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#1
A friend and I were talking last night about if she should get another dog...
She feels that 1 dog is enough and likes only having the one dog to spoil etc.
but her hubby says that their current dog needs a canine playmate in order to be truly happy...I don't agree, I think a dog can be perfectly happy being the only dog...What do you think?...SB
 
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#2
I only have one dog and a cat. Zoey is perfectly happy and content being the only dog in the house. How ever she does get jelous if I start give the cat more attention then her :)

Why does her hubby think their dog is unhappy?? Is she being distructive, acting out?
 

Gempress

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#3
A friend and I were talking last night about if she should get another dog...
She feels that 1 dog is enough and likes only having the one dog to spoil etc.
but her hubby says that their current dog needs a canine playmate in order to be truly happy...I don't agree, I think a dog can be perfectly happy being the only dog...What do you think?...SB
One dog can be perfectly happy by itself. As long as they have a family to spend time with, they're content.

As to being happier with another dog....well, it depends on your current dog. Some dogs love getting a playmate. Others get jealous.
 

*Amy*

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#4
I always wondered that, too. I think Gempress is right about it depending on the dog.

Edit- I wanted to add that my parents older dog (around 8 years old) seems to be more active now that they have another dog. So in her situation, it was good for her to have another dog around.
 
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#5
I think in both situations your dog can have a happy life. Wrigley was an only dog the first 15 months of his life and was absolutely fine with it and very happy, playful ect--He now is a very happy dog who loves playing with his sister. They play pretty much constantly when together and walk well together ect--. I don't know if he's happier--but with two dogs to love--I am :)
 
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#6
We have had a golden retriever for over 12 years now named Belle and she has been the only dog...recently we got a new dog whos 6 and shes hyper and playful...belle gets jealous but she never has been playful before...she was pretty much lazy all her life. but anyways i think dogs are fine if they have been the only dog their whole life...if you take a dog friend away i know that will make them sad.
 

Lizmo

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#7
Yes, I think a dog can live perfectly happy without having a canine companion.

Now, my dog? No, she really can't. Playing with other dogs is so vital and important to her I can't imagine her having to live without a canine companion (whether it's a 10 year old Poodle or 8 week old puppy).
 
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#8
Artic...No shes not acting out or that she gets excited when she sees other dogs and he is taking that as a sign of her needing a playmate...I agree, some dogs do better with a playmate as some do better without...SB
 
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#9
Same as everyone else. Bailey, I believe, it happier without other dogs, although he never had any problems when we had more. It totally depends on the dog, but a single dog will get more exercise for sure when another is added.
 

Cassiepeia

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#10
I agree with everyone else. Dogs do perfectly well on their own.

I think people do better with more than one though. ;) Hehehehe!

Cass.
 

bubbatd

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#11
Ollie seems perfectly happy to me . When Hunter's here , they have a ball , but he loves to go back to his own quiet routine when he leaves . Much like us humans !!
 

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