Merman Posted April 12, 2007 Report Share Posted April 12, 2007 We currently have a 2 year old golden retriever boy called Baggins. Not an ounce of working blood in him, but he is proving to be steady in the beating line and pleasant enough company whilst rough shooting. A Field Trails champion he won't be, but he's slowly becoming a reasonable gundog. The wife and I are thinking about getting a second dog, probably a working cocker or ESS bitch. Do you think we should? When considering the following: He's at home alone, 8 hours a day, 4 or 5 days a week. We don't suffer from chewing, barking or weeing. He comes everywhere with us and is welcome at everyone's house. He even walks to heel when the wife is riding a horse along a road. He's passed his Kennel Club Gold, we'd like a second dog to do this too. We'd hate to leave one at home beacuse we could only take one dog. He demands a significant amount of concentration whilst working. He doesn't hassle our cats or chickens. Whilst I think that he would like a little friend, and I know that a second dog would be no extra hassle to excercise or house and I know that the wife probably wouldn't be able to control 2 dogs on the road whilst riding. Would a spaniel be suitable, if so, which breed? Should we stick with one dog? Would another breed be more suitable(lab, retriever, pointer)? Could we ever hope for a second dog as well behaved as the first? I know it's a difficult question but Baggins is our first dog and getting a second is a complete unknown. I know some of you have multiple dogs, do the benefits outweigh the costs? Please don't simply send the standard "you shouldn't have a dog if you have to leave him". I'm after constructive advice. Thanks, Merman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
new to the flock Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Merman, It sounds that you have done a fabulous job with your first dog , well done. I think that you have put alot of thought into the second dog idea aswell. You are correct, your wife is not going to be able to control two dogs at once while riding, nor are most friends going to want two dogs visiting. A couple of other draw backs to owning two or more dogs; .The older dog will be left behind while you are training the new dog, as you can not train two dogs at once. .When out running and playing quite often the dogs will feed on each others bad habits. On the plus side it sounds as if you and your wife are dedicated to the dog, and have both taken an active part in the training. You have a solid expectation of what training you want the new dog to have and a plan of attack in place. So now it is a matter of possibly some changes in how you do things. While one is training the new comer the other goes through a refresher course with Baggins. When your wife is out riding with Baggins you will get a chance to work with the new dog. It is very workable, but it does require some adjustments. As for the puppy teething, biting, house traing, crate training....it is all part and parcel of ownership Breed wise I would be inclined to stick with a retriever at this point and time as you will stand a better chance of getting two dogs similar in the end. Cockers, and Springers are fabulous dogs, but are a little more wired....for the most part.... than Labs and Retrievers. Pointers make fine working dogs but they have some idiosincracies (sp) that can make then alittle harder to train, and they can have a tendancy to be a bit skittish if you have not put your homework in, besides if like any of mine if you put them out when the chickens or guineas are out they are stuck on point all day Is a second dog worth the changes in your lives to accomidate....that is something that you and your Wife must agree on. To me yes it is worth it Put your thought into it and way the pros and cons, and you and your Wife will come up with the correct decision for you. NTTF Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lancs Lad Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 Does your wife shoot aswell?????? 1 - Dont keep him in when you are at work. 2 - Give him things to chew on to prevent him chewing on the house - Jasper hasnt chewed anything yet......fingers crossed... 3 - Your dogs are not your kids, you dont have to take them everywhere with you, if you go out put him/them in the run. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Merman Posted April 13, 2007 Author Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 NTTF, Thanks for the reply. You've helped me make the decision that I suspected I needed to make anyway. I think that we probably won't get a second dog yet. I'd rather get Baggins working better and let him grow up a bit more. At the moment I think taking on a second dog would be too big a change to our lives and when we do it will probably be best to get a lab or retriever rather than something else. Merman Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
krazykayaker Posted April 13, 2007 Report Share Posted April 13, 2007 I've got a 14 month old Springer and from experience i've got to say that by the sound of your situation DONT GET A SPANIEL I wouldn't be without my springer but they do need a lot of attention a lot of the time Thats just my opinion so just ignore it if you like, but dont say i didn't warn you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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