Should we get another dog?

[JustaScratch]

We have a 2.5yo labrador cross. We got him aged around 6 months as a rescue and he's been brilliant. We have a fairly large house, big garden with lots of good walks nearby. DH doesn't work and I usually work from home, so we are able to give him plenty of exercise and attention. We also have a six year old daughter who loves our dog and he is brilliant with her. We had a conversation the other day about how we wouldn't rule out getting another youngish dog if we saw a rescue that needed a home.

Lo and behold - today we've seen an ad for a husky, same age as our lab cross who needs a new home. No cost, it's a rescue. Sounds like a lovely dog and we are finding ourselves sorely tempted. We would obviously meet the dog before making any decisions and introduce him to our dog and our daughter. We have the space, the two dogs could play... It is a big decision though - more commitment, more cost, more mess...

So lay it on me - pros and cons. Should we get another dog??? And should it be this dog?

[Herpesfreesince03]

Also consider how many owners that dogs been through in the single year of its life. No way has a puppy husky gone straight from a puppy to a rescue. So it’s gone through a breeder, to at least one home, to a rescue, to the man who has it now, and then to you if you take it. That’s 5 homes in 1 year, the most important year of the dogs life. God knows what psychological issues that dog has. It certainly hasn’t been anywhere long enough to have had some training

[Herpesfreesince03]

Sorry, just read the dogs two, but still..,

[Dreamersandwishers]

Absolutely get a second dog; labs seem to enjoy company.
Not this husky or probably any husky.

Labs love other labs, other gun dogs and playful types .
Also think about sexes. I have one of each and they are good pals. Does your existing boy feel confident around other males? Or would a bitch be more his thing? Definitely walk them together before committing.

Good idea to get another rescue, you will get a better idea if the personalities blend & avoid annoying ddog1 with a puppy.

[user1480880826]

No. Dogs are a massive and unnecessary burden on the environment.

[Booboostwo]

Get a second dog but not a husky and given that you have a young child get a dog from a responsible rescue not from a guy with a really weird story of how he got the dog.

Huskies are a lifestyle, not a pet. They need an insane amount of exercise, have no recall, can climb over and dig under fences, shed loads and howl all night long.

[JustaScratch]

Thank you all for the replies and advice. I think you are probably all right and it is not the dog for us. The good news is that several other people seem to have expressed interest in the husky, so I hope it will find a good home.

We'll keep our eyes peeled for a more suitable dog, but we're not in a hurry. Our dog is a happy, obedient, and much loved mutt. For the person who said dogs are a massive burden on the environment, we would only ever get a rescue dog, never seek out or pay for a breed, as I do not want to fuel the dog breeding industry.

[bornonasunday]

Please please think again!! Three people I know have had (note the past tense) huskies, one of which was a huskie cross. All 3 no longer have them... first one was local oddball guy who couldn’t cope and was reported for bad treatment of poor dog (dog vanished one day, never seen again) second was a lad at work who got family to pay £££ for pure husky breed, beautiful dog... ended up in rescue, nobody could be arsed with walking it, it got out one day and into the field of sheep - luckily no sheep injured, so they got rid of poor dog and the last is a relative - the house has been wrecked so many times as they are all at work all day. They are basically waiting and hoping it will die soon as nobody had the guts to rehome when the dog was younger. It has had a shit life.
I’ve had German Shepherds all my life, and on occasion I’ve had 2 at the same time. No lie, it’s hard work with bigger breeds and expensive - think 2x injections, food, kennels Etc. I wouldn’t have 2 out of choice again.
Besides, the one I’ve got at the moment is a nutcase and double the trouble on her own!😁

[Scarsthelot]

No. Dogs are a massive and unnecessary burden on the environment.

The dog already exists its 'burden' in the environment is the same regardless of who owns it.

[QuitMoaning]

@user1480880826

No. Dogs are a massive and unnecessary burden on the environment
Almost as much a burden on the environment as three year old children.

Btw, I think millions of disabled people as well as almost every police force in the world would dispute the use of the word ‘unnecessary’.

[VetOnCall]

OP if you're in Spain have a look at the 'Settusfree - Settees for Setters' or 'Setter Help Europe' Facebook pages. They rescue Setters from all over Southern Europe and they are truly gorgeous, gentle dogs and a nice combination with a Lab x. They always have dogs in Spain looking for homes.

[JustaScratch]

Great tip @VetOnCall - thank you!

[GeraldineFangedVagine]

What a mad comment. The dog is already here. Also it’s not dogs that are a burden on the environment. It’s us. Jeez.

[user1480880826]

Disabled people and the police force do not have unnecessary dogs. They have very necessary dogs. It’s hardly comparable to having a pet.

[Wolfiefan]

So no one should have a pet, or children or???
Bonkers.

[Farontothemaddingcrowd]

My husky was rehomed and she is placid, gentle, doesn't destroy the house and is great with our other dog. They are not all a nightmare- but I do agree that it's best not to take the chance with a dog you don't know the temperament of yet.

[Whynosnowyet]

We have had ours from a dpuppy. No way would I get a back ground unknown one.

[Funf]

Husky! Not unless you know all about them, but I say this about every breed you must fully understand the breeds of the dog. Only thing I know about them is they live in cold places and can run for miles so would need a massive walk?
If you get another dog it must be returnable as the two may not get on. We had two, they never bothered with each other but then when one died at 14 the other pined for it!

[GrumpyMiddleAgedWoman]

OP, you might also want to consider rescue pointers - lots of those in Spain. More trainable than the average husky.