Spitz Dogs And Non-spitz Dogs - Can They Live Together In Harmony?

[Sam&Saki]

Hey all,

I have a 2 year old female Akita, a lovely friendly sweetheart of a dog, and live with my boyfriend in a great dog friendly house with a huge fully fenced backyard.

My boyfriend has always wanted a bulldog, and coincidently some friends of his are rehoming thier bulldog after a relationship breakup resulted in them both moving into no-dogs-allowed units without yards.

However I'm concerned that an Akita and a bulldog may not be the best combination of breeds, given their vastly different body language - Akitas with their upright tail, upright ears and ruff must appear to be showing all the body language signals of aggression to a bulldog, whereas of course that's just how a spitz looks. And being a silent breed an Akita doesn't know how to interpret the barking of a bulldog.

Added to that, they're both female and around the same age and dominant, but in different ways.

The two dogs will be meeting on neutral territory tonight, but what I'm wondering is, would they eventually learn to interpret one anothers body language and vocal signals? Or will it be like putting 2 people who speak 2 different languages together, and they'll just never learn to understand one another?

Obviously we will have to sort out what to do for ourselves (and I daresay if we cannot keep the bulldog I'll likely rehome it myself or pass it on to one of you rescue people, as the poor dog literally has nowhere to go except the pound otherwise ) but I would be interested in hearing your thoughs, especially anyone who has successfully owned spitz and non-spitz breeds together.

Thanks! x

[poodlefan]

Is it possible? Yes. But there are so many variables to consider and the temperaments of the individual dogs will count for a lot.

[Sam&Saki]

Oh absolutely agreed, just wondering if we should give them plenty of time to learn how to interpret one another; or whether that aspect will just never improve...

[poodlefan]

Oh absolutely agreed, just wondering if we should give them plenty of time to learn how to interpret one another; or whether that aspect will just never improve...

If both dogs have been extensively socialised, my guess if that they will read each other well enough.

[ruthless]

Before Chopper and Trixie arrived it was just Ivan and Angel. There were no issues ever. I don't think he ever really loved her, but he silently enjoyed her company. [He stopped crying all day and trying to escape.] I saw her frequently jump in his face trying to initiate play, but play was very much beneath him.

He was seven and she was about 18 months when we got her.

He got on fine with Chopper and Trixie too. He never really spent much time with them though. He would prefer to be on his own.

[raineth]

Oh absolutely agreed, just wondering if we should give them plenty of time to learn how to interpret one another; or whether that aspect will just never improve...

If both dogs have been extensively socialised, my guess if that they will read each other well enough.

yeah that's what I was thinking

I don't know if its logical to think that just because they each look a certain way they can't interpret another's body language? I mean I think an Akita would be able to interpret a noisy dog, even though they are not noisy themselves Unless ofcourse they have only had limited experiences with other dogs. Has the Bulldog been socialised to other dogs?

I can see though that if they are both dominant and female maybe there could be problems from that.

I hope it all goes smoothly tonight It would be lovely if it could work out!

[minxy]

I don't know sorry. Maybe if you post me some pics of your gorgeous Akita I might be able to help more? (I'm searching for an Akita myself) I have heard that Akita's are more likely to be aggressive with dogs of the same sex?

Edited August 3, 2010 by minxy

[Sam&Saki]

Thanks all, great to hear your thoughts.

Ruth, interesting that Ivan acts disinterested in the other dogs but actually has behaved better since they've been around... ike he secretly enjoys their company but doesn't want to admit it

I do actually firmly believe that some breeds of dogs have different body language and find it difficult to interpret each other, in fact in large part I believe that's where the akita's reputation for dog aggression comes from. It's amazing how many dogs react aggressively to Saki without her showing a single sign of actual aggression - it's just due to them misunderstanding the spitz body language.

Whereas other spitz dogs are totally fine with her. I don't think it's illogical to bear in mind differences in communication in different breeds, it's may be rarely understood but that doesn't make it not so.

Can't post any pics of Saki I'm afraid, am on the work computer x

[aquaticmalamute]

My dogs breeder regularly runs her Mals with bull breeds (Staffies and Bull Terriers) as her mum and sister own these breeds. They get along quite well (reading body language etc), but as always it depends on the individual dogs.

[Esky the husky]

My sibe is fine with the other dogs in our family. Namely staffyx dingo, boxer, boxer x, boxer x and a chihuahua.

[Kajtek]

.... it depends on the individual dogs.

Very much so! My 3 darlink-bullies either love or tolerate other dogs regardless of their shape or size.

[Mim]

My spitz dogs get along with dogs of all sorts Daina's best friend is a boxer and Sarge's is a labrador.

I've found that there are no "rules" in the dog world. Each dog is different. Good luck introducing them

Edited August 3, 2010 by Mim

[sparkycat]

We introduced Jaana as an 8 week old Lappie pup to Keely our 5 year old wolfie x and it was love at first sight for both of them and they are both females.

However as others have said I guess it depends on the individual dogs and their ages.

[all that glitters]

Good luck Sam! Eager to hear how the introduction tonight went!! ;)

Edited to fix my shonky spelling

Edited August 3, 2010 by ~ShelleAndShyla~

[corvus]

When Kivi met his first British Bulldog he really didn't seem to understand what the heck that dog was doing. It kept bouncing around him making gruffy noises. He was all like "Er... Is this good or bad?" He has met the same dog since and still doesn't really get him, but the bulldog has a habit of walking around behind Kivi shoving his head between his legs and actually almost lifting his rear end off the ground. I'd be bewildered, too.

Kivi has met other bully breeds including Aussie Bulldogs and was fine with them.

[whiskedaway]

Our neighbour owns a bulldog and Akira loves him and he's been fine with her ever since she was a tiny puppy and was jumping all over him.

[cannibalgoldfish]

Loki is just a snob, breed doesn't matter. ;)

[WoofnHoof]

Sonny has generally been a-ok with other dogs he has met but IMO the communication thing has been an issue living with a chi because my chi simply doesn't get the warnings that the sibe gives out and vice versa the sibe doesn't understand the type of play that my chi enjoys so I watch them very carefully and keep them separated when I'm not there. As others have said the individual personalities do play a part but also the way my dog is at the park is different to the way he is at home when there are more value items laying around.

[lovemesideways]

I think if both dogs are socialised, they could get along.

A little OT but,

What is a "aussie bulldog"? ;) Haven't heard of them before. Is it a recognized breed?

Edited August 3, 2010 by lovemesideways

[W Sibs]

My two lives happy together...

Neither my 2 dogs discriminate towards other dogs... ;) Like the others have said, it all depends on the individual dogs.

Emmy pals with a few staffies and she loves playing rough with them... right now, she is playing with a BC x Rotti. Running around and playing bitey face with each other. She is getting use of being herded by Pooka too.