I had 2 dogs, Felicia a pom/lhasa cross and Phoenix an English cocker spaniel (5). Felicia passed away 3 months back at age 14 and while we are all grieving her loss, it's impact on Phoenix has been devastating. She was mentor, leader and companion, the fearless one. I'm thinking of adopting a dog from a shelter as a companion for Phoenix and I had in mind a small breed female as the nearest approximation to our Felicia plus all the literature on dogs seem to say that ideally you shouldn't raise dogs of the same gender together. Now a shelter has called saying they have a lhasa cross. A male. I haven't yet gotten around to meeting with this dog but do you think it's a bad idea for me to consider a male? Phoenix is very loving with family but with others he seems to have adopted pom characteristics not spaniel! He's distant with other dogs and people. He always needed Felicia to be his Emily Post! Basically a scaredy cat. Would so appreciate any advice!
Mell

For the past 16 plus years I've always had more than 1, at times 3, dogs. All my dogs have been male.

I've never had a problem with same sex dogs. They got along fine, and I've never gotten two at a time, so they've all been brought into a home where there was already a dog.

I would consider a trial period with the dog you plan to adopt. Many shelters will allow this. They'd rather you take the dog home for a while before deciding to adopt. It's a better option than having you adopt only to bring the dog back because things didn't work out.

This way you can let the dogs have a chance to get to know each other, see how they interact, and then, if this dog doesn't fit into your family, no harm will be done, other than getting attached to the dog.

Check into it. At the very least, if you do decide this, take Phoenix to the shelter to meet this dog. But realize that the shelter is a stressful place, not only for the dogs in it, but also for any visiting dogs. But at least this way you can see how they interact, see how Phoenix approaches the dog, and how the dog approaches him.

But don't discount this dog because he's male. Males can get along very well. Mine do. :)

There isn't any problem getting a dog of the same sex if they fight you might have to get rid of the dog you adopt as dogs fighting can lead to serious consequence's

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Originally Posted by Alty

For the past 16 plus years I've always had more than 1, at times 3, dogs. All my dogs have been male.

I've never had a problem with same sex dogs. They got along fine, and I've never gotten two at a time, so they've all been brought into a home where there was already a dog.

I would consider a trial period with the dog you plan to adopt. Many shelters will allow this. They'd rather you take the dog home for a while before deciding to adopt. It's a better option than having you adopt only to bring the dog back because things didn't work out.

This way you can let the dogs have a chance to get to know each other, see how they interact, and then, if this dog doesn't fit into your family, no harm will be done, other than getting attached to the dog.

Check into it. At the very least, if you do decide this, take Phoenix to the shelter to meet this dog. But realize that the shelter is a stressful place, not only for the dogs in it, but also for any visiting dogs. But at least this way you can see how they interact, see how Phoenix approaches the dog, and how the dog approaches him.

But don't discount this dog because he's male. Males can get along very well. Mine do. :)

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Thank you. Yes, a visit to the shelter will probably stress Phoenix, who, at the best of times doesn't know how to react to other dogs, even friendly ones. I also have 4 cats so the shelter dog needs to be cat-friendly as well.
Mell

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Originally Posted by emerald2010

Thank you. Yes, a visit to the shelter will probably stress Phoenix, who, at the best of times doesn't know how to react to other dogs, even friendly ones. I also have 4 cats so the shelter dog needs to be cat-friendly as well.
Mell

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I'm not sure how the shelters in the US work (if you're in the US). The one where I live is great. Each dog is evaluated when it comes to the shelter. They determine what sort of home the dog should be in, whether he does well with other dogs, with cats, with children.

The shelter you go to should have some background info on the dog.

I would still call and ask if you can have a trial period with the dog. One week would be best. That way you can see how they interact. Call the shelter and ask, the worst they can say is no.

I hope it all works out. Keep us posted. :)

My mother has 2 entire males together and they are 9 and 11 years old.

I myself have an entire male and a desexed male together with no problems at all. Actually it's my female who is the trouble maker!