Tell me why a second dog is such a bad idea

[Blistory]

I NEED another dog, I crave another dog, please, please talk me out of it.

DP and I have split up and his great big lion dog has obviously gone with him. It's been three months and I really miss having a second dog in my life.

It wouldn't be sensible as I have a 18 month old Bernese girl who hasn't been spayed yet, I have a car full of mud and sand, a house full of fur, mud, sand and saliva. She seriously affects my ability to go on holiday, out for the day etc etc. She adores me and would probably be jealous. My parents dog sit and find my one big dog a handful. They would probably never dog sit again. My cats don't like dogs. I've forgotten how much hard work a puppy or new dog can be.

But.......I have the space, the money, the energy and the love.

It still wouldn't be sensible, would it ?

[Woofers]

Give a rescue dog a home. No puppy trials and tribulations, but lots of challenges with unknown history etc.

Go and volunteer yourself as a walker at the rehoming place. No need to go to a national one, there are lots of independents who would gladly receive volunteers and have less hoops to jump to get a dog

Regarding 3 dogs or 2. We fostered a American bull dog - saved from death row for not selling all her puppies. She was amazing. I still miss her. However, it was a bloody pain taking 3 dogs to the beach by myself - 3 poo's to pick up, 3 dogs to watch don't get lost, 3 dogs to dry sandy wet paws whilst all 3 are trying to get in the car all at the same time. So when she was rehomed we said no more. . . . Not this year.

Fostering is so rewarding, but heart breaking too, in a happy ever after kind of way. The first time she came home she wagged her tail when she was drinking from the water bowl. . . . .

2nd dog however, I swear has made our boxer boy more confident to be home alone, and has kept him fit. He is 9 this year and fit as a 6yr old. Still loving life and his bed!

Our 2nd dog springer collie x was an accidental litter from a farm and was cheap as chips to pay for the bitch to be spayed, not to make any money. Mum hadn't even had 1st season and was obviously out on the day! They weren't expecting her to be in season and then wondered why she looked abit "full"

Anyway, she loves other dogs company and is a very sociable creature. A direct result of having a pal from the start I think.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Sorry we have two and I like it. They keep each other company when we are out and look cute curled together

[pickledginger]

Why not try contacting breed specific rescue? You can put your name down with them and they'll let you know if they have a dog that will be a good match for you. They take on dogs eg when the owner has to move or can't cope. You might be able to get an older dog.

[pickledginger]

Whistles innocently

[LadyTurmoil]

not a Bernese but sufficiently hairy perhaps?! www.manytearsrescue.org/display_mtar_dog.php?id=6349

[Blistory]

Ooh, she's lovely.

Sadly I have two cats and the bottom of my garden borders a field with sheep in it for most of the year.

Am not averse to the idea of a rescue at all.

[Blistory]

not sad about the cats, sad that the sheep field rules out some dogs straight away that I'd consider. I only have a stock fence between me and the sheep and baby cows so well within jumping height for most dogs.

[mrslaughan]

No don't get a Newfoundland - get a greater Swiss mountain dog(swissey) - would be perfect with your Bernese

[LadyTurmoil]

which bit of the country are you in?

[mrslaughan]

Swisseys can't jump to save themselves......

[Bowlersarm]

Two's a great idea. Couldn't possibly talk you out of it

[Blistory]

Central belt Scotland

Ha, I thought Bernese Mountain Dogs couldn't jump to save themselves until I watched overgrown puppy sail over a five foot fence from a sitting position. To be fair, it was to get to me but have learnt my lesson about how high dogs can jump when it suits them. She also climbs - no-one warned me about that.

[mrslaughan]

I think in al honesty, when choosing your second you need to match energy levels between the dogs, I think your Bernese, if a little precious about another dog, will get over it quicker if it's not joining around when she just want to chill.

[mrslaughan]

Hooning - not joining, bloody auto correct

[Blistory]

She'd be happy with a nutter - she's still very puppylike herself but doesn't have the stamina to keep going all day. I'm just not sure how she would take to sharing me with another dog full time as any other dog gets gently pushed away if I'm petting it so that she can also get petted. I think she'd be too full on at this age to put an older dog with otherwise I'd happily take on an oldie.

She's actually a fantastic dog - happy to be lazy when I am, happy to be full on when I am, happy to chill in the garden by herself as long as the door is open and she can watch the sheep/cows, happy to race around with other dogs. Actually, she has the life that I want. Damn.

[lotsofdogshere]

You are going to do this aren't you - go for it. I got a third dog last summer, recognising I'm not 29 anymore, and our old rescue boy's earthly powers were waning. I'd had rescues for years, not a proper puppy for over 40 years - I was so focussed on helping rescues settle and feel safe, and aware of their issues, I had forgotten how demanding having a pup is. House training during last summer was horrible, standing in the garden, wellies and brolly, wiping the pups huge, muddy feet so many times a day. Wonderful - go for it x

[digerd]

Dogs with a thick coat as in OES and St Bernard, cannot cope with being in an office/house with central heating on.
My FIL's gorgeous St.B, wouldn't come into the house in winter and stayed outside - a wooden hut surrounded by fir trees.

[digerd]

ps
And the cat would snuggle up with him.