Get a dog more for yourself, or your current dog?

[JacksonsMom]

So I've had this debate in my head a few times when contemplating a second dog.

Do I go with the dog breed that I feel Jackson will be most happy with, or worry more about what *I* want?

I mean, Jackson is very much my partner in crime. Attached to my hip. Goes everywhere with me (that he is allowed), etc. So his happiness overrides anything else. I would never get a dog that I know he would be completely miserable with (he would NEVER be happy with a very large, bouncy type dog, or any bully breeds).

But me personally? My main debate right now is between a Border Terrier or a herder of sorts (big debate between BC, Aussie and Mini American Shepherd right now). I know I'd be happy with a BT from the time spent around them, plus researching, etc, and I really think Jackson would prefer it (he enjoys play with other similar sized terriers) but but but... really want a herder too! AND Jackson has always gotten along well with any Aussies or BC's he has spent time around (but it hasn't been a *ton*). But it's more run/chase type games outdoors vs. wrestling or playing in the house (which I would love to have 2 smaller-sized dogs able to play in the house). He also hasn't spent time around a herder puppy before, really. But he's always been really great with young puppies of all breeds honestly.

I really think that any of these breeds would make ME happy and fit ME well. And honestly... I do think he would be happy/content with either of them also BUT the BT would ideally be the "best" match for him.

Sooo... thoughts, whether on my "dilemma" or your own, or just thoughts in general?

 

[Paviche]

I thought a lot about this with Rowan too. IMO it's important to meet somewhere in the middle. Obviously you need the dog that you want, but I think it's important to take into consideration your dogs preferences too, at least to some extent. In your situation it honestly sounds like Jackson would be happy either way. Since he generally likes both types, I'd say go with whichever you want more! If it was a choice between a type he likes and a type he doesn't, I would definitely go for the one he likes. But if it's between "likes" and "likes more", I really wouldn't worry too much about it. And then the flip side is, if they're dogs you'd be equally happy with, I'd go with Jackson's preference, but that's just me!

 

[Linds]

I don't see me ever getting a dog for my other dogs really. I mean, I like that Didgie and Traveler get along so great and I wouldn't add in a dog that totally didn't mesh at all so I'm happy I know Traveler has loved every sighthound he's met.

But, at the end of the day I'm the one that's going to be training, exercising and living with this dog for hopefully many, many years and I wont' get a dog that isn't exactly what I'm looking for because it might not be on the top of the list of what my two would like.

And I think a lot of times people worry too much about what their current dog will like. Most dog friendly, stable dogs work things out just fine. You also can't always predict who they will like but I think normally they come to like their fellow house dogs just fine. I know Hannah absolutely loves Traveler even though he's everything she normally hated in a dog and Didgie in all her annoying managed to endear herself to Hannah and Kaylee.

Get the dog you want and that you think will fit with your overall lifestyle and want. Jackson is a part of that, but he isn't the whole of it.

 

[Lyzelle]

Good question. I like this topic.

I like dogs, period. I'm happy with just about everything, even though I have limits and goals with my dogs. I couldn't tell you the amount of time I've been putting into NextDog, how it will mesh with me and BeAu, and also with Zander. I knew I needed a female, because Zander gets waaaaay to personal and bro-mance-ish with other boys. And if they want nothing to do with him, he gets sorta depressed and spiteful. I didn't want him feeling that way, but I didn't want to have to DEAL with it, either. But I knew he would love a female regardless. NextDog needed to be a prospect fun dog that I could play around with in conformation and sports. That doesn't really affect Zander, unless maybe having a more confident dog around would help his anxiety. I will NOT do DA in a multiple dog pack, REFUSE TO CRATE/ROTATE so that was out, directly because of Zander and what I was willing to deal with. I wanted something playful...for me and Zane. I wanted something people-oriented more than dog-oriented...for me.

I really think it is somewhere in the middle When adding a new dog, you HAVE to consider the dog/s you already have for multiple reasons. But ultimately it comes down to what you want and what you are willing to deal with, too.

 

[StillandSilent]

When Argon was still alive, I did choose dogs to foster based on what I felt would not aggravate his DA. This included no females, no in your face breeds, no dogs significantly larger, no breeds prone to DA. I chose Gambit based on this criteria as well.

But I also chose Gambit based on what I wanted. So I guess we met in the middle.

 

[BostonBanker]

Honestly, it sounds like in your situation, either choice would be fine for both of you.

If I had gone by what Meg wanted, I wouldn't have a second dog until she was gone. Heck, she'd probably think I shouldn't have one after either. I would not have ever intentionally gotten a dog I think she would have really had issues with, because having to crate and rotate or really manage dog interactions wasn't something I wanted.

