Would this be a bad situation in the making?

[Elsa22813]

I could use some level headed advice because I'm leading with my heart and no my head more at the moment. Yesterday I responded to an ad to rehome a 1yr Old English Mastiff for $150. After a few emails, and calling them, the situation is that they've old had him a few months. They live on a farm and have a 6 yr old St Bernard thats a female who has no interest in him at all. They said he plays to hard and rough for her (shes a bit smaller) but because shes been there longer she they want to keep her first. He loves children, and is a big goofball somewhere between 170-190. He's an unruly teenager basically. He's not neutered. Neither is the Saint. (personally I believe therein lies the problem between the 2.) But they believe that a dog closer to his age would be better for his situation. Before that he was owned by a woman since he was a pup, but her boyfriend and kids never liked the dog, so she rehomed him.

Anywho, my situation is that I have Amos, a 10 mo. old 55 lb Labx, and Elsa a Neo/OEx who's 80lbs and 6 months. They adore each other, and neither are fixed. I wanted to wait until Elsa was older to spay, but Amos will be done when we move.
Our 2br place is a bit small now, but we just bought a cabin on 10 acres, and will be closing the end of Oct.
Am I crazy for considering this? We will have the room, but I worry about fights breaking out until the boys at least get fixed. Even then, wouldn't an unspayed female and 2 neutered males possibly get into it?
When we go for walks, my 2 know all the neighbors dogs and are social butterflies. Theres never been any aggression between any sex. I worry about disrupting the balance I've achieved with them so far.
Basically we could offer him a great forever home, but what with the move coming up and all would it be too much unbalanced energy for new introductions right now?

Amos and Elsa:

and potential new guy Bear:

 

[Mooshi's Mummy]

Can you arrange for some meetings with all the dogs before making your mind up? Are the current owners in a huge hurry to get shot or do you think they can help you make the right decision by have some time for introductions and seeing how it goes? Personally I wouldn't want to rush it right now, especially with you having a big move coming up....and there will always be dogs to save and rescue. BUT if the current owners can help you by ensuring a smooth and happy integration then I say hey why not go for it!

 

[musicdeb]

Agree with MM. I would say it depends on how your pups respond to the new pup. Usually same sex pups do not work out so well but it can be done, depends on the pups.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

That is a tough call and I understand your desire to save that handsome guy! What it really boils down to is can you take into consideration everything that COULD happen and still want to do it. Like anything else, it is a crap shoot. I have to say that I disagree that two male pups usually do not work out as I have always had males together without issue, that being said, this is not a new puppy you will be bringing home so it does make things a little more unsure. Is your male dog aggressive at all? How about this new guy? I wish I could be of more help but in the end it is only you that can decide is this guy is meant to be with you. As I said earlier, just take into consideration the worst case scenario and decide from there. Good Luck on your decision. Keep us updated.

 

[Elsa22813]

I'm going to be calling her later this morning. The plan was to go out and see the dog today. I'll ask if she minds my bringing the other 2 and see how it goes. When I first contacted her, she has replied she was still interviewing potential homes. When I explained more about us, she felt we sounded perfect. She said she wants whats best for the dog so I sensed she's not rushing the process.
I like the thought of setting up meetings with the dogs. Definitely something I'd like to speak to her about. I'll keep you all posted. Thanks so much for the sound advice!

 

[Elsa22813]

That is a tough call and I understand your desire to save that handsome guy! What it really boils down to is can you take into consideration everything that COULD happen and still want to do it. Like anything else, it is a crap shoot. I have to say that I disagree that two male pups usually do not work out as I have always had males together without issue, that being said, this is not a new puppy you will be bringing home so it does make things a little more unsure. Is your male dog aggressive at all? How about this new guy? I wish I could be of more help but in the end it is only you that can decide is this guy is meant to be with you. As I said earlier, just take into consideration the worst case scenario and decide from there. Good Luck on your decision. Keep us updated.

My male is not aggressive at all. He's very respectful when he sees/meets other dogs. He does the lie down thing, waits for them to get close, then flips his butt at them so they can sniff lol. Elsa does the lie down too, but is a bit of a hussy in that she lays down and opens her legs for all dogs to sniff. Yes, my worst case scenario is the other male kicking his butt because he's 3x his weight- and yet theres always that possibility Amos would submit and leave it. I guess I'd need to see how he interacts with the St Bernard on his own turf to better judge his hormones and threat level.

