To Have Pups In The Same Run Or Separately

[pare]

hello,

I am going to rescue an 18 week old male dobermann cross bullmastiff, and I am thinking about getting an 8 month old rottweiler female as a companion for him.

The big dilemna is whether they should run together while I am at work during the working day, or whether they should be separated until their bones fully mature.

In my yard, there is a big run, and a smaller run. They are separated by a 5ft fence and there are small gaps between the wood in the fence so they can see each other a little.

On the one hand, separating them seems to defeat the purpose of getting another dog as a companion during work hours as they would not have full contact with each other. Though they would be together when I get home, and for the weekends.

On the other hand, I have been told that having two unsupervised puppies run together could be detrimental to the development of their joints esepcially as their growth plates have not fully formed.

Should they be separated while I am at work? They met each other for the first time today and seem to like each other.

Also, note that my first priority is the dobermann x puppy. That is, if these two were not meant to be together, I will still adopt the dobie pup (subject to a yard check, which should be ok).

Advice please! Thanks.

Edited June 22, 2008 by pare

[sas]

Tricky decision to make.

I know with Danes many people don't run them together until they're fully grown. I let Dante with Leila at 5.5 months as she is old and won't actually hard out play with him.

So I guess you'll have to see how they actually interact, how rough will they play, how tolerant will the older pup be of the younger one etc.

You may want to pen the puppy initially until they're used to each other and just have them out together for supervised play?

[pare]

Tricky decision to make.

I know with Danes many people don't run them together until they're fully grown. I let Dante with Leila at 5.5 months as she is old and won't actually hard out play with him.

So I guess you'll have to see how they actually interact, how rough will they play, how tolerant will the older pup be of the younger one etc.

You may want to pen the puppy initially until they're used to each other and just have them out together for supervised play?

they've met once and see to like each other, although i can see that there is potential for rough play. the dobie is the more timid one and stopped when the rottie was getting a bit too excited.

however, it's a dilemna because the breeder says they look like they would be good for each other as they are both soft-natured.

but he has been with his rescuer's pack (of older dogs) so i'm scared he may injure himself trying to get to the rottie if separated.