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1 Year Old Labrador Retriever - New Puppy?


Jennda
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Hi

I have a 1 year old beautiful male Labrador, Beau. He has a great nature, is intelligent, playful, loves kids and people, extremely cheeky, the biggest sook and I think the world of him. My partner and I were thinking about another Labrador (female) addition to our family and were wondering if anyone could tell us the best time to do so. Is a year too young? Would we have issues with opposite genders? We don't plan on mating/breeding either of them at this stage. Beau also lives with his meow (cat) and Bella (shitzu/maltese dog). He has been socialised with other dogs as well. I am really just wanting information or advice that anyone could offer.

Thanks in advance

Jennifer

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Is beau desexed ? You'll probably have no problems but be prepared for the naughtiness to triple! You may find he will go back to some naughty habbits to copy her in about a year the hierarchy will probably find (all the bitches I know are head of the house ) you may have troubles with your little dog and her competiting for head bitch but he is a good age and would love the company! Make sure they have time apart to so sif one needs to go to the vet or something the other one dosnt sit at home and howl

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For the love of dog please I beg you dont breed

Yes, check out the Labrador Rescues around the country - all inundated with unwanted Labs - which is totally shocking to those that know and love them.

Maybe you'll be able to find a wonderful dog through them - the Lab NSW Rescue gets the whole range - pups through to elderly dogs, all very deserving.

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Having two youngish Labradors is great. In most cases it provides a lot of entertainment watching them play. Labs are good at having many bonds, and I doubt you'll find Beau has any trouble with sharing affection between people and another dog. I think they're happier with company. BUT

You need to be clear from the outset whether or not you might plan to breed. (1) Though Labs are enormously popular, registrations are not increasing, and in some regions are declining. Good homes for pups are not guaranteed, and a new breeder will generally have more trouble placing pups than a breeder with an established reputation. So if you have any intention of breeding, be upfront with it, and make sure the breeders from whom you sourced your two dogs approve and will give you referrals; (2) Very few breeders will sell a high quality bitch to someone they don't know well unless they are pretty certain the buyer is going to desex.

If you want to float the idea of possibly breeding down the line, get an established breeder's opinion of Beau (or show him) and have him Xrayed now and put yourself in the position of looking like a responsible (potential) breeder.

Kearsarge's comment about naughtyness is absolutely true. Two Lab puppies will dig bigger holes, much faster than one. If there are latent escape tendencies, they will blossom as the team decide to go on adventures. And objects of play are likely to be torn to shreds rather than mouthed as the play turns to game of tug. Potted plants, beware. Etc.

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Thank you everyone for the answers, I really appreciate it. We don't want to breed Beau or his potential sister, and I am taking him to obedience school but haven't thought about showing him. We have really enjoyed every aspect of the Labrador breed - mischief and all. They are beautiful dogs and I am glad I did my research before adding him to our little family, dogz online site and this forum were an invaluable tool in deciding. He really is a lovely little man with the best personality. My biggest concern was that perhaps he would not be accepting of a new puppy or that he would be jealous, neither of which anyone has mentioned. I don't feel like he would, it would be a new play mate for him. I just want the best for him. :)

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Thank you everyone for the answers, I really appreciate it. We don't want to breed Beau or his potential sister, and I am taking him to obedience school but haven't thought about showing him. We have really enjoyed every aspect of the Labrador breed - mischief and all. They are beautiful dogs and I am glad I did my research before adding him to our little family, dogz online site and this forum were an invaluable tool in deciding. He really is a lovely little man with the best personality. My biggest concern was that perhaps he would not be accepting of a new puppy or that he would be jealous, neither of which anyone has mentioned. I don't feel like he would, it would be a new play mate for him. I just want the best for him. :)

Jealousy is unlikely unless you ignore Beau and lavish attention on the puppy. There are Labs who don't like pups. I know a breeder who had one of her titled dogs pts because he attacked a puppy. But it's extremely rare. Young boys are likely to be very welcoming of babies. Supervision required. Heavy roughhousing can harm a baby or young pup.

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Good luck Jennda. I hope you find your perfect puppy or Dog, and thank you for considerering a rescue.

We added a new puppy to our household when our Jack Russell was 18 months old, against the advice of our trainers, who knew we were first time dog owners, and knew we had an idealised view of how "easy" it would be to have 2 dogs.

Thankfully, it turned out very well, but we were surprised at the extra work, training and teaching two young dogs were, there was a huge adjustment. On the upside (and downside) Tip taught Kira all he knew- both good and bad!

Di

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let us know how you go :) if you wanted to trial another dog for a bit why not volunteer to be a guide dog puppy raiser or a rescue minder? less permenant and allows you to see how all the others will go with another dog and how it will affect your family ?:)

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