For those people who have litter mates.........

[Penel]

........ would you mind telling everyone more about your experiences please ?
I'd be particularly interested to hear from people who have siblings that are above 2 yrs old - rather than those who have pups - as pups are very likely to still get along well - whereas dogs past their "teenage" phase might not....
I'd like to hear if they are 2 males, 2 females, or one of each.... And how you got along training two dogs, did you take them to classes together, or separately ?  do you walk them together or separately - and do they get on well with other dogs, or do they gang up on other dogs, and / or defend each other..... do they listen to you, or do they ignore you and play with each other ?  do they ever fight ?  did you have both neutered , or only one, or neither - and what were your reasons for that ?  do you have other dogs in the household as well, or just "the siblings" ?

My own personal experience was when I still lived at home many years ago  - my mum has always had Cavs - she already had two bitches, and then she got two more bitch puppies, litter mates.  They were the best of friends forever, til they died aged 12 within a few months of each other.  She never had one problem with them - with each other, with the other dogs, or with anyone elses dogs - although they didn't really want to interact with "strange" dogs, preferring to keep themselves to themselves. She never took them training, and yet they were incredibly well behaved and obedient.  However - as I am sure you all know Cavs are a totally different kettle of fish to Cockers, so I wouldn't expect the same situation to necessarily apply to people with cocker siblings.

I hope you don't mind me asking these questions - it is a very interesting subject and more and more people seem to be getting two puppies at the same time.

[Rhona W]

she got two more bitch puppies, litter mates.  They were the best of friends forever, til they died aged 12 within a few months of each other.  She never had one problem with them - with each other, with the other dogs, or with anyone elses dogs - although they didn't really want to interact with "strange" dogs, preferring to keep themselves to themselves. She never took them training, and yet they were incredibly well behaved and obedient. 

I hope you don't mind me asking a question - but since your mum has had such a positive experience with litter mates, why do you always advise against it?  Or do you think it is just cocker spaniels that won't be able to get on? 

[PennyB]

she got two more bitch puppies, litter mates.  They were the best of friends forever, til they died aged 12 within a few months of each other.  She never had one problem with them - with each other, with the other dogs, or with anyone elses dogs - although they didn't really want to interact with "strange" dogs, preferring to keep themselves to themselves. She never took them training, and yet they were incredibly well behaved and obedient. 

I hope you don't mind me asking a question - but since your mum has had such a positive experience with litter mates, why do you always advise against it?  Or do you think it is just cocker spaniels that won't be able to get on? 

Where I live its a close dogwalking community and only one lot of littermate couplets has been successful (GSDs), the rest still muddle on and say never again (one I was talking to who has 2 labs told me as much as she loves her two she wishes someone had warned her), and one had to rehome one of their bitches.

[Penel]

If I had known then what I know now, I would have advised her against it  just too many problems crop up.... I worked with two chocolate lab siblings the other week - twas a nightmare - they were so over bonded to each other they couldn't concentrate a bit on anyone else...

[Mollycuddles]

I think this is an interesting topic too but I haven't had siblings together so can't help there ... but it would be interesting to hear of others experiences ...

My friend has two male GSD siblings who get on really well they are now 6 years old and never fought with one another, one was always a bit timid and the other more bold the timid one looks to the other for reassurance. I think he should have had a bit of training on his own to build his confidence but she says they are always going to be together so it doesn't matter, I don't think the bold one dominates him as their manner together seems relaxed, but if they were ever separated I think the timid one wouldn't cope as well, although they do live with other dogs and that could be the reason they get on.
it seems if they are grow up opposites i.e one submissive and one dominant it could work, two dominate dogs maybe not, two submissives maybe ... but unfortunately you cant always tell when they are 8 week old pups...

Our rottie Tessa although a rescue, we knew the people who had her litter sister and we would occasionally go on walks together to let the two play, but Tessa would always dominate theirs and pin her to the ground, theirs would be submissive to Tessa, it's strange as she has never done that to any other dog.

[AnnieM]

Obviously we have our two girls, but they are only 12 weeks old and are still sorting out who is boss. 

