Hi,
I own Ruby, a two year old Jack Russell x Patterdale Terrier spayed bitch & I was thinking of getting another dog.
Ruby is well-socialised although does occasionally growl at other dogs who are boisterous around her & can be protective off me. We have attended a basic obedience course & have been doing agility for over a year. She gets at least one 30 min off lead walk a day (with a ball launcher!) and two walks around the block. She is never left for more than four hours a day, if I'm working longer my mum looks after her for me.
I would like to get a Patterdale terrier as a companion for her but have heard conflicting advice! I would prefer a bitch although I have been told that two terrier bitches would fight due to their feisty nature. I have also been advised not to have two terriers of similar breeds. Ruby has a instant recall but I would worry that two dogs may encourage each other to run off!
Also, as I live alone with Ruby we have a close bond. Would introducing another dog upset this? How can I prevent her from being jealous &/or protective of me or the puppy?
Thanks for any advice!
From
Liz
I am all in favour of having more than one dog. Their interaction is fascinating and they do enjoy each other's company enormously, providing of course, you get the right companion. Have you considered an older dog for Ruby rather than a puppy, one perhaps 2/3 years older. There are a lot of benefits in this, not least Ruby would be able to "pick and choose" her pal, be it girl or boy. Ruby may resent a puppy as you would be spending so much more time with the youngster than her, but with an older dog you could spend the same amount of time. Also if the new dog already has training, there is less likely to be any problems with the dogs coming back. Something to think about. I have three big dogs, one boy and two girls, all different ages and all get on so well and have bonded with each other incredibly well.
ReplyDeleteI have seen and heard of bitch fights, and they aren't always between similar breeds/sizes. The trouble with bitches when they take a dislike to each other is that they tend to mean it when they scrap and can inflict some awful wounds. If you really want a bitch it might be a good idea to have a behaviourist come in to help you choose another dog or puppy, and give you some tips on how to ensure harmony.
ReplyDeleteI envy you having just one dog - I have two, which wasn't planned, I fell in love with a foster dog and couldn't let him go, but I would much prefer that my time wasn't split. I haven't found that one dog interferes with the other's recall, only that when my Greyhound is coming back to me sometimes the terrier gets excited with movement and gets all verbal so she's nervous to come too close.
I have a Patterdale x Jr and a JR (bitch & a dog) and we have no problems, I would be wary of having two bitches as Mina said if they fight they tend to mean it!
ReplyDeleteHaving the two dogs of similar breeds is good for my dogs as they enjoy the same kind of games, are similar sizes and have the same level of stamina (they can run, play, wrestle etc all day without ever seeming to get tired!) Like you I was also worried about introducing another dog as I had a very close bond with Salem (my JR) but after a couple of days of sulking he realised Maisie was alot of fun & two years down the line they are best of friends. I think as long as you spend plenty of time with each of them and treat them as seperate personalies not just as a pair you can happily keep the close bond with Ruby & have that with your new dog too.
Good luck finding the right dog