2nd dog? Yes or no?

[Witchyandtwitchy]

We have a giant breed dog, he’s the best dog in the world, my best mate and constant companion.
We belong to working dog clubs for his breed and work him regularly. He’s also a registered therapy dog and I do regular visits to care homes and hospitals with him.

He is entire as no behavioural issues and this is better for long term health with giant breeds.

Someone we know through the working club is breeding a litter from her girl, who is a fabulous dog.
We would love a pup from this litter.

Has anyone got a 2nd dog and regretted it?

Positives…
My dog is 4, so out of the teenage difficult stage but still young and playful.
DH and I would have a dog each to work (this is a shared hobby)

Negatives…
Extra cost. 2 lots of food, vet bills insurance etc
We have to have our boy neutered, as wouldn’t want 2 males.

Anything obvious I haven’t thought of?

Yes. And while I don't think there's anything wrong with having more than one dog, it was the wrong decision for me when I had the most amazing dog I could ever have had. Getting a second dog took away from that relationship instead of enhancing it - for both me and my dog. I also did it when my girl was 4. If she had been younger it may have been different.

Sorry, I meant no to a second dog. If the first one is so good, it's difficult for the incoming dog to match up

I wouldn't. Everything is going well with your current dog, the dynamic is good. I wouldn't risk that changing.

I wouldn't. Did it when old dog was 8. All went well. Old dog died at 16, young dog was 8 by then. Got puppy and it was absolute hell for six months and isn't brilliant almost two years on. I won't be doing it again. We had to keep them separate for several months.

We are a year in with second and regret. All the things you mention as negatives are our experience. There are no positives though as our lovely loyal 4 year old can’t say hello to me or come for a stroke without 1 year old getting jealous and pushing him away, pulling on his ears with teeth etc. they don’t like each other, sleep with each other and have to walked separately. On her own number 2 is lovely and with other dogs she is lovely, but she’s not a buddy for number 1!

I'd also add in that if you have a large breed who ends up with mobility issues, having a second dog makes life so much harder particularly if they're younger and still energetic. Managing two large dogs with different activity levels, both at puppy stage and later life stage was something I didn't factor in and ended up restricting all of us.

Puppy stage - we had to go at the puppy's ability for at least 18 months. Older stage - at older dogs pace just when younger dog was ramping up his activity levels.

Hmmm.. yes all good points thank you.
Especially taking away from our strong bond.
DH would like ‘his own dog’ but knows in reality 2nd dog could also end up ‘my 2nd buddy’ As I do most of the walking, training, feeding etc.

I suppose I’m also in fear of losing my boy and having that dreaded empty house.
This sadly isn’t a long lived breed and he may only have another 5-6yrs! But hopefully longer.

I have 2 dogs an old one who’s now 11 and very sprightly and a young one who was 10 months when I got him. The old dog was very tolerant of other dogs and for his first 8 years has lived with another dog (who died at 14). They get on OK the old dog can be a bit possessive about toys and water bowls but generally they knock along together. Both are on the sofa with me now. They do slightly vie for my attention the old dog wants to get the lion share generally it works ok.
I got the younger one because I live alone and didn’t want to be without a dog I knew the old dog was getting on so was toying with the idea of getting another dog and saw the young dog advertised on the breed club website, he is a failed show dog of a breed I’ve always admired; he came very well socialised house trained walked beautiful on the lead; hed been shown was used to travelling in a car to shows etc without me having to put the work in!
I don’t regret it but I suspect the old dog would say he’d rather be 1 of 1 if he could speak and choose. I’m not overly sentimental but when the old dog sadly dies I will still have a dog in my life, having a dog in my life is very important to me.