I have an 8-month old chocolate lab called Molly. She loves being with other dogs. Can anyone suggest a different breed of dog as a companion? Should I get a young puppy or an older one?

Why not get the same breed if I were you id get a younger one then Molly will feel like boss she wont feel so threatned by a little pup comming into her new home as a older dog im sure she would love a new play mate

Thanks for your advice. We were thinking the same way. Many doggy owners advised us to wait until Molly is 2 years old, but I would like her to have a playmate now.

I can only advise on my own recent experience - which largely matches what others have said here. I have two cocker boys and there is 10 months between them. I wish there was more like two years. My older boy has always been a bit of a live-wire, but he has found it so hard to accept his place in the pack. His basic training which was coming along nicely has all gone to the wall. He is too busy trying to keep in front and be in charge of the younger boy to take any notice of me. The younger one is very happy with things and is content with his position in the family. We have no problems with him.

Hindsight is a truly wonderful thing - but I do wish I had about two years between my boys - not least I would have known my older boy much better too.

There are those who think that as close a gap as possible is a good thing. If you already have an 8 month old - then it will probably be better to wait another 18 months or so.

hth

Hi Audrey and welcome to the forum :)
Since your "baby" is only 8 months old, you might wait until she grows up a bit before getting another dog. This way you have time to indulge her 'teen' problems, get her trained, and everything settled before bringing in a new "project" :) :)

You can bring another dog in anytime, but it really helps to have a 'grown-up' dog to help train the new puppy or young'un. If you really do have your heart set on another dog, look into possibly rehoming a 2-4 year old that is already mature and house trained.

Labs will pretty much get along with any breed after a normal 'adjustment' period. If you like Labs, then great. Or you might look into the Spaniels, Terriers, or other breeds that appeal to you :) It all depends what you feel would suit your lifestyle and personality best. :D
hth a bit.
toodles

Thanks, but as I said before, I really would like Molly to have a playmate now. I would also like Molly to be 'Top Dog', so another puppy would be better I think. I wouldn't mind a rescue pup.

Please be ready to accept that whatever you get, even if it's a puppy, it may still decide it's going to be top dog. Unless my 3 yr old dog is just giving my 14 week old pup a lot of lee-way, she's most definitely in charge!
LynnT

Hi Audrey,

I have westies so a bit smaller breed and easier to walk etc but my 2 are only 6 months apart and they love each other to bits. Not fighting etc. Just remember to work as hard on the training as you did with the first. I have spoiled my youngest I think.

Good Luck

Pam

audrey,
there are many experienced dog people on this site who will always do there very best to guide people when it comes to indroducing another pup/olderdog etc, when people still have very young pups,when reading post that are posted it is wise to wait and read as many as possible to get a general responce.
personaly i would wait until you have been through the teenage years, have you considered if your pup was to suddenly start having behavior problems how would you then cope with a much younger dog, double the trouble, if you wait to see how your pup comes on then if you are happy with it, your new pup will pick up on the well behaved behavior of your fist dog, always think very carefully, way up both sides and the what if's??patience is a vertue, regards tina

I must admit that there's no way that I'd have another puppy of any breed so soon. I have 2 who were 6 months age difference, although I wasn't expecting to get the second puppy and they weren't the easiest. You may just have your work cut out, but I hope that everything goes well if you decide on having another.

Keep us posted!!

Dear Audry
I have 3 dogs two of them there is only just over a year between each other which is hard work having a junior and a pup to look after.But too see them together now it was worth it they love each other to bits they cant be seperated as they cry for each other they play fight all the time and the eldest will share anything with her, including food toys chews and attention. Before I had the youngest he was a handful he never wanted a fuss,never sat still for 5 mins and couldnt hold himself through the night.As soon as the pup came he changed he loves a fuss dos'nt make a bit of mess stoped his chewing and he sleeps alot more. I know I made the right choice they couldnt be parted now and thats a good thing,keep me posted on your choice.

I think DOGS has hit the nail on the head ;-) ; pups that are close in age will bond very closely with each other, and hate to be separated from each other.

But if you think about it, this will bring its own problems. They relate much more to each other than to you. This makes individual training more difficult, as they have their own little pack. They may also have separation anxiety when parted from each other.

Personally I find a larger gap between puppies suits many people - say 18 months - 2 years.

Jo and the Casblaidd Flatcoats

I am another one that recommends at least 18 months/2 years between dogs .

The perfect playmatez when both are young can turn into bitterest enemies later - but this seems to happen less once one of them is mature.

There are other reasons for having the time gap - the main one being you will have time to learn about your dog and get some real training in which you won't have been able to do yet because of her immaturity.

If the breeders you have spoken to recommend a gap, and they have puppies at the moment then perhaps you should stop and think that they are giving you the benefit of their experience rather than trying to sell you another pup now.

Christine

If at all possible I would want a pup to reach maturity before bringing in another pup, in my breed about 2 years and I guess it would be the same for Labs. Bitches in particular bond well as pups but just wait until the youngest has their season and you will see just how strong the bond is. Added to that a breed as large as the Lab should not be allowed all out rough & tumble as it's not good for their joints. Please give a lot of care to your decision to get another pup. Ja:)kie

Dear Audrey,
I can only tell you about my experiences with my three Labradors. I got a male who I absolutely adored then three months later I wanted to get him a companion so I got a female puppy. They got on wonderfully from the start but the male was so big and the pup so tiny I really had to watch them to make sure the puppy didn't get hurt. It was quite hard to train them as the pup just wanted to play.We sorted this out by having our own dog as it were. I trained the bitch and my other half trained the dog.Years later we went on to have a litter and I kept a bitch puppy.It has been alot easier training her than last time believe me.I would not do it again looking back even though I don't regret it now. Do you have any friends with dogs that you can walk with every week? Your puppy is still finding her feet as it were and I would give her chance to grow up a little bit more before introducing another pup.I can promise you that they will teach each other naughty habits as well as nice ones! On a more serious note I wish I had more of a gap between my first two just in case they both die at the same time. I never thought about it before but losing two at once would be devastating.
At the end of the day it is up to you to make the decision. Could you possibly borrow a dog from a friend for a few days just to see what it would be like having two instead of one?
Good Luck with whatever you decide,
Amy