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mckee.lucie User is Offline

Seattle, WA

MH
Posts:202

08/23/2012 12:44 PM
Can't believe summer is coming to a close, and my husband and I are heading on a 2 week-trip to Europe next month so I thought we should post a few pictures before heading out (my parents have offered to watch Luna for the 2 weeks we're gone and I'm sure I'll be a nervous wreck without her even though I know they're more than capable)!We've had an amazing summer here in WA with several record highs and very little rain. Also as the subject says...we're considering adding a 2nd female shorthair to our family. Any advice from any of you that have gone from 1 to 2 and things you wish you had known, considered, pros/cons would be great to know! We're looking into seeing if the breeder will do a repeat breeding of Luna's parents anytime this next year, if not, we'll probably look elsewhere.

leebo5566

Atlanta, GA

MH
Posts:87

08/24/2012 8:51 AM
My experience, simply put. Had 1 lab until he was 5 and then got another. They were together 7 years until the first one passed. The 2nd lab was alone for a over year, and then I got the current GSP as a buddy for him until the first lab passed. I said I would always prefer to have two dogs but there are pros and cons. Biggest Pro: When I'm at work, two dogs and can hang with each other and keep each other company. Biggest Con: It's just generally harder to take two dogs places. Keep in mind, I'm single so we had the routine down at home. But adventures and trips and walks at the park. I find that I take one dog more places with me but still feel bad sometimes about those busy days when I'm at work. I would get another one now, but Im just not at the place to do it. Mainly time to spend that first year training. I think depending on the situation two dogs is always best. But, I can't fit two in my kayak! May be easier having two 65 lb GSP's than having two, 100 lb labs. Okay, now I want another one too...I go back and forth. argh I was very worried about the social dynamics of the dogs and mixing two together, but I never had a problem with it. Maybe I was just fortunate.

everbell

Kanata, ON

MH
Posts:3164

08/24/2012 9:04 AM
We specifically chose to NOT get a puppy since we knew we weren't prepared to do the work in training another puppy. Fortunately, our breeder was looking to re-home one of her dogs and it worked out beautifully. Bo loves having a buddy (And you know we always say GSPs are like Lays potato chips, can't have just one ).

Joce and Rich Bogart and Shiraz (GSPs) Roxane (RIP: 1995-2009) and Tiger Lily (Cats) The Everbell Adventures

mckee.lucie User is Offline

Seattle, WA

MH
Posts:202

08/24/2012 9:34 AM
Thanks for the replies - both of you. I agree, there's always pro's and con's and right now we keep trying to weigh them out for our own situation too. Luna has been an absolutely amazing pup thus far and I would love to give her a friend, playmate and have another one around the house. We have a lot of friends whom have 2 and they have love it. Most of them have said to us that after the initial transition period of training/puppyhood it actually gets easier having 2 than 1. I strongly believe that the dog's personality and "laid-back-ness" if that's a term at all can be reflected in the environment it's raised. I'm hoping this would hold true with a second one, and hasn't just been extreme luck with Luna because she can keep up with anything active we want to do when we're outside, but is a perfect angel when at home and can relax and snuggle too. For those of you who have made the transition going from 1 to 2 dogs how did you do it? We know it's a huge commitment and a lifelong decision so we want to make sure it's the best one for all involved. - how do you do walks? together, separate? Do you find that your dogs "play" together even after they've been together for a while? - Luna was really easy to house-train. We crate-trained her until we felt she was trusted around the house and has had free-range since she turned a year old which has worked perfect. She was crated during the day when we weren't home until she was 1 year old, and was crated at night until 6 months old. How do you do that with a puppy? Does one stay in a crate during the day while the other has free range around him/her? - Do you find that it sets back your 1st dog, especially if they've just started outgrowing their puppy stage? (Luna will be 2 years old this October) - Leebo5566 - I would have to agree, one of our bigger concerns is traveling with 2. We take Luna with us many places, and how do you do it with 2? Usually it's my husband and I that always go together on hikes, outings etc. but there are times when I just take her...is it that much harder to juggle? - One of our other things we're trying to figure out is how our family would be with bringing 2 dogs with us instead of 1 over for holidays, weekends, etc. They arent' the smallest dogs to begin with I keep convincing myself that they love us, and if they want to see us then they'd have to see us with the dogs. We have a great dog walker that house-sits for us and watches Luna when need be, but I don't want to need a house-sitter every weekend we go visit family. - Any of you have little kids with 2? Luna is AMAZING with our 1.5 year old niece and always has been very gentle around her. My husband and I are looking to hopefully have a true human baby in the next year to year and half...would this be too much to juggle and are we totally crazy? Or would it maybe help Luna having a furry sibling by then to have more attention from her and company keeper? Everbell - we too our keeping our eyes open if we were to find a right non-puppy. If one comes along that we would feel would be the right fit then we'd definitely consider it. Then again, whenever I look at the potential breeder litters that are available I can't help but long for that adorable GSP puppy stage that they seem to outgrow way too quickly! OK, I know this is getting way too long...so I will end it. If you can help share your thoughts on the questions I added we'd really appreciate it! Thanks!

