Looking for a buddy

[Kate22]

Our male, fixed Pyr, Murphy, just turned 1 year old! We have concluded, after many visits to the dog parks, dog beaches, and friends' houses, that he would be happier with a dog buddy in the house. He is just so happy to play with other dogs wherever we take him. I have read many times in this forum that Pyrs do much better with a female in the house than another male. However, at the dog park/beach, he really doesn't seem to care. In fact, I think he prefers to play with males, as they seem to be more rambunctious during play, which is his favorite way to play. So far, in our search for a friend, we have ruled out males, but it made me wonder, seeing him play, if we shouldn't be ruling them out. Any insight?

[Davey Benson]

Originally Posted by Kate22

Our male, fixed Pyr, Murphy, just turned 1 year old! We have concluded, after many visits to the dog parks, dog beaches, and friends' houses, that he would be happier with a dog buddy in the house. He is just so happy to play with other dogs wherever we take him. I have read many times in this forum that Pyrs do much better with a female in the house than another male. However, at the dog park/beach, he really doesn't seem to care. In fact, I think he prefers to play with males, as they seem to be more rambunctious during play, which is his favorite way to play. So far, in our search for a friend, we have ruled out males, but it made me wonder, seeing him play, if we shouldn't be ruling them out. Any insight?

One year old pyr is still just a puppy, so he might not care yet.

[TexasKat]

Pyrs favorite playmates are other Pyrs.

If you get another Pyr, get a female (spayed) as his buddy to avoid the ALMOST ALWAYS, INEVITABLE conflict between2 adult male (neutered or not) Pyrs.

Your Murphy is still a pup and will be till 18-24 months. When the 'grown-up' switch gets turned on, though, their behavior will change to their grown up persona.

I'd call your attention to another thing that seems to be 'standard'. Pyrs 'away from home' often act differently than their behavior 'at home'. That is, though they may be willing to play with even strange dogs at a neutral site, having a new dog in THEIR home is not at all the same thing.

If you haven't read this http://sonic.net/~cdlcruz/GPCC/library/dogfight.htm now would be the time.

[Davey Benson]

That was a good link that I hadn't read before, but the discription of what happens and what to do was spot on.

I've never had to deal with males, but my female pyr and my female GSD (both of which breeds are by design breeds that do NOT back down from a fight) and that's really the only way to break them up if I do not catch them before they decide "it's on!". grab tails and then travel in opposite directions.

Just wished that article was eddited a little better, it was somewhat difficult to read due to run on words.

[Jewel]

It is quite natural for Murphy to look for other similar energy young males to play with at his age. But that kind of play is where young males learn to guage other males and establish hierarchy. They are not yet old (mature) enough to want to fight for pack order at a year old. Thus how Murphy reacts with other males of similar age right now may not be an accurate indication of how he might mature.

I believe that certain males of the right temperament can get along and live together. But unless you are experienced enough to know exactly how to pair up the males, it is a much safer choice to go with male/female pairing.

[Jack]

I have to agree with the other posters. If I was going to get a "buddy" it would be a spayed female. At the time I adopted Byron, he was 10 months old. I had three other neutered male dogs at home, two goldens and an Old English Sheepdog. All were older age range 8 thru 10. Initial introductions were fine. When Byron was about 2 yrs old, it was like a switch went off. He got along fine with the goldens but always challenged the Old English. Fred , my OES, was a very friendly, docile, non confrontational dog. A few times he went after him for no reason, but I was there to stop it.
To avoid any problems in the future, I would go with a spayed female. Just my opinion.

[Kate22]

Thank you so much for the quick responses! Ok, so we will definitely stick with our original plan of getting a female. Our plan was to first see how the dogs get along in neutral territory, then to bring them home, but first make sure we can bring the dog back if it doesn't work out, maybe a 2 week time table...