Could anyone give us a little advice please:

We have cocker spaniel bitch who is just over 12 months old and we have recently made the decision to add to the family. We are waiting until October to get another by which time our cocker will be almost 18 months old but as she was our first pup we are relatively inexperienced and would appreciate any advice that more experienced owners have to give.

We are investing in a puppy crate for the new pup to retire to when she wants rest but are there anymore essentials that we will need?

We also think it best to get another bitch, is this advisable or would it cause problems?

Many thanks in advance :-)

The crate is a good idea not only for the puppy to retreat to but more likely to give the older one a break :) Cockers generally do get on well with the company of other dogs, I have kept two cocker bitches with other bitches (although of another breed) and although the odd jelously spat has occured they were soon sorted and no grudges were held. Although they enjoy canine company especially when out and about humans stay their first love :)

Marie - you are looking to get another at just the right timne. As long as your girl is well trained and you have no recall or problems with her then a co,panion should work well As for sex - then I'd be inclined to go for a boy and ensure that one of them is neutered. Two bitches can be a bit grumpy with each other more so than a mix or two boys. You might get another that gets on well with your current girl and vice versa - but you might not. Less risk with a boy.

hth

Pam n the boys

Two Cocker bitches can get on very well together - this has just been my personal experience with Cockers & with people we have sold puppies to who have gone for the same sex when adding a new canine member to the family. As with any breed, you will get exceptions particularly when you have 2 around the same age (which won't apply here) or 2 who are both on the bossy side :-) Sometimes bitches can be a bit grumpy with each other just before or after a season but this soon passes. As Pammy says, a dog & a bitch will generally get on famously but the same can be true of 2 bitches so don't rule this out either (I have 3 Cocker bitches cuddled up by my feet as I type :-))

My sister-in-law has 3 cocker spaniels ages 4, 2 and 1 all bitches and has never had any problems with them, they know that the 4 year old is Number one in the pecking order and respect her for it, the other two respect each other as equals so they are one happy family........as mentioned in previous posts the only time there is a spot of bother is when one is coming into season, but the others soon learn to keep clear...............clever dogs cockers!! :-)

I think you would probably be fine with another bitch, but for a really easy life (well, as far at getting the two dogs to be friends) get a dog.

So long as you are happy to get one of them n/s, then it shouldnt be a problem at all.

Mostly, bitches get on together pretty well, but, an its a big but, IF they do fall out, they very rarely sort it out, they jsut keep on squabbling, until something awful happens, and one kills the other one.

This isnt a specific breed thing, its just a bitch thing, and it entirely depends on the character of the bitches in question as well.

Good luck whatever you decide.

Em

Thank you all for your replies :-)

We've decided to play safe, take no chances and go for a dog. We've enough on with the female cat's moods without having two bitches to join in as well! ;-)

Roll on October... having said that, we've got a lot to do to prepare for the new addition between now and then so I'm sure it will fly by!

Thanks again for your advice :-)