Small females...do they tend to get along well?

    • Bronze

    Small females...do they tend to get along well?

    Hi,

    I posted not too long ago about my recent thought about getting another dog.  Initially, I was thinking about getting a small, male dog for my small, female mini doxie/chi mix (14lbs).  After researching the internet and reading this board, I've come to learn that finding a houstrained small, male dog is no easy task.  I really don't want a dog that marks indoors, especially when I have someone petting sitting for me while I'm on vacation. [&:]

    So, that leaves me with the possibility of getting a small, female dog.  I've read that same sex households are generally not a good idea.  Do most people's experiences reflect this generalization?  My dog tends to be a bit on the "needy" side, and seems to be a bit more friendly with larger male dogs.  I don't know how she is with females, but she hasn't liked the few she's met or seen while on a leashed walk--she was fine at the dog park with all dogs, but wanted to hang with me rather than socialize with the other dogs.

    Does anyone know of a breed that is around 20lbs that would be a good male companion, fairly laid back, and not notorious for housetraining issues?

    Thanks!
    • Gold Top Dog
    I have never owned a male dog as an adult.  I have owned several females and right now have a 8 month old spayed female shih tzu and a year old spayed female l/h chihuahua. 
    everyone has always gotten along and I have never had a problem.  Good luck to you!
    • Gold Top Dog
    Hey, if it helps we have three males and one female and none of the males mark. It might be because learned from the other one who  doesnt even lift his leg, so  they  kind of do what ever he does. Though this doesnt mean yours  wont. No major disagreements. A little rough play but thats it. good luck on your choice. 
    • Gold Top Dog
    I don't think the size makes a difference really, a dog's a dog. [;)]
     
    • Gold Top Dog
    It can indeed be very ugly. I'd recommend that if you want two girls, make sure one is significantly bigger than the other. I'm sure plenty of times it all works out fine, but after having one of our females stalking the house looking for the other after she sent her to the vet with a pierced conjunctiva, I'd have to say I'd rather not risk it. Those two got on fine when they first met, and for the first 2 years it was reasonably harmonious, but once the line was crossed, it really looked like it was going to be to the death. You really don't want to be in that situation. It was heartbreaking and terrifying and extremely stressful. But Jill and Penny get on fine. The size difference is big enough that there was only one argument to establish rank rather than a prolonged war with no definitive victors.
    • Bronze
    I agree that having two female dogs can be a problem.  Two males will fight for superiority, and once there is a winner the other one will back off.  Not so true with two females - they tend to be less willing to give in and more apt to fight to the death.  For this reason, it is probably easier to have a male/female combination.
     
    That being said, I have two small females (now 11 and 18 lbs), about 2 mos. apart in age, who grew up together.  When the first was 4 mos. old, someone dumped a tiny puppy on our doorstep, and we kept her.  The girls got along great until a little over a year old (after they were spayed), when they started having dominance issues.  Neither inflicted any real injury on the other, but their relationship was getting ugly.  I contacted a trainer, who observed them and said that they were fighting over who was the alpha, and if I put them on NILIF and asserted myself as alpha, the fights would stop.  The trainer was right.  Now they are 4 years old and get along very well, although I am still careful to avoid triggers, and give them meals and other high-value items separately and make them "earn" their treats.
     
    Good luck with your decision!
    • Bronze
    I see nothing wrong with having 2 females.  Growing up, we had a dalmatian and a toy poodle (both females) who got along great.
    I have 3 chihuahuas now- 1 male, 2 females and they all love each other.  My male, Madison, was actually the easiest one to house train.  He squats when he goes to the bathroom, and has never lifted his leg in our condo (or inside anyone's house for that matter).
    • Gold Top Dog
    I have two females, and I'll never do it again.

    That's a lot, coming from me. I never say never. They've been together for a year, adore each other, but fights with blood are not uncommon. This is probably related to the fact that Teenie is old, and her skin is quite thin, but it's no fun to have to seperate fighting, bleeding, angry dogs.
    • Silver
    I think it depends on the dogs. I have 2 females and they have never fought.
    • Silver
    As you can see, I have a male and female. They get along pretty well eventhough play can get a liitle rough sometimes. The older one who is the male thinks he's the boss and is always correcting and warning the little one. She usually minds him, but she can be the aggressive one sometimes too.