Can I ask about your pack? How is it keeping 7 dogs? Do they all live together in harmony or do you have separate runs for them? The most I've had was 3 dogs at one time (retrievers) and we had 2 GSD's after these but we're considering going to 4 or 5 this time, from our current one (GSD) so I'm trying to figure out if there is much difference needed in housing arrangements or which sex to keep if this helps things go more smoothly. Any tips/pointers much appreciated
We actually have 6 dogs. One of ours isn't in the picture (she strongly believes that the camera will steal her soul!) and two in the picture were just in for boarding/training.
We have 3 dogs and 3 bitches. To date they have lived very happily together. Two of them are house dogs and the others are kennelled at night. During the day they are all together all day, walked together, worked together or separately and fed together. Obviously they have to be separated when a bitch is in season. We have never had any fall-outs, but we do have a pending dominance issue with the 2 older entire males (Murphy and Juke). Normally one (Juke) is very submissive to the other (Murphy), weazeling round him, licking his face, rolling over- all very 'puppyish', but if I take the submissive one out alone, we have really rigid posturing from them both when I bring him home. The submissive one will eventually snap out of it, weasel around a bit and harmony is restored. Since we had the pups, the rigid posturing has increased. Its fascinating if you are into dog psychology. Basically, Juke feels the need to posture at the male puppy. If Murphy sees Juke posturing, he takes it personally and will posture around Juke. Juke can't submit as he is posturing at the puppy; que viscous circle. Fortunately this doesn't last long as the puppy has usually bumbled off by this point and Juke can shake himself off and submit to Murphy. So as I've said, no fall-outs to date, but it could happen. I guess we are lucky to have very dominant and very submissive types. I think if you were unfortunate enough to have two alike, you could have more problems. We are also lucky that, with the exception of the litter of pups who have rocked the boat a bit, we can generally bring any other dogs into our pack and know everyone will be fine after 2 minutes of grumbling, submitting etc.
I couldn't say keeping just bitches, or just dogs would be better, because ultimately it is down to individuals. If you are looking to get more, I would strongly advise to do it gradually and assess personalities.
