HI all
As some of you might know my family and i have a 5 month old black lab bitch called Buffy. We always planned to have 2 dogs but decided that we would rather 2 diferent breeds. After months of talking around the table we have finaly decided that our second dog will be a dalmation. My dad has a dalmation so we know what to ecpect from one.
My question is when would be the right time to get one? As Buffy is still only 5 months i'm not sure if getting one just now would be fair to her. Also would it be better to get another bitch or would she get on better with a dog?

Thank you

Debbie

Hi,
We got our first family dalmatian when our black lab bitch was 5 months old! We got a bitch, and they were best friends, never a cross word, till the lab died at 13 years old.
:)

Hi there
I have been asking exactly the same question, i have a great dane 4 months and am keen to get another, i have always had 2 dogs, i find it good especialy if they might be in a run sometimes as they have company, i have asked this question and many people think it better to wait although others think go ahead, i suppose i have found it is mainly up to you, if you feel it is right and you can cope with 2 then should not be a problem, i think if i wait then the one dane will be very large to bring a little puppy in to the house, and lets face it most dogs love to play with other dogs rather than us boring old humans :-D

I generally advise an absolute minimum of 18 months and preferably at least two years between getting dogs.  Amongst other things this gives the first one time to get past the worst of its adolescence and for the training to have sunk in.

I would agree with Christine on this.

We want to get a Playmate for Leo our sheltie puppy who is 3 and a half months, but we are going to wait mainly because we couldnt cope with 2 puppies at one time, and we want to give Leo a chance to grow up with our full attention, hopefully by 18 months or so he will be pretty well trained and will be able to show the other dog when hes stepped out of line.

Interesting question though, Leo is an intact male and we plan to keep him that way, so would it be best to get a dog, as we dont want to have to seperate the dogs and i wouldn't really want to get a bitch spayed?

I agree. I waited until Jose was two before I got my Doberman pup, Lyric. That was pushing it. LOL. Two puppies at the same time can be sheer hell. LOL. It's so hard to train both and give the needed attention to both puppies. Plus, when that sad time comes when they age and we must let them go, it is easier if you still have one for a while longer. Of course, different life expectancies or unforseen illness or accident may change that plan. But I always liked the idea of not having to lose two dogs at the same time due to old age. Just my .02 worth.

Carrie

IMO I would suggest you wait a little longer before introducing another dog.  Nanuk was 4 when we got Tundra.....I would have liked him a little sooner than that but we didn't have the land back in the UK for 2 large dogs.  At 5 months, your pup is still learning and if it were me, I would prefer to have one dog completely trained before I have to do it all over again! 

HTH

We got our second beagle when our first one was 14months old. We also have three labradors, two are 12 and one is 14. Everything has been great. They all get along really well and have done so since day 1. It has been hard work but i think it is whenever you choose to get a pup. As long as you've got the time and the patience you'll be fine and i'm sure your other dog will be happy to have a friend too.

We have an 19 month old bitch and an 11 week old dog.It is hard work but they are great friends already. We have built a temporary pen so Sam doesn't escape into the main garden trouble is she wants to stay with him all the time.Our last two were 7 years apart I think that age difference was probably too great.

I've got a 2.2 year old bitch and a 14 week old puppy :-) 

Stacey x x x

I'd wait a REALLY long time before I got a Dalmation!   ;-)

Hi all
Thanks for all your replys. We have decided to wait untill January. Buffy will then be 14 months old but more importantly my youngest child starts school full time. That means that i will have all day to concentrate on the dogs. We are going to start looking for breeders soon and hopefully we will find one that we like and that likes us and who is hoping to breed a litter early next year.
Just one other thing would it be better to get a dog or a bitch? Buffy is a girl and she will be spayed as soon after her first season as possible.

Thanks again all
Debbie

I have two bitches 7 years apart.  The first is a little mongrel and the second a german shepherd, who is 11 months old now.  They are the best of friends and we have had no problems..............

Thanks for replying.
I think that we will get another bitch, most people that i have spoken to have 2 dogs of the same sex with few problems so that seems the best way to go.
Also i have noticed at our local dog park that the only dogs that ever fight are male, and i would be really upset if one of my dogs got involved.

Debbie

Hi Debbie,

You mentioned that were going to get another female.  Most of the time, 2 dogs of the same sex can cause a lot of problems.  There is always more competition between both of them.  You will be better off getting a male.  Generally a male will not fight with a female.  I have a 4.5 year old female and an 8 month old male and they get on brilliantly.  Before we bought Tundra, I asked the same question and most people said 'Get a male!'  In some cases, 2 females will be fine but there is more chance of a fight.  Also, your bitch will sort the male out and boss him around!

HTH

Charlene

Hi nanuk
Thanks for the reply. I dont know what to do now. But i do have a good six months to read up on it all and know for sure which sex to get.
I am just worried about getting a male dalmation as my dads tends to get beaten up by every other male dog that see's it and i would rather not have to break up dog fights everyday.

Thanks Debbie

Hi Debbie,

I still would suggest a male though!!  Some dogs are very dog aggressive with the same sex.  This also apply's to females.  Actually when 2 females fight it's a lot worse than males.  They tend to hold grudges and remember what the fight was about whereas males (typically) fight and then it's over and done with! 

I'm sure will you make the right decision in the end.  You currently have a Lab so generally you won't have a problem with her.  Do some more research and if you have anymore questions, I'll be happy to help you.

Kind regards

Charlene

Hi nanuk.

Sorry i didnt reply earlier but i have only just seen your message. Buffy so far has been great with all dogs male and female. She is better with males but that could also been that it's only really male dogs in the park we go to.
She's still really young so i know that her personality may change.

Thanks for replying

Debbie

i am a little worried now as most of you know i am gettting a female parson russell terrier hopefully in june and i have already got a female pom cross mollie she gets on great with other dogs both males and females my friend had her female jrt over last night and they were playing no problems

mollie is 8 years old do you think they will be ok my cousin has four bitches unrelated and they get on fine ....

please put my mind at rest

georgina

As there is a big age difference there should be little problem except possibly around season time when the hormones can make problems, but if you are careful & watch for any change in body language & nip it in the bud if it does happen, but I would think they should be fine

I had five female beardies who were all fine together all the time, even though I prefer males

thank you
i guess i wont know till the puppy actually arrives hopefully they will be ok

thanks

georgina

I've been reading this thread with interest as I fully intend adding to my canine family someday.
Our situation is this, Khanu is coming up 11mths now (time flys doesn't it :) ) my husband would like a springer spaniel for our 2nd dog. (Khanu is a GSD) I have suggested we leave this until Khanu is at least 2 possible/probably older (but have told him to get researching now ;) ) I like the idea of a springer for a second dog and was working on the assumption we would get a female to avoid extra confrontation issues since their ages wouldn't be that far apart. My question is this (got there eventually) I know I would like a second GSD some day, most likely whilst Khanu is still with us, assuming we do get a springer when Khanu is 2/3, I would think about getting a 2nd GSD when said springer is 2/3 making Khanu 5/6, with this kind of age gap would 2 male GSD's be OK/ill advised? I am more wary of getting 2 females close in age than 2 males (don't ask why, just am) so wondered if 2 male GSD were unwise, would we be better off getting a male springer, then female GSD.
Sorry that took ages to explain! :rolleyes:
Thanks