I've been planning my next dog as a companion for Nando, and have been intending on waiting at least a year.. however as I do I've been trowling different internet sites looking at rescue dogs and now I have my heart set on a 3 year old bitch who is a scruffy terrier (I have a softspot for scruffy dogs.)

Why do I do this to myself?! She is so adorable and would fit in perfectly with Nando and is good with children, too. I am smitten!

What would you do if she doesn't fit as you had hoped?  It's not always evident at first, it can take a while for them to feel relaxed enough to 'be themselves' - not always an issue but your situation at the momnent, living with family, could complicate things.

LOL- I knew Champdogs would be the voice of reason! You are totally right, unfortunately :P

Josh, only because I'm in a similar situation - living with family (caring for elderly mum) and would dearly love to add to my canine family. Puppy is out, for so many good reasons and for the next few years at least.

So I rescued an elderly dog that I thought would be a stable playmate for mine, only to discover she doesn't play and has baggage of her own. Don't regret it for a moment, she fits in well in all other ways, and we all love her to bits, and of course she has landed in a life of luxury...

The oldies are wonderful, and maybe if you can't have a pup for a few years, why not bring love to an unwanted oldie in the meantime?

Josh what's the rush for another dog? I thought it was hard enough for you to be allowed Nando let alone bringing in another one into your parents home. I know having dog's can get addictive but you are coming across as desperate for another so soon and Nando is only a youngster...

Excuse me? This thread was just a bit of a light hearted joke. I am researching breeds in order to take on another dog in a year or so's time, if not longer. I am just saying that it is so typical that the perfect dog would show up when I am not in the position to take her on. In fact, it has been my Mum's own idea to take on another dog in a year or so, so not really sure how you got the impression that they were finding it hard with Nando? I may have posted, again, jokingly in the past saying that they are frustrated with owning a pup, however if it came across any other way then I must rethink about posting such things on here as clearly the written word can be awfully misleading.

Feeling a bit baffled by how abrupt you're being over a light hearted thread!

Oh no, I totally understand where you're coming from- I was just joking, you know how it gets when you see your dream dog and you get a bit carried away. In all honesty, with Nando in his teenage years there is probably not a worse time to take on a dog that could possibly have problems. I just wish she hadn't came up for rescue for another year or two! She is beautiful.

Parrysite, just don't look,

When my girl passes (hopefully not for a while yet :-) ) we are planning on a 2yr gap to be able to have a loooong time away holidaying and spending weeks with friends in the USA etc, I know I can't even contemplate another dog until we've done all these things we are planning as even though I have a wonderful family who would look after any dogs for weeks and months it isn't fair.

I've got my list of preferred breeders and I keep looking and I keep getting upset because I keep looking........... :-D And then I think it is ok to look at the rescue pages, but I keep seeing dogs that I know I could give a good home to and it does pull at the heartstrings.

Now, I try not to look as it is doing no good, I can't home a dog now just as you know the time is not quite right for you and Nando, only one solution you mustn't look. :-D 

Although Josh,

With GSD's you don't have to worry so much about getting him a companion, some breeds fair much better with company and some are quite happy to bond solely to their human, GSD's do come under that category and another dog may well just be ignored or tolerated but not closely bonded with. If you and Nando are very closely bonded and he also lives with your parents it is probably all he needs once mature, he will be very content, although he no doubt enjoys playing with other dogs right now in his puppy and adolescent stages that is not a sign that he wants or needs another housemate as he will lose interest in that once mature.

Just something worth thinking on.................. now I've really confused you, haven't I? :-)

Yes, just don't look. I have another 4 1/2 years before I can consider getting another puppy, I have to spread my ages out. But it doesn't help when people on fb keep posting pics of gorgeous puppies!!! :-)

I won't be getting a puppy until Daisy's popped her clogs, which hopefully won't be for a good few years yet.
But I still look at my preferred breeders site to see if they'll be having puppies soon, and look on rescue sites and do the " awww, you'd be perfect for me " totally pointless lol.

> Parrysite, just don't look

Best advice ever, but so so hard to follow!
I won't be getting another dog for ages, can't help looking though (I tell myself it's research :) ) Only this morning I was thrilling the life out of my OH by showing him different photos and videos of dogs so he could see what body shapes I do and don't like and telling him all about my next imaginary dog, lol.
Regarding getting a dog as a companion for another dog, it's not something I'd do unless I wanted another dog for myself. I've 4 dogs and although they all get on very nicely and play together now and again I wouldn't say any are that bonded to each other if myself or the OH goes away and takes a dog or two with us the ones left behind don't seem to give two hoots, they care far more for human interaction. Maybe a breed thing like Carrington said.

well, Josh, I know what you mean...I have four and I still find myself looking...WHY??? I finally have convinced myself I can't have any more dogs and still manage their training, feeding, exercise, grooming needs and show diaries (!). But one day if things change...