2 dogs thoughts?

H

H_A_C

Well-Known Member
Joined
5 December 2014
Messages
713
Visit site
I have a lovely dog and do agility, I would like another one my job is pretty flexible, I also have my dad who lives round the corner who is happy to walk/look after them when I'm away.

However a friend said getting another was the worst thing she ever did what's everyone's thoughts?
 
I've never had just one dog since I have lived on my own - two are company for each other when you are out at work etc, and I find when one comes to the end of its days, the 2nd one gives you a reason to keep going.
 
Hi we used to only have one, but 5 years ago we got a second dog. They keep each other company when you're out, they enjoy going walking together and generally messing about together. They keep each other entertained and we have also found that it has given the older dog a new lease of life. Go for it !
 
What a strange thing for your friend to say, I wonder what went wrong. Its brilliant having more than one dog, as above they inter- react and are company for each other. You just need to be sure they are each bonded with you. I do training work with mine individually. People do on the whole think two puppies of the same age at the same time is not ideal but apart from that, more than one dog is great and infact I would never just have one on its own! Good post from reddie.
 
Always had two or even three dogs until a few years ago when we lost two elderly labradors within weeks of each other which left us with one springer. Oh decided he didn't want another one so just had her for three years but couldn't bear seeing her on hef own when I left for work so got another springer. Best thing I did, my older dog was happier and she now has company on the days I work. So having had both one on it's own and two or more I would definitely have more than one. Also the second one trains so much quicker with an older dog to follow.
 
We always had dogs in twos, much nicer for them to have company of their own kind especially if you can't take them everywhere with you.
Be careful if you are thinking of getting two bitches though - especially if they would be close in age. Male dogs usually sort out their differences, bitches hold grudges!
 
Would absolutely love a second dog, but OH is dead against it unfortunately.

Given the opportunity I wouldn't hesitate.
 
I've 2 dogs, a border terrier who is 8 and a lab who is 4 (I think lol).
We initially had the border as company for our beagle, who died and then the border became very lonely. So we ended up getting the lab (I wanted a dog that I could walk off the lead!!) who is the best company for the border and they get on very well together.
It's no more work having 2 compared to having one, we have an invisible fencing system which is fantastic (some don't like them, but works incredibly well with us) so both dogs can stay out together when we are at work etc.
it is more expensive feeding but we might just be unlucky as the lab can have any type of food but gets fat easily, whereas the border has to have special food as he has a skin condition which is a lot more expensive than the labs food!! Both are pretty low maintenance apart from that, except from when the lab got tetanus (vet still can't believe it) and both are energetic dogs so can walk/play for same length of time. They both have separate kennels outside but choose to sleep together in one kennel!

If you were to get another dog I would advise to get one with a similar energy level and temperament so when you go walking you can take both and walk same amount of time! But we would never go back to having just one dog now :)
 
We got 2 together as pups from a rescue place (one is slightly older than the other, different breeds). They are very different in character, and sometimes get on each other's nerves but they are best mates really. I think I'd worry about leaving one on it's own rather than two. The only extras are in terms of costs for things like insurance, food, vaccinations, boarding, etc.
 
Interesting the poster who says don't have bitches together. We always have only bitches with never a problem, no arguments or jealousy over anything.
 
We have had several pairs of litter sisters and never had any trouble with them fighting, or even falling out. Neither have we had real problems introducing single pups or adults to an established pack, except on one occasion when a stray that we took in had to be passed onto the Dog Warden because she went for one of the Labs consistently.
I think the key is that the humans have to be the pack leaders, while the dogs do as they are told. We currently have 2 yr old Rottweiler sisters who wrestle and play-fight but no signs of falling out. They are very close.
I would not want to have one dog on its own.
 
I'd never have a lone dog, I'd hate to leave it alone. I say go for it, just introduce carefully and remember to give the original dog privileges at first if you get a pup.
 
Just wanted to add, the two we have are both girls, Doberman (9yr) & Collie (8), and they don't dislike each other. Most of the dogs we've had have been females (in pairs) and all have gotten on fine.
 
Always had at least two dogs, currently have three. Had my three year old coolie pts on Friday, stil in shock about that, so was four.

Would never have one on its own
 
I can understand why people don't have two as it affects the dynamics having an extra dog. But well socialised and managed, it is perfectly doable. I only have one dog, have contemplated another but I regularly board friend's dogs and while my dog enjoys the conpany, he also breathes a sigh of relief when they go so he can enjoy the peace and quiet! Every dog is different but if you're interested in getting another, I'm sure you'll do lots of research and you know your own dog and if it would cope.
 
I would never ever have one dog I consider it as bad as keeping a horse alone .
The thing I would hesitate to do is have two puppies at the same time .
 
