Another dog or not

cruyff73

Hi all,

I've got a 4yr old Westie and the OH is pushing to get a second dog. Our dog was a stray when we had her (we found out later she had been kept locked in a cage with other dogs but managed to escape) and my wife thinks she would like to have a bit of canine company. I'm not too sure as although she loves playing with other dogs when on the beach or in the park, at home she tends to like her own space and being the sole focus of attention.

Any thoughts?

aurora_borealis_2

I'd like to know too.

Due to change of job, mine will be alone all day long from January. I'm not sure what to to do about it.

sinizterguy

Dogs are social animals. They will appreciate company whether that is of the human or the canine type.

claireandella

I am in no way a dog expert and am having lots of problems with mine however, fwiw:

My parents had 3 dogs- a collie and 2 boxers (mother and son). The collie didn't want anything to do with the boxers as they were quite boisterous and would annoy her so i think she would have preferred to be an only dog- if yours is very quiet she may feel like this. The boxers were very good company for each other but very hard work- mum said a pair were much harder than looking after one dog as the amount of poo, slobber, vets bills etc seemed to more than double! My parents also had a problem because they live in a very rural area and, whilst one dog wouldn't react to livestock in any way, as a pair they would take on a 'pack' mentality and try to run off in pursuit of sheep etc. This also applied to meeting other dogs when on walks.

That said, I'm sure that two small and fairly placid dogs would be good company for each other and, at least if you get another Westie, you'll have experience of the breed. I think that having two same-breed dogs means their temperaments are more likely to be compatible than if you get a big dog or a different 'type' of dog. As your westie is still young and she has had a difficult start in life it might be best to get a young dog from a reputable breeder so that it doesn't try to dominate your dog. At least this way you know that you're not taking on an unknown quantity with problems that may affect your dog's behaviour (and teach her bad habits!)

laurajayne

We had (have actually lol) a Yorkie, and looked at getting another dog when she was about 4. We looked at rehoming a rescue dog, but when we took Minnie, she wasn't to happy with the dog we'd 'chosen'....

We ended up with a Border Collie pup from the same place we got Minnie, and now we couldn't imagine life without the two of them.

They fight occasionally, play together lots, and stick together like no ones business....we were advised to get different dogs though, as they said they'd be more compatible.

Only you can really make the disision, depends on your own situation...I work from home, so there is always someone around for them, saying that, they enjoy each other's company.

Good luck x

davsidipp

i had a westie 5 years ago not the easiest of breeds i might add but very loyal. some westies do get on with other dogs mine never but she came from a puppy farm which did not help as she was not socialised which made her snappy. if your dog gets on well with other dogs it should not be a problem,i have 2 dogs now one a parson russell the other a small jrt older one is 5 did not like it very much when we first got other one but after a year has settled down well no horrible scraps they both know which one is boss and it works well best of luck if you go for another dog.

bulchy

We got a wiemaraner dog from rescue almost 2 years ago, and wanted another dog for company for him, not in the house, but for walks, as he loves meeting and playing with other dogs, and some dog owners would walk the other way when they seen him coming We were worried about an adult dog coming into the home from rescue and taking over Thunders role as top dog, (beneath the cats of course :rotfl: ) so got an American cocker pup. He hated her at first, but we think thats mainly because she was so small and kept getting under his paws. They get along great now, he's like a protective big brother to her, and I wish we had done it sooner, walks are much more fun for him now, as you cant always guarantee your going to meet up with other dogs while out walking. I certainly dont regret getting a 2nd dog, but then again, we knew Thunder had previously lived with another dog. It might be worth seeing how your dog reacts to other dogs being in her home before you commit yourself to taking in another dog, would you be having another rescue or will you play it safe like we did and get a pup?
Sue

november

I've had 3 dogs before with no problem. However we decided to get another dog to keep my lab company (even though there is always someone in with her ) and that really didn't work out. We've had the lab since she was a pup and she was from my sister's dog's litter so a known soft temperament. No problems with other dogs at all. We got a jack russell pup as my OH had kept jack's before from someone my mum knew and apparently they were used to other dogs. The lab was about 4 then.

All was fine until the jack russell hit about 18 months old. She started trying to dominate the lab but took it all too far with nipping her legs etc. We had advise from the vet and animal behaviour experts by the time they were fighting outright when the lab started retaliating. We had to keep them separate at all times until we could rehouse the jack russell. Apparently 2 dogs will fight for dominance but 2 !!!!!es to the death. And that is what it looked like.

It was very stressful and upsetting for the whole house.

We're now a one dog household. I suppose what I am saying is it depends on the dogs. My lab is much happier on her own and slowly regained her confidence with other dogs (it took a big knock!). They obviously just didn't get on. As I said I had 3 !!!!!es before, 1 GS X (rescue) and 2 Yorkies (1 rescue) with no problem

edited to add the censor obviously doesn't like the word for a female dog That's what !!!! says - female dog

cruyff73

Thanks for all your replies.

If we were to get another dog it would be from a rescue home (but a younger dog) so it would be a bit more difficult I guess. I think part of me not being sure is down to not wanting the way she interacts with us to change. We'll see what happens after Christmas I think.

black-saturn

IMO if you can't give your current dog the attention it needs you shouldnt be thinking about getting another one.

cruyff73

black-saturn wrote:

IMO if you can't give your current dog the attention it needs you shouldnt be thinking about getting another one.

Don't understand why you say that. My dog get's all the attention and more.