Second dog - breed thoughts?
Discussion
Some of you may remember that our dog (Lhasa Apso) was attacked last year (whilst on a short lead, in a public place, entirely unprovoked) and lost an eye. Offender hasn't yet been caught, but that's another matter.
Here's the thing, our dog has not an ounce of malice or aggression in him, yet seems to be the recipient of frequent, unprovoked aggression from other dogs. He's entire, which might be a factor, but of greater relevance is the total inability or unwillingness of other owners to control their dogs whilst off lead. Dexter is well-behaved and will recall on command, and is placed on a lead in the vicinity of other dogs.
The latest incident was only a couple of days ago whilst my wife was out with him on a country walk with our daughter and a couple of her friends and their daughters. Our 4 y.o. daughter continues to be traumatised by the original attack and this is now getting beyond a joke.
It was always our intention to get another larger dog once he was a little older and I want to get a breed which also discourages this type of behaviour by other dogs towards Dexter. I was brought up with Airedales and we have enough space to own and exercise one, and I know that one would fit the bill. we're also considering Standard Poodles.
It would be our intention to get another dog, and my assumption is that providing the second dog was brought in as a puppy, there would be no issues.
Welcome thoughts from others
Here's the thing, our dog has not an ounce of malice or aggression in him, yet seems to be the recipient of frequent, unprovoked aggression from other dogs. He's entire, which might be a factor, but of greater relevance is the total inability or unwillingness of other owners to control their dogs whilst off lead. Dexter is well-behaved and will recall on command, and is placed on a lead in the vicinity of other dogs.
The latest incident was only a couple of days ago whilst my wife was out with him on a country walk with our daughter and a couple of her friends and their daughters. Our 4 y.o. daughter continues to be traumatised by the original attack and this is now getting beyond a joke.
It was always our intention to get another larger dog once he was a little older and I want to get a breed which also discourages this type of behaviour by other dogs towards Dexter. I was brought up with Airedales and we have enough space to own and exercise one, and I know that one would fit the bill. we're also considering Standard Poodles.
It would be our intention to get another dog, and my assumption is that providing the second dog was brought in as a puppy, there would be no issues.
Welcome thoughts from others
Our male used to get set about fairly regularly and ironically about 90% of incidents were started by black labs. He normally ignores other dogs, more interested in snuffling about in the undergrowth, but for reasons unknown they take a dislike to him even though he's not paying any attention to them.
I have no idea what it is about him that has made other dogs act like this.
I have no idea what it is about him that has made other dogs act like this.
Some dogs will attack on size alone. It doesn't matter what breed it is. Even if the OP gets a big dog, IME a Jack Russel will probably still go at it guns blazing.
How about two of what you have all ready? Safety in numbers and all that, but even then you don't know if new dog will jump to defend its flat mate!
The only reason I say two of the same, is I go on the group greyhound walks and if a dog does start showing any sign of aggression to one of the hounds in the group, the aggressive dog soon backs down when its suddenly realizes that several adult males (Some 40Kg plus) are staring at it ears up ready to defend!
Its actually quite comical to watch. However the reality is that Greyhounds are next to useless in a fight 
How about two of what you have all ready? Safety in numbers and all that, but even then you don't know if new dog will jump to defend its flat mate!
The only reason I say two of the same, is I go on the group greyhound walks and if a dog does start showing any sign of aggression to one of the hounds in the group, the aggressive dog soon backs down when its suddenly realizes that several adult males (Some 40Kg plus) are staring at it ears up ready to defend!
Its actually quite comical to watch. However the reality is that Greyhounds are next to useless in a fight Don't get a black dog, or a dog with a black face - apparently other dogs find it hard to read their expressions and it can lead to fights.
We have a black Lab which used to be the most dog-friendly dog I've ever known. He was 100% submissive to every single dog in the world and all he wanted to do was play.
After being bitten three times by other dogs (and every time it's the usual "oh he's never done this before")... He now keeps his distance from other dogs, and has even snapped at a couple of them (and they were being friendly - it was VERY unlike him).
So err, I guess my point is don't assume a bigger dog will make it easier. You can raise the friendliest dog in the world but other antisocial dog owners will still ruin it, and then you'll just have a bigger problem on your hands.
We have a black Lab which used to be the most dog-friendly dog I've ever known. He was 100% submissive to every single dog in the world and all he wanted to do was play.
After being bitten three times by other dogs (and every time it's the usual "oh he's never done this before")... He now keeps his distance from other dogs, and has even snapped at a couple of them (and they were being friendly - it was VERY unlike him).
So err, I guess my point is don't assume a bigger dog will make it easier. You can raise the friendliest dog in the world but other antisocial dog owners will still ruin it, and then you'll just have a bigger problem on your hands.
bigbob77 said:
Don't get a black dog, or a dog with a black face - apparently other dogs find it hard to read their expressions and it can lead to fights.
Oddly my dog keeps his distance with other dogs but adores black dogs, almost obsessively. I have to put him on a lead as soon as I see one as he would belt across a field to see it. The same on road walks, he will be at the end of his lead trying to say hello to a black dog whereas any other coloured dogs he would not even bat an eye lid at. What is even odder is he is a massive racist and will hide behind me if he spots anyone not white. He lets anyone in the my Mums, as my Grandma requires carers who come and go. We had to ask for only white people as we weren't sure how my dog would react if they came in and nobody else was at home. I can imagine eyes being rolled when the request was made and them labelling my family as massive racists.
