What are the pro's and con's of having two dogs?

Question

We have a 4 year old jack russell/shitzu cross male named Charlie. We adopted Charlie this past summer and he has been a joy nursing back to health and training (wasn't very hard). Charlie previous to us, had always lived with dogs. He grew up with two dogs, and had a temporary foster brother. He gets along well with other dogs, but seems pretty lonely and down sometimes as we have no dog park or friends with dogs to socialize him with.

We want a second dog anyway, a smaller breed (under 30lbs). What are the pro's and con's of having two dog's in a large apartment? Is it too much? Is getting a female better then another male because of dominance? Or are we putting too much thought into our dog being lonely? He's with people 22 hours of the day. Please help our Charchar!

If we do get a second dog, our dog is going to the pound and picking his sister/brother.

Answer 1

Pros of having two dogs
They can keep each other company when you have to be away from them.

Cons of having two dogs
They are twice the work to walk and train, cost to feed, and health care.
they can get attached more to each other than you, and cause some regression in training.
depending on temperment they may not get along, at times.

General suggestions on getting a second dog
opposite sexes may help in the dogs getting along well
temperment of the second dog plays a large amount in the effects of dominance and should be considered over any other trait of the second dog.
determine the temperment of the current dog first and select the second dog according to the temperment of the first.
example: first dog extreme dominant second dog should be submissive. as their will be fighting if the second dog is dominant.

Another consideration is your current dogs behavior if there are any behavior problems, then get them fixed, before getting a second dog.

Answer 2

I have 3. 2 outdoor and 1 indoor. I love having them keep each other company. I would say, in my experience, having more than 1 is great! The only con might be it costs more. But, it also depends on your lifestyle. I'm home all day and we don't travel much. I would say, yes, get another dog if you can afford it and get a female. We have 2 boys outside, (although I wonder about one of them, maybe that's why they get along so well...) But when my little girl goes out to play with them, they love her. One will be more dominant than the other, but the dogs will figure that out and it usually only takes one time. Our 2 outdoor ones are about 4 years apart and the indoor one is just 6 months. Good Luck!

Answer 3

in case you come across a canines your shepherd hits is off with (one he's not jealous of), then the execs are frequently for the canines. he will have a chum to save him employer, yet another canines to play with meaning extra exercising. canines are with the help of nature %. animals, so frequently they prefer employer. yet there is continually the exception. i'd attempt to verify him with a canines about the same age as him and that i'd also get a lady. A male and lady are a lot less in all probability to have complications than 2 adult males. (and back that only a known rule, there are continually exceptions). Cons are for sure each little thing doubles - two times the rate, two times the vet expenses, two times the shedding, two times the time you need to spend walking, bathing, and so on. that is basically as a lot as you no matter if the more beneficial rate and time are extremely well worth the 2d canines.

Answer 4

Good Question. We are recently down to one dog after having had two for many years.
I would say that the advantages are; they keep each other entertained. They can be more entertaining!, watching them play together etc.
The cons...If you get another male and the second dog wants to dominate, there are going to be problems. Also, the expense, twice the food, twice the vet bills etc. Also with one dog I feel like I can put more time and attention in to my dog and give him longer walks, more quality time without having another dog jockeying for my attention.
As for him being lonely? I think it's our perception and not the dogs perception, we tend to as pet owners put human emotion on to our dogs which is not always in their best interests.
I never thought that I'd be a one dog person but I am really enjoying the time that I am able to devote to just one dog. I think about him being lonely but as long as he gets his daily walks he seems fine and well adjusted. Actually I think he's happier being an only.

Answer 5

I would definitely encourage two dogs! We have two labs and they are best friends. It may take yours awhile to adjust as they may be a little wild while getting to know each other. Ours were fine because our oldest chocolate lab female was three months old when we rescued our yellow lab male. But, you hardly had to play with them because they went outside or in another room and played their doggy games. No one can play and run with their dog like another dog can!
Also, I wouldn't worry about dominace between dogs because it will happen no matter the gender, age, breed, size, etc.

Hope this was of some help

Answer 6

It's nice to have more than one dog in the family. Since you already have one in the family, I'm sure he's a blessing! If you get another dog, you will have two blessings! They should play together and it should keep Charlie busy. I used to have an older dog and a young female. The female was always bored because when she tried to play with our older dog, he hurt his legs because he has arthritis. We got her a puppy and they play all of the time. If you get a young puppy and they grow up together, I think they will accept each other.

Answer 7

Well for the past 4 years we had one dog, whos is now a 6yr old female amstaff. We bought a male boxer pup and let me tell you its crazy here. They are like best friends. The only thing that sucks is they are both very energetic dogs, so there is alot of horse play. But i just send them outside when they are wild up!!!

Answer 8

I only wanted one dog - but but husband insisted after the first - the we get the second.

It's double the bills - and twice the love.

They are each others best friends - protect each other - love each other.

But they were young when they got together - and I am told that makes a big difference. My vet enjoys them - and tells me how lucky we are that they get along. He has two dogs that won't even sit in the same room at the same time and have to be served their meals separately.

One thing I can tell you - when we got the second dog - we brought our first one with us -- he picked out his own playmate...

Answer 9

cons : double the cost
pros : twice the fun

if yours is neutered then male or female wont matter.. but get one around the same age so feeding isnt a problem ( if you get a pup it will need different food)
make sure you try the two dogs out together before getting a new one
and make sure your new dog is vaccinated before bringing it home

Answer 10

your first dog may be territorial and they might not get along.

however, if you have too your dog will have company while you are gone (if they get along)