getting a second dog

westerngirl

westerngirl

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Hi, I would appreciate some advice or experiences on the following please.

I currently have an 8yr old rescue Staffie boy ( neutered) whom I have had since Christmas 2015. He is very well behaved , well socialised with people and dogs, chickens, horses etc. I foster cats and he is perfect with them and my own, comes out on hacks with me. I do work shifts and sometimes he is left at home and sometimes goes to my mum .

I am considering getting a second dog, either another Staffie or my normal breed , a lurcher. I have looked after a colleagues dog for a long weekend and he was good with him. My question is , how have other people found it going from 1 to 2 dogs, does the sex of the pair matter, breed, anything really.

Thanking you in advance
 
I think having more than one dog is actually easier, they keep each other company and if you are lucky will play together and get more exercise. I am assuming your boy is neutered as he is a rescue and he sounds pretty easy going, so should get on with male or female. If you are thinking of getting a puppy might be better to do it fairly soon as as he gets older might be less tolerant of a youngster. I am a lurcher-nut so would definitely say get a lurcher they are so laid back would fit in easily. Good luck.
 
Agree, I think two are easier (but not on the pocket!). I've had two dogs, and a bitch with a dog but not two bitches before.

I got a rescue bitch earlier this year to go with my elderly dog. I was told a lot about her and was able to foster her for a couple of weeks. Although they got on well enough from the start, it was a couple of months before they really bonded and her character really came out. Gave the old boy a new lease of life tbh. So I reckon go for it :)
 
Definitely go for it. I always like to have two, they inter react with each other but retain their own character and are perfectly bonded with me not just with each other. It can give an older dog a new lease of life . Your present dog sounds dog friendly anyway but remember to give him lots of attention when the new one comes as it is easy to find yourself concentrating on the new dog.
Many rescues insist you have a dog with a bitch or vice versa, saying bitches especially don't get on. I find this total nonsense, I only ever have bitches, sometimes even more than two and have never had an argument.
Hope you find a new friend, do let us know.
 
Go on, you know you want to! Another rescue, a spayed Staffie or Staffie x young girl would probably be easiest to integrate. But then as you know I'm a huge Staffie fan. We're up to 4 now, you haven't met the two youngest I don't think, Beans a ESS 19 months and Toast, 12 weeks yellow/red lab


Actually, would you consider a 4 year old Chocolate Lab girl, she would need spaying as although pedigree is unregistered. Someone who works for us is going through a messy marriage break up and needs to Rhome his dogs. This one lives in the house with cats and is ok with children as well. Needs some manners and time but generally an ok girl. The other dog probably isn't suitable for you, 10 yr old, kennelled outside, a lovely chap with a little arthritis who likes to bumble around.
 
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thanks everyone, I was worried it may upset him. I foster cats for a rescue and could foster a dog to see if suitable, but they are not keen on staffies/staffiex as can be difficult to rehome if it doesnt work.
Thistle, I have seen the pictures and they look adorable. definately need to visit
 
I agree...I find 2 easier! When my little whippet boy ended up on his own I got a little bitch to keep him company and they get on great....I have always found all dogs, or a dog and bitch get on better than more than one bitch together but every dog is different!
 
It does make life easier with 2 but I would say get a bitch to go with your dog especially if you are planning to leave them together. 2 dogs or 2 bitches may well get on well together when you are there but you never know what may happen when they are left alone together.

I also would plump for a lurcher if its one that is good with cats,
 
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