2 hounds or 1?

[aconnor1981]

Hi, im new to this site and new to greyhounds to! We re-homed a 3 year old Ex-Racer Bitch 4 weeks ago, she has been an angel from day 1. She has slotted in with our routene as we both work full time "we go home for a toilet break at lunch"

My question is this; Shall we get her a friend? she has no separation anxiety when we are out but she does love dogs and loves to play!! so we were thinking it would be nice for her to have a play mate and a bit of company in the day? we did try her with another greyhound bitch but she only lasted 1 day as she just took over our whole house and wouldnt even let our current dog back in! It was a shame because our dog was so excited and really wanted to make friends.

Im thinking a laid back Lad would be great as she would love him so much, but there again do we want to rock the boat as we settled now?

[wings]

I can't answer your question but I remember there was a thread (by whiskydry) about this not long ago that had a lot of useful replies. I will try to find it for you.

[Nettie]

Hi and welcome to Gap. Your post made me giggle a bit because I know the answers you're going to get! One hound is never enough! I think I'd be right in saying that most of our members are multi hound households, some more multi than others. In the main, hounds do like company and its only if you've got a mardi one that it might not work. Racing greyhounds are generally kennelled in pairs and are used to having company. The consideration you have to make is the financial side, two greyhounds twice the cost. I have 3 hounds and the jump from 1 to 2 was easy, adding a 3rd was a much bigger jump.

[whiskydry]

Hi welcome to the site

I asked the same question a few weeks ago and our second hound came home to us about 10 days ago ;D

We got the laid back lad first, he is an angel and lulled us into a false sense of security We then fell for the considerable charm of his younger half sister, and you will find the resulting thread just below this one

I would say think long and hard. I don't regret getting Lola for a second, she is adorable and I love her to bits. But she is harder work than Barney and is going to need a lot more patience!

Feeding costs twice as much, insurance costs twice as much (actually more than twice - why is my 2 year old bitch more expensive to insure than my 5 year old boy??) Vaccinations, flea and worm treatments, kenneling costs if you go away, lots of little things adding up.

Plus on walks, I need to be alert to far more than just the dog on the end of my lead now. I need to have an eye on what the other dog is doing on the end of the lead in my daughter's hand, so I can be there to step in if needed. (Rare, but does happen!)

I've outlined the main negatives there....there are lots of positives too and as I say, I wouldn't change it. But you need to really think how you would feel if you get a bundle of trouble fun ;D

Let us know what you decide!!

[wings]

Here it is:

Click here

[bluegreyhound]

We homed a bitch from Oxford RGT in February 2007. She was a dream to settle in the house and a bit of an express train on walks. She is now much more laid back on the lead, and likes to go for leisurely sniffs rather than express walks! She is an angel in the house - doesn't steal, doesn't sit on the sofa, doesn't chew (although she does collect shoes), doesn't bark.

After moving to a bigger house and much persuasion of my OH we decided to look for dog no. 2. We had him to stay for the weekend last weekend - walks became more complicated, as our bitch wanted to sniff and our guest dog wanted to walk. The bitch is still reactive to cats and rabbits, the dog to other dogs, so we had to be doubly aware of what we were passing.

The dog seems to have higher energy levels than our bitch, and is more attention seeking in the house. He's also more interested in sniffing counter tops and open food bags, so we are going to need to fix the kitchen door.

However, our bitch seemed to enjoy the company, and was a bit more forward going on walks. On day three they started to refer sniffs to each other, and both tried to dive down the same rabbit hole.

So, he is coming for good once we get back from our hols next week! And we will need to get a bigger car.....

I would say don't rush into a second dog - the first dog's personality will develop slowly, especially if she's come from a racing environment, and it takes a good long time to get to know an animal. However, once you feel ready and you think the dog's ready - go for it! I think part of the fun of having animals is watching them interact with each other.

[Princess C]

I agree that they like the company of other hounds (well, there are five here at the moment!) but four weeks isn't very long - I'd give your girl more time to settle in personally, and if she is a happy, confident, young bitch then I would definitely go for a male next time to avoid confrontation - the more similar bitches are, the more likely they are to battle for supremacy

[aconnor1981]

Thank you so much everyone, everything i was worried about has been covered i think!! Yes i think we will give our girl "Skye" a while longer to totally settle in first as i dont think shes over the shock of the bossy madam just yet!! and everyday she suprises us with something new to smile at "her new thing is bringing every one of her toys in to show us then taking them back to bed with her"

God i sound like a proud mom dont i, we are just so in love with her at the moment, my family has always had Boxer Dogs and as you can imagine 2 of them was HARD work but so rewarding.....So yes i think we might re-think getting her a buddy around christmas time.

Thanks for all your help! i think im going to be addicted to this forum!

[Flaperoo]

Jul 30, 2008 9:53:37 GMT -5 aconnor1981 said:

and everyday she suprises us with something new to smile at "her new thing is bringing every one of her toys in to show us then taking them back to bed with her"

I so remember this...........when you first get them they aren't sure what they are but they know they like them ;D, so they will show them to you but they all end up retrieved and piled on their bed ;D very tidy .....after a few years they get them all out to play....toss them all over the place and then leave the house in a mess for you to clear up

Mary XX

[lurcherlot]

Hello and welcome ..... I should keep well away from threads like this I have 8 hounds here at the moment, all of whom get on well together ..... I think that most animals need a play mate and I personally would, in your situation, add another dog when your current hound is well settled. Yes, there is the additional cost, but as you both work full time, a 'partner in crime' would be company for your dog whilst you're both at work.

[Alisa Bee]

Four years ago, now on my own, I got Finn as company for Molly (now at the Bridge) and he was the best thing to happen to me during a miserable time of my life. Alright I had always wanted two dogs but things were not right at the time. After Molly died I wasn't going to get another dog as I was expecting to move, but Donna (LurcherLurker) rang some months later and said "Greyhound in need, will you..." and so Sofi came into my and Finn's life. She is beautiful and I know that Finn enjoys her company, they got on from day one. They hadn't met before but sometimes things just are right. I know from previous experience that Finn would never allow another Dog into the house, but a Bitch, well he believes that he is irrestistable to females . I think the male/female mix is better but others on this site have had no problem with female and female or male and male companions, it just depends on the dog's personality!

Good luck when you are ready ;D.

[ownerofgreys]

I always think that we like the company of other humans so why should dogs not like company of other dogs