2 females in same household...

Hi,

Experienced (and mature sadly) Bull Breed owner/ownee here - great forum.

I'm just about to bring home a new pup after a years' break since my last passed.

Trouble is I've gone all emotional lol, and am potentially going to bring home 2 females from this lovely litter - family/farm reared, Mum and Dad excellent temperaments, fantastic around horses and livestock, other dogs absolutely brilliant. I see that a lot of you guys have 2 or more females in the same house and seemingly have no or few issues (aggression, hierarchy etc).

These two ladies come from a loving family background, with all the above mentioned attributes to their heritage - what say you, reckon we'll be ok? They're totally inseparable in their litter, playing and sleeping together etc etc.

House is all set up and puppy classes booked, etc.

Appreciate your thoughts

Shalom, MartP

Hi Mart & welcome.

Well, I don't want to be negative, but have you heard of 'Littermate Syndrome'? The breeder should have & should either have mentioned it to you, or refused to sell two littermates to the same home.

https://www.thehonestkitchen.com/blog/what-is-littermate-syndrome/

MartP wrote: They're totally inseparable in their litter, playing and sleeping together etc etc.

This would concern me! At less than 8 weeks old, they are already inseparable - this could cause you real problems in the future.

I'm not saying don't do it, just be aware that it can cause terrible problems. Don't forget you'll have to train them separately, and preferable give them individual attention (without the other in the room) every single day, or at least until they forget that they are siblings!

Hi Gilly, thank you for your reply - and duly noted about the littermate syndrome; I think I've over embellished the situation (probably in a subliminal attempt to gain positive feedback lol - told you, gone all emotional).

When I refer to their inseparability I wasn't quite accurate - what should have been said is that all the litter, Mum, Dad all play and get along.

100% regarding the separate training by the way, the only way if you're to give yourselves and the pups a solid chance of having a great life together!

Also the individual time spent is a great point, thank you. Avoids the instant thoughts of jealousy etc which could grow.

Thank you

It isn't jealousy so much as tight bonding to the exclusion of their human family! 

It happens.

Seriously, most breeders won't even entertain it.

Ok thank you again, having read the article you kindly shared it does make sense; I've never had this before with other dogs. This will be the first time, if I do decide to go for it, that I'll have bought 2 pups from the same litter.

In my time I've had & rescued some really poorly socialised and 'mixed up' dogs (EBTs, Ambulls, Staffs) - with careful management they were fine. Hoping with 2 new pups, trained separately and interacted with individually (not all the time of course as they will need socialising with each other too?) that gradually they will grow to become 'pals' rather than siblings as you rightly say.

I'm a firm believer in consistent training and exercise to use up some energy - on that subject - walking them separately - I'd say that this is done mostly to start with and then walking together from time to time? The Missus will be walking them also ie one on each lead...

I think to be fair that the breeders in this case aren't overly experienced but I went for their litter over others as they were/are completely open and honest - openly demonstrating their home so to speak.

The adults are of excellent temperaments around other animals which is vitally important to me as I live in the sticks.

Thank you again for your feedback.

Well I have 2 girls at home but there are 17 months age difference between them and absolutely no close family link (they both come from opposite ends of the country too).

They do argue, one is dominant over the other and they are very different despite being of the same breed.
Would I have 2 from the same litter ? No because one is enough to handle at a time and the first helps to educate the second.
I had also heard of littermate syndrome.

Good luck whatever you decide though.

Yes I noticed you had the two lovely ladies, I've had 2 or even 3 of the same sex before - males and/or females - but similar to yourself from different origins/ages.

These two have kind of hooked me, and I certainly didn't feel that same 'hook' when viewing other litters.

Still not 100% yet, but the time to collect is getting nearer - to be honest I'm really mixed now with my thoughts after reviewing posts and researching online - that said I'm also a stubborn git. I'm confident that with the correct set-up and upbringing it could work and what a lovely pair they make.

Thank you, both, for your feedback; it's never good hearing what you don't really want to hear lol but I DO appreciate it x

Will keep you posted by the way

Just wondering what has drawn you to the 2 ?
Is it how they behave together ?
Are they similar in colour or maybe completely different so you can’t decide between them ?

And how big is the litter ?

Sure, no problem at  - they're both very similar colour-wise with lovely subtle markings and solid heads - and nice and forward. Initially I chose the one, then as we were all stood talking and playing etc as you do my other half put down the one she was holding, after being kissed of course, I watched her tootle back to her clan and she just made me think. They're obviously only puppies but they stood and sat well like mini adults... There were 3 left out of a litter of 9 I think.

I didn't mention anything then in the car my Missus said wouldn't be nice to take those two that we saw...

Of course over a long journey we spoke for a good few hours about pros and cons, obligations and commitments, etc etc

This litter all looked very 'chocolate box' image of your typical gorgeous staffy pup, bright eyes, clean, and well fed with Mums input; watching them all interact pretty much sold me - Ma and Pa are spot on

Hi - quick update, after careful consideration and despite my 'bull-headedness' on this subject I'll only be adopting 1 female pup. Advice was kind of split 65% against and 35% for, roughly.

I will say that in all my years I've never had any of the issues raised/discussed regarding LMS and I'm still cynical to a degree; what we're (humans) very good at is creating new specific sectors or specialist training regimes to generate revenue, etc - and whilst there are really valid points to the against argument there's also the natural side of this, and to be honest whenever I've had any same sex Bull Breeds they've always been separated to a degree to avoid the obvious.

Thank you though, sincerely, a tad gutted but have made my decision - and besides I'm more committed to the health and well being of any pup/s rather than my emotional wants.

She'll be much loved and cherished; will introduce her to you next week.

Thank you again.

Mart

To be honest, I'm glad you've opted for one. 

It isn't the same sex that's the problem, it's that they're the same age & are already bonded, being from the same litter. That's where LMS comes into it. 

Looking forward to seeing pics! 

Yeah I know, spoke to people - on here obviously, friends, colleagues, dog trainers and vets etc all over the place lol

I'm still quite cynical though, there are also peeps and 'experts' of the opinion that its not exactly accurate but I'm erring on the side of caution and hopefully what's best for my new girl

Catch up soon x

Look forward to meeting your new girl soon

MartP wrote:Yeah I know, spoke to people - on here obviously, friends, colleagues, dog trainers and vets etc all over the place lol

I'm still quite cynical though, there are also peeps and 'experts' of the opinion that its not exactly accurate but I'm erring on the side of caution and hopefully what's best for my new girl

Catch up soon x

From 50 years of experience living with dogs & being involved with training, I can honestly tell you it DOES exist!