adding a new puppy to the family

[Allise]

Just thinking about adding another Newf puppy to our family and I'm looking for some input on the best time to do so? Right now we have an almost 8mth old female. I can't help but notice that mulitiple Newf families abound, are they like potato chips....can't have just one?

 

[Liisa]

We were told the same thing - TM's are like potato chips - when we got our first one. We laughed at the time. Until we got our second!

I can tell you I've added a pup when we had a 2 yr old. We've also added a pup when our second dog was 4 (our first dog had passed on). Neither presented any issues. We are now looking to add a third when our oldest will be 6 and our youngest will be 2.

The best advice I can give, unless it is escalating to a dangerous level, try to let the dogs sort out their order. This can be tough at times as you'll want to protect the new pup. My Yeti taught Pari some tough lessons - mainly about staying away from his food. But, as terrible as it sounds (growls and snaps) and looks (he got her on her back once), he never came close to hurting her. Once he had established himself, he let her get away with anything. He just needed to know that she wasn't taking HIS place in the house.

We just love watching the interaction of our two. We laugh almost every day at something they do.

 

[NessaM]

We added a second when our first was 12 months, almost to the day! However our first was extremely well behaved and had a very placid temperament, I think if he'd been more of a hellion we'd have waited until he was bomb-proof before bringing a second home.

 

[bria]

I am pleased to say yes they are like potato chips and go for it. I got my first Newf (Bria) in Nov/06 (she was 3 1/2 years old) and my puppy Sherman came Jan/08 (at 7 weeks). I haven't had a puppy in 17 years and for a woman 17 years can make a big difference. The first few weeks I questioned my sanity. I thought I had made a terrible mistake and that I did not have the energy to deal with him. Sherman is now 8 1/2 months old and though still challenging he's a sweet boy. I had a Saint prior to Bria who came from a puppymill and though I had her only 5 short years she stole my heart. She is the reason I fell in love with the giant breed. You can't go wrong with a Newf so I think you should do it especially since your Newf is only 8 months old. My Bria took Sherman under her wing almost from day one. She is constantly cleaning his ears and he follows her everywhere. I believe he thinks she's his mother. The only problem is that Bria is 5 and she hasn't the energy that Sherman has. I got Sherman because I felt that giant breed dogs need like to play with except that the age difference does come into play. Still Bria and Sherman are joined at the hip. Just be careful and don't make the same mistake I did. I allowed Bria to take Sherman under her wing and by so doing Sherman has become too dog focussed and at times he won't listen to me. He will however copy everyting Bria does.

Good luck in your decision. Getting a second Newf is never a bad choice.

Susan

 

[Bella and Gabe]

For us, it was very much the same experience with my children. My first child was so easy, so happy, so adaptable to any situation I wondered what the big deal was with having two children a year apart. Same thing happened with our Newfs. 'Bella was so easy, so happy, and so well adaptable to situations. So we brought home Gabe one year and one month later.

Well, second children and second puppies are not necessarily the same in personality as the first child and first puppy.

All that being said, I wouldn't have changed either for the world.

Do not expect that it will all be the same, but in my experience it just makes life even more grand (if that is possible!) I'm ready for my third Newf. (I've had my three children and no longer need/want/or am able for the human variety!)

 

[Erika]

we have had 2 pups at once.a Pyr and a newf , then added a senior then another senior and then a 4 yr old.When our too beloved Pyrs passed we added a very young Pyr pup to a 10 yr old newf a 4 yr old newf and a 6 yr old Newf household...if ya want one go get we say!!!! Happy newfing!!!!!

 

[Charlie'sMom]

I decided to wait until Charlie is over 2 years old to add a second, the way the planned litters turned out, Charlie will be closer to 3 before we get our girl (assuming there is a girl in the next litter)

 

[newfiemomof2]

I have 5 now and a puppy coming next month, so I have 1 11+ yo, 2-4yo's, 2yo, 17mo old. It seems I am adding 1 per year now Good thing I have lots of floor space.

 

[Allise]

Thanks everyone for all of the wonderful insights...I think we're headed for one in every color...LOL!

 

[charityd]

For us, it was very much the same experience with my children. My first child was so easy, so happy, so adaptable to any situation I wondered what the big deal was with having two children a year apart. Same thing happened with our Newfs. 'Bella was so easy, so happy, and so well adaptable to situations. So we brought home Gabe one year and one month later.

Well, second children and second puppies are not necessarily the same in personality as the first child and first puppy.

All that being said, I wouldn't have changed either for the world.

Do not expect that it will all be the same, but in my experience it just makes life even more grand (if that is possible!) I'm ready for my third Newf. (I've had my three children and no longer need/want/or am able for the human variety!)

My experience was the exact opposite. Katie, my first Newf, is my wild child. I am so grateful that she was my first because since I'd never had a Newf before I didn't know exactly what to expect. To me at the time everything she did was just normal Newfies stuff. But then along came Louis, my angel newf. He is so laid back, so sweet and eager to please. He rarely does anything wrong. It's truly amazing how easy he is. I hope I'm not in for a big surprise when his testosterone kicks in :lol:

 

[Jorge's mum]

I only have one newfy but 4 dogs!lol a lab a whippetx and a shih tzu! theres 2 years between all apart from my lab and whippetx who are the same age, I never have any problems, good luckx