Single dog vs two dog ownership...
Discussion
Just under two years ago we got our Springer Lab X as a pup, as first time (as adult) dog owners for me and my other half. It was hard work initially but it's been a thoroughly enjoyable experience and has firmly centred us into 'dog-owner' lifestyle (caravan arrives next month!!!). Dog is hugely sociable and after a couple of years under her belt, far more self aware of whether the feeling may be reciprocated before being a nuisance! You can just sense the enjoyment she gets from another canine companion. Its left us considering a second...
I'm a little apprehensive about a second but it does seem to make some sense - many of the lifestyle adjustments seem to be the same whether one dog or more. Just wondering if anyone has made that leap and whether any regrets? Would probably look for something medium size and this one would be from a rescue - other than that, anything is on the table!
I'm a little apprehensive about a second but it does seem to make some sense - many of the lifestyle adjustments seem to be the same whether one dog or more. Just wondering if anyone has made that leap and whether any regrets? Would probably look for something medium size and this one would be from a rescue - other than that, anything is on the table!
Edited by rix on Monday 26th December 22:00
I think as long as you have the space then a second dog isn't much more of a "hassle" than one.
I've always had large or giant breed dogs and there's a practical and even physical aspect to things, but other than that, given you can accommodate both dogs into your own routine then there are a lot of benefits. You do directly double the food bill, the kennel bill, the routine vet bill and the insurance (or emergency fund) bill tho and that can add up.
I've always had large or giant breed dogs and there's a practical and even physical aspect to things, but other than that, given you can accommodate both dogs into your own routine then there are a lot of benefits. You do directly double the food bill, the kennel bill, the routine vet bill and the insurance (or emergency fund) bill tho and that can add up.
We have a rescue Chihuahua, although she is more like a Pug, and we took our DiL's Lab in for a few weeks about 3 years ago after she had a cruciate ligament op so she could recover without being bothered by her other dog.
They got on so well together we decided we had to keep the Lab with us. They are both 10 years old and really enjoy each others company.
The Lab treats her like a baby sister, they play together, they wait for each other when out on walks, and miss each other when they are apart on the odd occasion.
Both are better dogs as a pair and compliment each other so well, even if they do look like an odd couple.
The Chihuahua is the boss though, although they both defer to the cats.
They got on so well together we decided we had to keep the Lab with us. They are both 10 years old and really enjoy each others company.
The Lab treats her like a baby sister, they play together, they wait for each other when out on walks, and miss each other when they are apart on the odd occasion.
Both are better dogs as a pair and compliment each other so well, even if they do look like an odd couple.
The Chihuahua is the boss though, although they both defer to the cats.
We had a rescue lab. She was a lovely dog. We bought a Golden Retriever puppy. The lab looked after the puppy like she was her own. Happy days. The lab died. The Golden Retriever was miserable and stopped eating. We added a Flatcoat Retriever rescue b
h to the mix. The Golden Retriever started eating again due to food competition. They don’t like each other. Aargh.
h to the mix. The Golden Retriever started eating again due to food competition. They don’t like each other. Aargh.I type this whilst my two dogs are snuggled together - but it hasn’t always been like this. The older one has taken weeks / months to come to terms with another dog in her house.
I say this as my friends experience and if you watch TikTok you’d think everyone’s experience is very different to mine.
So be mindful that they might not be instant buddies and what you’ll need to do to manage the situation. We had to erect a play pen (a fence) to separate the older one for a few days and slowly introduced them.
We wouldn’t go back to a one dog family.
I say this as my friends experience and if you watch TikTok you’d think everyone’s experience is very different to mine.
So be mindful that they might not be instant buddies and what you’ll need to do to manage the situation. We had to erect a play pen (a fence) to separate the older one for a few days and slowly introduced them.
We wouldn’t go back to a one dog family.
We've not done well with the 2 dog thing. Difficulty getting along, mismatch re age energy levels, kicking each other off with reactivity, walking is harder with 2 to keep an eye on, if separate training is required this gets tough, feeding needs a strategy.
Plenty of people manage it but not for us. Currently we're doing OK, but they tolerate each other rather than besties.
When the inevitable happens we'll go back to a one dog family.
ETA
This is what the outside world sees..........
Plenty of people manage it but not for us. Currently we're doing OK, but they tolerate each other rather than besties.
When the inevitable happens we'll go back to a one dog family.
ETA
This is what the outside world sees..........
Edited by PositronicRay on Tuesday 27th December 10:11
My parents went from 1 dog to 2 then to 3 then back to 2 and now 1.
As someone above said 2 isn't much different to 1, they inherited the 3rd when my grandma became too ill to care for it and that was hard, they swore they would never have 3 again but 2 was OK, as they are now getting older themselves they are happy with 1.
As someone above said 2 isn't much different to 1, they inherited the 3rd when my grandma became too ill to care for it and that was hard, they swore they would never have 3 again but 2 was OK, as they are now getting older themselves they are happy with 1.
