Hello all,

Apologies if this has been asked before.
We have a fantastic, well socialised Cairn terrier who is nearly 6 years old. We are considering getting a pup Cairn but obviously don't want to upset 'Hamish'.

1 - Should we?
2 - Male or Female?
3 - How should we deal with mealtimes?
4 - Should we get the pup his/her own bed

I welcome all opinions.

Many Thanks

One dog is never enough :-)

I think your Hamish will love it and will bring out the inner puppy in him.

A little girl would be good if Hamish is castrated or about to be..otherwise a total pain at best and disaster at worst.

Mealtimes are easy, two bowls well spaced out and allow each dog to eat in peace...they will sort it out themselves.
Similarily they will sort out their own sleeping arrangements no matter what you do.... dogs generally like to be together, it may take time but they soon get into their own pattern.

Thanks Tooolz,

Would you recommend a male pup or not, I have been thinking there might be terratorial problems possibly? Although Hamish seems to get on with all dogs male or female especially other Cairns. He knows 3 other Cairns in our village 2 bitches and a male and loves them to bits.

> 1 - Should we?

We added another, diff breed, when our eldest was 4.  We are very pleased with the decision and it's worked very well for us.  Meanwhile, our dog spent the first year patiently waiting for the puppy to go home...

> 2 - Male or Female?

Our first boy is neutered, the second male (now 2.5) is still entire.  No problems at all

> 3 - How should we deal with mealtimes?

The puppy will get extra meals for a while so I'd keep them apart during those mealtimes but otherwise feed in the same room.  I always stay in there til they've finished and remove empty bowls promptly.  They have their regular positions to eat and I've never deviated.

> 4 - Should we get the pup his/her own bed

May be more a question of giving them their own space.  My pup wet his bed for ages which my other dog would certainly NOT have appreciated.  Like you've mentioned on another thread, if Hamish is a heavy sleeper he also won't want to be disturbed by a pup.  Some males can be a bit wary of very young puppies so some level of containment in the early days is safer for both dogs.  As the pup grows up they'll soon sort out their preferred sleeping arrangements.  Mine can sleep quite close now but the eldest dictates no touching allowed and they generally prefer to sleep alone :)

Good luck with your decision

We got our Cairn, now ten months when our Jack Russell was nearly five. Our Jack Russell took about six weeks to accept him. She wouldn't even look at him at first and kept well out of his way. Now they are inseparable and love rolling around the floor playing together.

They have had a couple of spats over bones but really it was just noise and then forgotten about.

i always feed my three dogs in different rooms, not because i've had a problem but but they seem to take their time eating when there isn't another dog watching them and if there was going to be a problem it's usually over food or bones.
Also your pup will be fed a lot more and it wouldn't be fare for your other dog to watch this and not get more food himself.
don't expect too much too soon, a lot of older dogs don't like puppies at first as their far too bouncy and annoying. make sure you older boy has an escape route from the pup for when he's had enough, a stair gate can be very useful if the pup gets too excited and needs a little time out to calm down.
i wouldn't sleep them together until their completely happy with each other, i'd maybe use a stair gate and put a bed either side so they can see each other but gives your boy the space to sleep undisturbed or put the pup in a crate by him.
your pup will take a while to learn his manors when it comes to playing with your older boy so don't let the pup jump on him and constantly pester and make sure they have plenty of time apart and attention from you on a one to one basis.
i'd get a girl pup but that doesn't mean you'd have problems with a boy. 
     

I have three dogs, none of whom is castrated, they are all the same breed (but not Cairn, so not sure about terriers) and they get along famously despite the relatively small age gaps (26 mos, 21 mos and 5 1/2 months). The oldest boy is 'nanny' and washes everyone's face and ears in the morning, they all give each other permission to have 'second lick' of a food bowl and they never fight, although a rare warning rumble has been known. Good luck!

If he is already good with other males then a male would be easiest/best.  as long as Hamish can get away from puppy if he wants then all should be well.

With such a good age gap there shouldn't be problems re hierarchy as the pup will naturally think of Hamish as leader as long as Hamish wants the position.

If your careful with choosing the right breeder with nice natured parents, especially if sire that is not overly dog dominant then you shouldn't have a problem.

If you were having a girl I would prefer to opt for spaying her after a season or two (if your able to arrange for them to be kept totally apart, preferably not in the same house for the initial seasons.

If this was not possible I would have him castrated and then wait for her to have a season or two before spaying her also.

I have two small terriers and here are my answers.

1  -  Yes

2  -  we have older castrated boy and younger bitch....good

3  -  seperate bowls

4  -  I'd start pup off pup with cage for bed and leave older boy in peace with his own/current.

It will be great fun for you and Hamish.

Karen :)

Have three terrier bitches who so far live in harmony :)

When feeding a pup I always give the other dogs a bit of their food too, so if pup is fed 5 times a day, they get a portion of their food too.  I measure out their ration and take the portion out of that - usually a token amount.  When adding extras they all get some, this means that the older dogs see the youngster as a GOOD THING ! since they feel they are getting more food and prevents jealousy over food :-D    They all eat in the kitchen and have their own space to eat and always check each-other's bowls when they are empty LOL 

Pups learned very quickly that stealing an adult's food was not allowed ;)  grown-ups not nasty about it but very firm ;)

ETA  Puppy had a sleep routine - feed then sleep - that allowed older dogs some peace and the older dogs have always had access to places the pup can't reach, so they can get out of the way when they've had enough of pup ;)

Meanwhile, our dog spent the first year patiently waiting for the puppy to go home

lol  my friend always said when she introduced pups to her older girls they looked at her as if to say, yes they are very nice but when are they going home?

Merlot still greets visitors in the vain hope that they are going to take Chablis away!!!!
Aileen

I would certainly get another dog for your family plus company for Hamish.

If going down the puppy trail  make sure you ask the breeder what sort of characters /personality they have and tell them as much about Hamish's personality as a suitable match will be made so they do get on. if your boy is boisterous and lively with playing with his buddies make sure you get a calm laid back pup to suit. Getting a very in your face,bold pup can mean they grow up to be bossy & independent. Saying about boy or girl, I think as you want to get the same breed getting a girl would suit you, as you know that no competition can arise from being 2 men arguing over toys,food,girls etc.

Or you could get in contact with breed rescue, you know if they will get on first hand with first introductions, and they are still very young mentally under 2 with no house training needed. Then even if a boy or girl you will see first hand if Hamish will get on with his new buddy.
I have always fed dogs together even if not a member of my family, I make sure I'm in the kitchen checking no ones trying to sneak into someone else's bowl before they've finished. About a doggy bed I like to buy a dog their own bed but if a pup most probably will chew it up anyway lol but its nice that they have some where thats their own safe den. Recently I brought a massive 48" sized bed and all my 3 sleep together!
Whatever you decide all the very best.