ldavid89 Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 hey guys, i have a black 18month old Labrador and im considering purchasing another dog, i have only ever had one dog at a time and would be appreciative to hear feedback on your thoughts of what breeds i should be looking at and any past experiences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 I only have toy breeds but I got my second dog when my first was 18 months (3 months ago now) and so far so good. They have become pretty good buddies and are the same energy level so like the same games and seem to sleep the same times etc. I'm sure its very different for a high energy large breed though, but I love love love having my 2 girls so far *touch wood* Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Is your current dog desexed or not? Male or female? Plays nice with others? Can be taken out in public without acting the complete loon? (it's a Lab thing sometimes... lol!) Does he/she guard food or toys? All things to consider when looking at getting a second... or third... or more dogs... *grin* T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rubiton Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 Agree on the idea that before getting a second to make sure the current one is well trained (you'll need the support for the new one til it learns) and indeed over the 'loon' stage (our younger dog is around 2 a lab and perhaps one day he will grow a brain in the meantime I've got my 23kg workout weight when he does the 'loon' thing on walks as forgets he has been learning from the older far wiser one). Also be aware two dogs is so much more work than one especially if they are young dogs with endless energy. You hve to know who is hgher in the peckig order then work out how to throw a treat to one slightly before the other and how to pat them at the same time or if one by one give each the same amount of pats so one doesnt feel left out and try and break the rules. On walks you have to cooridinate how one person can walk two at once (and with a decent sized dog what to do if they start to become too strong for whateverreason. If you take only one somewhere you have to work out how to distract the other so that one doesnt think its missing out. They will also work as a team to remind you its food time or nearly take your knees out at the mere movement of a lead. You have to have two beds and space for said beds as some dogs will not share their own space especially if use to being an only dog. Our two seem to have worked out a share arrangement fo only one spot int eh house in front of the lounge window. When she is there he can sit well back but still see out but if she goes elsewhere he will make himself at home in the prime close to the window spot. Youll also have to find a way to workout who has done 'something' (such as start digging near the roots of a pot plant outside) when both have shown interest inthat dirt and neither has dirty paws. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 (edited) The mistake I (and I'm sure some others have made as well) is getting another dog before making sure your current dog is fully trained. I did that with one of my dogs and it picked up some bad habits from the dog I already had and just made it twice as hard and frustrating as it was with one dog So if your dog is well trained, well behaved and well socialised with both people and other dogs then I don't see why adding another dog would be a bad idea. Most everyone I know on here and in RL have multiple dogs. Multiple dog households are a lot of fun but a lot of work. I have 5 here and there's never a dull moment but you always need to be aware of what's going on and adding another dog can completely change your current dog for a while as it adjusts. When we added Maybe to the pack, Ammo took quite a few weeks before he was back to his old self, he got very put out and that can effect the house dynamics. All these things you have to take into consideration and also the fact that your new dog is very unlikely to act and behave the way your current dog does. It will have its own traits and quirks. My advice is get a dog at the same or lower energy level as your current dog. Get from a reg breeder or reputable rescue so they can help you select the exact dog that would suit your home and lifestyle and unless you're experienced I'd stay away from the less biddable dog breeds or breeds that are more high maintenance behaviourwise. Hope that helps and good luck with your new pup if you decide to get one Edited November 29, 2012 by mixeduppup Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Rebanne Posted November 29, 2012 Share Posted November 29, 2012 hey guys, i have a black 18month old Labrador and im considering purchasing another dog, i have only ever had one dog at a time and would be appreciative to hear feedback on your thoughts of what breeds i should be looking at and any past experiences. I would be interested to hear why you want a second dog and what sort of dog you like. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 (edited) Really depends on your situation and why you want another dog. I also have a youngish labrador (2 years) and am considering getting another dog. I keep switching between fostering and getting another puppy. A lot will depend on where I am working next year. To be honest, I partly want another dog because I have always wanted 2 dogs (actually i've always wanted 3 but one step at a time :D) but I also think it would be nice for my dog to have company. She gets along great with other dogs and we've done dog-sitting and she seemed to cope very well and even thrive with having another doggy companion. I am 100% happy with her behaviour and level of training at the moment so in that regard I feel ready to have another dog. Personally I'm looking at getting another Labrador, but from retrieving lines. I think Labs do recognise their own and are drawn to other retrievers (labs, GRs, flatties, curlies etc), and they have their own play style which other breeds don't appreciate sometimes. Having said that, my dogs best friends are kelpies and I wouldn't rule out fostering for working dog rescue and maybe having a foster failure if all goes well. Lab or golden retrriever rescue is another option. Maybe consider fostering to see how your dog copes with having another dog in the house and what breeds suit your lifestyle. I think assistance dogs has a program where you puppy raise the pup from 8-12 weeks, so it would probably give you a good idea about how you would deal with your dog AND a puppy! Edited November 30, 2012 by aussielover Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ldavid89 Posted November 30, 2012 Author Share Posted November 30, 2012 ok thankyou guys, a great response Firstly the reason behind getting a second dog is to give skye abit of comapny, and ive always wanted a 2nd dog. My current dog 'skye' is a female and she is desexed, she spends 80% of the day inside the house and sleeps inside at night in her bed, also is completly toilet trained and very well behaved. In public she is OK, great and playful with other dogs and sometimes abit over excited, but comes back on command. The breeds im considering are, another Lab, A German sheppard, or a Siberian Husky. Although im not sure yet what breed, also i know the sex of the 2nd dog is important and how it will play out between the two.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Skye sounds very settled .. if/when another pup/dog comes into the house-hold this could change dramatically Consider that .... she will have a playmate- someone who may decide to get up to mischief ..... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I'd go another lab Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aussielover Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 I think another lab, but a shepherd could also work. They are both easily trainable and biddable breeds. Lovemesideways on DOL has a shepherd and a Lab so maybe ask her how it works. Sibes are beautiful but quite different from labs or shepherds. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esky the husky Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 If you do get a sibe please be aware that they are seriously nowhere near as biddable as a labrador. They can be veeeery frustrating for people unprepared, especially if your lab has been easy to train ;) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 If you do get a sibe please be aware that they are seriously nowhere near as biddable as a labrador. They can be veeeery frustrating for people unprepared, especially if your lab has been easy to train ;) So true. I have a Lab and Spitz breeds the the temperaments could not be more different! If you want something more like your Lab I'd go another Lab or a GSD Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
juice Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 (edited) yes, bear in mind if your lab comes back when called a sibe probably won't, i have only ever met one sibe who could be let off lead. I think they are stunning dogs and was offered one once, but they are not easy. A GSD would fit the bill, or a cattle dog, Aussie shep,Rottie? Actually the labs i have met play very hard, like staffys? Edited November 30, 2012 by juice Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest donatella Posted November 30, 2012 Share Posted November 30, 2012 Definitely talk to Lovemesideways a member on here. She has 2 boys a Lab and a GSD both reasonably young I think and they are best buddies so she's got a great routine going with them. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Labradork Posted December 1, 2012 Share Posted December 1, 2012 (edited) Another black Labrador, of course :) Black Labz rool :cool: Edited December 1, 2012 by Labradork Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tapua Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 Lab - they will like minded natures they will uinderstand each other body language easily and two Labs are better than 1 or maybe 3 or 4 or.... :laugh: labs are great to live with. If you have a settled 18month old then the pup is more likely to mimick and copy good behaviour. Not that I am biased Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I have one Lab, and it's sheeding season... how do you deal with more of them Tapua? T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mixeduppup Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I have one Lab, and it's sheeding season... how do you deal with more of them Tapua? T. My friend called me a few weeks ago and was complaining about her two labs shedding everywhere and I told her that she should come to my house once my maremma starts :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
tdierikx Posted December 2, 2012 Share Posted December 2, 2012 I also have a camp dog that sheds about as much as the Lab - and hers is much finer and harder to get rid of... grrr! I'm brushing them pretty much daily and sweeping/vacuuming up the hair almost as regularly, but they still drop bloody hair everywhere... *sigh* T. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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