We had a cocker spaniel and introduced a Springer pup when the Cocker was 5 years old. All was well for around 5 - 6 years when, for some unknown reason they started fighting amongst each other (usually if they were both in a confined space, or even if they came close to each other). It became really quite nasty at times with the cocker losing out to the now larger and stronger Springer. It reached the heart-breaking point of seriously thinking we'd have to re-home the Springer. As a last-ditch attempt we had the Springer castrated (both had been entire until then) and although it didn't totally solve the situation I think the fighting became less nasty and less frequent and we just about managed it.
Since the Cocker died we haven't replaced him and would be a bit reluctant to have two dogs in the future for fear of them not getting on. It's such a shame as the early years were great and as many have said, dealing with two is not much more work than one.
Since the Cocker died we haven't replaced him and would be a bit reluctant to have two dogs in the future for fear of them not getting on. It's such a shame as the early years were great and as many have said, dealing with two is not much more work than one.
Along with all the helpful advice it's worth remembering that the second dog won't necessarily be anything like the first in terms of behaviour or temperament.
Our first Saluki cross rescue was, and still is, an absolute breeze - chilled in the house, sleeps endlessly, best friends instantly with everyone, runs around like the wind on walks but with good recall and only ever barks if there's someone or something around our (remote) house at night.
The second Saluki cross, looks nearly identical but couldn't be more different and is hugely lovable but an absolute pain in the arse! He sprints around the house like a lunatic, jumps clean over the sofa in a single leap, doesn't like strange men, has a huge prey drive, barks at the slightest thing (even the bin lorry half a mile away through the woods!) and howls like a wolf when you play music.
They've both been treated the same from a young age so just be ready for things to be a lot different. It might turn out that the second one is a breeze and you have no issues at all or you could end up with a Claude!
Our first Saluki cross rescue was, and still is, an absolute breeze - chilled in the house, sleeps endlessly, best friends instantly with everyone, runs around like the wind on walks but with good recall and only ever barks if there's someone or something around our (remote) house at night.
The second Saluki cross, looks nearly identical but couldn't be more different and is hugely lovable but an absolute pain in the arse! He sprints around the house like a lunatic, jumps clean over the sofa in a single leap, doesn't like strange men, has a huge prey drive, barks at the slightest thing (even the bin lorry half a mile away through the woods!) and howls like a wolf when you play music.
They've both been treated the same from a young age so just be ready for things to be a lot different. It might turn out that the second one is a breeze and you have no issues at all or you could end up with a Claude!
Years ago with our first Springer, we introduced Cassie from the English Springer Spaniel Rescue centre and all went well. We initially introduced them on her turf, then in neutral locations then home to ours, until Cassie started to became increasingly more defensive of us whenever our lad would enter the room. Not having an aggressive bone in his body he preferred to withdraw from the scene rather than fight fire with fire but sadly this led to him becoming a little depressed, solitary and off his food. We tried every permutation, trick and tactic but, having persevered with this for weeks, we sadly handed Cassie back, as per the initial arrangement.
She was then re-homed almost immediately as a single dog with no issues at all.
Our lad soon returned to his normal self, probably somewhat puzzled by the experience.
OP, if you can, arrange with the rescue centre that if things don't work out that they will be happy to take the new dog back.
Hope it all works out fine.
She was then re-homed almost immediately as a single dog with no issues at all.
Our lad soon returned to his normal self, probably somewhat puzzled by the experience.
OP, if you can, arrange with the rescue centre that if things don't work out that they will be happy to take the new dog back.
Hope it all works out fine.
I have always had ‘one dog’ until the latest - and at the recommendation of the now Mrs Pushed we have these two:
Fortunately we have an acre paddock too. But one way or another they’ll often exercise each other, love each other and fight each other all in the space of any given hour.
If you can - you should.
Only caveat is when some damage / carnage etc is done - it’s always hard to know which fker did it, ate it, ripped it etc…
Fortunately we have an acre paddock too. But one way or another they’ll often exercise each other, love each other and fight each other all in the space of any given hour.
If you can - you should.
Only caveat is when some damage / carnage etc is done - it’s always hard to know which f
ker did it, ate it, ripped it etc…I have great danes, so the biggest impact of having two is always having to buy larger cars to fit them in.
It'll all be fine, but better if you get a second dog while the other is still reasonably young, otherwise you'll get a dog grumpy with the new puppy.
Recently downsized car to a Golf R Estate from an X5 M50d. They just about fit with the seats folded, but Moose is always turning on the interior lights with his arse.
It'll all be fine, but better if you get a second dog while the other is still reasonably young, otherwise you'll get a dog grumpy with the new puppy.
Recently downsized car to a Golf R Estate from an X5 M50d. They just about fit with the seats folded, but Moose is always turning on the interior lights with his arse.
Older lab, pretty much on his last legs but now given a new lease of life by the arrival of a rescue from Romania.
Walking is a pain as they have very different needs now and so need to be walked separately, but the new one is very protective of the lab when they are out together. I suspect that there will be some separation issues when the lab does go
Walking is a pain as they have very different needs now and so need to be walked separately, but the new one is very protective of the lab when they are out together. I suspect that there will be some separation issues when the lab does go
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