my dog and i are inseparable she loves being my little world, but lately been thinking of bringing a new puppy along however i want to make sure it is the right decision for my dog rather than for me, in general are dogs happier as only children or with a friend, im worried that bringing a new dog in would make my girl feel jealous or unhappy that she has to share my attention

any opinions would be grand!

Depends on the dog really.  I have had both types, including ones that I thought were happy but really came into their own when another had left us.

I'd be happy owning many breeds as lone people dogs, some breeds are more owner orientated, not really needing their own kind plenty are more than happy once adults.  What breed is she?

Characters play an important part as Stooge has said, some dogs are held back by stronger characters that they live with others become more confident with another dog around to bond with.

It is one of those hit and miss things, not all dogs living together are best of friends sometimes they just aren't or will tolerate each other or are indifferent, other times they can absolutely bond beautifully and never be without each other.

It's a hard one................ I guess you have to go with what you had planned, don't get another dog thinking yours needs company as that can go either way as already said, but only if you had planned to get another anyway. :-)

Wise words from Carrinton here.  What do YOU want?

Years ago I stupidly sold a bitch puppy to someone with a castrated male.  Both Yorkshire Terriers.  They got on like a house on fire (and I think that the maiden aunt was jealous.)  She had been alone with her boy for so long, and resented the fact that he was playing and not sat on her lap.  She had told me that she wanted a companion for her lad.

After having her in hysterical tears for several phone calls, I drove to her one night, gave her her money back, and brought said pup home.  It was a very late night, and work the next day, but I couldn't leave her with someone who didn't really want her.  Her mum had been spayed in the time since she had been with her new owner, but they leaped on each other immediately, and they are total idiots together.  A joy to watch.

I have since refused a pup to someone wanting one for "company" for a resident dog.  So, only get a pup if you really, really want one yourself.

I made the mistake of thinking that because I had one wonderful dog, getting a second one would mean double the pleasure.  Not so.  Although I love them equally, they are really hard work. Most of the time they are fine together but the younger one is not very tolerant and every so often tries to attack the older one.  This might only happen once every 3 to 4 months but it means I can never leave the two of them together and even when I'm with them I have to watch them almost constantly.  Individually they are great little characters but I can't help thinking they would have had better lives as 'only' dogs (and so would I !).

Growing up and till I got my first dachsie we had only ever had one dog at a time, then I got my dachsie Rhuari,my cocker Kim was 15.5yrs old and looked at me as if I had lost my marbles, my Mum had got her dachsie Penny a year earlier and if she couldn't take her with her she came to stay with me, sometimes just during the day or over night occasionally, Kim really perked up when she was around so I felt it would be OK to get a pup of my own, Kim soon realised that this one was here to stay and accepted him very well and both dachsies at times, he would sit on the sofa and watch them chasing each other,they were together for a few days short of a year when Kim passed away, I didn't think that Rhuari was that affected, he still had Penny to play with and stayed at Mums when I was working nights.

Ten monthhs later I got Chase, Rhuari was besotted, from day one she made it clear she was top dog and he was happy to fall into line, it was only then I realised he had missed having doggie company all the time.

As has been said it does depend on the breed and the temperament of the dog, I had the chance to see how my oldie would react to a pup before getting one but not everyone gets that option.

How does your dog interact with other dogs, if they have a problem with other dogs when out and about then they may not take to having one at home. Sometimes the same sex don't get along, bitches in particular so you need to think about that.

my dog and i are inseparable she loves being my little world

Down to the individual dog really but as you & your dog seem happy enough as things are why consider changing it & taking a chance?

I had 2 dogs of the same breed and similar age (from different breeders) and thought they would be company for each other.  It didn´t work out as their personalities were so different.  I now have just one dog and he is far, far happier on his own, getting all my attention (well he has to share a bit with the cats) and he has stopped showing the signs of stress which he had when he had to share me with another dog.