i have one lab just 17 months after many months of work i now feel it may be an option to have a second dog not only thinking of lab maybe something smaller but want to ask about wether a dog or bitch would be better milly gets on with all dogs
Re: 2 dogs I think it is which one you would prefer. I have had two bitches together, two bitches and one dog twice, now have 2 dogs and all have got on well.
Re: 2 dogs I have two bitches and I'm loving every minute, both labs. Tatze was 15 months old when Gypsy arrived at 10 weeks old. I do miss being able to pick them up and cuddle them 'tho. I have started telling my husband that we need another Cavalier. They are just like labs in temperament, but easy to pick up ;D
Re: 2 dogs It's more about personalities than sex IMO, we have had various combinations of boys and girls, currently have two girls. We have only had problems once and that was 2 boys but it was personality clash not the fact they were same sex.
Re: 2 dogs I've always had multiple dogs, mainly all males that have got on fine. On the two occasions a female was added (not together) I found they were very much in charge of the boys.
Re: 2 dogs I've had two or three dogs for several years now, usually an older dog with a young one, but also two just a couple of years apart, as my current dogs are. Although I now have two females, I've also a male with females too, but not two males together (only by chance, though). We've always made sure that the dog we've had the longest (not the oldest in one case) has been 'senior dog': food and treats given first, lead put on first, etc. They have always got on very well. My two now are both labs (medium sized, not large) but, like Boogie, I wish they were smaller, as they're not portable! Tuppence has her own way of ensuring that she has cuddles, though!
Re: 2 dogs We have 2 dogs, both female aged 3 and 6. We wanted a second, smaller dog to go with Ruby our lab, so we got Bella, our gorgeous working cocker spaniel. I think the spaniel/lab combo works well. I have ended up with a fun, energetic spaniel who loves to curl up on your lap for a snuggles and a loyal, independent labrador who isn't so bothered with human attention. However, when out for a walk and training they are the perfect partnership. They are both biddable, but also enjoy an energetic run and investigation together. I love them both soooooo much. Chloe
Re: 2 dogs I agree, spaniel/lab is a lovely combination. You need to be a bit more careful with managing a spaniel from working lines, as some can get out of control if they get the 'hunting bug'. If you are not keen on training, a terrier can be a lovely companion for a lab. I love Jack Russells, they are fantastic little dogs
Re: 2 dogs Chihuahua Labrador is working well too, no doubt in anyone's mind who is the boss and who looks after who, and the rough play is astonishing to watch - hard to believe none gets hurt the bite inhibition is fantastic !
Re: 2 dogs I agree, spaniel/lab is a lovely combination. You need to be a bit more careful with managing a spaniel from working lines, as some can get out of control if they get the 'hunting bug'. [/quote] Pippa, I absolutely agree with your comment. Sadly, many wcs seem to end up in rescues because owners can't manage them! I have been very lucky with Bella as although she likes to hunt her recall is pretty good most of the time, although I am careful where I walk her, as in fields full of rabbits I could be pushing my luck!! However I have met some pretty wayward show cockers too, many who can only be walked on leads as they love to chase anything and everything !! Chloe
Re: 2 dogs At the end of my 121, I was writing up my notes and finishing my tea, when the next student arrived for his first ever lesson. 2.5 year old rescue springer spaniel...with a chasing problem. And, boy, what a chasing problem. Hats off to the chap, he has quite a project on his hands. I got the impression he was up to it though. Good for him. Thank goodness there are people willing to try.
Re: 2 dogs I've gone for the lab/spaniel combo and so far I'm loving it They're both boys, I tend to prefer boys and my lab is intact so it was one less complication to have a second boy. Also I have a Clumber spaniel and the advice I found was that the girls are a little more wilful so for a first spaniel a boy would be better. A second dog is considerably more work with separate exercise and training needs.......wouldn't change it though ;D
Re: 2 dogs [quote author=bbrown link=topic=8574.msg121252#msg121252 date=1415010856] A second dog is considerably more work with separate exercise and training needs.......wouldn't change it though ;D [/quote] Really, Barbara? I just remember when we had Billy and then got Bones two years later, the training seemed so easy as he just copied whatever Billy did... The same when Bones was elderly and we got Poppy, she looked to him all the time to see what he was doing and took her cue from that. So I think on the whole I think training the puppy was actually easier having a well-behaved elder dog as a companion. I have had two entire male dogs together who were completely happy each other for fourteen years with never a cross word. Then we got Poppy and although she wanted to play with Bones more than he could take, nonetheless they got on well. But since he was uncastrated and she is also not neutered, it was a bit tricky once she came into heat.
Re: 2 dogs Yes really Obi doesn't go for the same walks as Riley as I wouldn't risk his hips for that duration. To be honest there's a good chance he never will "go for a walk" as I'll hunt him up or do some other training whereas Riley frequently just goes for a bimble and enjoys the fresh air with some human company. Obi's training is quite different to the way I trained Riley already, for instance I'm not teaching him to sit or heel in the same way, Obi is rarely on a lead, I spend my time with him getting him to do things in my immediate vicinity. How would I concentrate on Riley if I had obi with us and vice versa? They're at completely different stages in their training and being trained quite differently. I would be the same way if it was a lab pup with regards duration of exercise although the basic training might be easier it's certainly still more work than just having one
Re: 2 dogs Ah, I see. I think I misread your post a little - I thought you meant training the second dog was more work than training the first. Of course durations and intensity of exercise is different with the dogs at different ages, and also different breeds. That's another reason I've put off another puppy (or puppies ) for at least 18 months - I want to be at a stage with Poppy where I feel her training can take a break for several months, so I could concentrate on Number 2.
Re: 2 dogs One of the reasons we got Betty Chihuahua she could match elderly Mollies exercise needs, and now with Elsie matches hers too. As I said previously personalities are most important.
Re: 2 dogs i have heard that cockers can be a bit hard to control if they are from working lines have i got that right i love all spaniels and have before had 2 springers think a springer would have the energy to play with milly i have yet to meet any dog on walks that wants to run as much as she does she does slow down but she can outrun most dogs
Re: 2 dogs I`ve always had the gundog breed/terrier mix , had both together for more years than I care to remember and love it too x
Re: 2 dogs [quote author=sussex link=topic=8574.msg121325#msg121325 date=1415033456] i have heard that cockers can be a bit hard to control if they are from working lines have i got that right [/quote] I think spaniels from working lines in general can be tough. It's important to harness their hunting instinct and getting it under control so you don't get into trouble
Re: 2 dogs I wouldn't get a spaniel from strong working lines unless I was planning on going out on shoots with it, but then I wouldn't get a labrador from strong working lines for the same reason. They are bred with these lines for a reason and if you are not wanting to channel that working desire and are purely looking for a pet dog, then I think it would be unfair to have one. If you like the working type I personally think that a little bit of show thrown in with the working makes for a good balance in a pet dog. My wcs spaniel has some show lines in her pedigree and I think this makes for her less full on nature. I researched her breeding carefully as I knew I wanted a working type spaniel with health checks, but also one which would be happy in a pet home. Bella's dam was a pet dog and her sire did agility, however she does also have many FTCh going back in her pedigree too. Chloe