I may borrow a black dog and arrange an Asian friend of mine to meet on a dog walk to see whether his love of black dogs is more powerful than his racist tendencies.
Spiffing said:
What is even odder is he is a massive racist and will hide behind me if he spots anyone not white. He lets anyone in the my Mums, as my Grandma requires carers who come and go. We had to ask for only white people as we weren't sure how my dog would react if they came in and nobody else was at home. I can imagine eyes being rolled when the request was made and them labelling my family as massive racists.
I can just imagine how that phone call went.
O/T - It works the other way too. When Ace sees a stranger he doesn't like (anyone breathing basicly) he tries to go for them if off the lead (so only an issue in our garden). Everytime it happens Lucky then goes for Ace to defend her human friend
bigbob77 said:
Don't get a black dog, or a dog with a black face - apparently other dogs find it hard to read their expressions and it can lead to fights.
.
That statement alone could keep hundreds of retired greyhounds in kennels for years. Black dogs are usually the last ones to be taken out of kennels as it is. People get sucked into the andrex dog concept. .
bakerstreet said:
bigbob77 said:
Don't get a black dog, or a dog with a black face - apparently other dogs find it hard to read their expressions and it can lead to fights.
.
That statement alone could keep hundreds of retired greyhounds in kennels for years. Black dogs are usually the last ones to be taken out of kennels as it is. People get sucked into the andrex dog concept. .
Sadly the black faced dog thing has truth in it, they think it is because dogs find it harder to read the eyes. However being as dogs also use body language it doesn't mean all black dogs will inadvertently cause tension.
Dogs can also struggle to read dogs with no tail.
Op, why not same breed?
Dogs can also struggle to read dogs with no tail.
Op, why not same breed?
bexVN said:
Sadly the black faced dog thing has truth in it, they think it is because dogs find it harder to read the eyes. However being as dogs also use body language it doesn't mean all black dogs will inadvertently cause tension.
Dogs can also struggle to read dogs with no tail.
Op, why not same breed?
This makes sense as if our yorkie feels threatened/is being grumpy he will show his teeth to warn the other dog before snapping but as he is up to a labs knees and his face is a mass of black hair dogs dont tend to get the warning. I have to keep my eye on his mouth, as soon as i see any twitch of his mouth he gets a whistle to move him away. Dogs can also struggle to read dogs with no tail.
Op, why not same breed?
Another here with a nice dog ruined by other bad dogs.
Mine does have a black face and very dark eyes so maybe it does make a difference.
She used to be lovely and could walk anywhere off lead, play with other dogs and people.
At coming up to 2 years old she went through a phase of getting attacked by a lot of dogs while minding her own business and now I can't trust her with anything she doesn't know as she has decided attack is the best form of defence.
She seems to recognise types of dogs that have gone for her so anything sight houndy gets disliked without question along with Dalmatians and a couple of local black labs. Makes morning walks a bit stressful.
I would suggest you don't want to get another dog as a form of defence, you may well end up with 2 damaged dogs or in trouble for having a dog that damages another.
I would get yourself involved rather than getting another dog in the scrap. Dogs tend to like to fight eachother and not people.
Other option is to have your dog in a harness so if something does go for it you can lift it out of harms way.
Mine does have a black face and very dark eyes so maybe it does make a difference.
She used to be lovely and could walk anywhere off lead, play with other dogs and people.
At coming up to 2 years old she went through a phase of getting attacked by a lot of dogs while minding her own business and now I can't trust her with anything she doesn't know as she has decided attack is the best form of defence.
She seems to recognise types of dogs that have gone for her so anything sight houndy gets disliked without question along with Dalmatians and a couple of local black labs. Makes morning walks a bit stressful.
I would suggest you don't want to get another dog as a form of defence, you may well end up with 2 damaged dogs or in trouble for having a dog that damages another.
I would get yourself involved rather than getting another dog in the scrap. Dogs tend to like to fight eachother and not people.
Other option is to have your dog in a harness so if something does go for it you can lift it out of harms way.
bexVN said:
Sadly the black faced dog thing has truth in it, they think it is because dogs find it harder to read the eyes. However being as dogs also use body language it doesn't mean all black dogs will inadvertently cause tension.
Dogs can also struggle to read dogs with no tail.
Op, why not same breed?
Interesting to read this Bex and hopefully it helps the OP. Dogs can also struggle to read dogs with no tail.
Op, why not same breed?
Our Red Setter has a thing for black labs - bar one or two where he knows the owners have biscuits in their pockets 🐶 This makes sense now - in part - it only started after our old dominant collie became too old and he became the dominant household dog.
For us the rock solid breed is an English Setter - now have our second alongside the Irish. Training and off lead are another matter - but lovely dogs.
Vet's opinion is that it's not as clear-cut as that 
It was one of the things we explored as an option.
Interestingly he also stressed that if we got another dog since the elder would be dominant, we should exercise the second separately for a while so that they wouldn't be recessive whilst out with Dexter.
All in all we're still undecided.
It was one of the things we explored as an option.
Interestingly he also stressed that if we got another dog since the elder would be dominant, we should exercise the second separately for a while so that they wouldn't be recessive whilst out with Dexter.
All in all we're still undecided.
Gassing Station | All Creatures Great & Small | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff