should i get a second German shepherd

Question
I have a 7 month old german shepherd. He was a pidgeon pair with another pup - his sister. i was told by the breeder they look identical and played together until they got bought and separated. through a few circumstances she has come up for sale and i was thinking of buying her as a companion for Samson. how do you think they will get on? samson is very attached to me and i was wondering how he would handle me spreading my attention? also would they fight? samson loves other dogs and i think he would love a friend to share the time during the day with while im at work. i do obedience training with him so my wife would come and bring the bitch.  

Answer
A Male / Female littermate combination is usually the best.  It is a good thing you got the male first.  He has been with you the longest and is most likely bigger and stronger than the female, minimizing the reason for her to challenge his authority as the pack leader in your home.  I believe they should do well together so long as the owners are educated about raising them.

They will play fight, growling, nipping and teasing each other playfully.  This is normal behavior.  

When dogs in a pack correct each other they tend to growl, show dominance, nipping the neck, ears, nose, by standing over the other, the submissive one, who will cower to the ground and lay on its back, lifting a leg, showing submission for the pack leader to sniff and correct.  Pack leaders tend to correct more in your absence than in your presence and if correcting in your presence it means there's something you're not picking up on that you did not correct yourself, that the other is also correcting what you missed, or that the other is questioning your status as the pack leader.

You will learn to differentiate play from correction but neither of these is an all out FIGHT for dominance as the Pack leader which is I believe is your main concern.

Any behavior issues you have with your dogs can usually be dealt with and most dogs can live in harmony with one another.

Another consideration is whether or not they are fixed.  It would be recommended because they are litter mates.  If the female has not been spayed and the male has not been neutered, you will have to separate them while she is in heat for 21 days.  A Male will do anything to get to a female during this time and have been known to open cages and doors to get to her.  Please do not allow unplanned litters and ensure they get fixed if they aren't already.

As with children, two pups are much easier to care for than one.  I have 4 and I enjoy them very much.  We are a sight when we leave the house, 4 on walks. 4 in the car...  An educated dog lover can handle situations that arise much easier than an uneducated one.

Other things To Consider.

Crate Training
1.  Be sure to crate train you pups in doors this will help you tremendously and give them a space of their own to go to when they want to be alone or need a safe quiet place.  A Crate is a dog's den.  Keep a couple toys, and chew toys in the crate to keep your dog comfortable.  You can bring the crates with you when you travel.  

Your Pups can be left in the crate while away shopping or at work.  I would not leave them loose in the the house at this age as they could have accidents and make messes in the house.  Start with one large crate and let them share.  I use a 42 or 48" Crate, and get another when you are ready.  My 8 month has her own crate but likes the company and allows another pup in with her.

I have a car with 5 seats and 4 dogs.  I use the large fold up wire crates and the dogs feel at home where ever I go.

Consider a Pen for Your Back Yard.
Something to give them a little more space while you are away yet ensures they don't get out or dig up the yard.  If fixed they can go in together and will love each other's company.  Be sure to have some shade for hot days, plenty of water and shelter from rain.

For Feeding advice, please check out other answers at All Experts or visit my website.

To assist with dog behavior issues that may arise as part of the normal upbringing, dog training, puppy care, puppy socialization or learning to become a pack leader, I recommend purchasing some books on these subjects. The more educated a pet owner is about his or her dog, the better he or she can understand his or her pet, the more balanced and happy all of you will be.  More info, help, books and dvd's on these subjects and more are available on my website.

Wishing You and Your Crew all the best.

Sincerely,
Gallant German Shepherds
http://www.gallantshepherds.com