Second puppy or not yet?

[mmbrod02]

The breeder I got Scarlett from is wonderful and I am so happy with all the follow up communication and support she has given since I got her. She has a litter of puppies due in July and I am contemplating getting on her wait list. Scarlett is 8 months old and absolutely loves other dogs and I really think it would be great for her to have another dog to play with but I am not sure if I am totally ready for a second dog to join us. The puppy would not be ready to go to his or her new home until October if I even am able to get one from this litter and Scarlett will be 1 in October. What are your opinions on two newf puppies?

 

[ajcooksey]

Ours are littermates so they have been with us since day one. We love having two puppies at once but we don't recommend it for everyone. I don't know if we were lucky or not but we don't have a lot of the teenage newf problems a lot of people on here have they have never been ankle biters or land sharks and gone after our pants or tackled us. Maybe that's because they have a buddy, training or just luck.

 

[ElvisTheNewf]

There's a lot to consider with this, but ultimately it's a personal decision. You'd need to carefully think about the monetary aspect. When we were thinking about adopting a newf mix a few years ago, my husband made a spreadsheet that listed out everything from the initial adoption fee, new supplies like bowls/leash, monthly costs like food, training, and flea prevention, and then yearly vet care/vaccinations. Seeing everything listed out like that made us realize our bank account wasn't quite ready!

Also think about if you want a male or female. If you get a male, you'll eventually have to worry about what will happen when Scarlett goes into heat.

 

[NinaA]

Another consideration. I have labs who are full sisters but from litters 9 months apart. They are both 12 and Moonlight is 9, so I have three very old dogs. They are going to be sick and will be becoming decrepit all at the same time. And then, they will all be gone at the same time and I will be dogless. We lost two last year, and that was bad enough, but think of what it will be like when the two labs go at about the same time. Usually we spread our dogs out. The older trains the younger and the younger keeps the older young. The labs weren't planned, so now I'm stuck with exactly what I didn't want.

 

[BoundlessNewfs]

Our Maggie and Lucy were half sisters. Maggie was born in August, and Lucy in December. By the time we brought Lucy home, Maggie was about 7 months old. They became inseparable, and were always touching. It was easy to have two pups at the same time, as both were "good" pups...very good eye contact, eager to please us, and calm dispositions.

If you had two hellions, you might be in a bit of a spot!

Guess it depends on their personalities, and what you feel equipped to deal with.

 

[jill]

Honestly, I cannot imagine NOT having 2! Daisy and Dixie were litter mates, when Dixie began having severe mobility problems, we rescued Loki...After we had to put Dixie down, Loki comforted Daisy....

Yes, it is 2 vet bills, 2 feed bills, 2 groomer bills, and 2 doggie day care bills, but it is twice the Newfy love....

I am envious of those that have the room and time for more than 2 of these gentle giants.

As for the training and care..they have trained me.

 

[R Taft]

I have just one rule...Every time i have plans for a new dog, I make sure the ones before are easy to get along with..........I have 4 now with a 5th on the way. Lukey is finally good enough for us to consider the next.....It just is easier that way

 

[lacey9875]

No. But you should send that puppy to me!!! :allg069:



Honestly, I would space them out a bit. My neighbors just lost their 11 year old lab unexpectedly, and are spending hundreds a month keeping the almost 10 year old one alive. Having two close in age, you face the likely chance of losing both close together.

 

[ajcooksey]

Also because we have two so close together we are planning on getting another when they are 6 or 7 to help with facing them aging at the same time.