thinking of getting a companion dog for our male boxer

[demtenjeep]

We are thinking we should get a female. NOT to have puppies, but figure it would be a friendlier joining and less fighting than if we got another male.

advice?

[Rhiannon12866]

1. My vet told me that the best combination is male/female

That they stand the best chance of getting along. Next is male/male and female/female is the last. I've mostly had two dogs at once over the years, combinations of male/female (not for breeding, either. I adopt senior dogs from rescue.) and have never had a problem except for my little cocker who was a food guarder, but we got it so it was manageable.

I also had a problem when my older dog didn't much like the puppy I brought home, but the puppy annoyed him and I understood that, LOL. My vet said to keep them apart a lot, while he was a puppy, so I did that. The puppy's five now and bonded completely with my SO's huge Airedale, and they were both males.

What I've been told by my friends in rescue is that it's best to have the dogs first meet on neutral ground, so that's what I've done. That way, the dog that you've had the longest doesn't feel like his territory's being threatened. And you can determine whether there's a good chance the dogs will get along. I've also never left them alone, including overnight, until I'm sure how they will be.

There are many exceptions. I've heard of females that didn't get along, but my good friend has three females (and three cats) and the only issue that they ever have is who's sleeping where.

Good luck and let us know what happens...

[Stinky The Clown]

3. We have three females and they all get along great.

We tried to introduce a male (before we got the Shih-Tzu) but our oldest, and the alpha, would have none of it. She was quite hostile, belligerent really, to him. She also tends to be unwelcoming to almost any male dog, but is always open to females.

The other dogs go along to get along.

[mopinko]

2. i agree

male/male with any bully breed has a bad possibility. but as long as they are neutered early, it shouldn't be fatal. am about to get a second male bully myself. i have concerns, but i am sure we will work it out. i have a great pack.
right now i wouldn't get a boxer unless i knew it was very well bred. they are too damn popular now. so hard to find one with the proper boxer temperament.

i never have a single dog. it seems downright unfair to a pack animal. but then, i can.

[TorchTheWitch]

5. one dog with one person is a pack

Some dogs are actually happiest when they're the only dog or even the only pet. Humans and dogs get along so well because dogs and humans are happy to include each other in their pack/family even though they are of different species.

Akitas in particular are generally happiest when they are not only the only dog in the pack/family but the only non-human creature.

[TorchTheWitch]

4. not such a good idea to have two males

Especially if one or both isn't neutered.

If the dog you have now is male your best bet is to get a female. They may get along or they may not. You can only do your best in introducing them and hope for the best. I think two dogs in the same household get along best when one is happy to be dominant over the other and the other is happy to be dominated. If the dog you already have is a territorial or protective type of personality you'll probably do best with a companion dog that seems to be much more of the opposite and vice versa. They'll likely get along fine if each is happy in their respective roles.

In the end I suppose you can just do the best you can and hope it all works out well. It's definitely a good thing that you're considering all this. That certainly seems to be a step in the right direction.

[demtenjeep]

6. well we did it. In April, our Boxer Angus will have a girlfriend named Daisy Mae

we will probably get them both fixed as we don't want puppies, just want two dogs.


I think we probably have just lost our minds

[mopinko]

7. hey, i am off to get a 5th dog.

a second bully pup, expected to reach 80 lb at least.
you are fine. they are great dogs. snip, snip tho. save yourself, and them, the grief.

[demtenjeep]

8. I am excited. Can't wait actually

the hubs is also excited. He is ordering her cage and we will just block part of it off and as she grows, make it bigger. I think we will get her around Easter weekend.

[roody]

9. It depends on the dog.

I have a wonderful calm dog, and he lets me bring all kinds of foster dogs home. He is good with everybody.

[michaz]

10. We have 5. 3 Females and 2 Males. All rescues.

1 Weimaraner from Michigan Rescue, Another Weim from a kill shelter down south, Black Lab from shelter and 2 mix breeds from kill shelters down south. Thankfully they all get along very welll.

[phylny]

11. We have a female and male.

Both neutered, and it works well.

[wildeyed]

12. We have had a male/female, male/male and male/male again.

The worst was the male/female, but that had more to do with the fact that the female was an unstable alpha head case than anything else. The first male/male combo, both dogs were laid back beta boys. They were very loving and calm together. The current male/male combo, the newer young dog is a stable alpha. He has gradually taken over the alpha role. There have been a few growly, non-serious disagreements, but they are getting it worked out. The newer dog is now dominant, but he doesn't rub the other dogs face in it unnecessarily and they are happy together 98% of the time. There have been a few disagreements at meal time, but like I said, they are getting that worked out on their own.

So, IMO, it seems to have more to do with individual temperament than gender. My dogs always come into the household neutered unless they are puppies, so that probably helps too.