Too soon for a second pup?

[Shelley]

I think that you have a good plan, the time and the resources to add another puppy. I would like to see another year on Boomer though, just for his maturity level, and that fact that I never recommend getting a second puppy as a companion for the first.

There are a lot of variables, sometimes they get along great, right away, sometimes it takes a while, and sometimes the existing dog doesn't really appreciate a new dog in the house, and they may never bond. Luckily we have Labradors, and generally the more the merrier, but just be prepared that it may not work out exactly how you think.

Does your breeder select for, and produce good temperaments? (I would assume so, but...) What do they think of you getting another puppy when Boomer is just 13 months?

[Anna Scott]

I like to wait until I have the first dog through the transition and running at the master level before introducing a new pup. I have two that are from the same litter (didn't have them both as pups) and I now find myself facing the fact they are going to leave me at about the same time. They are coming up 12. Chant will be 10 this July and I can see her slowing down considerably. We have lost 3 others in the last couple of years. All of these dogs were about 2 years apart in age. it is extremely hard on you. I waited along time before I got M. She will be 2 the end of January so it is like starting over. My sister has one that is 6 and one that is just over a year. If you can wait I would. Wait at least another year by then you will have Boomer working at an advanced level and be ready to devote the time to a new pup. If you get one now and your wife is really interested in training I would let her run the second pup. Believe me it takes a great deal of time when you have two young dogs to train much more than waiting around during a group training session.

[teej89]

So the conclusion is that we're going to wait.... they said they may do a third round and if they don't then oh well. I've had my heart set on a black lab so we'll see. Decided I'm going to wait until boomer is 2 to get another.

Thanks for your advice!

[JenC]

I think the age difference would be fine. Hudler was 18 months when we brought Maddy home. I think the key is having a first dog that is trained and well adjusted. He was and the transition was seamless.

Only YOU know if you are ready. I think its about getting the right dog. If you think this is the right puppy to add to the family and Boomer is well adjusted, I wouldn't hesitate. But this is coming from someone who bought 2 puppies 6 days apart. It wasn't the plan, but the 2nd pup (the lab) couldn't be passed up due to pedigree!

[Labradorks]

I personally like a 3-5 year age difference. By that age, the current dog is typically mature, mellowed out, and you know what you've got. A dog can change a lot between 2-3 years and sometimes there are issues that need to be addressed in young adulthood, not to mention just the challenges some dogs in that age-range can pose. It's also a good split - still young enough to play hard for several more years, but old enough to know better, and as far as old age goes, it's a decent split.

[socallablover]

We currently have 3 labs- ages 10, 7 and 2.5 years. I find the age spread between each to be a good amount. Having said that, my 7 year old was brought home at the age of 2 years, and the 10 year old was almost 5 years old at the time, so it wasn't like we had a puppy to housebreak etc. I'm just now thinking that adding another puppy would be fun...

[doubledip1]

I have a 2.5 year old and a 9 month old and I am permanently exhausted

[outrag]

Tanner was 4 years old when I got Yukon at 8wks. They were from different breeders. Tanner was alone a lot during the day because of my work at the time. The addition of Yukon worked out so great for Tanner and they both got along incredibly well. My personal feeling is between 3-5 years is a good spread. Yukon just turned 9 and is still active and athletic, so for me to get a new puppy may work but it's probably not ideal. I'm on the fence but the longer I wait, the bigger the spread.

My personal view is a 13 month difference (when getting puppies) is too small a spread.

Bob

[piccadilly]

... they said they may do a third round and if they don't then oh well.

I think a year apart is "ok" but I would caution you to get a puppy when YOU want one.... not because you want one for your current dog If you're looking for more dog on dog time for your current pup, set up play dates, think about doggy daycare once or twice a week or something like that.

I wanted to touch on the quote above and the fact that they're repeating a litter so quickly, if at all... I know this is something field breeders do quite often, but the fact they're repeating a litter when the first litter isn't even a year old yet is concerning. They're not old enough to have any health clearances of their own, they're really just getting into serious training, etc.... it's too early to call something a success. I won't get into the whys it's silly to really repeat a breeding at all (from a breeding program standpoint), but I certainly wouldn't jump on one done so early.

[dxboon]

I think a year apart is "ok" but I would caution you to get a puppy when YOU want one.... not because you want one for your current dog If you're looking for more dog on dog time for your current pup, set up play dates, think about doggy daycare once or twice a week or something like that.

I wanted to touch on the quote above and the fact that they're repeating a litter so quickly, if at all... I know this is something field breeders do quite often, but the fact they're repeating a litter when the first litter isn't even a year old yet is concerning. They're not old enough to have any health clearances of their own, they're really just getting into serious training, etc.... it's too early to call something a success. I won't get into the whys it's silly to really repeat a breeding at all (from a breeding program standpoint), but I certainly wouldn't jump on one done so early.

I think a year apart might be okay IF it's a dog-centric family that is willing to put in more training time/effort than the average pet family. If it's a seasoned, Lab knowledgable family, it might be okay, but I think for most families it's a bit close together. I totally agree with you on the repeat breeding, and so soon after the prior litter.