Going from one dog to two...

[ArklePig]

This is still kind of hypothetical, but something we are starting to consider since Fodhla has morphed into the best pet ever and is only getting better each day. And of course, after we figure out what is going on with her hind leg and whatever treatment/recuperation she needs from that.

So hypothetically, if we were to add a second dog, what should we be considering aside from the obvious doubling of costs, practicalities of transporting them, etc? I know lots of people who say in ways two is easier than one, but equally I know people who have regretted upsetting the apple cart as it were.

Additionally, if we were to get a dog should we be considering a pup or an adult? At only one and a half our current dog is super playful and energetic with other dogs and I would be wary of a pup running itself ragged to keep up with her and all that goes with that? Although obviously I would manage that.

Any suggestions of breeds welcome too, we still like labs and golden retrievers which is what we vaguely set out looking for last time but now I like springers and pointers (English) as she really is a good mix of both personality wise. I also like Irish water spaniels, I'm not really into terriers or sighthounds, mainly because of the guinea pigs. Collies wouldn't suit us either, and I wouldn't be a fan of GSD and the like because I don't think I'd be able for one. I like cockers but I know some who are a complete nightmare and I'm not sure if it's bad lines or bad training or what? I am also partial to poodles. We don't have a major preference for buying/rehoming but probably rehoming if given the choice of a suitable dog. I like something friendly, affectionate and trainable and a worthy playmate for Fodhla. Should we just get a springer?

This won't be happening immediately but trying to think ahead and plan. And I know how good you lot are at encouraging this sort of thing

 

[Spotherisk]

Two is great, they keep each other company when you’re out but aren’t so many to morph into a pack!

I’d go with a similar type ie, gun dogs, pastoral, terriers etc etc. We have three gun dogs who all rub along happily, and definitely love winter more than summer, whereas my lurcher is horrified about going out in rain, mud etc, but loves agility. The Cocker thought agility was a take your own line parcours course.

 

[paddi22]

two is great. didn't feel like a jump at all, actually made things easier.

 

[Pinkvboots]

This is still kind of hypothetical, but something we are starting to consider since Fodhla has morphed into the best pet ever and is only getting better each day. And of course, after we figure out what is going on with her hind leg and whatever treatment/recuperation she needs from that.

So hypothetically, if we were to add a second dog, what should we be considering aside from the obvious doubling of costs, practicalities of transporting them, etc? I know lots of people who say in ways two is easier than one, but equally I know people who have regretted upsetting the apple cart as it were.

Additionally, if we were to get a dog should we be considering a pup or an adult? At only one and a half our current dog is super playful and energetic with other dogs and I would be wary of a pup running itself ragged to keep up with her and all that goes with that? Although obviously I would manage that.

Any suggestions of breeds welcome too, we still like labs and golden retrievers which is what we vaguely set out looking for last time but now I like springers and pointers (English) as she really is a good mix of both personality wise. I also like Irish water spaniels, I'm not really into terriers or sighthounds, mainly because of the guinea pigs. Collies wouldn't suit us either, and I wouldn't be a fan of GSD and the like because I don't think I'd be able for one. I like cockers but I know some who are a complete nightmare and I'm not sure if it's bad lines or bad training or what? I am also partial to poodles. We don't have a major preference for buying/rehoming but probably rehoming if given the choice of a suitable dog. I like something friendly, affectionate and trainable and a worthy playmate for Fodhla. Should we just get a springer?

This won't be happening immediately but trying to think ahead and plan. And I know how good you lot are at encouraging this sort of thing

I love poodles always wanted one maybe one day

I've only ever had 1 dog but I would go for something similar in breed and temperament that you already have, I don't know if I was just very lucky but I got winnie a JRT at 10 weeks and I already had a guinea pig and I always just let Bob out in my kitchen as normal when she was a puppy, they used to sleep in the same bed together next to the Aga when I was there, he used to actually tell her off sometimes, obviously I would never have left them alone but she never ever tried to hurt him.

 

[AmyMay]

The only issue with two is the additional expense. But having two is (I think) the perfect number.

 

[Ceifer]

The only issue with two is the additional expense. But having two is (I think) the perfect number.

This. Which is unfortunate. I would love another but the cost of dog care when we are on holiday makes me wince.

 

[Cortez]

Having just today added a third, I’m really not the person to urge caution. I’d say if you have one, then two is not really going to be that much more. Puppies are usually easier to integrate into a way of life, but they have their own special requirements (house training, the Chewing Phase, general training). if you’re worried about your pigglies then a pup is much easier, and the breed doesn’t make much difference - sighthounds are not any more likely to grab them than most other breeds.

 

[IveRunOutOfNamesToThinkOf]

Go for it, two is yes more money, but it’s more companionship than you can give. As long as you have the time and love it will be appreciated

 

[DabDab]

As above, I find two easier than one so absolutely think you should go for it .

Also agree that going for a similar size and type to what you already have is easier than mixing with something completely different. When I had a kelpie in the mix with the terriers it was a bit of a headache purely because they had quite different needs in terms of my attention and routines that worked for them

 

[ArklePig]

Loving all of these responses! So what I'm taking from this is, get yourself a springer and don't look back? Is that just what I want to take from it lol?

Also, do you think it matters if I get a bitch or a dog? Her favourite playmates so far have been dogs, but I had just envisaged another bitch!

 

[Annette4]

I don't think I could go back to a single dog but I'm aware we're lucky with our holiday cover so it does remove that cost element.....keep in mind we're up to 4 so I'm not one to discourage multiple dog households.

I have personally had bad experiences with 2 bitches and although our current pair have seemingly found a happy balance now, it took a lot of squabbles to get there but I've never had that between bitches and dogs or between the dogs. I know it can work but between our experiences and a couple of friends experiences I'm wary of two bitches personally.

I would go for a similar type if I was you, more than anything so they play and learn in a similar way and match in terms of energy levels. Ginny gets very frustrated that the whippets will only play for a few minutes before returning to nap time

 

[Spotherisk]

Personally I’d be wary of another bitch but that’s probably because the two springer bitches we’ve had were weirdos and exceptionally jealous of other dogs.

 

[Clodagh]

Two is 3 x more work than 2. But if that suits you then go for it. I’ve got 5 and am getting another pup this year. I know you aren’t stupid but Fodhla is a fantastic easy dog because you’ve put the time in. The new dog will need the same time and so will the original. It’s not a case if as they play together you don’t need to train. Also they may not play. They probably will, mine all get on really well.

 

[ArklePig]

That's very helpful re bitches thanks both. She is not a jealous dog in general but there's no telling if she will be when she has to share us full time, or if another bitch would even take to her.

I've been doing some research on the puppy stage this morning and it sounds rough but not as rough as when Fodhla had all the same behaviours but was fully grown but then on the other hand I feel like we managed her and all her issues that came with being given up and not having a great start so maybe we could do it again with a dog from a shelter?

I just want her to have canine company as she gets so much out of it when she goes to daycare and while she is very attached to us, she would probably prefer a dog?

@Clodagh I think two will be my hard limit because that's a pair and anymore is a pack and I'm definitely not equipped for that

I think my biggest worry is not being able to manage two or regretting messing with things when we're so lucky (if you can call blood sweat tears and a fortune on training luck) with what we have right now.

 

[Spotherisk]

Tbh I would get a puppy rather than a rehome, unless you absolutely know the dogs history.

 

[AmyMay]

Loving all of these responses! So what I'm taking from this is, get yourself a springer and don't look back? Is that just what I want to take from it lol?

Also, do you think it matters if I get a bitch or a dog? Her favourite playmates so far have been dogs, but I had just envisaged another bitch!

Yes, sex does matter. Daisy prefers boys.

 

[Cortez]

Tbh I would get a puppy rather than a rehome, unless you absolutely know the dogs history.

Or a puppy from a rescue, like wot I have just done?

 

[ArklePig]

Or a puppy from a rescue, like wot I have just done?

Starting to think this would be my ideal? Puppies in rescues around here are like hens teeth usually , though sadly there were a lot lately after a big seizure at Belfast port before Christmas. Mostly labs and retrievers I think they were. It was actually rather sad in many ways, a lot of the rescues who took them in got a barrage of abuse from people on their FB pages for not giving them a puppy.

 

[Cortez]

Yes, puppies are the easiest to re home. Although I wasn’t actively looking for one, she just fitted my criteria.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

We have had numerous bitches in various combinations of breeds/sizes, always multiples until we were left with just one GSDxLab who it turned out preferred to be an only dog. She really relaxed when there was just her and a cat left. We have had mixed dogs and bitches, also with no trouble.
My advice would be to introduce a gundog pup to Fodhla, use crate(s) to stop either of them demanding too much of the other, especially while the pup is small. We took a month to allow the Rottweiler off-lead access (still carefully supervised) to our pair of Lab pups.
Although getting another rescue/rehome sounds attractive, they come with all sorts of issues that have to be unpicked and sorted out and the new dog's issues won't necessarily be the same as Fodhla' s were.

A pup is only small for a few months, while they will, hopefully, have many years to play together and you can train your pup as you want, from the beginning.

I know both Clodagh and I have posted on here that it is only when you get a rehome and work out how much the dog has missed out on that you realise how much training you do automatically from the moment you get a pup home.

You have done a great job with Fodhla but you will find a pup easier than taking on another rescue.

 

[ArklePig]

Thanks PS that's really helpful in practicalities. I guess there's no harm in researching breeders once I narrow down a breed (I think more than likely a lab or a springer) and seeing what the craic is. I'm terrified of buying from a breeder because the last thing I want to do is inadvertently support a bad one but I'm sure I'll be back for advice on that in the future if that's the road we want to go down. On the off chance anyone knows decent breeders of either in NI or ROI do let me know

 

[scats]

We introduced a puppy bitch to an 8 year old bitch, with no problems. Then a couple of years later, we introduced another puppy bitch.
The jump from 1 to 2 was nice. The food costs were quite an increase but 2 worked well as a number and we never felt guilty going out for a few hours as they had each other for company.
We will probably always have 2 in future, but probably not 3 again.

 

[Pearlsasinger]

Thanks PS that's really helpful in practicalities. I guess there's no harm in researching breeders once I narrow down a breed (I think more than likely a lab or a springer) and seeing what the craic is. I'm terrified of buying from a breeder because the last thing I want to do is inadvertently support a bad one but I'm sure I'll be back for advice on that in the future if that's the road we want to go down. On the off chance anyone knows decent breeders of either in NI or ROI do let me know

I think you would find most Labs less demanding than most Springers but of course all dogs are individuals.

 

[MiJodsR2BlinkinTite]

We usually always aim to have a "pack of two" here. We lost our old terrier in the summer of 21, sadly, and Ginger Dog (age 11 or thereabouts we think) had been on her own until September last year when we had our little Teckle puppy join us.

After we'd lost the other dog we did everything we could to make her feel cherished and loved, yet we were still aware she was missing someone - and it broke her heart (and hours too) when we saw a little dog when we were out who was exactly like him - it was very sad that day.

Saw an ad from some people in our local Hunt who we know for a little wire-haired (full sized) Dachshund, and puppy came to join us in early September of last year.

Ginge was a bit reluctant about it all to start with. She didn't know what to do, how to play with him; then the day came where she DID want to join in with his antics and gambol around.

Now they play and run quite happily. Ginger Dog has lost weight and has stopped looking like the "old dog" that she was beginning to degenerate into.

Careful introductions are needed is all I will say.

 

[Cortez]

My two, 10 and 8 so hardly ancient yet, are currently in the horrified stage, but no overt nastiness just a few "behave yerself" growls from the grumpy terrier. It can be done, but carefully.

 

[Clodagh]

@druid could probably help, and she may even know of a failed trialler. Tbh I wouldn’t get a puppy in your shoes. Scout was 6 months when I got him and it was bliss not having those baby steps. I don’t like puppies very much though, I know most people adore them.

 

[P3LH]

@druid could probably help, and she may even know of a failed trialler. Tbh I wouldn’t get a puppy in your shoes. Scout was 6 months when I got him and it was bliss not having those baby steps. I don’t like puppies very much though, I know most people adore them.

You’re not alone. I find the process really stressful/a complete pain until about 6/7 months.

 

[ArklePig]

@druid could probably help, and she may even know of a failed trialler. Tbh I wouldn’t get a puppy in your shoes. Scout was 6 months when I got him and it was bliss not having those baby steps. I don’t like puppies very much though, I know most people adore them.

I love puppies, but I think that's because I've never had one! I don't know if I'm up to the task of raising a puppy as much as I like the idea of a cute wrinkly lil fluff ball.

 

[Clodagh]

I love puppies, but I think that's because I've never had one! I don't know if I'm up to the task of raising a puppy as much as I like the idea of a cute wrinkly lil fluff ball.

Change that thought to toothy piddle demon who can’t do anything an adult can do and is just hard work.

 

[ArklePig]

To be fair Fodhla was a toothy demon and was fully grown but I guess she got sorted out quicker than a pup would because she wasn't actively teething and was just doing it because she didn't know what else to do!

I think puppies must be like babies, people only have them because they're sooo cute even though they probably make your life worse before it's better