time for a second dog?

[meltoadhall]

we have a 15 month entire irish red setter boy and would like to get him a friend to play with, rough and tumble etc..
do we get another setter or different breed, we know we want a spayed bitch
is a puppy a good idea, or would an older bitch be better?

[yesmadam]

Hi Mel,
We too are looking to get a second dog as a playmate for our Dobe. He's nearly 18mnths and loves to play with other dogs, particularly Staffys, and large dogs as tough as he is when playing. Nicely!!! that is :-) we don't mind a male or female, either will be spayed or neutered.....


So, when you're out what nice doggies does he get on with? what breeds suit him?

[yesmadam]

Mel, did I answer your q by any chance? lol.... because my profile shows you have 8 answers, not from me btw, but there are no answers when I look at your q.
Thanks. Just a bit confused by my profile tis all hehe :-)

[papabear81]

It would be a difficult call getting a puppy for what i am sure is a very active setter, the puppy has to have time to grow so as the rough and tumble will not be detrimental to the health of the puppy. It may be an idea to wait until he has calmed a bit before finding another dog, this also allows the setter to feel secure before introducing another dog/bitch. For playing its always a good idea to have dog "friends" that you visit where the two can run/play and feel reassured that there is no dominance issues. Many people have two dogs that live very well together but will not play. It does depend on the dynamic between the two at the end of the day. Have you thought about rehoming an active spayed bitch(maybe a collie or similar) something that has maturity but boundless amounts of energy?
This is a big decision as if you get it wrong, your setter may become depressed and his personality would change for the worse. I have a complete dog Rhodesian Ridgeback and we have thought many times of getting him a mate. But I dont want to change him at all and I have trained him to recognise the names of his friends and so one mention of them and he gets excited and so we go and play. And when hes at home he's relaxed, safely reassured of his position in the home. We did have to live with another dog for a while and it was hell, everyone was treading lightly until the point is reached and a fight ensues. It was a nightmare and never ever to be recreated. Sorry if this has bored you but I thought i would share the benefit of my experience.

[meltoadhall]

thanks for your answer, unfortunately setters never calm down according to the breeder and we live in a very rural area with no sociable dogs nearby.

[lankeela]

Unless there is a very good reason not to, why not have him castrated, then your options are greater. You could then either have another male, or a female which you could then eventually have spayed. I think he would love a bitch puppy to play with, he is still very young himself and the two would play together. If you have him castrated before getting the bitch and then wait a little while for it to take effect, he will have no issues with having a female on his territory. Also I would say an Irish is a much different proposition to a Ridgeback male, and even an entire one would be far less likely to have dominance issues even with another male.

[kita1]

Why not check out your local rescue centre? Or breed rescue if you want another setter? That way you could probably take your boy with you and take the dogs out on a walk together to see if they got along.

Having two dogs certainly saves you walking as far!! Setters are pretty friendly dogs and I am sure yours would appreciate a friend to run and play with.

[hammerman]

May i recommend a springer spaniel....total fruitcakes just like setters and they will tire each other out.

Personally, i'd look for a bitch that's around 10 months old...you may have to get her spayed yourselves though.

Good luck

[winny]

We got a lab puppy bitch to keep our older castrated gsd company and they played wonderfully. He could have snapped her in 2 many times but never did. There is nothing better than to see them playing together. I know our age gap is bigger but my point is size. Although I would not change them for the world if I had the choice again I would go for the spaniel or similar size idea. The logistics of 2 big bouncy large dogs is more difficult than you imagine. Mine are well behaved but have their mad moments and hanging on to 2 or trying to get 2 away from the door at once is not easy. The boot of the car needs 2 cages not one big one than both go in. I dont wish to be a party pooper as I love having 2 dogs but I would go for an energetic smaller one to keep the lab company when the poor old mans time is up. Obviously all situations are different but consider size too.