Adopting a new fur baby .. opinions?

I have fallen in love again .. with a 2 year old male staff who is looking for a forever home. He has had poor care, is very underweight and is currently being treated for dermodex (which has seen him loose hair over all his legs, tummy and chest) ... he is however incredibly well natured and his eyes just scream 'please love me!'.

Now I had planned upon getting a second staff at some stage, however with Chiquito at 7 months I had not planned upon it being quite so soon HOWEVER I really would like to consider giving this young man a forever home.

As a family we have discussed the option, and have agreed we are willing and able to take on a second dog and the added work that goes with. Financially we are able to have two dogs, my current yard and the new house yard are large enough for two, my bed still has room for one more and I've checked with our obedience club who have said they would be happy to place him in their beginner classes.

My question is though, at 7 months is Chiquito too young to have another dog join the family? He is happy, well settled and has had no issues with other dogs who have stayed with us, however he is my first and foremost responsibility and I would not like to do anything that would not be in his best interest.

I would be happy to hear any opinions, whether for or against.

Have had no experience Kell sorry, but I would think if the rescue dog is older it should be ok.
How exciting let us know what happens xx

As it's an older dog, and it's fairly well balanced with no real issues, I'd be out there seeing how they get on! Go and have several meetings over a few days if you can, let them decide for you Good luck

If you have the time and money go for it! Good luck

No experience here either Kell, but that is very exciting! Hopefully it all works out Let us know how it goes, and pics of course if you have a few meet ups xx

No experience with this either, but as Claire suggests, why not organise a couple of meets, perhaps on neutral ground then on Chiquito's home turf and let the dogs make the decision for you. Hope it works out.

Great for Chiquito if he has no issues with another male in the house and a nice settled age for the other boy ( the norm would be to go for a female but as you are aware it has worked out for others ) , sounds like he really needs a good home too

Go out and have some meet ups and best of luck

Thank you to all for your replies

kelpie wrote:As it's an older dog, and it's fairly well balanced with no real issues, I'd be out there seeing how they get on! Go and have several meetings over a few days if you can, let them decide for you :DGood luck

reuben wrote:No experience with this either, but as Claire suggests, why not organise a couple of meets, perhaps on neutral ground then on Chiquito's home turf and let the dogs make the decision for you. Hope it works out.

Thanks for the suggestions .. meeting over several days and then at home as well wasn't something I had thought of.

Dave wrote:Great for Chiquito if he has no issues with another male  in the house and a nice settled age for the other boy ( the norm would be to go for a female but as you are aware it has worked out for others ) , sounds like he really needs a good home too

Go out and have some meet ups and best of luck

Thanks Dave

I do know that the recommendation is opposite sex for two as they get along better .. not something I have experience with though. Would you think that if they get along well now as two males they will be okay, or would be possible that they may have issues as Chiquito matures?

To be honest Kell , I couldn't really comment on that . The whole male / female thing is just what people think works out as the best chance , there is nothing to say that a male / female combination wouldn't work out worse its more about statistics than anything .

Personally I think Chiquito is young enough now to adjust and grow up with dog no 2 . Tommy has big balls with other dogs ( he wanted to kill my son's Bull Mastiff last week   ) But the dogs that they grow up with in their own home are different .

You will always be taking a gamble to a certain extent , you just have to be doubly aware of all the body language , possible triggers etc and be ready to act , lots of research and plenty of help from here

Thanks again Dave - I appreciate it being a difficult question to answer

Harv was 9 months old when we got chance who was 18 months old, both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

ella wrote: both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

Not EVERYONE said that!

ella wrote:Harv was 9 months old when we got chance who was 18 months old, both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

Thanks Ella ... great to hear considering how close the ages are to what Choc and the new dog would be

Do you mind my asking how long it took for your boys to settle in together and whether you allowed/allow them to be alone together?

janey wrote:

ella wrote: both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

Not EVERYONE said that!

Afraid they did including people on here

Kell wrote:

ella wrote:Harv was 9 months old when we got chance who was 18 months old, both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

Thanks Ella ... great to hear considering how close the ages are to what Choc and the new dog would be

Do you mind my asking how long it took for your boys to settle in together and whether you allowed/allow them to be alone together?

TBH they were very much settled from day one, they hit it off brilliantly and were best friends from the off.

Because of Chance's past they were never left unsupervised together for the first 6-8 months then we slowly started leaving them out together in the house with free reign while we were out, short spells at first.

Now they are together 24/7 with free access to the whole house whether we are in or not

ella wrote:

janey wrote:

ella wrote: both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

Not EVERYONE said that!

Afraid they did including people on here

Not me Ella , and to be 100% fair you are testament to what can be achieved with patience

Fine 99% of people did and said we should get a female but I wouldn't change Chance for anything

ella wrote:Fine 99% of people did and said we should get a female but I wouldn't change Chance for anything

But we've sacked them all since            

haha too right

Aww kell it sounds like you could give this boy a lovely home, I'm sure with lots of meets chiquito & he can be the best of friends

Are you able to take Chiquito into the rescue centre so both dogs can meet up there with the rescue centre staff on hand and in a controlled environment ?? This is what I would try first to see how they get along.

Thanks again for all the replies

Dave wrote:

ella wrote:Fine 99% of people did and said we should get a female but I wouldn't change Chance for anything

But we've sacked them all since             

 Does this mean I should record all responses now  

Kathy wrote:Are you able to take Chiquito into the rescue centre so both dogs can meet up there with the rescue centre staff on hand and in a controlled environment ?? This is what I would try first to see how they get along.

Thanks Kathy I have emailed the centre and asked lots of questions, will see what they come back with regarding visits and let you know ...

I've never had more than one dog at a time, so shouldn't really comment, but being gobby me, I will. And I think it all depends on the two dogs involved and how they take to each other.

At 9 months old, and entire, my Kuchar came across a much older Patterdale Terrier (neutered) who was aggressive to all other dogs. To cut a long story short, they became the best of friends (always meeting on neutral territory) but I feel sure that if either one were to be brought to live with the other, they would still be best friends.

Good luck Kell!

janey wrote:

ella wrote: both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

Not EVERYONE said that!

True  

doe wrote:

janey wrote:

ella wrote: both male obviously EVERYONE told us it wouldn't work, that they would never get on and 2 years later here we are

Not EVERYONE said that!

True  

Shame no one said it was a good idea, or supported us in it though....

Any news Kell? Have you made a decision?