 

[Rugers-Kris]

LOL@ her being a hussy!!! At least you are starting out with two submissive dogs and that helps. Ruger is super dominant (Not aggressive) with other dogs. He plays well but in the end he has to be the one making the rules. He doesn't have issue with either sex of dogs and enjoys them a lot as long as they are pushy asses like him. I think it would be great to take the dogs for him to meet and see how it goes. I worried about bring Magnum home (Male Great Dane puppy 8 weeks) because, although Ruger loves to play with dogs and puppies, he is large and in charge AND a mama's boy. He has done fabulously with Magnum and they are best of friends now (Magnum turns 15 weeks today). I can't wait to hear how the meeting goes!

 

[Bailey's Mom]

You've received good advice. Perhaps the owner would be willing to delay delivery of the pup until your cabin closes. It's only a little over a month and a half away. If she agrees, her heart is in the right place. I hope she encourages lots of playdates so your dogs can become friends. Good luck.

 

[DennasMom]

If it were me, and I wasn't Totally in Love with the new guy... and was worried about upsetting the balance at home... (which I think is a real concern)
I'd go through with the meeting this weekend to see if it's even a possibility - then WAIT until you get settled in the new place.

If Bear is still looking for a new home (i.e. the owners like you better than anyone else who came looking), then you would be able to introduce him to the new family in the new home - and not have the stress of another move just after bringing him into a new family.

That would also let your two get a little adjusted to the new home before the new guy shows up... and having all three in a new place (and not in the old) might lessen the existing dogs' possessiveness of the property (if they have any), since this will be a new home to them, too. "Oh, look, the new house came with a new dog! Cool!"

If Bear found another good home before you finalize the move and are really ready to integrate him in the pack... well, then, at least you know he found a good home.

Also... going from 2 to 3... that's "like going from man-to-man coverage to zone defense..."
Are you prepared for defensive actions if things do take a turn for the worse? And containment plans for when Elsa goes into heat?

Just a few thoughts...

 

[Amanda F.]

I hope it all works out! I have to agree with RugerKris about the males, I have never had an issue. Parker (7yr old CC) was very dog aggressive. We did a lot of training and have since added Jax (2 yr old CC) to our home. They are best buds. We got Jax when he was a pup so that helped. But I have fostered a lot of dogs, my last being a 2 yr old intact male CC. Parker never played with him but they were able to be loose in my home together with no fights for a 3 month period. It is possible for males to coexist in the same home I hope it all works out for you. Keep us posted!

 

[Elsa22813]

Well we just got back from meeting the dog and it didn't go as well as I expected. My fiance stayed with our 2 in the truck while I met the owner. He was in the backyard in a dog run. When she let him out he went right up to me and sniffed and then leaned against me. I handled him just like I was greeting Elsa with a hug - he was so mellow and loved the attention. I actually forgot for a sec he was a new dog. He stayed right beside me as we walked back towards the truck.
I took my male out first, and they met. Amos let him sniff him, but I could tell Bear was ready to lunge. No snarls or anything, he just jumped to his feet to stand over him doing the "head over the neck" thing. Amos backed away and we regrouped. She was only holding Bear by a collar and not using any leash. I thought we should try one more time and I asked her to let him go loose since Amos was relaxed and Bear was being so restricted being held so tight on his own turf.
Well they nosed and necked up again immediately, and she pulled him back again and made him lie on the ground. I looked up when she said "stop biting me" and saw he was being all puppy mouthy on her.
Basically he a big lug that showed absolutely no aggression to the Saint Bernard she claimed was the reason for rehoming him. Her father is ill and may not have much time and so shes actually away a lot for that reason. I asked her how many others are interested and explained how he'd be great if he were neutered. He's just got raging hormones, but otherwise a big goof. I told her I felt that unless he's fixed, he could pose a problem with any other multi dog household - as she's advertising for him.
My fiance actually fell for him. I suggested that if she cannot find a home, we'd consider splitting the cost of having him neutered and we'd pick him up right from the vet. She said she'd talk it over with her husband. However I'm doubtful she will.
In my opinion, she got this dog because her Saint wasn't fixed. Her husband once said on the phone he at one time thought it would be cool to have puppies. And that didn't work out. Now they're stuck in my eyes. I highly doubt they want to pay for his neuter.
Well at least I got to see him for myself.