Would you advise for or against this...

Originally Posted by 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.

I wouldn't have even considered having such a dog in a family with children. The crossbreed I mean.

[the_lone_wolf]

Originally Posted by gruntygiggles

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

Hmm, dunno then

Depends on too many variables that I don't know

But something in me doesn't sit well with a 8yo living with a GSD with no history

The other dog may not show any problems now, but the addition of a second, older, bigger dog could alter the situation...

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by Stig_Of_The_Dump

I wouldn't have even considered having such a dog in a family with children. The crossbreed I mean.

You noticed I added the "yet" as I personally will never trust any dog 100%.

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by the_lone_wolf

Hmm, dunno then

Depends on too many variables that I don't know

But something in me doesn't sit well with a 8yo living with a GSD with no history

The other dog may not show any problems now, but the addition of a second, older, bigger dog could alter the situation...

That's the reason for the Poll.

Both dogs alone could be loevly family family pets. They could together too, but my gut instinct is that putting these two dogs together in a house with lots going on could make one or both dogs want to take the leadership position and that's when things can start to go wrong.

But I know the family and know they won't be stupid.

I think that they should take their current dog to meet the prospective dog, see how they get on for half an hour or so - will give them an idea of what they are like together. Being males they could have disagreements from time to time, but as long as someone in the family is established as the "top dog" then they should be able to intervene should anything happen.

We've got 2 dogs (Husky and a Malamute) and they get on fine - I know the temperaments are different to most dogs but they know that I'm the boss and as soon as they hear me 99% of the time I get their attention. They are very strong willed but not aggressive so it can be a pain in the backside to get them to do something. In 2.5 years together they've only ever had one disagreement, and it wasn't particularly bad. The Malamute (Shadow) had a done marrow that she was chewing and the Husky (Kia) was sniffing around it a bit to much so she got a nip on the bridge of her nose. It did sound much worse because we heard Shadow snap and Kia scream like a banshee (Shadow was 10 months and Kia 4 months)

Anyway (I'm easily sidetracked ) get the dogs together and see how they are. One may evn submit to the other which will make things easier

Where's the "Get a poodle instead" option?

I'm going to vote "recipe for disaster" because of the age of the kids. Would be tough without kids anyway.

The question is, is it worth risking it? only they can answer that, i voted no.

[gruntygiggles]

They've decided against it. Nothing wrong with the dog, but was much bigger than he remembered.

Thanks for input guys, none of this was going to be relayed back, I just wondered what others opinions were.

I know you've already said what the outcome was, but I'd just like to say that I don't see how a "rule of thumb" could really be applied in this situation. Going on breed alone isn't enough to condemn the dogs to definitely be bad natured if put together imho!

[gruntygiggles]

Originally Posted by TazDaz

I know you've already said what the outcome was, but I'd just like to say that I don't see how a "rule of thumb" could really be applied in this situation. Going on breed alone isn't enough to condemn the dogs to definitely be bad natured if put together imho!

There is no rule of thumb evident here as far I'm aware, ust asking for what people thoughts were.

I have four dogs, all different breeds, from puppy and rescue and there is the occasional disagreement, but all get on the majority of the time. I am a big believer in breed NOT being a factor in what a dog is predisposed to do as I said a few posts up.