Advice and opinions on the much appreciated.

We have a 6 month old male Golden Retriever. He is our second Golden and so we are not at all new to this dog owning. He has been a very good puppy and is very placid and laid back although it is being apparent that his mascluine side is coming out and he's trying to be a bit bossy on times! In th future (?near or distant?) we would like to get a second dog to keep our Golden company and also two dogs look good fun together. We have considered getting a second Golden as they are great dogs BUT I absolutely adore Border Collies.

I am very much aware of the challenge that BCs can often be and also of their demand for mental and physical exercise. I would be very interested in trying out agility when the dogs age would be right as it looks so much fun!! I know that I could try this with my Golden but he's quite chunky (big boned, NOT fat), and I don't feel I want to have him doing the jumps and putting extra stresses on his joints.

To make things more complicated we have three young children aged 6, 4 and 20 months. I work three afternoons a week and so the dog would be alone for 4 1/2 hours on these days. Our Golden has taken well to the children and our working patterns without major problems although I know that all dogs are different.

The advice I am looking to gain is what are the opinons of a good age to introduce a second dog? Also, would you suggest a dog or a bitch? I had mostly thought towards another dog but I don't want the new dog to be viewed as competition. Also, are there any opinions of BC ownershipn that would put me in better stead with the breeders? If we are still set on a BC, then all I need to do is inspire confidence in a good breeder as many of the best ones can afford to be very picky about puppy owners.

I look forward to the replies.

you sound like a great potential BC owner to me.

the main trap that 1st time BC owners fall into is that instead of researching their lines,they buy a cheap pup from a farm,which is wheyyyy to much dog for them.

do you think you may want to compete in agilty or just train it.

i believe that BCs are great with kids. but of course it does  depend on the childern,& how well behaved they are! & care should be taken from the very start that the dog should not be allowed to herd/eye the kids.

a really good book to get is carol prices book "understanding the border collie" (its not expensive, or heavy going!)

id wait till your goldie is at least 12months plus. & you have got on top of the training etc,so you have plenty of time to start looking into lines etc.

I would say wait until your boy is at least two, and more like three as training and owning a Border Collie will be much more of a challenge than he has been, but very rewarding if training and working is something you want to get into.

It's like moving up engine sizes and power in a car.

we have a goldie with our 5 bc's.......

Goldens are very much the Peter Pans of the dog world and take forever to grow up -if they ever do. :D I'd say 2 years before you get another dog, as although you can have a brilliant Golden at age one (my youngest took his KC GOLD test aged 11 months) by 18 months they usually go through the Kevin the teenager stage, expecially the boys. :)

Thanks for the advice on age. I had previously thought it best to be about a year so it's interesting that a few say over 2 years. I know that when we had our last Golden and we wanted a second dog, by the time we were able to he was 2 and a half and he was a little too set in his ways to have introduced another dog. I wasn't wanting to leave it too late this time if that makes sense.

Our current dog is very laid back at the moment and very placid - just like his mother when we met with the breeder. Yes he does have his funny and busy moments and I know that we cannot predict his personality over the forthcoming years. He is certainly very sociable and is keen on meeting other dogs too although is often more interested in meeting their human owners is seems.

Are there any opinions on what sex dog to have as a companion?

I will certainly have a look at that book that was recommended about the border collies. I've been doing a little research on the BCs from the net but I know that a good book can be an invaluable reference.

Thanks again.

Nicely set in his ways is what your looking for so that you can concentrate on the new pup knowing the older one is well trained and a good example for the pup to follow.

It certainly isn't too old as after all if he was the new pups Mum or Dad she woudl be that age.

The new dog should respect the established dog as an elder and not treat them as an equal.  Generally the best combinations are opposite sex, but Golden Retrievers are good with theri own sex, even stud dogs so no reason why you couldn't have another male, takes away the neutering issue.