RileysMom
Rattie
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| 02/15/2008 7:52 AM |
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Hi All,
I have a wonderful 18 month old Rat Terrier. We are considering getting a second Rat so he can have a buddy and I can have another baby! :0) I need advice. Is it better to have a male and a female, rather than two males? My pooch is fixed and well mannered. I know from my experience with cats that sometimes having two male critters in the same space can cause marking issues. Looking forward to hearing your thoughts on this subject.
Riley's Mom |
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momto3
Terrier Terror
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| 02/15/2008 7:57 AM |
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Hi, I was wondering the same thing as we are adopting a new rattie. So, I got alot of books from the library and started reading. From what i have read, it is better to have one of each, then there is less fighting, marking etc. We have a male who does have marking issues if I take him to a friends that has a male dog. Phoenix seems to get along better with females, so that is why we decided to adopt a female. I guess it really depends on your dog though, because I know others who have two males and they are fine.
You'll get lots of great advice here though! |
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BonitaKaz
Bratty Ratty
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| 02/15/2008 7:58 AM |
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Riley's Mom, Welcome to the site 
I had two unneutered males in the same home and I didn't have a problem at all. Except for one of them kept trying to mark the other. I don't think you'd have that problem if your boy is neutered. Some people prefer getting a male and a female because they believe they'd get along better. However, I personally think that it shouldn't be a problem, especailly if you are introducing a puppy rather than a mature dog.
I'm sure you'll get a lot more advice and opinions |
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*Bonita* Mom to Nibbler & Laika! |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 02/15/2008 7:59 AM |
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| I think you will hear all sorts of sides to this one. If it is a puppy your are getting you shouldn't have an issue in general. I have 2 males, Jack was 9 months old when we got Jeter and have never had a problem. If it is an older dog than I would see how they interact with each other first. Good luck and congrats, 2 are so much better than one!! Double the rattie love! |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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treble02
Alpha Feist
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| 02/15/2008 8:02 AM |
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Welcome!
Welll, having JUST gotten my second rattie (YAY) I will say I definitly recommend having two! Our first was a girl though and we decided on a male. Many people on here gave me great advice on the subject but i think the consensus was that it all depends on the temperament (sp?) of both dogs involved...there were stories of male/male successes female/female successes and male/female successes! So far ours are doing great! Keep us posted and good luck finding the perfect pal for Riley!
Are you looking into rescuing one?
Also, we love pics here so cant wait to see some!
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~ Mary, Trixi and Toa's Mommy,
Ratbone Rescues Database Manager
and Applications Coordinator
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buttonbutt
Newbie
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| 02/15/2008 9:23 AM |
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Welcome! Can't wait to see pics of your baby! We're retired teachers in Central Texas and have the two minis in my avatar: Button (4) on the left; Zipper (2) on the right. As one-time dachshund people, we have "made the switch" to ratties and absolutely are smitten with this breed!
I've only had one experience with two males marking and it "scarred me for life".  So I've stuck with females ever since. But many people, as has already been stated, have had no (or few) problems with two males together. Two females can be worse about fighting than two males sometimes. With a male and a female, both gets to be their sex "alpha" and they usually get along just fine if both are neutered young. |
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 02/15/2008 9:48 AM |
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| I agree with the others...if you're getting a young puppy should make a difference what sex it is. And if it's an older dog it does have a lot to do with temperment. I have 3 girls and 1 boy and they get along. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
Check out our ratties at www.newrattitude.org |
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tiggarat
Bratty Ratty
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| 02/20/2008 4:05 AM |
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I think it has a lot to do with temperment of the two dogs when thinking about adding another adult male. If they are both submissive, or one submissive and the other alpha, then there should be no problem. I learned that the hard way. But if you get a puppy, then it shouldn't really matter. I have 3 females and they all love each other. My last male, after spending most of his life with other male dogs, loved being around all the girls...so much less stressful for the old guy.
It's hard to tell how dogs will react. If you end up wanting an adult dog, take your dog with you to see if they get along. Most shelters, around here anyways, want you to bring any pet(s) you have to visit the potential new addition to the family before placing the animal with you. I guess that lowers the chances of the dogs being brought back because they "didn't get along with the other animals in the house." |
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Lisabeth
furbabies: Lucy and Molly (1 1/2 yr old decker ratties), and Rosie (3 yr old dobie)
Buddy - gone but never forgotten.
"I don't think he has any idea he's a dog, really. Of course, he thinks he has a rather odd figure for a man" - Dodie Smith |
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RileysMom
Rattie
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| 02/26/2008 8:28 AM |
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Hi Again,
I think I found another Buddy. We are going to meet him tonight with Riley. I am a little concerned as the other pooch is three years old and not neutered. Are there any health issues I should be concerned about since I would have to neuter him after he is already three? The dog currently lives with a Rottweiler and it hasn't been going well.
Kim |
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Mitzy's Mom
PAWesome
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| 02/26/2008 8:39 AM |
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Neutering can be done at any age.
Don't know what's going on with the Rottweiler but the owners aren't doing the rattie any favors by not neutering him...along with an increased risk of cancer it can cause him to be more agressive which would NOT be good around a rottie. |
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Mary Beth, mom to the Lollipop Kids
Georgia Foster Mom, New Rattitude
Check out our ratties at www.newrattitude.org |
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RileysMom
Rattie
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| 02/27/2008 8:32 AM |
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We did it! We have welcomed Munchie into our pack last night.(yes, he already knows his name- so we may have to keep it) So far Riley has done okay with him. Munchie does this weird thing I have never seen a dog do. He inhales and chatters his teeth. It isn't aggressive at all and his tail is wagging a mile a minute. What does that mean in dog language? He's got a neutering appointment on Monday, and I hope that takes care of all the "practicing" we are seeing between the two dogs. lol Thanks for all the advice. I probably will need more as time goes on.
Kim |
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swatson6
Attention Starved
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| 02/27/2008 9:03 AM |
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| Yay! Congrats on your new addition. I am glad they are getting along. Not sure what the teeth thing is, they all have their quirks. The "practicing" is probably more of a dominance thing and establishing Alpha than it is a sexual thing. Can't wait to see pics! |
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Sarah
Mom to Jack, Jeter and foster mom to Teagan
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