why is one dog more affectionate than the other?

[thighofrelief]

I have 2 male Jacks aged 8 and 3.5 years. The older one is never far from my side, if i trail a hand out of the bath there he is ready to lick it. The younger is a lovely boy but much more of a dog's dog and sometimes looks at me like I've shot him in the face when I give him a hug. He often goes off by himself and snoozes in a corner whilst the other would never willingly go somewhere else. I know they're both fine and it's all about me, just wondering why 2 brother dogs are so different. I would have thought being the same breed would make them similar but they are chalk and cheese.

[Vitalogy]

Different personalities like us. Plus there's been a well established bond with you and the older one long before younger one arrived. As long as they're both happy, that's the main thing isn't it. Could be worse, they both could be giving you the cold shoulder

[thighofrelief]

vitalogy thanks. Then I really would feel neglected! I think the youngest is probably more emotionally healthy (they're both fine really) and me and old Velcro are co-dependent. I can't watch TV properly without him on my shoulder like a parrot. Youngster has actually snuck into my bed alone tonight without jealous face noticing, I'll give him some one to one tonight.

[Vitalogy]

Ah, they sound lovely.

[BitOfFun]

They really do sound great. Their funny little quirks are why we get so much out of knowing them.

[Shriek]

Their ages make them differ, not only in maturity but toward each other and who has what role, in terms of you.
And yes, litter mates can be remarkably different, one very tenacious and adventurous, another laid back to the point of comatose.
The younger will change over the years especially as the elder one shows the elder side more and more.
What a lively pair though! Oooeeer!

[AvocadosBeforeMortgages]

I have a Jack x who's just like your younger one. When I first met him, he'd wriggle out of your arms almost immediately after you picked him up. Nowadays he can cope with being picked up but he definitely only wants physical affection in moderation. Sometimes he initiates affection and then decides he's had enough and wanders off. When I've given him too much affection on the sofa he's been known to decamp to the other sofa after a while He's also got zero interest in receiving affection from anyone outside the family.

I don't know if it's because of his individual personality or because of something in his past (he's a rescue) but it's worth noting that Jacks aren't a very well defined breed - the KC only recognised them a couple of years ago - so there's bound to be more variation than average within the breed plus individual variations.

[pigsDOfly]

My dog was always pretty independent when she was younger and has only go more affectionate fairly recently - she's 7 years old now, 8 in April.

She's more willing to sit near me now and will very occasionally follow me into another room.

However, I think this change in behaviour has come about by the fact that she had to spend some time at the vet a while ago and is now making sure I don't disappear; she also became a bit more clingy after going to the groomers earlier this week.

It's probably a lot to do with personality but life experience probably plays a part as does the position in the family, in the same way it does with children.