Adding a new puppy to our household

[Kris]

So, I'm under consideration for a new puppy (IW again). The breeder said she currently has more requests for females than males (the pups due date is Nov 29). I had requested a female because some friends had told me that adding a female to a household with an established male is easier than adding another male.

What do you guys think? I really don't have a preference and would truly love a pup from this particular breeding. I have been watching the plans for months and months and just yesterday the breeder said the pregnancy was confirmed. If it is truly that much easier, should I stick with my request for a female as it will be my first time to have a multi-dog household?

[Cassiepeia]

I would say yes, stick with a female, but talk to your breeder about your concerns and about why you want a female instead of a male. She will be able to advise you better on how IW males get along. Each breed is different when it comes to same sex aggression, some don't have much of it and some have a lot of it.

Cass.

[dogs4life]

I'd consider a female or a docile male. Some males get along fine, just depends on the temperaments and breeds. You might want to ask the breeder to help you pick after meeting your dog.

I've lived with 2 males in harmony 1 dominant male kelpie and 1 submissive male lab.

[Ritz459]

I agree that it depends on the temperment. Rose and a female Malamute (Mals are know for same sex aggression) lived in what was close to harmony for about six years. Rose was extreamly submissive, Loupie was very dominant. Loupie only got into spats with Rose when Rose toed the line. And females are known for their....how shall I say....bitch fights.

On the other hand, Blackie (a dominant male) got along well with Loupie, even though they were both dominant.
Blackie did, however, HATE Loupie's mate, a male Malamute. Wiley wasn't one to back down from a fight even though he didn't start them and we had constant issues with them until we finally complained to our neighbors and they kept Wiley chained up (the poor boy) where he finally passed due to heatstroke.

So if your current dog gets along well with other males, I wouldn't worry about it too much. Just try to pick a personality that would be compatabile with him.

It is easier keeping males together than females, I've heard. lol Go figure.

[Kris]

Darby gets along well with all other dogs, male and female, but is pretty submissive towards females. I don't know why, but with females of all kinds (human, dog, cat, etc) he is just a wuss, whereas with males he seems to consider them equals (my human take on his behavior). Would his submissiveness extend to a puppy? I dunno. But if it did, would that create problems?