Adding another dog
J-A,
I've been wrestling with the idea of getting a 2nd dog.
Since you have a "pack" of dogs I'm just wondering how you feel about dogs who are the only pet in the house as opposed to dogs who have another dog as a companion. I'm wondering if dogs who have another dog companion are as close to their people? Do they still prefer their people or do they just hang with the other dogs and not care so much about their people?
We love our little Gus, but sometimes I wonder if he would like to have another dog to play with and keep him company. Mostly, I wonder about this after watching how much he loves the little dog next door (Bailey). He is so happy when she can come over and play, but when she is gone he just looks sad. I spend a lot of time with Gus, but I think it's not the same as having a dog friend.
Well, I'm just interested in your thoughts regarding one dog verses two dogs in the house. I'm wondering specifically about Schapendoes...since they are bred for herding are they used to being alone or in a larger "herd" as with sheep or other dogs?
Sharla
Bonjour Sharla,
Here's my 2 cents:
I've never regretted the decision to have more than one dog, although sometimes when my wrist, elbows and shoulders ache from grooming or when I nearly empty out our bank account paying the vet bills or boarding bills when we go away I question my anity !!!
The dogs enjoy each others company but still look to me for entertainment, if I send them all out into the big yard to play and don't immediately follow because I'm doing something like picking up poop in the yard, they come back to the run to get me because I'm the only one that can throw the ball or frisbee <vbg> They still want their walks and car rides too, with more than one dog those things get complicated so I give them each their turns. I can walk 2 but not 5 at one time <lol> and the Jeep can only hold 3 at the most in the back.
The other thing to consider is if you are planning on training Gus in any dog sports than having 2 dogs is not great, if you don't plan on training for competive dog sports then yes they will keep each other company and won't miss you as much when you travel or run errands because they'll have each other. Schapendoes enjoy other dogs company but will always prefer being with their family first. Schaps also don't like every breed of dog that they meet (don't know why but it's what I've noticed) they are much more accepting of dogs their size or smaller and for some reason prefer hairy dogs like themselves to play with, which is maybe a good thing since Schap play hard and use their mouths alot, Skye actually pulls Blues by the bangs 'ouch' unlike Boxers etc. that play with their paws.
When I dogsit Plume or Rocky they come in here expecting my crew to play play play and are sometimes disappointed that my guys aren't as excited to see them for a playdate as they are. Since Plume and Rocky live alone with their families they enjoy and I guess crave other dogs company and mine don't because they have each other.
Gus is about to hit 'teenagerhood' and will go through some character changes I would wait awhile before getting another dog because it's not the best stage in dog developement and they usually start testing their humans at about this age and it's better that you have him only to train at this stage.
My last words of wisdom <g> are if you get another dog get a male but have Gus neutered first. My pack was an all male one before Skye came along except for the times I had females staying here being boarded and to be truthful my guys always get along better with no bossy females in the house. For some reason girl dogs feel they have to rule the roost <vbg>
I'm really happy that you are enjoying Gus, and I'm sure he's feeling well-loved at your place even without a dog-buddy <g>
