Best companion for 6 year old Jug bitch.

[BelleEpoch]

Hello Everyone, I'm looking for some advice please. We have a six year old Jug bitch, rescued at age 1.5 years. Currently the only dog in the home. We would like to get her a companion. For other reasons (mostly because nobody seems to be booking him) I'm considering a 15 year old JRT cross dog. He's fit and friendly. She can be jealous. Would this be a workable relationship? Thank you!

 

[nagblagger]

If she is happy being on her own why are you getting another. A boy would be good though rather than a bitch. Does she play, would she be too much for an older dog?

 

[Equi]

why don’t you pop along for a meet and greet and let her/him decide?

 

[BelleEpoch]

If she is happy being on her own why are you getting another. A boy would be good though rather than a bitch. Does she play, would she be too much for an older dog?

She has doggy company during the day but not in the evening and obviously misses it. She'll play but isn't manically energetic.

 

[BelleEpoch]

why don’t you pop along for a meet and greet and let her/him decide?

Letting him decide is a good idea thanks.

 

[skinnydipper]

She has doggy company during the day but not in the evening and obviously misses it.

Where is she when she has doggy company during the day?

Why do you think she misses it in the evening?

She can be jealous.

When? What are the circumstances? How does she expresses this?

 

[BelleEpoch]

She is at a stables with lots of dogs and horses, subdued not tired in the evening and can be jealous when other dogs show me affection but it doesn't really escalate, more trying to 'osn' me.

 

[Prancerpoos]

I suspect she enjoys her alone time with you and you say she is quiet by the evening so I would leave her as is. Risking the upheaval of introducing a new dog for no benefit may not be a good idea.

 

[skinnydipper]

She is at a stables with lots of dogs and horses, subdued not tired in the evening and can be jealous when other dogs show me affection but it doesn't really escalate, more trying to 'osn' me.

When do you walk her, play with her, engage with her?

Make life interesting and fun in an evening, for example play sniffing games where you hide treats and she has to find them. She will look forward to time spent with you. She doesn't have to be running around playing with other dogs to have fun.

 

[misst]

I honestly think if you want another dog for YOU then find one that your current dog will get along with. Most dogs if they have a "social life" at some point in the week don't need a companion.
When our old JRT died my terrier rehome who was nervous did seem more nervous as he'd lived with her for some years and she nannied him a lot initially. After some months during which he settled we got a JRT puppy. She is now 4 and they occasionally play together. She is his wingman in the evening - he barks until she joins him hunting in the garden. He won't go out in the dark on his own . But I got her because I wanted another JRT not for my boy.
Your dog will be fine alone but will probably be fine if you get the right second dog. Do it for you not him, or don't if you prefer

 

[BelleEpoch]

I honestly think if you want another dog for YOU then find one that your current dog will get along with. Most dogs if they have a "social life" at some point in the week don't need a companion.
When our old JRT died my terrier rehome who was nervous did seem more nervous as he'd lived with her for some years and she nannied him a lot initially. After some months during which he settled we got a JRT puppy. She is now 4 and they occasionally play together. She is his wingman in the evening - he barks until she joins him hunting in the garden. He won't go out in the dark on his own . But I got her because I wanted another JRT not for my boy.
Your dog will be fine alone but will probably be fine if you get the right second dog. Do it for you not him, or don't if you prefer

Thank you very much for this lovely advice.

 

[Christmascinnamoncookie]

Can you borrow a dog to see how it gets on with yours at home? If she’s happy to have down time in the evening, maybe she isn’t into the idea of doggy companionship? I’m not sure I’d be looking at a much older dog. I think, after years of having 2 littermates at a time, that having similar size/temperament dogs is important. Mine aren’t massively into snuggling up together, unusually, although one would be if his brother would comply!