houndlove
Posted : 11/15/2006 9:54:24 AM
As far as gender, since you have a male (neutered, I assume?) there's no general rule about what other you should get. The only "general rule" about mixing gender that I've heard is that two females in one house, especially if one or both are not spayed, can become a huge problem. I have two neutered male hounds and they do great together. Male/female pairings also often do well.
Before going I'd read up a lot on dog behavior and dog body language. City pounds typically do no behavioral or temperment testing of any kind, aside from the basic: he bit me, he's aggressive, put him down. So you really have to know what you're looking at. I'd check out resource gaurding behaviors, arousal level (how much does it take to get the dog wound way up?), and recovery time (once wound up, how fast does the dog settle back down again once the stimulus is removed?), and play style. I'd watch carefully to see how he greets your dog once you arrange a meeting. Does he exhibit good doggy social skills or is he the dog equivalent of socially maladjusted? Also, know your breeds. Even if the dogs are all mixes, if you know something about the behavior expected out of the breeds they are likely mixed with, that can help you make an evaluation.
Going to a city pound you basically have to be your own temperment evaluator, and that's going to take some research on your part.
Having said that, I've adopted twice form city pounds and both times wound up with splendid dogs. We definatley had some criteria when we went for what we were looking for as far as behavior and temperment and in both cases we did wind up with what we wanted. But we had to walk past some kennels with some very cute little doggies who were exhibiting behaviors we did not find desirable. It's tough, no doubt about it!