, if I was to get a third, I think it would be a strong female. Just to keep these boys in line!

Good luck in your search!