My brother has Springer littermate brothers who are now 7 years old.  They hardly ever fought when they were little and honestly have never so much as grumbled at each other.  There is a definite dominant and submissive one though so maybe that helps.  They trained them at the same trainign session but he took one and she took the other on opposite sides of the room.  They are pretty well trained dogs, but don't always come back when called. 
Our dogs are going to training sessions separately as I am having to do it on my own and obviously can't take two dogs together, they will have two walks a day together and one separately.

[*jean*]

Ive had littermates in past but they were working collies. no problems as they were both fixated on dad who was their trainer and who was their access to sheep. however the downside was when one dies the other usually hasnt got long to go.. ( if its from old age) and this is doubly traumatic for the owners...
 Dad always trained his dogs individually, no matter if they were related or not. although  they were kennelled together and played together. they didnt always pick up training at the same speed. some needed extra training. and you got their full attention when they were on their own.
 I hope this is helpful.

[Cayley]

No-ones said they own, or know of anyone who owns two older cocker littermates yet  .

[flozac]

I have posted regarding this before and yes i have had experience of litter mates in the past, they weren't cockers but they were absolutley fine and lived quite happily together.

[sarah25]

We have litter sister that we bred our selfs,we kept 2 for ourself to show
They are both 11 months and they are best mates they have never ever growled at each other and they sleep with each other play with each other.and they went to ringcraft training together.They wanted to play with each other at 1st,but are fine now but its also good to train them on there own.They do listen to us when we talk to them or tell them to do somethink.
We have 6 other dogs and they all live toghther and get on fine,we have never had any problem's

Ive heared of people who have problems with litter brother/sister's and that litter sister's can fight till 1 of them is dead (not in cockers)

[miche]

Penel, don't know if you would be interested in hearing more about Mikey and Herbie.  They are not litter mates but they are 10 weeks apart in age and they are both now over 1.

If you wan't to know what I did and how we all got along then give me a shout, if not I will keep quiet .

[Helen]

If I had known then what I know now, I would have advised her against it  just too many problems crop up.... I worked with two chocolate lab siblings the other week - twas a nightmare - they were so over bonded to each other they couldn't concentrate a bit on anyone else...

or concentrate on their bladders or bowels 

didn't realise they were siblings - they were very neurotic and panicky when the other wasn't nearby

[Rhona W]

If I had known then what I know now, I would have advised her against it  just too many problems crop up.... I worked with two chocolate lab siblings the other week - twas a nightmare - they were so over bonded to each other they couldn't concentrate a bit on anyone else...

or concentrate on their bladders or bowels 

didn't realise they were siblings - they were very neurotic and panicky when the other wasn't nearby

How old were they? Didn't you say the people at the photo call didn't choose any puppies over 5 months? It may be that they were young and poorly socialised with other dogs.

[Helen]

If I had known then what I know now, I would have advised her against it  just too many problems crop up.... I worked with two chocolate lab siblings the other week - twas a nightmare - they were so over bonded to each other they couldn't concentrate a bit on anyone else...

or concentrate on their bladders or bowels 

didn't realise they were siblings - they were very neurotic and panicky when the other wasn't nearby

How old were they? Didn't you say the people at the photo call didn't choose any puppies over 5 months? It may be that they were young and poorly socialised with other dogs.

they re-shot with much younger puppies on another day rhona - these lab pups had to be at least 5 - 6 months old (and penel could barely carry one downstairs so you can get an idea of size!).

put it this way, out of a room with at least 10 pups in it of varying ages (mostly 4 mths up) sizes & breeds,  these 2 labs were the ones who couldn't cope.

[Penel]

They actually are very well socialised apparently, those two labs - but obviously found it hard to concentrate in an unfamiliar situation - and who can blame them - tbh its very daunting for most dogs to come to a studio for the first time, and they weren't the only ones there without their owners either.  But I have to say they would have been better singly - I just know they would.

Sarah25 - I think your situation is different because you have 6 other dogs - thats why I asked the question - do you have other dogs in the household too - I think its different if the two litter mates are the only dogs in the household.


Miche I would love to hear about Mikey and Herbie because I think two youngsters that close in age, same breed, same sex, is also very relevant to my "survey".... you have another dog too don't you ?

I'd still really like to hear from anyone with much older siblings pleeeeeeeeeeeease.