Bri1218

Hello all! I have been planning on getting a dobe in July this year. I currently have an aussie shepherd and shih tzu who are both males, so I was planning on getting a female dobe. I have heard so many say that there is same sex aggression even if they are raised together.

So here is my dilemma, my friend brought home a female german shepherd about a month ago. The shepherd is very dominant and my friend no longer can control her. I decided to take her and keep her and she is well behaved, just dominate with dogs at times, usually females. I am able to control her behavior fine, but now I have male and female dogs in my house. My males never start fights, but my aussie never backs down either.

So my question is, will I be able to still have a dobe? I dont know I would be able to handle two dog aggressive dogs in my house, nor do I want to have to keep my dogs all seperated or worried about a fight breaking out.

Thank you so much!

Toby'shuman

From my experience (granted it is very limited) few Dobes when pushed into a corner so to speak will back down.
Now there are folk on this site who do have 2 females, sometimes more, and I believe 1 at least has one bossy girl and one less so they will I am sure be able to advise better.

However, same sex aggression exists between females and can be as deadly as male. This is not restricted to Dobes, I have experienced it with Terriers. The difference in their case, I could pull them apart. Two heavier/bigger dogs are a whole different ball of wax as they say.

I don't wish to put a dampener on your dreams, but should you go ahead be prepared to be piggy in the middle if dominance/aggression issues do arise.

By the way, have you considered training classes for you and your girl it may help her overcome her bossiness and give you a little more control if things were to start going awry.

Thank you for taking in this girl, not everyone would take on a dog with issues.

KissNme

Good luck whatever you decide. There are people here with WAY more experience and info then I could ever come up with. But welcome to the forum.

flaminscotch

We have always had Dobermans & German Shepards, together.

This past Spring, my 2 female dogs got into a fight.
GSD was 6, Dobe 9.
they had lived together their entire lives and were best friends.
I cannot describe to you how terrible their fight was.
thankfully my MIL was here and heard me screaming at the top of my lungs. It took minutes to get them apart. Both went to the vet. Bad injuries.

I will never forget that day.

I'm not saying you can't have 2 females, but be careful.
It was our female Dobe that started this----even with her beloved sister.

Deathmetal

I have two bitches. They do play once in awhile, they will cuddle once in awhile...but thats where it ends. They're not 'friends'. They're like, 'o, its you...I saw you yesterday. Have a nice day then.'
That being said I've never had a fight, I've never even had a lip curl. Am I ready in case someone gets offended? Of coarse, I have two bitches. I don't allow bullying, I don't allow toy stealing, I don't allow anything that will make a fight an issue. It helps that my shepherd is easy going and older (she's 6) and my pup respects her space. I think the real difference is that if someone gets out of line, I'm on it like peanut butter on jelly. They know they don't have to tell the other off, mom's already taken care of it before it became an issue.
They have a give and take relationship that is really interesting to watch. You have to know body language, in bitches a look, a simple look, could mean business.
Keeping bitches is hard work. As they say ' Males fight for breeding rights. Females fight for breathing rights' and it is true. I have heard horrible stories of bitch fights and my experience is MOST DEFINITELY outside the norm. If you are not willing to take the risk of have to crate and rotate for the lifespan of one, I would suggest an older rescue. The temperament would be more stabilized and I think you would perhaps have a better chance of finding a dobe girl that would be a good fit.

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Bri1218

Thank you all for this information. It is very helpful. I will be attending training classes next week with the shepherd, and she is doing really well with my two males, I think the problem was she needed a pack leader human. I have dealt with a golden retriever and a lab bitch fight, but that is the largest or most extreme fight Ive seen or dealt with. Ive never had a dog breed that was considered to be more same sex aggressive than the average dog, so before I get in over my head, I want to ask advice and be prepared. I want all my dogs to live in peace and all be able to cuddle with me on the couch, without me worrying my face could get inbetween a fight at any moment.

Eqstrnathlete

I have a lot of issues with my bitches fighting. My blue heeler always starts it as soon as she gets past me. When the bitches start, then my dobe male gets involved.


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PorschaLei

It really inevitable with some dogs they will have know each other an eternity and one day a fight will break out of the blue. I have two females and two males four different breeds. The females are my min pin and chow chow whom never fight until one day my min pin decided to be a little over aggressive with a toy and my chow let her have it. So you never know


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greenkouki

The few female GSD's I've known have been same sex aggressive. It doesn't sound like it would be healthy to add another dog (dobe) to the situation either since you run the risk of male-male aggression or female-female with the GSD. With 3 dogs and 2 of them herding breeds you will have your hands full already IMO! I know that's not the news you wanted to hear, but it's my take.

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Odin's_Master

My sister-in-law has a male GSD. He is still young (9 months) and has lots of puppy energy. He often gets over exuberant with Odin. Odin will let him know that "enough is enough" and end the rough play. It is not aggressive, just a little growl and a hip check. I monitor their place pretty closely now though because of it. The GSD pup is so cute. But God he can be annoying lol.

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Bri1218

Thank you everyone! Your advice is very much appreciated. I guess I will have to wait a few more years before I can have a dobe. thank you again!!