Adding a second dog - same again?

[SpaceDetective]

Our puppy is still quite young so it's a year or so off yet but we'd like to get a second dog when she's around 2. Given wait lists etc. I'm starting to think about it now. Current pup is a lab and the most straightforward option is to get another, although a small part of me thinks something different?

I love vizslas (both smooth and wirehaired) and GSPs. Although I think the latter are probably a bit too big.

So for those with a second dog, did you stick with the same breed or go for something else? Are you happy with the decision?

We are day 3 into dog 2. We waited till our older dog was 7 - might have done it a couple of years earlier but did r want a new puppy during lockdown uncertainty. Older dog is a golden retriever and the new puppy is a working lab. Went for lab this time for a few reasons - slightly smaller size, easier to train/more biddable/brighter (have support of fantastic training who helped us with stubborn fucker dog 1 - she works mostly with labs), particularly wanted a black dog this time (feel safer out walking by myself as people can’t tell whether it’s a lab or a Doberman from a distance…). Happy with our decision - I love both breeds.

We have two, both cross breeds (rescues) but to be honest we wanted them to match energy level/exercise needs which was the most important thing. They are both working breed mixes so it didn’t make sense to get a second which only needed short walks when we like to take ours out and about with us and do a lot of walking.

Both are boys and they are getting on well so far. We chose a more reserved puppy both times - neither is bothered about being dominant.

I have had a random mix of dogs and they have all got along fine!

However I tend to select dogs that have a similar play style, similar walking style and also have similar exercise needs.

I also prefer them to be of similar size, or at least evenly matched so that when playing one does not get squashed.

It’s much easier to have a matching pair though and from now on I’ll stick to the same breed for an easy life!

Watching with interest. I have a 2 year old border terrier who needs doggy interaction to keep him fit and out of mischief. Seriously considering a second dog but keep talking myself out of it. He's a very laid back, passive boy, maybe a little nervous but very very friendly and playful.

I have 2 labs and they get on well with each other, but they also get on well with pretty much every other gundog breed ( lots of vizslas round here) and most other dogs we meet too. They love company and do well in pairs.
I do think their size and weight would influence my choices. I would not pair either lab with a ‘delicate’ breed to avoid injury, but I would just observe the puppy and see which breeds she gravitates towards .

Oh and @DinaDirvla I would love a Border and our labs have a couple of playmates. Borders are happy to play but seem able to tell them when to back off if they are too rough.

I have a working lab and have wondered the same so following

I have thought about getting a cocker spaniel because they have a similar temperament and style of playing. My dog absolutely adores my mums dog whose a working cocker, they play tug with sticks and both love fetch, swimming etc just a similar type of dog

The spaniels I know never sit still and have taken a lot of work to settle and are fairly aloof once over about 2 years of age, they also require a bit more upkeep coat wise than a lab. I'm pretty certain i don't want a spaniel.

Our pup is happy to play with every dog but is pretty good at picking up which dogs would like to play and which aren't interested now. She mostly plays with other labs and vizslas as that's who we tend to meet. I think lab is the most sensible choice really, I just wonder if I'd be forever comparing?

I think if I could find a lovely working chocolate pup I'd be happy, but you don't see many about.

I agree about play styles the gundogs seem to "understand" how they play.

Prepare for massive sweeping statement !

Labs are generally steadier than vizslas and only get a GSP if you love training recall over and over and over again

Your well trained lab will not teach your new puppy how to behave but your bouncy poor recall GSP will teach your lab how to hunt.

Alas, my lab is not one of the steady ones and we'll probably flunk out of gundog training shortly And she already does a great pointing stance. She's a great pup though, wouldn't change her.

Both GSPs and Vizslas can be hell on legs as puppies. Also, GSPs are not necessarily huge - some lines are quite dinky. The dogs with recent German heritage tend to be bigger (and they're also, IME, all very driven to work).

We’ve a lab x cocker (accidental mating at working kennel) and would go for the same if one ever came up. He can be spaniel bonkers if given the slightest chance but is obedient and calms quickly too. GSPs seem a bit more of a commitment training wise than we are used to - though a friend has a fab lab x GSP; massive though.

We went for the same again ( Welsh Terriers)- better the devil you know and all that.

However pup is the polar opposite from the first one personality wise so that didn't work out too well!

One other catch is it's hard to tell them apart at a distance to be able to yell at the one who is misbehaving!