i think he needs a friend, what do you think?

Question

I have a 4 month old Chi, he’s really cute and is well socialized. He seems to defy the books I read on chi temperament, he loves other people, doesn’t get stress at big noise-rather he wants to investigate! He is my baby and is very spoilt but I found out recently, while we were on a camping trip that he seems to want to play with another dog. My boyfriend has a dog, she’s a poodle, he (Baxter the chi) tries to play with her when we at his house (he goes where ever I go) but she is old and can’t keep up with him. I have also recently found a job where I will not be at home all day like he is used to so I am worried he will get lonely at home with just his toys.

I can afford to have another dog - vet bills, best food, toys, grooming everything.

So here’s the thing, I want an objective opinion… should I get him a buddy that he can play with (I’m looking to adopt one)???
Would it keep him happy??? And if so I have decided on either another chi or a Yorkshire terrier or a Doberman pinscher – purely because they are around his size and would probably not hurt him like a bigger dog would. Am I on the right track?

oh yes im from south africa - just incase you know of anyone who has chi/yorkie/mini doberman for adoption

oh yeah and i was thinking a boy coz i dont want little pups at all (bax is a stud for a breeding program for the future so he cant be neut)

OH AND FYI of course ill love the new dog!!! what do you think i am!! an idiot!! im an animal lover!! geeez that was a bit narrow minded!!

Answer 1

If you're responsible then i say sure! Of course bigger dogs wouldn't necessarily hurt him, my boyfriend's family has a chi and an english springer spaniel who are best friends and play constantly and the chi is actually MORE agressive with the springer than the springer with the chi. On the fact that he defies what most books say about chis, they don't get that sort of anti-social behavior until they are much later in age, when they're young they love everyone so you should do all you can while in the first year to keep him around other animals and people, thats what I'm doing with my Scottie because they have the same type of bad rap for being anti-social. Also my Scottie puppy weighs in at 14lbs (he's a little overweight) and plays all the time with my 4lb apple head chi so size doesn't necessarily matter haha hes even afraid of her!! Of course a smaller dog is easier to handle while walking 2 dogs at the same time.

hope this helps! You seem pretty responsible and knowledgeable about these matters.
good luck!!!!

Answer 2

First of all a doberman is not the same size as your dog, are you thinking of a Min Pin?? Dogs do not like to be alone, but it might be too early to get your pup a new friend. Do you really want to be dealing with two puppies?? Two puppies to potty train, two puppies chewing on everything, two puppies doing all of the puppy things. I would wait until your pup is a little older maybe a year. Also just because your dog is a saint doesn't mean that the next one will be the same. All dogs are different and have different personalities. I think your dog would love some company, but how does it affect you emotionally and physically. If you have to give away the new puppy because it is too much then that would not be good for everyone involved.

Answer 3

Yes, he would love a friend! We have a 1 year old pomeranian. He loved to play with toys and us all the time. I took him over to my mom's house, and he had a blast playing with her poodle. So...we decided to get another pomeranian, and it was the best decision I ever made! They play all the time, it's really cute. My 1 year old seems much more content now.

Yorkshire terriers are VERY active. My sister had one that used to be extremely hyper. Miniture pinschers are also very hyper. It just depends if you like dogs like that. Perhaps you should get another chi since you love the one you have so much!

Answer 4

Its nice to see that you care so much, i think that if you have to be out of the house for long periods, then yes get him a buddy while he is still young, he is obviously very confident and thats great, so he needs to be kept entertained, and as you say you are prepared to take on a second baby, so go for it.
I have a 6 mth old cavalier king charles, sophie, she plays with my boyf sisters chi...Benny, he is 4 mths also, they love each other so much, he swings from her ears, so funny, they have never been bad to one another, so id say a cavalier would be a good companion...but im biast, :-)
Best of luck.

Answer 5

Dogs are at base element PACK animals
they can not stand being alone -- it is the single most degrading thing that can be done TO a dog--- leaving them totally alone--- it is so against their nature-- a lot of dogs will start "acting up" and doing things very destructive and unpleasant !!
Get him a friend--- they will provide one another a lifetime of companionship and make those hours that you're away seem almost bearable !!!

Answer 6

I think if you can afford it then go for it. The best thing we ever did was get another dog for our Lab to play with. We got a Cocker almost a year ago and they are the best of friends. I was afraid at first because our Cocker is so much smaller then our Lab. I was sure that he was going to hurt her but it is as if he knows that he needs to be careful with her. If your up to raising two puppies at one time and you can afford to do so then I say do it. Have a ball!

Answer 7

By all means, get him a playmate. Dogs are "pack" animals and need a social life. If you are going to be gone 8+ hours a day for work he needs a friend. I would suggest getting something his size (though my chihuahua plays with my big dogs just fine) to limit the chance of injury.

Answer 8

Sure, he will love having the company. I have two dogs and if I can't play with them at the moment, they always have each other. They will get along best if they are opposite sexes.

Answer 9

if you want another dog purely as a friend for your dog, you should not get one. if you would love the new dog as much as your dog and not just treat it like your dog's friend, more like a toy, or a tool, you can get the dog. even though you will take care of it, it should have the same amount of love and stability that your current dog gets from you. it will not be different from your dog and will expect the same things from you as your dog does now.

Answer 10

another dog is a good idea. before you adopt the dog let your dog meet him/her and make sure they get along.