Texas Belle User is Offline

Austin, TX

MH
Posts:7836

08/24/2012 11:05 AM
I have 4 shorthairs and yes I am addicted to them. The ages are 9, 7, 4, and 2. I have 3 females and one male (he is the 4 YO). So the differences between having one or more is cost, time to feed, time to train, harder to take them all (but not impossible). When I had just my two oldest I really didn't have any issues beyond it doubled my expenses for dogs. I walked both together and took them everywhere. That said my oldest is an exceptionally good and easy shorthair which is why she has the nickname Perfect Belle. Personally, I think it is just as easy to have one as two. In fact, even 4 isn't too bad. It just takes more dedication from me to make sure they all get attention and worked. The key to owning multiple shorthairs is a routine and training. Once you establish a routine with them, it really is pretty easy. The training also helps allot in establishing the routine and the pecking order. I also don't think it matters whether you get a male and a female or two of the same sex. Males tend to take longer to grow up, and they are bigger so that can present some challenges, but they are just as sweet and good. If you are planning a baby in the future, I would definitely get the dog now so you are not juggling a new baby and a new dog. I still take my dogs with me most everywhere and plan hiking vacations just so I can take them. With 2 dogs I never had issues finding hotels and such, but I imagine it gets harder with more dogs. I bought a fifth wheel 4 years ago so that is an issue I do not deal with at all. All 4 of my dogs are great travelers and pile into the back seat area (I put the seats up so it is a big open space on the floor) and sleep the whole way. When doing serious walking with them I go to off leash areas and let them run, but I also train a reliable recall so I can call them back to me if needed. If we meet someone on a trail I always call them back and have them sit. Good luck in your decision.

Bev Quarles, the Pointer Sisters (Belle and Halo), the Outlaw GSP (Johnny Ringo) and the little Princess (Fauna) Yellow Rose GSPs "A dog has the soul of a philosopher." - Plato

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3130

08/24/2012 11:51 AM
I have 2, knew I was gonna have 2 when I got the first one... I have 2 kids and they each wanted a dog... I didn't stop using the kennel with the first dog until the second dog was ready to stop using it... We have never had an issue traveling with the 2 dogs and we do lots of traveling... they are big and at times I think wow 2 doxies would have been easier lol! We have a big yard so I don't usually take mine on walks... but when we camp I do and I walk both at the same time... most of the time it is just me walking them (hubby and kids don't like to help with walks)... I like having the 2 dogs cuz I at least feel that they have a buddy when we are not around... though I know all they do is sleep when we are gone... If I were you and you did want to second dog I would get it now and get it trained then add the human baby... don't want to be training a dog and dealing with pregnancy and or a newborn... it is possible that having a second would help luna when the baby comes...

DLord

Holly Springs, NC

MH
Posts:89

08/24/2012 12:50 PM
I personally think 2 is easier. I got Zoe when she was 8 weeks and after my Springer Spaniel passed away I wanted to get another female GSP and contacted the breeder and as luck would have it she was trying to find a home for Zoe's littermate Archer. I was really torn because I wanted another female and did not think I wanted a male and after a lot of thinking I decided to go for it. I have not regretted my decision one bit! I don't know if the fact that they are brother & sister makes any difference but they are inseparable. Wherever one goes the other one is right behind. It's just me and the 2 of them. I do walk them together. Taking them to public places is sometimes a challenge because they both want to jump out of the car at the sametime and have a tendency to really pull on their leads. I have a large fenced in backyard and I will send them out there when they start wrestling, they get pretty rough sometimes. They are 18 months old but I still keep them in kennels during the day when I'm at work. I left them alone once and came home to an empty bowl of decorative balls that were on an end table and also a remote control that no longer has a back to it. I know for sure that Zoe is the instigator and can just picture her going "come on Archer this is fun, trust me she won't care". It gives me piece of mind knowing they can't get into trouble and they also don't mind their kennels, they'll go and lay in them even when I'm home. My vet suggested that I keep them in separate kennels so they don't become too dependant on each other. I do think Zoe is a lot more high strung than Archer, he's a lot more layed back. The folks at the daycamp where I take them have told me that Zoe is non-stop from the minute I drop her off till I pick her up. He also listens better than she does. All this being said, they are wonderful dogs and I'm really glad I have them and that they have each other.

tgatto

Lake in the Hills, IL

MH
Posts:411

08/24/2012 1:34 PM
My wife and I have always had 2-dogs. 2 have always been easier. We got Sadie as a new pup just after our Son was born - it was REALLY difficult (To TB point) to have 1 dog, and a baby. Once we got Bella (a Boston-terrier mix), they tended to play together, and wore each other out. We almost got two GSP Puppies (from different litters at the same Breeder). I think that would have worked too (if they didn't kill each other ). At work, I have a friend that has Boxers, and Chinese Crescents (nice combo, eh?). She swears she would only buy pairs because they play with each other. Boxers would be one dog that I would say is more active than GSPs (at least AS active).

