Am I being ridiculous for considering getting another dog?

[Disgustingly]

I have one dog already, a 2 year old cocker spaniel.

Am I being crazy considering getting another? Obviously it would take time but I wanted to get opinions before I even started look.

How do you find having two? I'd want the same breed, working cocker spaniel.

My dog at the moment is not on his own in the day as I work from home and I love having him, going on long walks together etc... He has a lovely temperament and I can see him getting alone with another dog really well.

Any experiences please?

We’ve got 2 shih tzus about 6 months in age apart. They absolutely adore each other. Our first wasn’t keen on the pup to start with but she’ll cry now when we go to the groomers for facial trims & they’re apart.

Thanks Bubble. Do you find it much harder with 2 than one? I've heard mixed reviews on this.

My sister has just got another dog - she now has two 3yr old border collies who love each other.

The rescue center were strict though and she had to visit with her own dog a lot, so they could check they got on and played well together.

They play fight like fuck but no real issues other than a bit of separation anxiety with each other @Disgustingly ☺️

Thanks Worra.

The only thing that concerns me is that I feel like I may have been lulled into a false sense of security with my current dog because, I'm biased of course but, he's an absolute angel. He really is. He's very gentle and calm which I think is quite unusual for a young spaniel. He sleeps in with me until 10am on the weekends ha!

He really is my passion though, love him to death so would like another.

I’ve had two dogs and personally do think it’s double the work. As much as I loved both I wouldn’t do it again!!

We have 4 dogs it is hard work but so worth it!

I have one dog and definitely wouldn’t get a second. Mainly cost - double insurance (might be low now but can change, mine started at £16 a month, now £45 plus hundreds in out of pocket expenses due to becoming very sick when 11wks old), double the food. I pay daycare / walks when working so for me it would be hundreds in extra costs. For you working at home it’s ok but what if your dog changed and you needed to do long hours in an office and pay dog walking costs. Just some things to think about

I have also have a WCS and he is loopy enough I couldn't imagine two! You must have got one of those calm cockers I hear tell about

I've got a WCS and although she's totally nutty, does everything at 100mph and steals socks and clothes like crazy, she's also excellent in the house. She slept downstairs without a peep from the third night we got her as a puppy, has never got us up early or overnight except on the odd occasion she's been unwell and needed out, and isn't destructive in the slightest. She's incredibly adaptable and jolly. So I'd definitely have another one of her

Depends. Will you love the original one more? Will he be neglected while you train the new one? This happened to mine, the new one was a ‘hard’ dog, older one was easy, same breed. New one needed lots more attention.

Kennelling fees double, as does food, insurance etc. Saying that, I think having a lone dog is not ideal, given they’re pack animals. I know you wfh, so this isn’t the case for you. I think it’s good for them to have canine company too.

Op I could have written your post myself just over a year ago! My older spaniel is nearly four and my youngest now nearly two. My oldest is an absolute angel, lovely and quiet, very chilled, not anxious, loves people, loves other dogs, the list goes on. My youngest is a little smaller and doesn't like other dogs that much and is quite anxious, however I still love the absolute bones of her. She's more difficult yes, but she's worth it. I wouldnt say the puppy stage is any more or less difficult than it was the first time, but it seems to last SO much longer, like you instantly forget how long it takes dogs to house train haha. I love having two and love knowing that they have each other. They're currently spooning on the sofa after a very wet walk whilst I sip a cup of tea, absolute bliss!

For ref, our eldest is a WCS and out youngest a standard CS.

We do have a little second dog regret. We got the same breed, same parents but different litter. They're 2 years apart. Our elder dog hates him. They don't fight but he will try his best to avoid our other dog. The younger dog on the other hand pines after the older dog when he's in the bath or at the groomers - he doesn't settle and paces the house looking for him.

Then there's the difference in personalities. Our eldest is typical of the breed and what you would consider a perfect dog. The younger one can be a nightmare at times. He hates other dogs and barks and growls on walks. We are now unable to walk on a beach with them as it's just not a great experience, so we do have more restrictions.

Then there's the care for them. When we went on holiday, we had lots of offers to take care of our dog. Now we have two, we have to put them in kennels which is incredibly expensive.

We wouldn't be without them both, and the second dog has such a playful character in the house. But it certainly is a case of no dogs are the same.

We have two dogs and about to get our third. I'm at home all the time though.

My husband bought a neglected Frenchie home last July. She’s lovely but a handful and I’ll never be able to replace my sofa as she pees on them occasionally. I would prefer to just have my original dog and that’s it.

My spaniel has been brought up with a house cat and they adore each other. The cat cries when he leaves and watches from the window for him to return.