Females question. - Page 1

We currently have an almost 4 year old GSD female she is showline. We have searched and searched for adult male to join but have had zero success. The breeder that we got our girl from currently has a 1 year old female that's up for adoption and we are considering adopting her. I have done research on SSA aggression with females so I am aware that it's a hit or miss. Our girl is not dominant by nature has never growled at another dog. The breeder said that her girl is soft and very loving. Has never showed aggression or fence fought with any of her females that share pen fence lines. She sent me videos of her and another mild tempered female and she did great no growling. Wagging tale and just playing the other dog looked way more dominant. We are planning on slowly introducing them plus the new one will be with my husband at work all day then crate trained at night. I have my reservations. I guess I'm mainly asking for feedback if this sounds like it has a good possibility of working out? Always have the option to take her back if it doesn't.

My experience is that the older dog will be dominant until the younger female reaches her prime at about 4 years and then the roles will reverse relatively peacefully or there will be a serious problem .. there is no way to tell what will happen. I have seen daughters turn on their mothers and take control when the mother dog gets older and weaker ... similar to some human behaviors. There may never be a problem but it is likely two dogs of any sex will fight if confined together and put into competition for attention, status, or food.

I've kept pairs of females for years, because I prefer them to males, but you have to be capable of being viewed by the dogs as being 'They Who Hold All Power' at all times and in all ways--and you have to have the right females for the situation.

If you're interested in this dog, first thing you ought to do is meet her WITHOUT your dog, and see if she's the type of dog that will get clingy with people she considers to be 'hers'...if she is, that can set the stage for competition between your present female and this proposed addition to the family. If she's affectionate and pleasant but doesn't glue herself to anyone in particular, that's a better situation and she could be a good fit. Ask to see her with one or more of the breeder's other dogs, and watch for signs of resource guarding of objects, including toys, bones, water bowls, food, space, sleeping spots, or people; if that behavior is present, this could present a problem, though it can be managed by owners with strong personalities.

Even if everything goes swimmingly and the two dogs take to one another like they've been together for their whole lives, I'd still plan on crating both dogs when you aren't able to directly monitor them together, for up to the first year. It can take that long for a rehomed dog to 'claim' their new home as their own, and once that dog switches their view of the situation from a temporary one to it being permanent you will often see behaviors that were previously being suppressed.

Hopefully, your dog will be glad to have a canine housemate, but keep in mind that not all dogs want a 'friend' to live with them, too. Like us, each is an individual, and each has their own likes and dislikes.

It ALL depends on how you are with your dogs...If your Dominant or Passive...And how you house your dogs...Do you have Runs/Kennels for them or will they be kept in the house...or what...?
I have a number of females and they're all different...You need to introduce them and ALWAYS be SAFE with them...Sooooo...I keep them totally apart for awhile...but I have them where they can smell each other for at least a few weeks before I'd let them have a face to face...Sooner or later you'll want them to run together and it's always a risk for the first time...So take it easy and slowly...

~Bob~

Thanks for the responses.

Bob, we do have crates in the home and we are planning on using them. So yes they both will be in the house. Our current female (Rue) has spent her entire life with a male old man lab and they have never had issues sharing so she doesnt have any resource guarding or had issues with any friends dogs stopping by. #2 will be gone 16+ hours most days with my husband. We are meeting the dog alone. Once we are home how do you suggest we introduce? Sounds you guys have had lot of female/female experiences. I've always had male/male or female/ male.

Wait, so your dog is left home alone for 16+ hours a day? Is she crated for 16+ hours a day now?

Sorry, just re-read that. So the new dog would be off with your husband for 16+ hours daily; will your present girl be with you during that time, or will she be spending some of that time home, by herself, in those 16+ hours?

 

I work from home so shes with me. Sorry didn't make that clear. She's def my dog, But has never been possessive of me. She could care less if another dog gets my attention male or female. She's very laid back, and honestly a very non typical GSD. Both will be excersized daily as well.

 

here is a video of the new girl with another female they only shared fence lines. She is the sable one. 

 

https://www.dropbox.com/s/avggw6l15pwxmp1/Video%20Mar%2020%2C%2011%2029%2051%20AM.mov?dl=0

sorry not sure how to upload an actual video!

Okay, so dog #2 will basically be hubby's dog, since Rue is your girl and gets to spend all her time with you. Sounds promising, so long as dog #2 doesn't decide she's your dog as well. Hopefully she'll feel drawn toward your husband, and you'll have the best of everything---if they don't feel the need to compete for any one person's attention, the odds for peaceful co-existence for the rest of their days improves significantly.

As for introductions, I usually prefer to do that in my fenced yard, under direct supervision, with as little human interaction as possible. If they start playing nicely, I'll let that go on until both are tired and want to lie down for a rest; then we'll go in the house, they get a drink, and we chill out together in the same room and out in the yard for the rest of the day. Has worked well for me.

awesome. Thanks for the advice I feel a little better but only time with tell. 😄