Would you advise for or against this...

[gruntygiggles]

So, you know someone who recently rehomed an 18 month old crossbreed...part pitbul, part staffie, possibly something else as well. Male, due to be neutered end of the month. Very playful, friendly dog, no aggression shown yet in any situation.

This person now wants to rehome a 4 year old male (neutered) Alsatian with unknown history.

There are two adults and two children in the house. Both adults have had dogs before and are good with them, firm when needed.

Your votes and thoughts please.

[Bibio]

maybe its a cash thing or they just dont have enough time as of late to look after them.

either way they are being responsible adults trying to find the dogs a good home, instead of taking them to the pound or even worse a lamppost.

[Swin]

I think I'd start with the "always muzzle" option and keep a careful eye on how the pair interact for a few months, and then make a decision on a longer term future

[gruntygiggles]

No Bibio, they are not trying to get rid of the dogs....they took the first dog from the local shelter and are now thinking about taking the Alsatian home as well. Nothing to do with cash or time....they are taking the dgs on, not giving them away.

[Bibio]

sound of...... penny..... drop.... lol

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Bibio

sound of...... penny..... drop.... lol

[the_lone_wolf]

How old are the kids? Old enough to break up a Pitbull/Staff - GSD fight? Or at least old enough not to get in the firing line?

Very careful supervision needed if the kids are young, as in constant - If the kids are mature enough to know not to jab a dog with a biro and recognise when the dog is saying enough then perhaps no muzzle required

But as with most things, without seeing the family and the dogs in question it's almost impossible to be definitive...

[gruntygiggles]

Kids are 8 and 11, good but forgetful as kids usually are...lol.

Both of the last two options I think. Always supervise, not necessarily muzzling though as it would be difficult to gauge the dogs' reactions when muzzles come into play as they tend to change a dog's behaviour (i.e. more subdued) and you want to see how they act normally. Children shouldn't be left unsupervised anyway - depending on ages of course - it's so easy for a child to wind a dog up the wrong way and hence provoke the wrong type of response when an adult's back is turned...

And yes if you're willing to put the work in. We rehomed a 3 year old Alsatian, he's been an absolute diamond but I think if we tried to get another dog in it would have been a completely different story. We didn't know any history and it could have gone rather interestingly if he hadn't have settled in so well from the word go

These people are doing a fantastic thing but they must face the consequences and realise it may not be easy. On the plus side it could go great and the dogs take to each other but unfortunately that is a rare occurrence! Especially with the breeds concerned...

[ophic]

depends on the dogs and the owners. Interesting combo though - GSD will think it's dominant, being bigger, and will get a shock.