Help...Need Your Advice

[Mushy]

Need any input you all can give me. I have three dalmatians, 12, 11 and 2. All females. My 12 and 11 year olds are mellow and laid back as can be, they love everyone and everything. My 2 year old demon seed, is a lover, but fiesty and the queen bee alpha. I have just rescued a boxer pup (4 months, female) from the shelter with a broken back leg, that is healing nicely. My goal was to get her out of the shelter, then decide whether to keep her, or get her into boxer rescue. They have agreed to take her in 1 week. Here's the problem, we've fallen madly in love with her. She's so very sweet, and now is bonding with my 2 year old dal. They play, play all day, share toys and other than food time, seem to be best buddies. I keep getting input from rescue's etc. that I should try and place her because females never do well together, but if I were to judge on their current behavior, and the temperment of the puppy, I'd say they are doing great. I have always had females, and never had a problem. Am I living in fantasy? Will the boxer pup grow up and suddenly change to an aggressor? If that were to be the case, the boxer can kick the ......out of the dal. OR, is the playing and bonding now, going to prevent that and this is a sign that they will do just fine together? I have 1 week to decide, and this little puppy is the best little thing ever. She will get a great home either way, I want to do what's best for the dogs. But if it's at all possible that she can stay, then we want her. Any input from you all wiill be so appreciated. I'm sure all your experience will be helpful to me in making the decision. Thanks

 

[Austin's Mom]

I think it depends on the dogs temperment rather than the sex. You will find there are people on BW who have two same sex boxers that do great together. Keep her!!!!

 

[tedjax]

Keep her!!!!

 

[jkgiven]

my vote

KEEP HER!!!
You obviously love her.

Whether they will get along in the future is entirely up too you. The 2 year old can still be trained and learn to cope. And the puppy will grow up with her and your guidance.

 

[shannonmac]

i say get her... my mom has a pit bull female puppy and my female boxer puppy has gone to play with her and they've played fine together!!!

 

[bustermom]

I agree with everyone else - keep her! You love her, you know dogs, they're all getting along - it sounds like a perfect life!

There's always the chance of the pup growing up and trying to assert her dominance, but the chances are slim considering her young age and the fact that she knows her place in the hierarchy now. And even if she did, the fact that they're friends now means they'll probably be friends for life and any attempt by the pup to dominate would be just posturing and "testing".

Are all your females spayed? I personally haven't ever heard of a dog that grew up and "suddenly changed to an aggressor" - it's true they'll sometimes try to rearrange the pack order, but if they're all spayed then it shouldn't be anything serious.

My sister, as well as a number of BW members, have multiple females in their houses. It's just a matter of the temperament of each dog - and it sounds like you have a bunch of winners! Good luck and keep us posted!

 

[Adelle]

I would keep her also - chances are everything will work out. But having said that there is a slim chance when the pup matures they may have problems, and hopefully they can work it out. We have had a number of females come into our rescue program for this very reason, that the dogs cannot sort it out, constanly go at it and the fights get very serious. Its a chance you take but you seem to know dogs so chances are you will be able to handle it and if they are friends now hopefully they will continue to be.

Good luck

 

[Mushy]

All Females

You have all been so incredibly helpful. In fact, this is the first bunch of positive responses I've gotten on the subject. Yes, all of my girls are spayed, and the puppy goes in Tuesday to be spayed. The shelter has put it off due to her broken leg, but my vet has x-rayed it, says it needs to stay splinted for at least another 10 days, but that she can be spayed in the meantime. No hormone outbursts here, other than mine..... By the way, her name is Molly, but she's already getting nicknames, like MUSH, and you can all guess why.

Cheers,
She

Mom to:
Dally-Mae 12 yr old dal girl
Maggie-Mae 11 yr old dal girl
Koby - 2 yr old dal girl
Molly-Mush - 4 mth old boxer wiggle butt brindle
Clarence - 50 yr old desert tortoise
Starbuck - 2 yr old rescue mouse

 

[Sube Ru's mom]

Having 2 females in the house i vote to keep her. If they are getting along great i dont see a problem. Also if the puppy ever tried to show signs of dominance that is where training and a behaviorsit can come in and help. It is not sex you have to worry about as much as temperment. Just keep an eye on her and if you notice problems talk to someone.

Good luck and hope you decide to keep the little one

 

[courtney323]

Personally I think you should keep her.

BUT, here's the other side of the equation: We rescued our female (Maddie) at 14 months of age. She was an owner surrender because she fought with the lady's 5 yr old female Boxer.

When the ORIGINAL people got Maddie (at 4 months old) she got along with their female Boxer....up until she turned about 1 year old. Then our girl decided SHE wanted to be the Alpha dog and thats when the fighting began. So they had to get rid of Madeline. To make a long story short, the two dogs got along until Madeline turned about 1 yr old.

But like the others have said on this thread, females CAN get along great. It just so happens that my female prefers male dogs. Use your intuition. If you see any sort of alpha-tendencies or aggression coming from your Boxer, then you may want to think twice about it. But if she seems happy and has found new friends, then by all means keep her! Sounds like she has found a good home with you guys!

Courtney