I have a pug and debating on getting another for a companion to the one I have. We give her lots of attention but when the kids are at school I can't play all day. She sleeps a lot and doesn't seem to mind but would she be a lot happier with a play mate? Any comments welcome.

Hi Renee,

Well I recently bought a new puppy for company for my 4.5 year old Sammie.  I was exactly the same as you.  I thought that maybe she would love the company of another dog.  We were always giving her attention (she is my baby as I dont have kids!).  She always slept by the front door when I was at home with her.  When we bought Tundra all she did for the first couple weeks was jump all over him and growl at him.  I think she was quite happy with things as they were.  We have had him now for nearly 3 months and she is a lot better now.  Some dogs react differently.  My friend recently bought another dog for her Goldie and they love each other!!  I have to say that Nanuk is in season now and Tundra is loving her soooo much!!  Nanuk quite likes him too at the moment!!  We have found that Nanuk gets to play more now and seems to enjoy biting his tail!  She seems like a younger dog but it has taken a few weeks.  Just make sure that you still give your current dog more attention than the other and that will ensure that she will come first in the pecking order!  Also, another thing to note is that seeing as you have a female, I strongly suggest purchasing a male dog.  They will get on much better as same sex dogs can fight quite a lot.

I hope this has helped you somewhat.  Have fun choosing your new baby!!!

Kind regards,

Charlene

To be honest, I would advise that if you were going to have a dog and a bitch, then unless you are intending to breed at some point, you get one of them either spayed or castrated.  This is how the majority of "accidents" happen.

Having said that I keep 2 male dogs together and 1 female and they do not fight - there is never a cross word.  My mother keeps 3 bitches together with 1 dog and likewise - never a cross word.

Having said that our breed are known for their good temperaments. 
Becky

Charlene

Tundra is quite capable of siring pups at his age - you do realise this don't you.

Christine

Hi Christine,

We are having Tundra castrated on Tuesday.  We have been keeping them both apart for the past couple weeks.  Unfortunately, Nanuk came into season quite a bit earlier this time and we had already booked Tundra in for January.  We are also having Nanuk spayed after she has finished her season as we understand that the testosterone in Tundra will still be flowing!  Thanks for your advice though.

Kind regards and happy new year.

Charlene

I couldn't resist and can't say no to my kids either. We bought Pugsly (a male) on Sunday night. Daisy my female was very excited and has been playing keep away with toys with the new puppy. They wrestled all morning, of course with me keeping watch. Pugsly seemed to hold his own though. Daisy seems to enjoy him being here. Hopefully the novelty won't wear off and she gets depressed or something. I told my kids to make sure they continue to give her the same attention. Now my concern is about the puppy. I posted a question in the health section about soft poop. Today it's been pretty soft, not watery but not firm either. Should I stick with the food he was on. I mixed it 1/2 and 1/2 both days. I only fed Daisy her regular food for a month when I got her and she was fine. I added Daisy's to the new stuff because that's what the breeder told me to do.

Anyway, Pugsly is the cutest thing you've ever seen!
Renee

I would suggest that you keep him on the food he was used to for a week while he settles in with you, then change it over a period of a fortnight. He has enough change in his life at the moment, without risking an upset tum as well!
:)

Heavens Renee, you're a quick worker. Saturday 11pm and you're asking if it's a good idea to get a 'playmate' for your bitch. Then Sunday evening, you've found one and got him home. Then by Wednesday you're starting a breeding programme. You don't let the grass grow under your feet do you.
Dawn R.

You only live once! You have to make each day count. When you want something, get it, because you could be dead next week. That's my attitude.

I already had the puppy picked out before I posted my question about 1 dog or 2. I was hoping someone would talk me out of it but ultimately I knew deep down we would probably get him. I had second thoughts but my kids pushed me in the other direction. They help out a lot so how could I refuse? I can't always say no and besides, once you see the dog it's almost impossible to walk away. I couldn't sleep thinking about him and my husband is no help. He says "Yeh, let's get the dog."

The dogs LOVE each other already. It's great watching them.

As far as breeding them goes, it's nature, that's what living things do.

So yah, I don't let the grass grow. You have to "Sieze the Day"

Renee

So your bitch dying whilst whelping would be okay then? After all, that's natural too! :rolleyes:

How very sad.  Here come some more ill-bred puppies being sold to unsuspecting new owners!
Why on earth do people think that you produce puppies by buying a dog and a bitch?  Doesn't anyone research enough to find that to breed healthy pups that look like their breed, you find "the most suitable dog for your bitch" (assuming the bitch is a good representive of her breed and has passed the relevant health checks) and not "just the most convenient"  ?????

You people are so rude and uptight. Get your panties out of the twist. I have found another forum with much more down to earth people. Good  By!
Renee

Renee, I think that you will find the majority of posters on this forum are passionate about their breed and their dogs.  They take their comittment to breeding VERY seriously and are happy to help people who ask (and listen) to experience and knowledge gained over many years.
There is a great difference between "dog breeders" and people who produce puppies.   Everyone has to start somewhere but the idea is to learn BEFORE you start producing puppies and selling them to families who will have years of upset and vets' bills if the puppies have problems!  There is sooo much to research behind the dogs - all the ancestors are relevant before you can decide if they are compatible.  To buy a dog puppy to mate to your bitch is a recipe for disaster.  Breeding dogs is not like trying out a new recipe - if you make a mistake and the cake isn't edible, you just throw it in the bin!!  You can't do that with the mistakes you make producing puppies!

We just hate to see the same mistakes being made over and over again - and it's the dogs which suffer, not the breeder.

You know the saying - "A fool learns by his own mistakes; a wise man learns by someone else's". Resolve to be wise.

"it's the dogs which suffer, not the breeder."
And the new families JG!!  As a groomer I saw the families worry about their ill bred dog suffering as well as costing a firtune!

Very true, Val! :( Heaven preserve us from instant 'experts' :rolleyes:

bye then

Renee, it does not please me one little bit that you have decided to quit the board. While you stay, you might have a chance of picking up lots of information that you would find useful when you have the litter you seem hell bent on producing. If you don't wish to post again, why not hang around to read other posts. You'll certainly learn alot.
Dawn R.

I'm just glad my children only bother me for toffees and pocket money and not pets :D