his brother

Just found out my husband has no problem adopting Dexter's brother. Saw him on a site in a foster home trying to find him. The site in Ireland they call him hero saw him last week on the site but can't find him now if anyone can help would be great.

Hety! That's really sad that he's ended up in rescue at such a young age.. Do you know if they're a good rescue (non-kill/carry out relevant checks etc)? If so, maybe he's in good hands?

Although they're a bit older, litter mates living together can cause real problems down the line (just google litter mate syndrome). They can either become hugely bonded or fight, especially same sex litter mates. I would be cautious, personally.

Never new that. We adopted Dexter at 9wks would they still know that they are brothers. Hero was with the ispca and they put him in foster to get him socialize with people and other dogs. Found him on line late last night and he has all the same mannerisms as our lad. So I might take a chance. Thanks for letting us know.

I agree with Rachel, it's a risk I wouldn't take. I don't know if you have seen a rral fight between bull breeds - it's not nice. I'd go as far as horrific, and with siblings it can happen much more readily. That's true of many breeds, they don't seem to have the same respect. The rescue I volunteer for wouldn't let you adopt a sibling of many breeds.

Do be careful and let heads rule hearts.

they certainly wouldn't know (or care) that they were brothers.

Got in contact and he found his new home yesterday maybe it was faith that we didn't get him. At least it worked out well for him

Great to read that he's found a new home

They would know, there's a fair amount of evidence that litter mates recognise each other and respond differently for quite a while after separation. Millie has met 2 of her siblings after a few months of separation and she was very different with them to with other dogs.

Great news for Hero. It's sometimes easiest when the decision is taken away from us.

Great news he has a new home. I agree with the others on this

glad he found his home in the end

Up date on Dexter,s brother. Just found out from the ISPCA that Hero was adopted just like dexter at 9wks old and they are not to happy that he has been rehomed from a site that is used by private sellers or people just looking to give away their pets. They signed an agreement he would be handed back if said dog didn't work out. So the search is on for Hero and his safe return to the ISPCA. I gave them the info I had and they said they would let me know if any news. Here's fingers and tails cross.

So did the ISPCA rehome Dexter and then the new owners sold him on ?

I remember reading sometime back that litter mates remember their siblings and are able to recognise them up to two years later. Not sure whether it was by sight or by smell.

Dexter is my lad his brother is Hero as far as we know they sold him on. They asked me if they do find him and all OK if I would be interested in taking him. I said I don't know after what was said about litter syndrome.  They'll keep me updated I was thinking taken him on a trail to see or foster him until they find a proper home  if they find him. I was told as well that they would recognise by smell.

hope everything gets sorted

Oopppsss sorry, I don't know why I typed Dexter

It's not impossible for litter mates to get along , I've seen a few on here that are fine. A trial foster would be ideal but if I were you expect trouble and if there isn't any then that's a win but if there is at least you half expected it.

I hope they do find him, at least so that they can check a future home and make sure he's not just been sold to the first person with the cash.

Many siblings do get on so I'm not at all saying they won't. You can, though, get cases where siblings are fine for a long time but then it goes wrong. I was in hospital 18 months ago with bite wounds (how I know it's horrific!) and there was a lady in the same ward as me. Her sibling staffies had been fine for, I think, 2 years and then as they matured started having spats. Very quickly the spats became more serious. Then one of her dogs redirected at her and did a serious amount of damage to her arm. I was lucky that my injuries involved no tears, just clean downwards pressure so I have no lasting damage other than scars - although it did take months for my mind to settle. She was not so lucky, her arm got shaken, she didn't get off so lightly.

So I would argue that a trial/foster would probably not tell you enough. Please, don't risk it, especially as Hero may not have had the best upbringing. There are oodles of other staffies needing homes and it sounds like you have a lot to offer one, and I'm certain you'd find one just as wonderful as Hero, but without that (unnecessary) risk.

The guy at the Essex Dog Training Centre said the same to us once about the sibling thing. Some poor bloke had two adolescent labs from the same litter that were taking each other on. He said it can be 50/50, they could be best of mates or enemies. Such a shame. Hope it all works out for you x

I've took all your comments on board had a family talk and we're all in agreement that we'll leave Hero be and find another that needs a forever home. Theirs plenty on the dog trust Ireland site.
So sorry Liz to hear what happen with your arm,glad to hear your on the mend.
Thanks for all the advice.

I'm fine, Sarah, a slightly iffy finger (I managed to get that bitten too!) but that's the worst of it, thankfully.

Have you told Dexter he might be getting a playmate? Bet he'll be dead excited!