2 male dogs general advice

monkeysnapper

I had 2 westies , male and female , 9 and 8 .

My female westie as some of you on here know died after being attacked .

The male is missing her , you can see and I've seen a westie for sale , a year old male . I intend getting him neutered if I bought him .

My male isn't agresive and I bring his son over who is around 5 years old on Saturdays for a play date as my in-laws have him. And they get on OK.

I just need a bit of advice really, we all still really miss our old girl and know we can't replace her but I do feel its unfair on my male. Poor feller .

Should I try and get another female or would I be OK with two males .

I've tried adopting from rescue but I've been turned down twice for various reasons which I understood .

Ms Doubtfire1

I would go with a female. Your boy might not be aggressive, but you never know with the other dog.

aonb

Ive always had male dogs, and have never had a problem, but Ive been lucky I guess - male dogs together or female dogs together can get aggressive/fight.

Knowing your chap is not aggressive is fine, the other dog could be... if hes a year old, can you have him come to visit - or have your guy and the 1 year old meet? Sometimes dogs just spark off each other from the instant they meet.

Why is the 1 year old for sale? Id worry a little bit about why someone would be SELLING their ONE YEAR OLD dog??

Also, will you be around full time while the new dog might be settling in? I would not leave a pair of new dogs together on their own after a weekend for example...

Its hard enough when you loose a dog - when there is a remaining dog pining its very hard. (There is a husky at our shelter whose 'sister' has been rehomed seperately - he's lost without her - very sad)

VonVix

Two males are fine, often it's a clash of personalities that causes the problem. Making sure they match is the most important, you wouldn't want one lazy, grumpy dog living with an annoying rambunctious young dog, that can cause problems! I have three males, two of them are neutered and the other is intact.

aonb makes very valid points.

monkeysnapper

From my side my dogs are great because I've socilised them well with other dogs. Unfortunately my relaxed approach played a part on how my other was killed a small bit which I blame myself.....to a extent.

Ad says genuine reason for sale, I should ring for this "genuine reason for sale" until I've discussed this with family and thought about it a bit more I won't waste persons time on phone.
Plus I'm going driving to UK end of month which I usually take dogs with me .
Do I get dog and get to know him for week while traveling , sounds like that could be a huge disaster , vrs getting him after and having no holidays to take to socialise him in .

Advice on this would be great also. Whybis everything so difficultly .

muddypaws

monkeysnapper wrote: »

From my side my dogs are great because I've socilised them well with other dogs. Unfortunately my relaxed approach played a part on how my other was killed a small bit which I blame myself.....to a extent.

Ad says genuine reason for sale, I should ring for this "genuine reason for sale" until I've discussed this with family and thought about it a bit more I won't waste persons time on phone.
Plus I'm going driving to UK end of month which I usually take dogs with me .
Do I get dog and get to know him for week while traveling , sounds like that could be a huge disaster , vrs getting him after and having no holidays to take to socialise him in .

Advice on this would be great also. Whybis everything so difficultly .

You now need a passport with rabies vaccination to go from Ireland to the UK. Rabies needs to be given at least 21 days before travel. Just something to consider.

aonb

getting a new dog, and going driving in UK for a week, COULD be a recipe for disaster! What if he HATES the car?!?!? A lot of dogs barely tolerate cars, so if I were getting a new dog, it would be AFTER a trip... My remaining dog hates the car - whines until we arrive. My previous two dogs tolerated the car at best even though they had all been brought in the car since the day they were puppies

Of course they will advertise "genuine reason for selling" - they can hardly say "we are sick of him" or "hes a pain in the bum" or whatever... go and see the dog, if you like him, and more importantly like the set up he has grown up in and his humans (which is what will have 'made' his personality) ask if you can go back with your own dog, take them for a walk together, see how they get on.

Im wary of people SELLING rather than REHOMING a dog that they have had for a year.... (granted they could be selling to prevent horrible types coming for a free dog...)

Knine

Males often get in better then a pair of females. However in your situation I would wait until you come back from travelling & maybe even consider adding a younger dog or puppy. It is one thing having a doggie play date & a whole different ball game having the second dog live with you especially with terriers.

DBB

When it comes to Westies, it's a bigger risk having two males living together than it is with many other breeds. It's an even bigger risk putting two female Westies together in a full-time scenario. There are always exceptions of course, but in my experience, most people who've happily kept two males/two females together have not done it with two Westies, and totally underrate how fiery they can be with each other.
If I were you op, I'd hold off til you're home from your travels, and try to source a young, sociable female.

monkeysnapper

Thanks for all the replys .

My 2 always seemed to travel OK and love the farm on other side which is my family home. but I kind of already decided I wouldn't take my dog this time as I've got friends to see and not going for usual family holiday .

I dont want a puppy and had heart set on rescuing a female but I don't think its going to be as easy as that .

Kids want a puppy but don't they always , I thought it would be better to get a older dog but with having a 1.5 yr old child I've found rescue homes are reluctant to give me the two I've enquired about, I'm not arguing there .I understand there role is to find a compatible home.

I was asking for advice as I was unsure and doubtful getting another male was a good idea and based on peoples advice I'm sure its not compatable for me and my westie .

I think in next month or so I may consider getting a pup if nothing comes and falls on my lap .....as they do sometimes....
Thanks for help folks

sillysmiles

Are the rescues you contacted keeping an eye out for dogs that would suit your home or is it that they feel a terrier is not a good idea with a small child? (just curious!)

monkeysnapper

I'm living in Kerry and the rescue centre here have the dogs flying out, they get sponcered vet care for nearly all dogs and have their pick of homes.... From what it looks like ...

Nobody will be keeping an eye out for me .