Dog or bitch as a kennel mate for my dog?

[Ben Smith]

Hi all.
Not ready yet by any means but in the future I'd like to get a kennel mate for my springer. He's currently an entire male but I've no intention to breed from him so could be castrated if I got a bitch. But would you get a dog or a bitch? I'm sure it's always different but will I have more trouble one way than the other? He currently has our jrt as company but the jrt is quite antisocial and is getting on a bit now so likes to spend more time in the house.

Thanks

[Stacia]

I have had a combination of both, male and two females and now have two (castrated) males, though have many friends with two or more entire dogs. So go with your heart.

However, if you have a male and female, you will either have to have one neutered or separated them when she is in season, preferably by some distance

[Strathcraig]

Dog every time. Or, as Jelinga says, you'll need another kennel yo separate them when she's in season (unless you spay her of course). Castrating a dog won't stop him harassing the life out of a bitch in season, and actually mating her even though no pups will result.

[Dan Newcombe]

Dogs are more simple regarding seasons etc but a pair of dogs are more likely to fight in enclosed space at some point. We have a right mix. One dog that can't share with another dog at all. Few dogs that are happy to share with each other. Odd spat but never more than grumbling at each other.

Id get a dog most likely (and when I started that's what I did) because then you will have a team of 2 always rather than losing a bitch in season and winding the dog up.