We've been giving some thought to getting a 2nd golden retriever. Ours is now 20 months and well behaved. She is very sociable though submissive and is always very gentle with puppies and small dogs we meet on our walks. Her mum is having a litter soon and so there's a chance to have a half sister.
I want to be absolutely sure that we are doing the right thing and would like to know your experiences.
I am home all day and we have 2 grown up sons, one in last year at school and one at university.
Thanks

we've always (except after deaths etc) had two or more, we find they tend to get lonely without another dog (but thats probably from them being used to having another dog around). Basically it depends if you think it would suit your dog and lifestyle. if you think she'd like another dog about why not?

a few folk might say wait till shes older but as long as you make sure her training is reinforced (to stop her regressing) i'd think its fine

a dog would probably be easier than another bitch though (except during seasons)

Hi
Have you decided what sex pup you want to acquire?  If it's another bitch, you MAY get some issues later on as the pup reaches maturity if she decides to challenge the older bitch for the top dog role.  If it is a male you decide to get, is your bitch spayed or have you thought through how you will cope with two entire dogs of the opposite sex in the same house?  (It is possible, but it does need planning for.)

Is your current bitch's behaviour 110% how you want it?  Before you get a new addition is the time to tighten up on any little idiosyncracies that may be sweet or tolerable with one dog but which could be a damned pain with two!  :-)  Have you got the time to do the one on one training and walking that is necessary to build a good bond with the new addition?  It's easy when the pup is small, but when it becomes a teenager you may find that you need to do all one on one stuff to reinforce previous training;  so given the Kevins happen at 12 months plus you could be looking at up to c. 2 hours individual walking per dog per day.  

Whilst your bitch is good with other dogs that you meet on your walks have you had any dogs to sleep-over at yours?  If you can arrange for a friends dog to stay for the weekend it can be a good indicator as to how your bitch is going to view things ultimately. 

Right....all of that probably sounds quite negative, but are things that need considering to ensure that you make the right decision and end up with the right type of pup to complement your existing dog.  On the plus side.......you get to see your existing dog in a new light;  canine communication and play is fascinating and a great time-waster!  :-) 

Hope that helps

 

I think if you can trust your breeder and the temperament of her dogs then you shouldn't have a problem having 2 bitches together. I have 4 bitches together and I can truly say that I have never had them have a crossed word or a lifted lip. They all live together in the house, they all eat together and play and get taken on walks together, never a problem. If you should go down the route of a boy then that is a different issue all together. You will definitely have to have your girl spayed, no accidents as they would be related. Goldens are just great together.

Hi Hamster,

I'd go with it .. I was very hesitant at first as well, it's only natural,
but as you say you know your Breeder and I'm sure that you can
discuss any misgivings openly with her/him ..
We got our 2nd a Dane when our Goldie was 6 .. with hindsight
although they love each other to bits, I wish I'd done it when
Baillie was a bit younger .. He was never a dominant dog and was
quite happy to share everything with his "big" bro ther .. although
sometimes I'm sure he just gave in for a quiet life ;)
I only worked part time so was around most of the week, but like
the other guys have said, they were company for each other .. He's
eleven now :) and Diesel's almost five, and they are inseperable :)

Good luck anyway
SHaron
X

Pros

They always have company, even when you aren't home

They wear each other out playing on walks

The 2nd often picks up the 1sts good habits and is generally easier to housetrain etc

Cons

They seem to egg each other on to do naughty things :-D

The 2nd ALWAYS picks up bad habits from the 1st lol

A few more cons which haven't been mentioned yet.

If your dog comes on holiday with you it gets harder to find places to stay, lots limit it to one dog.

Way in the future you'll have two old dogs at the same time and might have to face losing them both in a short space of time.

In spite all the cons I'd always at least two dogs :-)