Tempted by puppy - would I be mad?

[briebuiltthiscity]

When I got ddog who is now three, I went back quite quickly to the breeder to see if there were any pups left - as decided I wanted another. There were not and I left it with a typical “do let me know if you have another litter.

Back in December the breeder randomly got in touch to say his dog is pregnant. I now have a three year old dog and said “I don’t think so, but keep me updated”.

Of course this evening he has sent photos of the pups - and I’m a bit torn..

Firstly would I be mad to get a puppy (no issues money wise or work wise - I work from home and always have - not a lockdown thing).

But secondly my dog is a bit of a spoiled baby. He loves other dogs, but not sure how he’d take to a puppy. Is it always a nightmare?

I don’t think there’s anything wrong with getting a puppy to join a three year old dog.

But I do wonder how good your breeder is, you said Back in December the breeder randomly got in touch to say his dog is pregnant. I now have a three year old dog and said “I don’t think so, but keep me updated” which is fine but then Of course this evening he has sent photos of the pups - and I’m a bit torn and my immediate thought is after saying you don’t think so why then send photos?

I would assume the breeder sent the photos to try and make a sale.
Just strikes me a bit, not sure what the word is, uncaring?

It reminds me of when I contacted a breeder and asked what health tests the parents had had and I got a response basically saying the breed don’t need any, here are loads of photos of my puppies.
I assume the assumption being that I would lose my head at the sight of gorgeous puppies, forget about the health tests and buy one.
It really put me off and gave me doubts as to how ethical and caring the breeder actually was.
Confirmed when said breeder then had another litter during lockdown priced at £2,500 (they were £500 before!!)

To be fair - I was a bit more “I don’t think so, but let me know closer to the time” so don’t think breeder is trying to make a sale. When they got in touch at first I asked about costs, etc (as to be honest was expecting a push for a deposit) but they were pretty much “oh not sure yet” (as know for certain it will be far more than we paid).

Sorry tjst was unfair - don’t know for certain but paid £250 for mine - which was low even then.

So the breeder bred his dog without having any homes lined up and still doesn’t have any homes for the now born pups? And has contacted you after you saying you weren’t keen? And this is in the middle of the biggest boom in puppy demand we’ve had probably throughout history? Massive alarm bells there.

What sort of dog did you get for that price , even 3 yrs ago that was cheap . What price is he asking for the puppy now ?

I have no idea whether any of the dogs are accounted for etc. I haven’t replied to the message as I don’t want to commit either way.
We’ve kept very vaguely in touch on fb since I bought my dog.

Obviously get one

Second dog was the best thing I've ever done - they're so happy

Sorry I should clarify - it’s not a puppy farm (as can see where this is going) but it is a mixed breed “hobby breeder”. And yes even back then my dog was a low price.

@LaurieFairyCakehie did they got on with your existing dog?

Just be warned that two leads to three and three leads to bigger car, sofa, bed, hard to find holiday cottages, then four. It's a slippery slope I say

@briebuiltthiscity oh if I was in your situation I would! Which breed is it?

@pawivy there is a woman on a Facebook group I’m on who has 12 dogs!! The photos look so sweet - but can you imagine? It must be such hard work.

@briebuiltthiscity think of all the poo bags

Oh god! I thought of the racket when the postman knocks - but poo would be never ending wouldn’t it! I love it when she posts a video on the group though. Seeing 12 dogs all snuggled together is just something lovely to watch.

Just be warned that two leads to three and three leads to bigger car, sofa, bed, hard to find holiday cottages, then four. It's a slippery slope

And a £60k+ large motorhome when too many even for holiday cottages

I think it's quite nice the breeder has come back to you. I recommend two

Eek- am so so tempted. Mines a lovely chap and loves to play so think he’d be keen on playmate. Just a bit worried he’d be jealous as he is rather a lapdog.

Our older dog was 3.5 when we got another puppy. She was definitely a spoilt only dog. There have been a few disagreements, some of which is based on having to share and some of been because he’s a puppy and needs to learn his manners. On the whole though, they’re good friends. Take it slow with them and introductions. Try to keep them separate and allow your older dog to have a space that the puppy can’t get to.

We were thinking of getting a second dog for a while before lockdown. During lockdown 1.0, older dog got quite depressed as she wasn’t doing the things we would usually do with her. She’s been better since we got the pup.

Just be aware that it is completely normal for the existing dog to absolutely hate the puppy at first! I thought I had made a huge mistake.
I had full on sulking, hunger strike, fake illness, snarling. Now they are snuggled up on the sofa together.

Hmm the space thing is a good point. Ddog doesn’t have a crate or anything like that and we are fully open plan downstairs. I would hate to bring a new pup home and cause my existing dog to be really upset.

On the whole he’s not fussed about sharing or anything like that - no resource guarding - but he does LOVE his toys.

Still pondering. It’s one of those things that a year ago I would have definitely done (I wished almost straight away that I had two as he’s so playful and think a dog makes a better friend than me). Now as he’s getting older I just worry he’d be jealous - not sure why.

We brought home a rescue puppy when my old dog was 10 and I was heartbroken at what I perceived I had done to my dog. But as the weeks went on the relationship changed and within six months they were inséparable.

Now my old boy is gone and two months ago we brought home a puppy. The puppy adores both the big dogs, especially the one we rescued and follows him like a little lost lamb! They patrol the garden together, wrestle together (although the puppy is smaller than the big dog's head) and just bring so much joy to our home.

I am no help at all and will just say go for it because two dogs are more than twice as much fun as one on its own.