I knew there were types of dogs Meg does better with, and ways I could make things even easier (getting a puppy, for instance, which isn't ever my first choice). The fact that her likes and mine mesh pretty well is a nice thing. So I stacked the odds in my favor with things both of us like (herding dog type, male, left intact a little longer), things I like and she will tolerate (ie another dog at all) and things she likes (puppy). And I have to say, one of the things I love the most with my dogs is how nice a pair they make. No, they don't play non-stop (or hardly ever anymore), but they are agreeable and enjoy hiking together and don't eat one another.

 

[*blackrose]

I don't see me ever getting a dog for my other dogs really. I mean, I like that Didgie and Traveler get along so great and I wouldn't add in a dog that totally didn't mesh at all so I'm happy I know Traveler has loved every sighthound he's met.

But, at the end of the day I'm the one that's going to be training, exercising and living with this dog for hopefully many, many years and I wont' get a dog that isn't exactly what I'm looking for because it might not be on the top of the list of what my two would like.

And I think a lot of times people worry too much about what their current dog will like. Most dog friendly, stable dogs work things out just fine. You also can't always predict who they will like but I think normally they come to like their fellow house dogs just fine. I know Hannah absolutely loves Traveler even though he's everything she normally hated in a dog and Didgie in all her annoying managed to endear herself to Hannah and Kaylee.

Get the dog you want and that you think will fit with your overall lifestyle and want. Jackson is a part of that, but he isn't the whole of it.

^This.

Cynder would have LOVED having a dog that was just like her. Medium sized and gentle, one that just kind of ignored her existence unless they both, at the same time, wanted to initiate play.

Instead I brought home a now 80 pound behemoth that constantly picks on her, runs her over, and is generally very annoying. She absolutely despised him when I first brought him home. Now, I think, she enjoys him some of the time, but mostly just tolerates his existence. Once he's no longer an annoying puppy, I think they'll actually be very good together.

That being said...don't set your current dog up to fail. If you have a dog that doesn't get along with larger dogs, or smaller dogs, or same sex dogs, or has a thing against X breed...avoid those. But like others have said, if it comes down to the better to two good things? Get what YOU want.

 

[AmandaNola]

I meet in the middle, but for our household getting a puppy is the best way to insure they'll get along, not going with a specific breed. I considered Nola in my choice for NextDog, and am bouncing between breeds that would be okay with her, but the final decision will be the dog I like best.

 

[PWCorgi]

I would absolutely get a dog for myself...with consideration to my current dogs.

For example, I would not bring another terrier into the house with Siri, or a breed/dog that is prone to being scrappy. There was also a reason why I brought a small, female, puppy home with Frodo here, and not a tall, lean greyhound or dane. But I'd never get a dog based on what my dog would like over what I would like.

 

[krissy]

I would never get a dog that would be a bad fit for the pack, however I do not pick dogs based on my current dogs. If it is a full grown dog I am considering I want everyone to meet and be ok. Beyond that I get what I want and make the rest of it work.

 

[RBark]

I wouldn't get a dog just to be a companion to my current dog, However, Kobe is the type of dog that needs a companion to thrive. I circumvent that by having him go to doggy daycare 3 to 5 times a week.

 

[yv0nne]

Next dog was going to be a herder regardless what Penny thought of herders. Thankfully she grew up with a Border so hopefully she likes her sister as much as Briar

 

[sillysally]

I narrowed it down to very social, dog friendly breeds and went from there. I'm not extremely picky with dogs in general and like more than one personality type. If Sally were more relaxed and dog friendly I most likely would have gotten a Ridgie. However, she's dog selective and can be kind of a jerk so I went with a more dog friendly breed. At the end of the day I made the right decision--I adore Jack and he and Sally get along very well.

So while I would never get a second dog ONLY for a current dog, I absolutely have and will continue to take current dogs should be taken into account when selecting a dog to add to our home.

After our bird Kiwi died I was afraid I would have to get another bird for Pickles as she had always been cage with other birds. I didn't like the idea of getting a pet for a pet, but if she had been miserable we would have done it. The avian vet said that some birds do ok after a companion dies and some fall apart. Fortunately, Pickles is adjusting well, so hopefully that won't be something we need to do.

 

[JacksonsMom]

Interesting responses, love them all.

I think my thing is, too, that I really miss dogs who really like/enjoy each other. My dads dogs and Jackson (whom we spent a LOT of time with, we often live there for days at a time) are just 'eh'. I think they all would be perfectly fine as only dogs. They just don't really enjoy each other at all. And the few times one finally starts to interact with the other, it lasts for like 10 seconds and then Jackson is all disappointed when it stops LOL. So yeah even though they're all fine to live together, etc, it's just boring to me and kind of defeats the point of multiple dogs LOL...

But whenever I would dogsit with a dog that really clicked with Jackson, it was nice to have them enjoy each other. I'm not even talking about like playing ALL the time or anything like that (that would be somewhat annoying, haha), but I could just tell genuinely enjoyed each others company. He and my moms dog were like this (and they lived together) ... she was a cockapoo. She unfortunately died at 5 years old though. But yeah I miss that.

