2nd greyhound

[sylar]

hello all,
we are giving serious thought to getting another greyhound. Leia is a lovely dog and seems happy but sometimes she just looks so lonely. The main worry we have is that a second dog could be a disruptive influence if its not as well behaved as her. Can anyone that owns 2 (or more) greyhounds give any advice?

thanks in advance

Dean.

[helen7]

Hi Dean,

I think it's an exciting time when you're thinking of adding to your family

I have 4 hounds here, 2 of which are greys (and 2 lurchers). We've also fostered for Gap. I think all my hounds have benefited from having others here providing it's been the right match for them, with their personalities. 2 of our current hounds were fosters that stayed because they fitted with our family and we couldn't let them go. All my hounds enjoy the company of the others and they all have their own role with each other. 2 play together everyday (1 grey & 1 lurcher), my lurcher boys enjoy their off-lead time together, 1 of my greyhound girls is very steady and calm so helps the others, etc.

The thing is to get the right match for your family and to do that my advice would be to talk to a good rescue and tell them your concerns, your family lifestyle and what you're looking for in a hound.

My thoughts when I read that your girl is so well behaved is that she may become playful with a friend and I guess you have to question whether you could cope with that sort of change in her. She may well 'change' with a friend as they sort out between them their roles. Hounds can help each other too so she may help an incoming hound. On the other hand, if she's very steady anyway that may not change. A good rescue, like Gap, would find you the right match if that's what you decided you wanted.

Good luck whatever you decide

eta you could always consider fostering to see how your girl gets on if you're not sure about the permanent bit!

[sylar]

thanks for the reply. to be honest i'd never thought about fostering so it maybe an option for us to look at. thanks.

[shaznrich]

Hi, how exciting that you're thinking of adding to your family! Personally, I always say that I think 2 dogs are actually easier than 1 - they are less dependent on you for all their fun and games (have heard some people say the same about children but can't comment on that!). Helen talks a lot of sense (as always) about finding the right match for your family as not all hounds are the same and you do need to get a 'fit' but Lisa is the match maker par excellence I'd say - so if you do decide to go ahead, you couldn't be in better hands! Good luck. ;D

[vickyb]

Helen's given you a great reply, agree with everything she's said. I'd just add that we found each time we've added a dog I've struggled for the first few weeks feeling so disloyal to the ones already here. We had Trixie, small X, then added River, (lurcher) a couple of years down the line and although they got on well Trix was ready to pack her bag in protest for a time.
After 10 yrs with just the 2 of them we added Gracie (greyhound) in march this year and are currently fostering Maddy another greyhound who arrived 2 1/2 weeks ago.
They all get on well, no real issues, just the odd grumble if someone gets stepped on, but I do still feel guilty for upsetting the established ones, but then again, had we stuck to just 1, the others would have been in kennels for how long?
I love having more than one dog, and as Tony says even if they would prefer the new ones didn't arrive initially at least it livens their lives up and gives them something else to think about. I would go back to just 2 but not 1, it's so much more fun.
Just take your time to get the right dog for you and your existing one, be prepared for a few pangs of guilt if she seems to be pushed out a bit and give them time to adapt and hopefully it will work out fine. Of course you may be lucky, she may love a companion from the start and be quite happy to share her home and you with them.
Good luck ;D

[Lisa]

She is a black greyhound bitch she would love nothing more than having a boy to ruin his life Its the law of the black bitches ;D

I much prefer having more than one my first greyhound was an only dog for five years and from the second we had two we were on a slippery slope to three and four. I would never keep a solitary hound again they love each others company so much.

You just have to be careful greyhound maths doesnt kick in and you dont end up with around 4-6 which is the average number Its because they are ALL that easy sadly.

[Jane and Sara]

Getting the second dog is always a nervous affair - the third, forth ... are easy! The main thing is to take Leila to meet any possible new dog - take them for a walk together and if they like each other.... I agree with Lisa as I too had one dog for a while but I think they are happier with a friend (or friends).

[Jen Wren]

Dec 6, 2008 1:46:51 GMT -5 Lisa said:

She is a black greyhound bitch she would love nothing more than having a boy to ruin his life Its the law of the black bitches ;D

I can vouch for that. I have a typical black bitch madam who thinks you exist just to please her When new fosters come in to the house, she sulks for a while. Just when I think she's growing up she turns into miss bossy boots with the new dog and because they are male they put up with her diva ways.

They do like their own kind and you will notice a change in her. I always find their personalities alter as they will become more playful and dare I say naughty (but in a fun way). All as long as you find the right dog. I love to see their personalities develop and how they interact with the other dog. Good luck

[annar]

Weve boarded several only hounds here, most of them i knew before hand and i can safely say that coming and living in a pack brought out much more of their character and the owners have all said they noticed this. for some-Pod we mention no names- it was enough to help decide on adding a second dog. p.s we have 6 here and 8 when we board and mine are all better balanced for been in a pack. annax

[bluegreyhound]

We had an only hound for about 18 months before getting our second - first hound (blue bitch) is an angel dog, second hound (orange male) is much more hassle for us, but I think the bitch does enjoy the company.

In summary, think carefully - your second dog will probably not be as well behaved as Leia. It will cost more.

But, two dogs does seem better than one dog....

[Flaperoo]

Leia will love you forever if you send her big, gentle, laid back male ;D (they all are ) to boss around for the rest of her life.

My black bitch has two males for company....she loves it ;D

Mx

[houndhomage]

Two is definately better than one. Our black girly now has a fawn boy to boss. We're still getting to know him, but once you've had one dog the other is pretty much easy to care for. They also enjoy another hound about the place. Fireworks night wasnt such a trauma, he picked up on Alexas confidence and coped well.

Also my kids have a dog each to fuss and its lovely walking a pair. People always stop to comment. Today they were wearing their his n hers coats and looked so smart.

Apart from his dislike of certain dogs all has been ok between them! We did try a few matches but in the end the new dog was a spur of the moment decision as he urgently needed a home.

Best of luck!