Quincy is almost 1 and the opportunity has come up where we have a female black available to us. I fully understand the work involved etc. and the cost The puppy is onhold for us as we make our decision. We are not rushing onto this by any means and are considering all angles. So I am looking for feedback on your dogs ages and their interactions together. I have spoken to a few friends who have multiples and they say two is better than one lol And please no bashing I posted about this on another forum, which I am leaving because they bashed me and picked apart the gentleman who has the puppy.
Hi and welcome to the forum. I only have one dog but have considered introducing a doggy friend for Juno but have decided against it, despite seeing lots of lovely puppy photos here, as being the better option for us an my special girl. I don't think there is an ideal age gap between having puppies - it's a bit like age gaps with children - everyone has a different opinion . I think the main things to consider is Quincy's level of training and obedience and how a new puppy could impact it and how Quincy would react to a new puppy in the home. Do you have enough time to be able to walk both dogs as it will be some time before a new puppy could be walking with you and Quincy, and also the time available for training sessions for both of them. Final consideration is how you would manage a girl coming into season Ultimately if you feel that you have the time and that there will be no detrimental impact on Quincy, go with your head/heart and look forward to hearing your decision.
Hello there. Don't worry about being bashed on here, we're very supportive I did the absolutely frowned-upon thing, and brought home two litter mates. We discussed it here, and I did plenty of research. Even though some people's view was that I should reconsider, no-one got nasty about it, and I'm sure they won't with you, either. So, my two are 18 months old. It's a little different to your situation, obviously, but I think most of the same stuff applies. Yes, it is super hard work. They generally get one walk a day together and one separately. I think this is very important in order to work on their individual confidence in you, rather than just relying on each other. Both of them can be quite nervy over certain things, and walking them separately allows me to work on techniques to overcome that, where I wouldn't be able to effectively manage it when I have them together. Even if your dogs exude confidence, I still think it's important for bonding purposes to have plenty of one-on-one time with each of your dogs. If Quincy is entire, you obviously need to decide what to do as far as your new pup's maturity is concerned. We chose to have Willow spayed before her first season, having looked into the pros and cons. I'm not sure I'd do that again, and would look for a solution which allowed us to wait until after the first season. This would likely mean boarding my entire male with a local friend for the duration, meaning I still walk him and feed him every day. You need to ensure you work on separation anxiety with your new puppy - I assume that you did this with Quincy when he was a pup. We brought Willow home at 8 weeks and Shadow at 14 weeks. We had done lots of separation work with Willow, but it was obviously a bit more tricky when I had two puppies, and Shadow found it a lot more difficult to be left alone, without his sister there. Still, we worked on it and got there in the end. Now, they're both happy to be left completely alone for an hour when I take the other one out for a walk, or for a training session. Training can be somewhat more difficult. You need to teach them both to take turns when you're teaching them things. I did this by having one of them on a piece of vet bed by the side, and giving that one treats for being settled at the same rate as the other one was getting them for learning. Eventually, I reduced the frequency, and now the one that's not "working" only gets the odd treat, and is otherwise more than happy to settle and watch. Walking them together. Now, that can be interesting Both of mine walk very well to heel when I have them individually, or why my husband has one and I have the other. It is a lot more challenging when there are two just for one handler. This time last year, I was tearing my hair out as they'd try and drag me in different directions. But, persistence (and lots of treats) later, and I have a generally OK loose-lead walk with the two of them. There is still a way to go with proofing this, but we have the basics covered. The thing that lots of people are most concerned about is the end-of-life situation. Having two dogs close together in age could mean, in the natural order of things, that you lose them in a short space of time. Of course, we don't want to consider that, but we should think about it. As far as the dogs' emotions are concerned, I don't believe that unrelated dogs would be any more closely bonded after ten or so years if you get them a year apart or two years apart. So, the sense of loss for the remaining dog when one goes would be no stronger one way or the other. For yourself? Well, yes, losing two dogs within a short space of time would be horrific, but then, so is losing a single dog, and that doesn't stop people having one, does it? Not to mention that there are many, many things that could happen between now and the end of a natural life - most of which don't bear thinking about - but just because your dogs start off around the same age, it doesn't guarantee by any stretch that they will live to similar ages. It's not something I'm going to worry about until we get many years down the line. The biggest priority for me is, and always has been, ensuring they are not too reliant on one another and that I work on having a strong bond with them both, individually. I hope this has helped you a little bit. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to ask. There are many of us on here with multiple dogs, a couple of others with litter mates and dogs of similar ages.
I did have two puppies that close and there was no problem except they died within a year of each other. They were German Shorthaired Pointers. With my two Labs, they are 6 years apart in age, but this was because I also had German Pointers and had to wait for a space!
I didn't mention, obviously the financial implications. Suddenly, everything is doubled in cost. The most notable of which is, of course, vet bills. I'm jumping to the assumption that you're in the UK, and so have insurance available to you. This would be an essential in my mind, for a multiple-dog family. The age thing does play some part there, because elderly dogs will be more likely to need ongoing medications than younger dogs (not exclusively, obviously), and this could end up expensive for two. For me, I live in a place where pet insurance isn't available, so I have a (large) fund for emergencies and an unused credit card just in case.