And I know that Jackson would by far like a puppy more so I already know whatever breed it is, it's going to be a pup.

 

[PWCorgi]

Interesting responses, love them all.

I think my thing is, too, that I really miss dogs who really like/enjoy each other. My dads dogs and Jackson (whom we spent a LOT of time with, we often live there for days at a time) are just 'eh'. I think they all would be perfectly fine as only dogs. They just don't really enjoy each other at all. And the few times one finally starts to interact with the other, it lasts for like 10 seconds and then Jackson is all disappointed when it stops LOL. So yeah even though they're all fine to live together, etc, it's just boring to me and kind of defeats the point of multiple dogs LOL...

But whenever I would dogsit with a dog that really clicked with Jackson, it was nice to have them enjoy each other. I'm not even talking about like playing ALL the time or anything like that (that would be somewhat annoying, haha), but I could just tell genuinely enjoyed each others company. He and my moms dog were like this (and they lived together) ... she was a cockapoo. She unfortunately died at 5 years old though. But yeah I miss that.

And I know that Jackson would by far like a puppy more so I already know whatever breed it is, it's going to be a pup.

Even though I REALLY want a Borzoi next...I have a feeling if I end up getting another dog once Frodo passes, I will just foster until I find one that meshes really well with myself and Siri. Siri wants a dog that will play 95% of the day, and then let her snuggle with them the other 5%. She wants so badly for Frodo to snuggle with her, but he hates it if she even touches him when they are laying down. Doesn't stop her from trying though!!

 

[Oko]

Even though I REALLY want a Borzoi next...I have a feeling if I end up getting another dog once Frodo passes, I will just foster until I find one that meshes really well with myself and Siri. Siri wants a dog that will play 95% of the day, and then let her snuggle with them the other 5%. She wants so badly for Frodo to snuggle with her, but he hates it if she even touches him when they are laying down. Doesn't stop her from trying though!!

Siri and Feist need to meet up, Feist has the same problem with Wesley. Tis why I need a koolie to snuggle Feist.

 

[Southpaw]

I want my dogs to be able to coexist. That is it. Otherwise, the dog is for me, and what I want. It's just an added bonus if they enjoy each other and play together etc. Which, is not the case with my current pack lol they just live together and that's it... totally fine by me.

 

[Fran101]

Well I guess I'm the only one... a huge (bigger than what I want really lol) factor of a possible 2nd dog..would be about Merlin.

I enjoy having only one dog, I could live happily with only one...the DRIVE to get another, is how happy Merlin is when I pet-sit and having a dog that is his BEST FRIEND.
So that would be my first priority (beyond the obvious of finding a dog I can comfortably care for/live with)

So I guess it depends on your reason for getting a dog. My reason would be first and foremost, playmate for Merlin. With of course a big part of it being a dog I could care for/handle.
I have no big breed wants (as you do) and could grow to love any dog really..so it's a totally different thing! My only want would be "easy for me to care for, makes Merlin happy"

If I wanted a dog for other reasons, or just really wanted another dog, it would be a different story. In that case, get the dog FOR YOU.
But as it is? Eh, as long as the next dog holds the sameish care requirements as Merlin....i'd basically let him pick if I could.

I have to feed and walk the dog...but Merlin is the one that has to be around him/her 9-5 while I'm at work and it's incredibly important to me for them to be best friends, not just co-habitants.

I don't think the extra cost/care/time of having two dogs, for me, is worth it, if they aren't enjoying each other immensely. So getting a dog that he loves would be a very close 2nd, to getting a dog that I can live with/care for.

 

[Linds]

Even though I REALLY want a Borzoi next...I have a feeling if I end up getting another dog once Frodo passes, I will just foster until I find one that meshes really well with myself and Siri. Siri wants a dog that will play 95% of the day, and then let her snuggle with them the other 5%. She wants so badly for Frodo to snuggle with her, but he hates it if she even touches him when they are laying down. Doesn't stop her from trying though!!

Traveler, when he was a puppy, wanted nothing more than to cuddle with Kaylee and Hannah. Neither of which liked other dogs touching them so he grew out of the habit. When Didgie came she wanted to snuggle and cuddle with dogs super bad but Traveler by then was like "Eww, it's touching me."

But luckily Didgie is not easily deterred and has him wrapped around her paw, and has allowed her to drape herself all over him all the time. She even convinced Kaylee when she was still around the snuggling was the best.

And what Siri needs is for you to kidnap Squash lookalike from my dog park. Then she will live happily ever after.

 

[teacuptiger]

It would be great to have a dog that got along with Roxie, but not needed. I will always search for a dog that fits my needs/wants over my dog's. Getting along with Roxie is just a huge bonus, and I would like that a lot more over the alternative.