Thanks all my boy would love the company I had my mums dog for 3 months last year and he pines for him.

It would be a pup but I'd be very careful to ensure buz got some quiet time even though he still loves playing.

You have been a great help, whatever happens my dog gets 2 walks a day I think my friend works shifts so isn't always able too so the dogs go mental together when she gets home.
 
Chiffy said:
Interesting the poster who says don't have bitches together. We always have only bitches with never a problem, no arguments or jealousy over anything.
Click to expand...

I can understand the logic, I have had two whippet bitches who had the most awful fights and two of my current greyhounds were the same! In fact Flick's face is covered in scars from Amy greyhound, even though they are best friends!

At one point I had one dog and two bitches and was advised by the rescue that acquiring either another dog or another bitch might be a problem, so to just match 'personalities' which is what I did :)
 
The old saying is that bitches fight for breathing rights, dogs fight for breeding rights!

In other words a bitch will fight to the death, a dog will not. If you are an experienced dog owner with a suitable breed, nothing should be a problem. However, for a novice owner I would recommend NOT getting litter siblings full stop of either sex; I would also recommend NOT getting two bitches unless there is many years difference in age such that competition does not become an issue.

Dogs are pack animals and you do see a different side to them when you have multiple animals as opposed to a lone individual. If you have more than one you do need to train them separately. Yes, dogs do learn from each other but it is amazing how many times an old dog dies and the younger (supposedly trained) one is left and becomes a total loon-bin as it was taking all its cues off its older mentor and NOT off the owner who was whistling/calling or whatever! Food for thought! They do take more time to train and you need to maintain that training on an individual basis throughout the life of each dog.
 
Interesting post GGD but I have had mutiple dogs,always bitches for over 50 years (gosh I'm old!) and have never had any of the problems you say can arise. No competing, jealousy or change in behaviour when one dies. Have I just been lucky?
I have never had terriers or any aggressive breeds, mostly gundogs and sighthounds that all get on brilliantly.
 
Interesting thread. I currently have a year old female lab and am considering getting another in a year or two. Was wondering whether to get another female or a male. Would prefer a female I think if it would work.
 
Chiffy said:
Interesting post GGD but I have had mutiple dogs,always bitches for over 50 years (gosh I'm old!) and have never had any of the problems you say can arise. No competing, jealousy or change in behaviour when one dies. Have I just been lucky?
I have never had terriers or any aggressive breeds, mostly gundogs and sighthounds that all get on brilliantly.
Click to expand...

Yes, but with 50 years of dog ownership under your belt you would be classed as an experienced dog owner, as am I of similar years standing.

The OP asking the question I surmise is contemplating two dogs for the first time and therefore is not experienced. Therein lies the difference, I would suggest! :) The problems I cite are primarily encountered by more novicey owners, but hey! There's always one that can make the most experienced feel like a moron....or at least in my experience! :)
 
I currently have a dog and would be looking for the same, a friend of mine has her dog in pup she had some last year and they are all lovely dogs. This is her last litter so I really would love one. It's a working Cockermouth both parents seem very sane and I have a small cross breed at the moment who is like a duracel bunny!
 
i have a 4yo rottie (had since a pup and neutered at 3) last November I took on a SBT who was 14 months at the time.
they are the very best of mates and we have never had a cross word.
the sbt was deemed a problem dog by previous numpty owners but has proved very easy to train.

best decision I ever made :)
 
We had a sheltie bitch for a year on her own, then got a Spanish Mastine bitch, both got on really well (sheltie was the boss) when the sheltie died 2 years ago (aged 9) I got a rescue pup, again a bitch, and they got on really well (though this time the mastine is boss) and a week ago I got a sheltie pup (again a bitch) all getting on fine, the 2 younger dogs play, so I would always have more than one
 
Chiffy said:
Interesting post GGD but I have had mutiple dogs,always bitches for over 50 years (gosh I'm old!) and have never had any of the problems you say can arise. No competing, jealousy or change in behaviour when one dies. Have I just been lucky?
I have never had terriers or any aggressive breeds, mostly gundogs and sighthounds that all get on brilliantly.
Click to expand...

Yes :p I've been with or had my own dogs for over 40 years and never had problems until the whippets :) The greyhounds originally fought over food, so that was my fault for not anticipating it, but a couple of the scraps were nothing to do with food and started when I wasn't in the room... such is life, they get on like anything now :D
 
We had our boxer x springer from a pup and debated getting another dog for about a year before we took the plunge - he was nearly 5 and still entire and we rehomed a 7 month boxer x sbt. They are the absolute best of friends, older dog is like a puppy again and the puppy, who can be anxious, has the older dog to reassure him. Four months in we are really pleased we did it and I doubt we'd have one dog on it's own again.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Top