Keeping two female dogs - any experiences?

[bluegreyhound]

Has anybody got any experience of keeping two (spayed) bitches together? I've heard two females can be difficult, and that it is often better to have a male and a female, but wondered what people's experiences were.

[Flaperoo]

I've had two bitches together in the past and not had any problems. One of them was 8 years older than the other though. I don't know what two of a similar age would be like, but I'm sure someone here will be able to give you advice. I suppose it depends on their characters too.

There are a few other greyhound/lurcher owners near us and we help each other out for short breaks and look after each others dogs (all have been spayed or neutered). I've currently got two dogs and one bitch of my own, but again even with these temporary visitors my Peggy doesn't mind if they are a dog or a bitch.

Good Luck

Mary

[Princess C]

I've not personally had an issue with keeping two bitches (or more) at the same time, but I know some people have. Hattie was 8 and most definitely queen bee when Scout my border collie came in as a puppy, but Hattie abdicated without a fuss when she grew old, in fact she seemed grateful that Scout took the burden of being in charge from her. Scout was also fine when Betty and then Matilda arrived, but neither (both elderly greyhound girls) were likely to challenge her status, and the fact that she is a different breed and thinks in a completely different way helps too! I have always had at least one male as well to dilute the pairing which may make a difference, but my friends have two greyhound bitches, ten and seven, and they too have never had a problem, although one of theirs is very outgoing, the other very timid, so it is a case of 'Follow the Leader' in their house!

I guess what I am saying in a roundabout way is that personality and temperament have a lot to do with it, as do age and breed characteristics, so if there are as few similarities or parallels that can be drawn as battlelines as possible, there's less likely to be a clash, I think...does that make sense? I think the worse scenario would be two bold outgoing bitches of the same age and breed

[Deleted]

I have 2 bitches & have never had any problems at all, they are best of friends.

I think that the most important thing is to get the right dogs together.

In my case I have Ellie as madam in charge & Pixie is who very much her subordinate. There is a good difference in ages also with a 4 year gap, in some respects they behave very much like a mother & daughter as Pixie looks up to Ellie & will seek her reassurance and approval. Pixie can be a diva but Ellie tolerates it much as you would a bratty child.

I have fostered bitches with the 2 girls also & never had issues but Ellie is a strong character & always number 1, I can imagine if I mixed in another dominant female it could be a recipe for disaster.

[bluegreyhound]

Thanks for the info. We have a 4yr old retired racing bitch, and are looking into getting her a companion. I have seen a 2 and 1/2 year old bitch on the web, who sounds just like ours (similar behaviour) and who I think would be absolutely wonderful as a pet.

However, I have a sneaky feeling that two bitches of such similar ages, with similar personalities, is not a good idea! And I don't really know what our bitch would be like with another dog in the house, as she hasn't ever had one to visit. (I will try and arrange a dog visit so I can see what she is like).

She can be a little defensive when we meet other dogs if they rush up and sniff her. She has been to visit two male greyhound friends, and ran round their garden and explored their house without too much trouble, but the two boys were very gentlemanlike.

Our dog is left alone for the morning, after an early morning walk, and so we will not be able to provide constant supervision of two dogs (although I will take time off work if and when we get dog number 2 so that I can be home for the first week!).

[Lisa]

I have homed two bitches together without a male in there to steady the counter balance but now im struggling to remember when so it really is that rare. I have a mixed pack four of each and in general they rub along well, however I find when I take the boys out of the equation the girls divy up to each other more.

Im not saying it cant work but I find it a bigger risk. If two male dogs have a fall out they tend to fall out and deal with it if you get two bitches that dont get on then they keep at it and at it over and over again, it just continues to escalate and can get nasty and dangerous.

If im totally honest which I am and you came to me asking for a 2 1/2 year old bitch to give with a 4 year old bitch especially because you felt they were close in temprement then I would try to talk you out of it and steady you towards a male or at least chalk and cheese. Two similar in nature have a better chance of shall we say clashing.

