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lovemydog21
06-13-2008, 06:06 AM
SO we're getting a new puppy. Hes a 7 month boxer/mastiff mix. Does anyone have any idea if this breed gets along with other dogs. I thought maybe since he is so young that he will.

Blackrose
06-13-2008, 11:14 AM
SO we're getting a new puppy. Hes a 7 month boxer/mastiff mix. Does anyone have any idea if this breed gets along with other dogs. I thought maybe since he is so young that he will.
Both Boxers and Mastiffs are normally fine with other dogs of the opposite sex, but it all depends on the individual dog. He may not like other dogs, he may love them, he may play too rough, he may be a gentleman, he may hate small dogs but like big dogs....it all depends.

Young dogs don't always get along with other dogs either. I have a one year old Collie/Aussie mix and she is iffy around other dogs. Even when she was a puppy she would growl and bark at strange dogs.

Jessika
06-13-2008, 03:53 PM
As mentioned, it all depends on the individual dog :) Some puppies may be too playful or energetic and annoy an older dog in the house, and the older dog may snap and growl or bite the puppy. But you should NEVER leave new animals alone unsupervised to begin with. When you can't supervise, separate the puppy from the rest of the household animals so an accident won't happen.

If it's just annoyance that an older dog is snapping, the puppy will mellow out and they will eventually get along.

Now aggression and/or dominance is something you will need to watch out for. Sometimes aggressive behavior will be mistaken as play on the puppy's end and owners will let the behavior continue until and the two dogs really don't get along... If it's dominance (humping, etc) the older dog will usually snap or something to let the puppy know to back off. It may take a few snaps or growls or even a bite before the puppy learns his "role", but again don't mistake that as "not getting along" or "aggression" on the older dog's end either. Establishing a dog's role in the hierarchy is normal behavior especially when a new dog is added to the household, however if one dog is extremely dominant and you introduce another extremely dominant dog, then you may have a problem.

So bottom line just monitor them, do not leave them unsupervised, and watch their body language :) Because breed may play a role but ultimately its the individual dog's personality.