Companion for a 2yo Springer Spaniel

[sunnydelight]

We have the most gorgeous, good tempered English Springer who is just 2 years old. She very gentle and not the brightest (we have to tie the dog flap open as she won't go through it otherwise - she hates loud noises!), but fantastic with the kids, very loving etc. and is generally adored by the whole family - especially DH

We don't take her to dog parks (we're in Sydney and it's illegal to have a dog off leash in public except in a designated dog park) as I know too many people who have either been bitten themselves or had their dogs injured so she gets walked on lead twice a day and we spend hours throwing her toys for her to retrieve - we have a big garden. I would really like to get another dog to keep her company but I don't want to end up with one who would totally dominate or annoy her. At 2 I think it's a reasonable time to introduce another dog. We had a bad experience with a rescue dog so are looking at another puppy and don't want anything bigger than her (a bit smaller would actually be better). I'm thinking a female cocker spaniel? Any advice/opinions/experience would be welcome.

Two dogs = three times the noise (at least) and ten times the mess (at least). Three times the training and at least eleventy million times the work. They will team up to get into more trouble than they can manage alone.

But it's also double the snuggles, which makes it worth it

Anything that is trained alone (i.e walking nicely on the lead) must retrained when they are together because all rules go out of the window when they're together. Training must be done one to one until the dog really 'gets it'. If your spaniel is already trained expect him to forget everything when he gets an exciting new playmate.

I'd go for a rescue dog of a similar age and temprement with some basic training already and with similar exercise and stimulation needs. Not sure how rescue works in Sydney, but they should be able to advise you which dogs would match yours temprement wise.

MIL has 2 working springers and a westie, they seem to get on together very well, in fact the westie is in charge.

I Have a Springer and a black lab, they go together very well, similar exercise requirements etc. My two are both bitches but I don't know if the sex makes any difference as I've had different combinations.
I honestly find two dogs easier than one, I tend to exercise mine together, they also sleep in the same bed and share toys.

Thanks for the replies. Our springer isn't terribly well trained so there won't be much to forget.

Funny doggydaft my friend had a black lab who got on brilliantly with our dog (he was much older though) and was her main "doggy friend". Unfortunately he died recently and is sorely missed by both families. I don't really want to go as big as a lab though, much as I like them.

I know I really should do rescue, and to get a trained dog with some idea of temprement would be a real plus, but last time we tried it we ended up with a dead dog and a $2,500 vet bill after a few weeks which has really put me off.