Male Or Female Whippet Puppy for 2 Cat Household?
Discussion
Hi there,
I would like to get a puppy - top choice is whippet. I already have 2 adult cats; brother and sister. The choice of getting a puppy is to ensure the hierarchy in the household is maintained - primarily to make it easy on the female cat; she is a tortie burmese and is very disconcerted by changes to her routine (the boy is pretty cool about vet visits now, but Hannah still hides for the rest of the day). so the question is would a male or female puppy be more suited to rapid training/being OK knowing that the cats are to be treated nice and also if the cats themselves would perceive less threat from a dog of a certain sex. I originally thought a female would be more placid, however another poster on this forum implied a male is more "obedient" maybe due to stronger association with being in a pack and having hierarchical instincts? cheers!
I would like to get a puppy - top choice is whippet. I already have 2 adult cats; brother and sister. The choice of getting a puppy is to ensure the hierarchy in the household is maintained - primarily to make it easy on the female cat; she is a tortie burmese and is very disconcerted by changes to her routine (the boy is pretty cool about vet visits now, but Hannah still hides for the rest of the day). so the question is would a male or female puppy be more suited to rapid training/being OK knowing that the cats are to be treated nice and also if the cats themselves would perceive less threat from a dog of a certain sex. I originally thought a female would be more placid, however another poster on this forum implied a male is more "obedient" maybe due to stronger association with being in a pack and having hierarchical instincts? cheers!
Well I took on an almost 5 month old whippet and already had 3 cats and he settled in very quickly, learnt his place fast.
Unusually with a whippet I'd choose the male, they can be a stubborn breed at times and the females are even less inclined to want to please you (though loving natures). Males do seem to a bit easier to train.
However having said all that I don't think it'd matter whether you got a male or female re: the cats. The cats will soon tell either sex that they're the boss and the pup will definitely learn that one quickly, esp if you support the cats and discourage the pup from getting excited around the cats. Worked for Jimmy
Unusually with a whippet I'd choose the male, they can be a stubborn breed at times and the females are even less inclined to want to please you (though loving natures). Males do seem to a bit easier to train.
However having said all that I don't think it'd matter whether you got a male or female re: the cats. The cats will soon tell either sex that they're the boss and the pup will definitely learn that one quickly, esp if you support the cats and discourage the pup from getting excited around the cats. Worked for Jimmy
don't think it's meant to!A little bit tempted by a lurcher - not sure of exact definition, but from what i understand can involve a cross with a particularly intelligent breed, collie? I'm thinking again this will be a big plus in the training/obedience.
Downside is looking at how long a dog (when adult) can really be left alone at home. We both work (us humans not me and the potential dog) but I am on varying shifts, so time when no one is home can vary from 4ish hours to all day when our working hours sync at 9-5. We do have home-all-day dog-owning neighbours, so that's always an option.
Any thoughts?
thanks
Downside is looking at how long a dog (when adult) can really be left alone at home. We both work (us humans not me and the potential dog) but I am on varying shifts, so time when no one is home can vary from 4ish hours to all day when our working hours sync at 9-5. We do have home-all-day dog-owning neighbours, so that's always an option.
Any thoughts?
thanks
Lurchers tend to be a whole lot bounciers, energetic and often have a wee bit of craziness about them! They are usually very friendly and can be lots of fun but I'd be tempted to say they would be a bit more unreliable re the cats though will prob be ok if you have a pup.
The collie in the lurcher tends to make them more highly strung than easier to train
Yes time left alone is a big thing to consider esp with a pup and I think the lurched breed would struggle more with this.
I feel a dog shouldn't be left more than 4 hrs on their own, esp a young one. Many do leave their dogs all day and whilst they seem to be ok with it I don't agree and feel it should be avoided. A social creature should not be kept in solitary confinement for hours at a time day after days (unless they're elderly and just sleep all day!)
It is very dependant on the dogs character and breed aswell.
The collie in the lurcher tends to make them more highly strung than easier to train
Yes time left alone is a big thing to consider esp with a pup and I think the lurched breed would struggle more with this.
I feel a dog shouldn't be left more than 4 hrs on their own, esp a young one. Many do leave their dogs all day and whilst they seem to be ok with it I don't agree and feel it should be avoided. A social creature should not be kept in solitary confinement for hours at a time day after days (unless they're elderly and just sleep all day!)
It is very dependant on the dogs character and breed aswell.
Edited by bexVN on Thursday 15th November 14:10
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