We would love our dog to have a pal

[WinkyWinkola]

He's a 14 month old black lab. He's brilliant. We love him. He's friendly, lively, fun, loyal, great with the dcs. We all enjoy family walks with him and I enjoy walking him each morning.

We would like another dog and we are thinking of a lab bitch pup. They could grow up together, keep each other company and just be chums.

We would get her spayed (current lab is neutered) when advised.

A friend has said that a girl dog can be problematic (didn't elaborate) and that a boy / girl combo can create socialising issues... I'm really not sure what the friend means but anyway, can anyone elaborate?

I want a bitch because it's only me and dd vs the 5 males in the household (including the hamster!).

Thoughts appreciated.

[WinkyWinkola]

Bump

[Whippoorwhill]

I'm not an expert but I've always heard that it is more likely to cause problems with two of the same sex. There can also be socialisation problems with two dogs very close in age and as your boy is 14 months old that isn't really an issue.

I'd go ahead and get a nice girl. Girl dogs have lots more tummy to rub.

[MillyMollyMandy78]

We were in a similar situation to you. We have a 2 1/2 year old boy & a 7 month old bitch. We bought the girl to keep our other dog company and they get along brilliantly. I think it is a nice age gap as they both enjoy playing and running around together.
I'm not sure what your friend means by socialising issues either. Our boy is slightly more affectionate & cuddlier, which i understand is common, but they are both lovely, friendly dogs.
We've actually found it much easier to train our second dog, partly because we know what we're doing a bit now and partly cos they have a friendly competition between each other for treats!
We had our uncertainties beforehand but i can say that getting a second dog was great for us. Our dog loves the company, he is more lively and plays much more than he used to (although he can't always keep up with the little pup)! He also seems more comfy being left alone (not that it was ever an issue, but he preferred it if we stayed with him all day). The puppy dotes on our other dog and they are very cute together, providing endless entertainment for us. Hope this is useful - sorry I rambled on a bit!

[MillyMollyMandy78]

Agree with Whippoor - the only major socialisation issues I've heard off is with two dogs of same sex & having teo puppies at same time.

[SuckingDiesel]

Be aware that, while you have this idealised image of them being inseparable, that may not be the case. I have two dogs (a male and a female ... male is the eldest by 14 months) who tolerate each other because they have to live together but that's all. They rarely choose to be in the same room together and show no concern if the other is absent for a period of time (both have had prolonged stays at the vets on separate occasions). When they go to boarding kennels, I have to pay for 2 separate kennels rather than use the larger (cheaper) 'family' kennels as they would be miserable cooped up in the same confined space for a week.

We didn't get a second dog purely ad company for the first, which is just as well really considering that they pretty much avoid each other as much as possible. There is no animosity between them and they rub along just fine most of the time but having each other doesn't appear to have enriched their lives at all and I often wonder if they would each have been happier as the only dog in the household.

[D0oinMeCleanin]

Like Sucking I have a bitch and dog who are not inseparable, the dog doesn't much care for the bitch at all and the bitch finds the dog ott and irritating on the rare occasions he deigns to give her attention.

Both get on well with other dogs outside the house and the bitch never fails to bond with foster dogs.

It's easy enough with them, they don't fight and can be left alone together, but they have no real bond and will not amuse each other on walks. I'm usually lobbing a ball for the terrier all the way over there whilst watching the whippet sniff grass all the way over there

Generally speaking though a bitch and dog tend to get on better than same sex pairings, two bitches in particular can prove to be a tough match. The only socialisation issue you would have would be the younger dog depending upon the older one too much, so separate walks a couple of times a week for training and socialising would be advisable. Just be aware that they might not become bosom buddies. Just like people, some dogs just don't share the same interests

[kitsmummy]

Many tears have some lovely Lab crosses (Spaniel?) at the moment Tilly. Just saying

[TeaOneSugar]

Just for balance, we had a Springer Bitch, and then rescused a male springer when she was about 18 months and he was 8 months and they were inseparable, slept together in one huge basket and adored each other.

[TeaOneSugar]

Tilly is beautiful btw :)