Hi there, We have an article looking at this on the main site which might be of interest: What Is The Right Age Gap Between Labradors All the best! Lucy
Hello and welcome. There's almost two years between my two (unrelated), so a bit more age-gap than you would have. They're good company for each other, but perhaps a bit closer in age than I would have wanted. I've tried to make a point of walking them separately for their on-lead walks, partly to use them as continuing training sessions and partly so that I have time with them individually - and as Fiona has said, it can be interesting taking two together if you're on your own! For their off-lead walks in the woods I take them together, but usually with friends or family too. We've always had a 'senior pet', so in this case it's Wispa (now 4) whose food is put down first, gets the first treat, etc. However, Tuppence has got wise to that and usually makes sure she's in first from the garden because she then gets a treat for coming indoors and another treat after Wispa has come in and had hers! It's important to give the older dog time away from the puppy, even with only a small age-gap - and be prepared for the at-least-twice-daily rough and tumble! Mine have just had their compulsory after-supper 'bounce' and one is now snoring in her day bed, while the other is curled up in the hall, so they can be very independent too. Another problem can be dog care, if you need it. It's useful to have dog-friendly friends and family on hand to walk/let them out in emergencies - and of course boarding or dog care is more expensive for two. I've no idea what the 'right' age gap is - we've had anything from 11 years to less than 2 - but for many years we've enjoyed having two or three dogs rather than one. It can be double the work (and expense and worry, too) but just do what feels right for you.
We got Gypsy when Tatze was 15 months - they were brilliant together. We had to stop the crazy play at times 'tho! We got Twiglet when Tatze was 2 years old - she's less willing to play now, but will be persuaded Nearly all walks and training are done separately. . .
Hi, I have a male dog called Fred aged 23mths and a female dog called Annie 14 weeks. They have the same father but different mothers. They get on wonderfully, but I would point out it is very hard work. You have to do everything twice, training, walking. We love and enjoy both of them, they are part of our family and we would do it again. I would point out that we are both at home all day to care for them. So has the old saying goes, you pay your money and take your choice . Good luck
Welcome from Hattie 8 years and rescue boy Charlie 5 years. Quincy is a very handsome boy We got Charlie a rescue at 9 months and Hattie was 4 years old. They love each other and we all love them both dearly but personally I wouldn't have two dogs again. You have to give consideration to boarding them when you go on holiday, double vets, food, worming, flea treatment, food, beds etc. etc. and it's really hard work. I wish you luck with your decision and you must do what suits you and your family . Helen x
Hello and welcome to the forum! We are a one dog family (in spite of some pressure from my fabulous forum friends ) Our Lilly is now almost 6. I would worry that introducing another dog a this point would be a risk - would they get on? what would happen if Lilly didn't settle? I know that some people with young dogs who introduce a puppy can have a hard time settling them and getting them to be "friends", but it seems to work out in the end. I would suspect there isn't a right or a wrong. Lots of things to consider, as noted above, but as long as you have considered them and are prepared for the pitfalls, then go with your heart I would say. My friend has 5 labs - she reassures me a second is company for the first, then you don't notice as you slowly build your family
I have two girls six months apart in age and it has been great. The first few months with the second one are hard work but not insurmountable, and my two are the best of friends. Now they are 4.5 and 5 years old Im actively looking for a third and have been for a while. I'm vaguely hoping that if I get another black bitch and just make sure there are only 2 in the room at any one time then OH won't notice.....
Hi, I have two male labs. The age gap is 8 years. Personally I think with these two the gap is too far apart. The youngest is 2 now. He is quite a dog to handle. I went to obedience training, but it is quite difficult to raise him.... We have had two labs, also with a gap of 8 years between them, but that went very well. The oldest, who became 14 years of age raised the youngest. The oldest was a female, and the younger one a male, who is now the older one and 10 year of age. He is very well trained, obedient, and a very sweet dog. He didn't want to correct the younger one. He is now 2. The older one is Euan, the younger is Finn What I am trying to say is that it all depends on the character of the two dogs. Annemarie
We have two Chocolate Labs, one 10 yr old and one 9 month old. I wish we had done it one or two years earlier, but it is working OK. Tilly is still young enough to defend her self from Cooper, but Cooper is 5" taller and 7# heavier at 9 months. They do play well together, and Tilly has taught Cooper a lot. They are very different in temperament. Cooper is much more high strung, much more birdy and much more visual. Tilly is the dog you see when you look in Wikipedia for a picture of a "good dog" We just just put them in a kennel for a week while we go on a ski vacation. The kennel caters to retrievers, and has 370 acres and a large pond. They take all the dogs out twice a day to let them run and swim. As long as they get along and come back OK they get to go. It's kind of like doggie camp. They put Tilly and Cooper in the same run at the kennel. I think Cooper would be very upset if they were separated. Tilly would probably just sleep, but Cooper does keep her more active.
Thank you for your responses!! Sorry I havent been on, we just returned from a vacation! So we decided not to get the puppy. It was a very hard decision but I think it was the right one. My husband really wanted her but in the end, I am the one who ends up doing most of the hard work and its just too much for me right now. Quincy has his own set of issues, he was a singleton puppy and has what I call only child syndrome. I had big concerns as to how he would react. We may revisit the subject in a year or so when he is closer to being an adult.
Hi there, it sounds like you have put lots of thought into it and come up with the best decision for you right now. It must have been hard to walk away from a cute bundle of puppy, so well done! Do keep in touch, let us know how Quincy is getting on and if and when you decide to expand your family
It's so hard to say no to a puppy but it sounds as if you thought long and hard and have made the right decision for you and Quincy. We would love to hear more about Quincy and see some photos
