certain dogs better solo?

[Chris Smith]

Are there certain dogs that do better as an only dog or can all dogs do welll with a sibling if the other dog is introduced right and it is the right match up?

Or do certain breeds of dogs not do well with sharing their owner with another dog? (the real independent type breeds (chows, shar peis? or working breeds that just want to work for their owner (heelers, kelpies)??)

Is it all about the individual dogs and their backgrounds (if they are an adult dog)? When I search on websites for dogs, they often say it's a great dog but he should be the only dog in the house.

[Amber]

I say it has a lot to do with a lot of factors, two of them being personality and background. I've seen people with more than one Chow (why I don't know! lol) and I knew one person who had a Shar Pei and 2 Shi Tzus who got along great.

[Melissa Brunoehler]

Hey Chris~

When a rescue org. states that a dog should be the only dog it's usually because they have seen some aggression towards other dogs from that dog or maybe the dog just isn't "friendly" towards other dogs. Usually shelters/rescue groups do not state that a dog should be an only dog solely based on breed.- Although sometimes they do.


Are there certain dogs that do better as an only dog or can all dogs do welll with a sibling if the other dog is introduced right and it is the right match up?

Or do certain breeds of dogs not do well with sharing their owner with another dog? (the real independent type breeds (chows, shar peis? or working breeds that just want to work for their owner (heelers, kelpies)??)

Is it all about the individual dogs and their backgrounds (if they are an adult dog)? When I search on websites for dogs, they often say it's a great dog but he should be the only dog in the house.

[Sharon Alcon]

I think rescues will also post that if the dog requires more time, like getting over being shy or has a history of being afraid of other dogs. They want to place them in a home who will be able to spend all their time devoted to this dog. They want the people to be able to focus on certain issues and having other distractions maybe the dog wouldn't get that one on one??

[Amber]

Some rescue organizations do post if a dog is shy, fearful of men, etc. I don't think that is saying that they necessarily want that dog to be in a one-dog household though.

Sally was fearful of EVERYTHING (and I do mean everything). Precious has REALLY helped Sally come out of her shell. Sally watches Precious around the house and then does the same thing when she feels comfortable (unless she sees that I don't approve of the behavior). I've worked with her for 9 months now and she is not nearly as fearful of the things she used to be and I give a lot of thanks to Precious because of that.

[Grace Erick]

A rescue can only say a dog is a one household dog if they have a background on the dog suggesting the dog does not get along with other dogs. Otherwise, I believe they always give you the opportunity to bring the dog back if the two don't get along.

They say chihuahuas recognize each other, so I guess they are saying they will get along more rapidly with their own kind, but I don't find that to be true at all.

I think there are two angles. One is do the dogs get along with each other and then do the dogs let each other share the owners attention. So there can really be two issues here.

I was staying at a Bed & Breakfast with Capri. I went to pet their Pomeranian and she went to bite him because she was jealous. She did that once before too with a tiny Yorkie I was petting in a park. I think I've learned my lesson about petting other dogs in her presence. I'm her mom and she's not sharing!

Bye, Grace