Member

Posts: 11
From:Maine
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-13-2003 06:28 PM         

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I am in a quandry. Bruin, my black 6 mos old Maltepoo has a twin sister. She is just a little smaller, but equally as lovable and bright. Anyway, the people that have her called and asked if I'd like to have her as they are moving. My dilemma...will my female German Shepherd who now loves Bruin have a fit because it's a "she" and no longer a puppy? Also, should I have her spayed before coming into the house? I think Bruin may think he's studly and certainly don't want the two of them to breed!! I don't even know if they are old enough, but don't even want to take a chance.

Any input, folks?

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Member

Posts: 23
From:Clintwood, Va, USA
Registered: Apr 2003

posted 04-13-2003 09:21 PM            

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Hey
The way I see those dogs are absolutly adorable and from what I have seen they are pretty smart dogs too. I say if you are able to give the dog a good home then go for it. If you dont take it then you will wonder for along time who did and if they are treating her good or not. On the spayed topic, if you never plan to have her bred and you are just worried about her brother getting to her then yes I would have her fixed.

Good luck with what ever you decide.
Justin Long

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Member

Posts: 97
From:
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-14-2003 04:37 AM            

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I go along with Justin, you've got the chance for another gorgeous little dog so try and take her. As your German Shepherd loves Bruin, I would think she will love his sister too. But .. to be more certain ... is there any possibility of 'borrowing' the little girl for a couple of days? Just to see how they get on?

The only reason I say this is is that I've heard that some times 'three's a crowd' where dogs are concerned. That is, two can pal up, while the third is left out in the cold.

Regarding speying, I think 6 months old is old enough to start a family, but ask your vet.

Good luck.

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Member

Posts: 11
From:Maine
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-14-2003 07:00 AM         

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Thanks...I am seeing her this morning and will more than likely bring her home. I'll have to have her spayed, because from what I've read males have no holds barred even if it is a sister. I would be horrified if she became pregnant by him. I would assume they would be unhealthy .

Anyway, I'll have to be cautious with my shepherd until I see how she'll react. Hopefully she'll mother the new one like she does Bruin. I need to change her name, it's currently Pumpkin...not my style.

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posted 04-14-2003 01:21 PM           

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I am sure you can offer an excellent home. Problem is raising 2 pups together can be a challenge and Double Trouble! They often bond with each making it more difficult to get them to listen to you. Best to have the first pup fully trained and reliable before getting another pup unless you have the time to walk, train and work with both seperately. Then they learn to rely on you NOT each other. Not saying it can't be done but extra work is needed.

At 6 months, both should be spay & neutered. They will have no idea about being related when the female comes into heat. ANY unneutered dog will be interested in her regardless of breed or age.

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posted 04-14-2003 01:23 PM           

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PS why aren't you fixing the male mixed breed?

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Member

Posts: 361
From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-14-2003 06:52 PM            

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You should spayed every animals unless you are a breeder and register your pups with kennel clubs. Visit your shelter and see how many Mixed breeds there are..tell me you see any purebreds in there...NOPE...didn't think so!

Get them all fixed...then you don't have to deal with the behavioral problems that will arrise later. Also, owning three dogs is a HUGE responsibility. Do you understand pack behavior? 3 dogs = a pack of dogs, and you will never have control again...that is unless you understand what you will be getting yourself into!

Good luck

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Posts: 11
From:Maine
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-14-2003 07:22 PM         

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You're right JP, I hadn't thought of that...duh. I understand that's a less invasive procedure than having the female spayed. I hope NOONE even thinks for a minute I want to breed. No way, that's left to professionals. I wouldn't consider that even if they were unrelated purebred breeds. First, they are brother & sister. Secondly, I don't have any experience with such a delicate matter. Let's settle that right now! I was only asking if I should get the neutering done before I bring her home here. I am a fan of spaying and neutering, unwanted dogs & cats are a heartbreak. I think they will both be neutered and soon!

I hadn't thought of the "pack problem". Do any of you folks have 3 dogs and have found it to be a problem? BTW, it may be helpful to know that my pets have someone around them all day as we also have a home office. They are very much pampered.

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Posts: 186
From:
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-15-2003 12:47 AM         

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Females can come into heat as early as 6 months, so yes, she should be spayed soon. males can breed as early as 4 months (so I've heard), but it's not likely that they will be successful at that age. By 6 months though, they would likely be possible for him to breed a female. I'd try to have at least the female fixed before she goes into heat, as heats are a huge pain and you have to worry about all sorts of things during and afterwards... keeping your other dog away from her, "guarding" her anytime she needs to go outside to be sure no other males get to her, cleaning up "the massacre", false pregnancies, etc.

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Posts: 616
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 04-15-2003 07:16 PM         

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I say go for it. Just to be on the safe side bring her straight to the vet and get her spayed right off the bat. Maybe when you bring her home your shepard will smell that she has been to the vet and have empathy for her seeing that she is not feeling well. It happens. Dogs do sence when something is wrong. I belong to another forum where this one gal has sister matipoos and they are soooo cute. Plus the small dogs can play together much easier than a lare dog and small one.

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Posts: 99
From:Tennessee
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-16-2003 09:52 AM         

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Now, we have four outside dogs, and I havent had a prob with the "pack" thing.... I believe its all in how you raise them! =)

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Posts: 11
From:Maine
Registered: Mar 2003

posted 04-22-2003 01:07 PM         

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Thank God I took her. She is a mess...matted fur, very timid and so needy of attention. Took 3 baths to get off the caked on feces. Her breath is horrible, it looks as though she has a problem with a back molar. She weighs less than half of Bruin and her coat is dull and brittle. The idiot didn't even have her puppy shots kept up.

She is finally over the cowering, and is constantly at my side. I just love her to pieces and I know she's grateful. What a sweet temperment she has.

My other dogs must have sensed her neediness too because they have both been excellent about her being a new addition. My German Shepherd actually tried to clean her.

I may sound harsh, but I could just kick that womans #**.

[This message has been edited by Bruins Mom (edited 04-22-2003).]

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Member

Posts: 361
From:Vancouver, BC
Registered: Jan 2003

posted 04-22-2003 01:42 PM            

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oooohhhhhh...poor little darling.

Congratulations on the new addition and cheers to you for taking such good care of the lil one and offerig your kind heart to this poor needy soul.

Good luck. Sounds like things are going great!

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Member

Posts: 616
From:,Calif. U.S.A.
Registered: Dec 2002

posted 04-22-2003 06:02 PM         

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Bless you for finally jumping in. She needs you more than you ever knew. I knew they would all be good together. After you get her weight up to where it should be and she has a clean bill of health you should go get her spayed. But not until she is healthy. A sick dog can die under annestia (sp). I had to wait a month until my Sasha was off her antibiotics before she was allowed to be spayed. Females handle spaying better than males. Males tend to pull at the stitches or staples. But they will give you an e-collar. Unless you like the idea of her going into season and bleeding. You will need to be very careful with her because other dogs will be coming to get her when she is in season. Hurray for you Bruins Mom.

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