Getting a second dog

Arbiter of Good Taste

We got our Lola in June when she was 11 weeks old, and are mad about her. We both work full time, so we have her in day care three days a week. For the other two days that we work, she gets walked in the morning, one of us comes home at lunchtime to walk her, and she gets another walk in the evening. As one of us gets home at lunchtime, she's alone 3 1/2 - 4 hours at a time, max. But we still hate leaving her alone.

We are considering getting a second dog so the two will keep each other company when we are not around. We want to get another small breed - ideally a shih tzu or shih tzu cross. And this time I would like to try for a rescue dog.

It would be part of a very loving home and would be spoiled rotten and our only criteria is that it gets on with other dogs (Lola is very well socialised) and people.

Lola is now 9 months. What are people's opinions on introducing another dog when she is still only an adolescent? Should we wait until she's a bit older? What about the age profile of any new dog? