Would I Be Crazy To Have Another?

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Tia

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Husband and I were talking yesterday and both of us (unbeknown to one another) have been considering getting another Akbash. Are we mad? Or does it make sense? Probably isn't doable until Summer next year as I would definitely want a full sister of Clover (our year old Akbash) and her breeder only breeds once a year in June.

The main reason is that Clover is going a grand job of keeping on top of the wolves, however I (and hubby too apparently) do become concerned when she goes off on her own. I would feel so much safer for her if she went out there with another dog of a similar calibre. My other 3 dogs do not go with her when she patrols the farm; so I do get a little worried that if the wolves ganged up on her, would she be able to protect herself?
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She is only 16 months old so still a very young dog.

Clover does have a full sister who is being advertised for sale locally - however this bitch is 5 months old and I am really not sure that it would be a good idea to buy an Akbash this old; they really need to be with you right from puppies. I have seen pictures of this pup and she is the usual beautiful Akbash but I don't know why they are looking to re-home her; probably they have found out how much noise they make and how useless they are at being trained. Mind you Clover is VERY good now and actually does choose to do what I suggest ... most of the time. I don't know, I keep looking at the photo of the pup available - should I call about it, or should I just put it down to; this is a very bad idea; and either wait till next year to get a puppy, or forget it as Clover will be 2 next year, should be much bigger than she is now and should be more than capable of looking after herself?

Dilemma; do we need 2 Akbash? Should we wait till next year or should we go look at the 5 month old pup or should we forget about getting another
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. No I haven't forgotten about how much time and energy it takes to deal with this type of dog, however do you think I am wrong to believe that Clover will probably make our job so much easier as she will be a great help in teaching the pup what to do?

Here was little Clover when she was a teeny 6 week old puppy;

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Here is a photo I took of Clover last month; she was "frogging" - she LOVES frogging.
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Hey there stranger!!!!

She's one gorgeous dog for sure...

I don't know enough about the breed to know if what she is doing by wandering on her own is safe or not. From what I've read before, they are very protective and she's only doing what her job is...?

I would be suspect as to why a pup is up for grabs after such a short period of time, and if what you say, that you need to have them since pupbs, then I'd leave well alone.

If you want one, then get a full sibling next summer.... However, after the winter, you'll know if you need two.....

Anyway - you normally know what your answer is when you post things anyway, and just want feedback - I know your style!!!!
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Take care, and enjoy what you have right now!

Bx
 
I'm a sucker for a sob story, so I would go to see the 5 month old and assess it for myself. I would then take it on trial and see how it fits in with the farm. It would probably fit in well as it would have Clover to show it the ropes.
 
Oh, I love a dilema
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In your situation and given everything you have said I certainly would get a second Akbash. I think the most sensible thing to do would be wait until next year, when she is a more mature dog and will have perfected her "wolfing abilities" even more so and would be ready to teach a pup all that she knows.

However, knowing me I would probably, against all my better instincts, end up with the 5 month old - sometimes these things call out to us for a reason
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Sorry, not much help am I
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She is a gorgeous dog though
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My first instinct is no if you think you are better off having from a puppy. But then it took my OH 3 years to convince me to have a dog lol.

How long would it be before you were happy for the 5 month old dog to go off with Clover? (Sorry, don't know anything about the breed). Will it be soon and solve your problem of Clover being on her own with the wolves?
 
Hello there!! Send me a PM to let me know how you are doing over here - and when are you coming to visit, Lol!
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I really haven't decided, although yes I have a bit of an idea of what to do. I like to throw these things around in here and see if others come up with thoughts that I haven't considered.
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I don't know whether the owners would allow this. When I was dumped with Clovers brother for a few months, and I needed to find a home for him, I did offer this to the buyer; I gave him a weeks trial money back. He kept the dog and all worked out perfectly. Clovers brother did not belong to me and I would not have a male Akbash as old as him, so as much as I liked him, he had no place on our farm. The owners of him bought him at 5 months too and from watching him when he came to live with us temporarily, I knew that he had missed out so much on what it was all about, that he couldn't stay here.

My biggest concern about asking for a trial though, is what if something happened to the pup? I don't recall how old Clover was when she first started guarding our livestock but I don't think it was younger than 5 months, so by this age she was very au fait with what was her job but she still stayed close to home. I just worry about what type of upbringing this pup may have had and what their problems are with her. Rescue centres often have Akbash in them where I live, because people see them as white fluffy balls when they are pups and fall in love with them - and then a few months down the line, they find out what they are really like, can't cope and get rid.
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Lol!! I hear what you are saying
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. I am always sucked into this "these things happen for a reason", and you know if it were any other type of dog, I'd have already jumped at the chance. I guess I am just overly cautious as I know what they are like and having seen the way Clovers brother was when he lived here, I felt at the time that these dogs need to be in their new home from day dot.

You have picked up on a very pertinant point though - you're right, Clover already does know her role and does a great job of it; she is just too light right now to be able to properly defend herself if she was ambushed. She's already had a couple of run ins with the wolves, however they were alone and not with their pack, and she is much taller than them, so all that happened was the wolf nipped her and then ran off as fast as it could!

Ooh I really don't know
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. You know what it's like; you decide you want one but should you take the first one to come along and maybe all will be well, or maybe it won't; or should you wait a year and give everything you have to the puppy to set if off on the right foot from the very beginning...
 
I don't completely remember at what age Clover went off on her own. I think she was older than 5 months. I don't remember her going off in the summer months, but I do remember her going off when we were in the depths of winter. I also remember what a trial it was cultivating, nurturing and focusing her instincts. She was a lot of hard work during last winter however it has definitely paid off as now she is very clear on the boundaries of our farm. I think that is the hardest job with them, figuring out ways to make it clear to them where they are allowed to go and where is off-limits.

Thank you all for your input. I am sooo tempted to call and go and see this pup, but my head keeps telling me that that would not be a good idea. I'm a pretty cautious person when it comes to things like this. Maybe too cautious eh?
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Ok, I would now be thinking,, what sort of upbringing has this dog had?, has he lived a similar life to the one you would give him, has he had chance to develop his protecting instincts at all or been more of a family pet/guard dog?

If no then my concern would be whether it could be a hindrance to Clover and maybe make her job more risky because of this?

If yes, then I ,,,, would be even more
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I don't think you would be crazy to have another, your reasons seem very sensible to me. However in your shoes I would wait until next summer with a view to having Clovers full sister. I was in a similar situation to you in that I decided I wanted another GSD and wanted one from a particular line. I was tempted several times when other pups became available but held out and waited for Evie and am so glad I did. Also, to fit in with your situation I think you would be better with as young a pup as possible then you can bring it up exactly as you want it.
 
Oh Kibob -
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me too!
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I just keep thinking about the 5 month old
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and I think I want to meet her, BUT ....

MM- the problem is this though; the 5 month old pup is a full sister to Clover, from this years litter of pups - that's what makes it even more confusing for me. Argh! I've been out there messing around with the horses and I keep thinking I should go and see her, or at least call about her. Hmm maybe I will over the weekend
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. But then dang! my head keeps telling me not to do it, Lol!!
 
Aagh, right, can see your predicament now, sorry didn't read your post properly
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Have to admit would probably still wait myself as I would always choose to have a pup as young as possible. I once took in a full sister to one of my bitches at 9 months old and she was a nightmare, but she had had a bad past so it was understandable. None of which is probably any help to you, perhaps go and have a look at this pup and ask lots and lots of questions, really study it in its home environment etc, and then really weigh up the pros and cons.
 
Gotta say, my experience with slightly older pups has been the same as yours
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. It's difficult when you don't live in a "normal" environment and you really do need to be exceptionally careful with what you bring into the household.

I think I will call about this pup and ask as many questions as I can think of. Not a done-deal, but what if she would be perfect for us? It means we have jumped the gun and don't have to wait so long to have a good working dog.

Many many thanks - you have all been a big help in trying to help my turmoiled mind.
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I know they're chalk and cheese, in terms of breeds, but I got Stella as an older pup, and I couldn't really want for a better behaved, calm, fun dog. At the very least, you should check out the five-month-old Akbash in person.
 
Kao, Prose; you're right, it may well not be the doom and gloom I imagine. I will pop down town in a minute and pick up the telephone number for the pup. I'll give them a call later on today and take it from there. Thank you everyone.
 
I intended to. I went downtown and the farm supplies store was closed and the supermarket ad didn't seem to be there anymore. Maybe she has already gone. I will be at the farm supplies again next week so will see if the ad is still in there and yes I'm going to call if it is.
 
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