Should we get 2 puppies? - Page 1

Having recently lost our beloved GSD "Viggo" only 3 wks ago we have decided that we really can't live without a dog in the family. I am in my early 60's now, have had dogs since a young child and our last 3 were all GSD's, so although I don't claim to be an expert I am not an absolute beginner with the breed either.

To some people it may seem a bit too soon to be thinking of getting another dog but by the time the pups are born and at least 8 wks will have gone by it will be late November and we feel we will be ready emotionally to take on a new pup.

I have trawled through various lists of UK GSD breeders and have selected 2 well known and highly reputable ones. Incidentally.  "Viggo was from Tramella and was sired by Shotaan Fabius.

Our problem is this. I have seen 2 pairings which I quite like. One is sired by Mirrwood Schifo and the other is by  Natz. vom Agios.  I am reluctant at this time to disclose the dams, but both are top quality in their own right. I simply cannot make up my mind which to go for. My wife stunned me by saying " Let's get them both then"

I really like the idea and if both litters arrive then we will get a male from each if possible. The trouble is that they are due to be whelped at least 5/6 wks apart.  One litter is due in 3 wks and the other in 8/9 wks.

So the questions are:

Is it a good idea to get them both. ( We love the idea of having 2 GSD's!)
Will they get on with each other, both as pups and later as full grown males.
Will the older one, at say 16 weeks be too boisterous for a new 9/10 wk pup.

I ask these questions as although I have had 2 dogs together in the past they have been of different breeds to each other and "gentle" breeds too, One was a Golden Retriever and the other was an English Setter. Our last 2  GSD's have not  been that good as far as other dogs are concerned.......not overly aggressive, more protective of us I think......but were prone to occasionally taking a dislike to certain other dogs. Both had been well socialized and had got their Gold Awards in obedience. It was always an area of great frustration to me that they would be as good as gold at training, never taking the slightest notice of the other dogs during their off lead heel work and 3 min down/stay exercises, and yet every now and again they would suddenly take a dislike to certain dogs whilst out walking with me. It would be a disaster if we ended up with 2 large GSD's who hated each other.

We live in the country, have a fairly large house and garden and have a couple of adult children living nearby who are always popping home and used to take Viggo out regularly. so the practicalities of having 2 dogs are not a problem.

Seems a simple problem but I would be grateful for any advice/opinions that any of you good people may be prepared to offer.

Thanks.

 Hi Keef,

I am with mobjack on this one.  

I have had many enquiries were they buyer wants 2 puppies and I always refuse them point blank.  One of my last puppy buyers wanted 2. My advice was to start with one and then if you still feel the same in 6 months then look for another when you have had time to train the first. Met up with him not long ago and he is SO pleased he didn't. In his words you forget just how much hard work a puppy is.

This may also help with your decision as to which litter to go for. Natz's real name is Tramella Natz at Agios, yes he was bred by the same people you got your first dog from.

Paula

As long as you have a full understanding of what you are in for then I don't think there is anything wrong with it.  But you definitely need to have full awareness of the work involved.

I have three kids ages 7, 6 and 13 months.  We have one 2 year old female GSD, and in July we added an 8 week old male (now 16 weeks) and just this past weekend we added an 8 week old female.  We hadn't planned on the third, but she came from a breeder that I had contacted when we were looking for number 2.  By the time I heard back from him we had just brought Ace home, but I really loved the pairing of this breeder, and he was amazing to work with so when the only female in the litter became available my husband and I decided to grab her.  We were planning on adding number 3 in summer 2011.

I am a stay at home mother.  My two oldest are in school so I have just my youngest home with me.  We live on 5 acres and the dogs have free run of the entire property as well as the back half of the property next to ours, and can come and go in nd out of the house as they please.  We spend a lot of time camping and bring all of the animals with us and my husband is fully supportive of adding another dog to the house.  I also am in a position to make the time that they need to train and excercise all of these dogs.

Having 2 puppies will definitely be challenging at the best of times, but I've been there before with human babies.....LOL.  So I'm pretty sure we can do it.

I'd never recommend a pet owner to get two puppies close in age at the same time, much better to get one and decide whether or not to get another when you have got your housetraining and bonding secure and sure you do not have any problems.

Here's a video of two siblings and just what they can do given the opportunity.  It was made for fun, but I'm not sure I would have found it so funny if it had really been my home they were wrecking.

www.youtube.com/watch

Margaret N-J

As a breeder, I never allow the sale of 2 puppies or sell one to someone who is buying another from a different breeder at the same (or similar) timing, especially when it is caused by indecision as to which breeding the owners really prefer!

After 46 years in the breed, I can honestly say that it does not work. The pups pair with each other - it is better that they pair with you! For another, the work of allowing them to develop their own individual characters is made much harder.
 
Let one grow up  - say to 12 months old and then con sider another.

Maybe the breeders of these 2 litters feel the same way?

best wishes, Margaret

One of my friends bought 2 litter mates(both males) against my advice and while they were puppies they were very good,they ate,played,slept got up to mischief together BUT as they got to about twelve months old the fights started and as they are pretty well matched(size and temperament) it got very nasty.she ended up separating them and for the last3/4 yrs they live with locked doors and are never allowed to even see each other. No decent breeder would sell you 2 puppies so my advice is dont do it. Yes some people have had pups of the same age with no problems but a lot do.

NO.  For the reasons stated above.  I am also a breeder and also will not, for any reason, sell two puppies to the same owner, or one puppy to an owner who has or plans on getting another puppy of any breed and similar age. 

Get one puppy, raise it, bond with it, train it, then when it's an adult, get a second of opposite sex.  This will work best for both you and the dogs.

molly

i think many people on here  said dont do it , i will agree with that. you would want the pup to bond to you.i have done two pups before i will never do it again,- the video OMG, that would not happen in my house , i would never let my pups act like that.