[Jen Wren]

Oh yes I've had some experience in keeping two bitches together. I rehomed my two girlies at the same time who are mother and daughter and were always kenneled together.

Didn't have too many issues but found as they started to settle in there was a slight power struggle. Nothing nasty but lots of telling off and growling as they found their way. They are completely different personalities so could never find a common ground. They have eventually settled down and have gained a healthy respect for each other. Wouldn't say they were the best of friends, you would never see them cuddled up or anything but they don't fall out any more.

Relations improved when I started fostering, I have only taken males in and I find that Goldie (the eldest) has found her position in life to boss around said foster boy and Dolly has someone to play with when she feels like it. They have also boarded happily with both males and females.

I don't think you can't put females together and I would be happy to introduce further females into the house, but I think it tends to be much more balanced when there are males and females in the mix.

[Deleted]

Is there any particular reason why you are after another bitch as a male should be easier to introduce.

I would be inclined to agree that 2 bitches of a similar age & personality may not be a good or the easiest of combinations.

Also as you won't be around to supervise after the first week you don't want to be coming back to handbags flying, they may initially get on but after a few weeks once they have settled they may start to test the water with each other.

It's an awful lot of if's & maybe's but it's difficult to say really without knowing the 2 dogs concerned, will the rescue involved offer guidance?

[stussy]

Where i work there are 5 bitches (2 labs, 3 spaniels) plus my female collie x everyday and never a problem they all ;D each other

I have allways had females together, my lurcher stussy was a bit dominant and a little bit confused sexually tho i think as she allways tried to mount the other 2 we had 3 girlies together for many years until my other collie x died 3 years ago, then it was 2 girlies now its just one

I will def. look for another girly again tho ;D ;D

[just jackie]

May 14, 2008 8:15:31 GMT -5 bluegreyhound said:

Has anybody got any experience of keeping two (spayed) bitches together? I've heard two females can be difficult, and that it is often better to have a male and a female, but wondered what people's experiences were.

Got four bitches here at the moment including Clover foster lurcher, and had four previously with Vicky foster greyhound, Blondie adopted orphan greyhound, and China foster whippet. In fact we seem to end up with bitches more often than dogs for some reason.

I can't say we've experienced any problems, but then ours are all fairly laid back, and they all know who's top bitch in this house

ME

Two dominant bitches could be a whole other matter though.

[bluegreyhound]

Mmm, as I don't know how dominant our bitch is likely to be, I think a male is a better bet to start with. When we win the lottery and buy a farm with loads of room then we can have lots of both sexes!

Thanks for your help.

[ownerofgreys]

At the moment I have Billy with his 4 girlies and i have to say they all get along really well, We have never had a problem

[FeeFee]

I have three bitches here and they get on really well and are good friends, but I also have two males so they are part of a mixed pack which I think makes a difference.

Although I've never personally had any problems keeping bitches together, the situation I would be most wary of would be having just two dogs who are bitches of similar age/size/temperament - I'd see that as a recipe for head-on rivalry.

Not to say it can't work, of course, it depends so much on the individual dogs, but if I were in your situation looking for a second dog I'd definitely lead towards having a male.

[lurcherlot]

I have 5 bitches and 3 dogs here at the moment - despite one very dominant bitch, and due to how laid back the other bitches are, I don't have any problems ..... but I know many who have! If I had a single bitch, I would definately opt for a male.

[laurag]

I have a one year old bitch and a 2 year old bitch and all's fine. Twigg is in charge and of course there's Oz as the counterbalance.

Next doors dog also practically lives with us. A 3 year old terrier bitch. She and Twigg get on fine. Breeze irritates her a little at times but Breeze concedes to be told where to get off quite happily.

Next-next doors bitch is a female rottie. Dominant. She's met Twigg and Breeze and it was excellent manners all round. But is interesting to meet the first bitch i've seen Twigg 'concede' to. if they spent time together, i wonder of anything would kick off or twigg would just slip to a number 2 position quite happily?