How wise would it be to get a new puppy......

[iggypiggy]

Ok - this is the info.

I have a 3 yr old black lab (male). Last year we decided to get a second and wanted it to be from same breeder as the current dog. Got put on waiting list - puppies now born yesterday - have been emailed a pic - they are sooooo cute and there is one for us (black lab - bitch) if we still want it.

Here is the problem tho... the puppies will be ready in 8 weeks time - at which point I will be 20 weeks pregnant...

Now that is only 4 months with the puppy before my life gets changed dramatically... (even more dramatically than the addition of the extra dog i mean!)

I can't get it can I, really? Puppies take so much time... and training...

Help me with this - although i think I already know the answer

Iggypiggy that was a bit unfair putting the picture on - now I want one!!!!!!!! The puppy not the scan been there done that. Two sets of twins and an unexpected mistake I thought was the early menopause!

I agree a bummer about not crating babies also did you know . that babies do not go outside to wee at all and it takes nearly three!!! years to toilet train them.

Seriously there will be other litters honestly.

ha ha - irresistable aren't they...

To be honest - she'll keep the best bitch from this litter and in 2-3 years time will breed from that bitch (if all health checks ok etc.) so maybe that is what we will do... She may also have a second litter from this bitch in a few years - this one is my dog's full sister...

You'd better be joking about the wee thing - they def go outside...

If the only thing that made you consider getting it was the picture, then don't. ALL puppies are irresistably cute. However, if you think you can cope, and are prepared to cope and keep the pup no matter how hard it turns out to be, then go for it. Older dogs can make having a puppy a little easier, for a tart, puppy will have company, and in a few months would be houstrained and able to be left for short periods etc. Puppies do take up time, but if you know what you're doing, it's a piece of cake.

I wouldn't let having a baby put me off getting a puppy at all. But then, I am one of these women who will probably spend her old age in a house full of animals, talking tothem all day with few human visitors as they hate me having so many animals....

midori thanks for your input

I have spoken to the breeder and she has been lovely about it... she has told me she plans to breed from this bitch again in 2 years time - and we could always wait till then. She has also said the same as you about it being easier with the older dog - but she said totally up to me and no rush for decison just yet.

Wait 2 years. What a shame not to be able to enjoy your baby properly because of worrying about doggy things, and vice versa. Actually I'd wait 4 years, until the 'baby' is properly stable on his/her feet.

You're welcome. She sounds like a good breeder.