Newf as a Second Addition

[tansat]

Hi,

I live in Ontario, Canada with my husband and 6-month old female Bernese, Bailey. We are so in love with her and she has been WONDERFUL. We've always dreamed of having two dogs (trained) before kids so we've started our search and have narrowed it down to a newf.

We are just hoping to learn more about the breed, select a breeder and decide on a gender based on Bailey's personality and of course timing (when to add the second dog).

From our research, we have been advised to add a dog of the opposite gender. Bailey is rather submissive, very sweet and a bit independent. She absolutely LOVES other dogs (all ages), at the park, at other peoples' homes and in our own home.

Happy to hear about any suggestions and advice you may have in adding a second canine member.

Kind regards,
TANSAT

 

[BlackLightning]

Welcome to the group!! Can I ask where in Ontario you are? We are in Oakville!! You are in the right place for gaining knowledge about newfies!

 

[lilly06]

Welcome from California.

 

[padkins]

:kgo_057:

 

[Sheila B.]

Welcome from Newf Mexico!

 

[JackandKelly]

Hi and Welcome from Northern Michigan!
I feel the personality of the 2nd dog is more important than the gender. We got our first Newf Lola and 10 months later added our Newf Sophie. The two girls have the most amazing bond and are always together. I couldn't imagine them ever being apart.

Next we got Ty and 6 months later got Bosco, both boys.
They too have an amazing bond. They are always touching. They lay together, play together etc..

All 4 get along famously, but if they do pair off, the girls stay together and the boys stay together. That's not to say you won't see all 4 sleeping in a pile touching each other.

Good luck on your new furkid

 

[sadkins]

Welcome

 

[Blacknewfs]

Welcome from cottage country! :wave:

 

[new_2_newf]

Welcome from Sault Ste. Marie!

 

[Annetteb]

Kona and I :kgo_057: you from Washington state!

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Welcome to Newf Net! This is the place to come, to find out everything you ever wanted to know (and some stuff you would never have thought to ask) about newfs.

I think the second dog is more about personalities that mesh, rather than sexes. We took Maggie to meet Lucy, when we were thinking about getting the second newf pup. Maggie immediately fell in love with her little half-sister, and that was then end of it. We had to bring HER puppy home with us! They are 7 years old now, and still always touching each other and sharing everything beautifully.

I guess that would be my suggestion...take your Berner with you, when you are considering another dog, and let it help you choose the one it can co-exist with.

 

[2newfs4now]

Welcome from Washington

 

[Crosslake25]

Welcome from Toronto! If you're not set on a puppy, might you consider a rescue? Might lighten the load a bit if you have an adult and a pup rather than two pups at the same time.

Agree with the posts above that temperament is more important than gender -- we tried integrating both a male and a female with our shy/nervous boy Steve and it wasn't until we found our laid-back girl on the third try that it worked out.

 

[Newfs Forever]

Welcome from Newf Hampshire!

 

[tansat]

Thanks to everyone for the responses. I'm overwhelmed and so happy to have gained a network. Thank you so much for the beautiful pictures everyone! We are in Toronto, Ontario - so cold right now (minus 30 celsius with wind chill).

I've done about 6 months of research and visited a handful of kennels. Does anyone have any advice here? I would be grateful for any insight.

One thing that I forgot to mention before is that once both dogs are settled in, my husband and I are looking do some therapy work with the dogs - hopefully!

Thanks again for the warm welcome!

 

[tansat]

I really like the idea of bringing our Bailey to meet the breeder and to help select a brother/sister. Most of the larger breeders will not allow her to come out of the car though - for her safety. Being a novice, I was really hoping to have the breeder meet and get to know Bailey to help in selecting a new pup. Some of the smaller scale breeders however have been very accomodating in that respect.

 

[Tinina67]

Welcome from Australia!

 

[gitchegumee]

:kgo_057: from Colorado!

 

[RiverTheNewf]

Welcome! You described us exactly. We have one Newf and waited until she turned 2 to add another. And I told my husband that we're not having kids until we have 2 dogs and they're both 2 years old and well trained.

I think the most important thing about adding a second dog is your knowledge about your first dog. Don't let the adorableness of the litter or the breeder's ideas over-influence your decision. The breeder knows her dogs, but you know YOUR dog. That said, our breeder can and should be an excellent resource in helping you match up your dogs.

My River is an assertive, independent, trying, smart-a$$ of a dog, and I know she gets along the best and most consistently with calm, submissive, easy-going males. We haven't picked him out yet, but he comes home in 6 weeks!

 

[CMDRTED]

The NutHouse says Hi from Northern Illinois.