It is watching the dogs work that I thoroughly enjoy, and love. I could get by with just watching them work - if it weren't for all the training, and the joy they exhibit when they pick-up, and deilver to hand a bird that they pointed, and you shot. - Todd

mckee.lucie User is Offline

Seattle, WA

MH
Posts:202

08/24/2012 4:38 PM
Thanks for everyone's input! We really appreciate it! Sounds like if we want to add a second one we should do it this Fall, and not until next Spring, because you're right I can't even begin to imagine juggling a newborn and a puppy at the same time and wouldn't want to. Do you think sleeping arrangement wise and until the puppy would be "house-trained", ie. trusted in the house outside of a crate, would you keep them in different areas to sleep and/or during the day? Luna currently sleeps in the living room on her bed. That is always where her crate was when she was younger and worked well. I just wonder if they would pester each other, or maybe on the otherhand would be reassured by each other. Thanks again everyone! I'll be sure to keep you up to date on what we decide

Splat

Illinois (Northern)

MH
Posts:3130

08/25/2012 6:27 AM
I think it might work best if they were in the same room even with one out of the crate and one in... ours were done different than your situation since the dogs slept with the boys at night their crate as in their bedroom until they were trusted to not be in one at night, but the boys have separate bedrooms, but the dogs weren't alone cuz they had one of the kids with them... during the day they had crates next to each other in the living area...like I said I didnt leave one out and one in cuz I knew I was getting another o I kept the first in a crate until I could trust both out...

Smylinacha User is Offline

Connecticut

MH
Posts:1208

08/26/2012 9:34 AM
Congrats on thinking of another GSP! I wouldn't have it any other way. It's actually easier with our situation. When we just had Windsor we had a pretty good routine as someone was always home with him. I worked all day and my husband was on 2nd shift. Plus our motherinlaw lives with us and is in and out. Then my husband went on days and we got Velvet - they keep each other company. Ever since we got her, Windsor doesn't whine much anymore - he used to whine and howl a lot as his old family had other dogs and I think he was lonely. They play hard together, they argue sometimes but they are always together. The only cons - they are on good food so it costs more, I can't walk them - I can't handle two of them at the same time as they dragged me once going after a deer. My husband has to walk them and I'll go for the walk but after being dragged the last time, I'm still too nervous to even try again. More poop to pick up in the yard but that is all minor compared to them both very happy with one another. Velvet is pretty much Daddy's Girl and Windsor is My Boy.

gsplover

Houston, Tx.

MH
Posts:382

08/29/2012 2:32 AM
We have 2 GSP's. We were not in the market for them, never really new ANYTHING about the breed. We have always had labs. Our Chocolate passed away in January at the age of 10. My husband was selling the hunting gear because our other lab is 12, and doesn't move, let alone hunt! We sold to a breeder, and while there, I HAD to look at some of the pups she had, in particular, I wanted to just hold another Chocolate in my arms again. They had ONE Chocolate that was already sold. While there, we were eyeing the GSP pups. She had 4 left, and they were all littermates. They were 5 months old. She wanted to keep those four, and either show them, or breed them later. While we were there, Maybrie hurt her leg really bad. Our breeder gave her to us. Come to find out, she actually cracked her pelvis and tail bone.....but it was an old injury and she had NO idea that it had occurred. The day we were there, she was jumping for a butterfly, and came down hard on her right leg and started to limp. We all saw it happen. The old injury wasn't discovered until the breeder took her to the vet after the butterfly incident. I fell in love with this beautiful pup, and we decided to take her home. We wanted her brother too, but she said she was holding on to him! 2 months later, she called and said he was for sale. His topline wasn't leveling out, and she wasn't going to be able to show him. Kaido.....BOTH are AWESOME! Now.......2, instead of one! It's double the trouble, and also double the fun! Pros: Kaido is a chicken, and will not do anything without Maybrie checking out the situation first! Vet visits with Kaido are a BREEZE when Maybrie is there......TORTURE when she's not! They play well together, and compliment each other. Kaido is calm, large, but gets bored easily and will walk around the house whining. Maybrie has a GREAT "off" switch inside the house. Also, they are SO much fun to take to the park together, and to bike with, and to take on walks with! CONS: double the hyper, double the vet bills, double the cost of food, double the mess, double the hair, double the crates that I have to fit in the car. And, finally, play time is SUPER rough. We haven't figured out how to stop them, though we have tried. It's okay in our own backyard, and they take turns dominating each other. However, it is completely inappropriate at the dog park. They have actually started dog aggression with their play. Other dogs have attacked them while they were in their state of growling and dominating. It is next to impossible to stop them from playing when there are 15 acres of land, and they can get from point A to C way ahead of you! SCARY! In a nutshell.....YES, do it! You won't regret it, however, you WILL have double the responsibility! It is truly a part time job owning 2 GSP's. Without a doubt! Enjoy though!

"He is your friend, your partner, your defender, your dog. You are his life, his love, his leader. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of such devotion." -- Unknown

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