Thinking of getting another dog. Advice please?

mossstitchmama

Hi, advice please from people who have experience of owning more than one dog.

We at present have a 10 month old female short legged Jack Russell. She has not been neutered yet. I have seen how she acts with similar size dogs of different breeds when out for walks and our family is considering having another dog as a companion.

However, I have only ever had a single dog. What is the best age for her to be before getting a playmate? Male or female, puppy or older dog? Ideally we would like a JRT or JRT cross of a similar size.

We have also been approached by the owner of a male Jack with a view to her having a litter. How old would she have to be? I am not so keen on this idea as we would have to sell some of the puppies if there were any more than four (one for us, one for the boys owner and two family members would like one of her puppies). I would have worries about them going to good homes.

Your thoughts and experiences would be welcomed. Thanks

Person_one

Please don't breed from her, there is no shortage of Jack Russell pups, in fact there are too many and not enough homes.

Breeding should only be done by professionals who have a really good knowledge of what's involved, who carry out every health check and are willing to spend a fortune if need be on vets bills. Its not something you should do as a 'hobby' or because you fancy the idea of having cute pups around.

mossstitchmama

I am not keen on her having pups to be honest. I am on another forum of JRT owners and when I asked this question, several replies said that my dog was more likely to accept one of her own pups. Before this was suggested, we had not even thought of it.

I am very lucky that if we did decide to go down this route, I know at least four dog breeders so I have quite a few experienced brains to pick if necessary.

I am just looking for advice based on others success stories. I would rather have one happy dog (and family) rather than lots of unhappiness all round!

Raksha

In my experience, the least alike digs often make the best companions, mainly because there isn't as much conflict over valued resources. Therfore I'd suggest a neutered non terrier male, perhaps a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or similar.

I have a nutty 7 year old castrated male who loves his tennis balls, so I'd go for a female who doesnt...

Hope that helps

Person_one

Raksha wrote: »

In my experience, the least alike digs often make the best companions, mainly because there isn't as much conflict over valued resources. Therfore I'd suggest a neutered non terrier male, perhaps a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel or similar.

I have a nutty 7 year old castrated male who loves his tennis balls, so I'd go for a female who doesnt...

Hope that helps

I'd say that's good advice, temperaments that complement each other rather than wind each other up.

I have two, one who is a little ball of energy with springs in his legs and loves swimming, running etc. and one who whose favourite thing is getting comfy somewhere soft and having a nap. They are devoted to each other though, and I think they take the edge off each other's 'extremeness' if that makes sense!

If you go for a rescue, I'd try to find a smaller one that is a bit more personal and will take time to ensure your new dog is a good fit and that the two get on well. Dogpages.org.uk is a good place to find smaller rescues.

lostinrates

We have a terrier, not a jack Russell though, and like many terriers, he is good friends with our greyhound. Hounds and terriers are natural 'allies' in the hunting field, they do different jobs, with a common goal.

There are pluses and minuses to having more than one dog. One dog is easier to take out and about I find, and to sit a table out side a cafe with etc etc. two dogs who get on have a friend they can chat to always, aren't left alone ever, and let off steam together in fast play.

On the other hand, some people find there are problems with guarding space or defensiveness over food etc. most of these are resolvable.


I would neuter your girl. Good breeders are valuable, knowing to select dogs and pair dogs with girls who they complement. They'd be looking at more than the two dogs ideally but considering the lines behind as well. By neutering her you are protecting her from some health risks and from things like phantom pregnancies, which seem to me stressful things. It will make her life easier as she won't face any restriction when she is in season. It will make your life easier as you won't spend the time cleaning and keeping an eye out.

Most people would suggest getting opposite sex companion. I love girls. We got a boy terrier because we had two girls and because he was a really good puppy from a breeder I really wanted a pup from. She had a girl I was tempted by but with one fairly grumpy girl I decided I'd do the sensible thing and get a boy. I think I was right to. He gets on well with both, but the greyhound and he adore each other, I was worried she'd be jealous, but she adopted him and mothered him throughout his puppyhood in the most adorable way and has loved him from first sight.

hunnie

Hi, Over 30 years have had just 3 litters from different dogs and kept a puppy each time so that we had two dogs who were related.
This has worked well for us.
Each time we went back to the original breeder for advice on stud dogs and made sure we registered the pups and had all the relevant checks etc.
We made no money from any litter as the costs involved were higher than any remuneration but it really was a great experience and the dogs themselves being mother/daughter or mother/son were very closely bonded.
I agree that the main worry is making sure any surplus puppies go to good homes.
regards, Hunnie

yorkshire_terrier_owner

Please do not breed your dog.

I am a breeder (Chihuahuas, not JRTs though) and I am geared up for it - I have all the equipment to hand, know what i am doing when it comes to whelping and can cope with a litter of pups causing havoc until they go to their new homes. It is a tremendous amount of work. I am set up to home check, have contracts for new owners, can advertise on reputable sites like champ dogs etc etc. I vet all owners and can tell an awful lot from answers they give. This is all experience.

Not only that but when I breed a litter I give careful consideration to breed standard, health issues, temperament etc etc. I would never dream of mating 2 dogs just for the hell of it. It is not as simple as I know some breeders so it'll be ok.

If you want to breed, go about it properly (we all had to start somewhere).

Go to a reputable breeder. We can give advice about pups who would get on with your existing dog.

mossstitchmama

As I said, it didn't really cross our minds until someone else suggested it. I don't think it is a realistic possibility. Puppies would be solely my responsibility and I don't think I would cope alone. I would also bet that we would end up keeping all the puppies so not really sensible.

Greyhounds are too large (also there was an appalling attack locally (so bad that the council have now banned dog owners from walking more than four dogs at once)), and I personally am not keen on some of the smaller spaniel breeds. I am going to look out for a neighbour who has two Yorkshire terriers, the younger one she got from a local rescue. Maybe she can put me in touch with someone who can help.

Caroline_a

I have 2 dogs. Both are neutered males, one is a very large German Shepherd, and the other is an Italian Spinone. Neither particularly suitable for your needs, being quite large dogs, but they adore one another, and to be honest sometimes I think my job is feeding and providing the roof... and they don't need me! (ok that's not true...) They have never fought although they wrestle a lot and play and chase. Sometimes there's quite a bit of noise, but it's only 'sound' and not 'intent'. If you are looking for a larger dog, I must say I cannot recommend a Spinone enough though - just fabulous tempered dogs.

I've had more than one dog several times in the past and have always found that 2 x neutered males is the best mix.

Person_one

Get your girl neutered asap so that you're not tempted in the future by the thought of cute pups!

As I said earlier, have a look at this site:

http://www.dogpages.org.uk/forums/index.php

Its a great place to start and the forum is friendly if you ask for advice on rescuing.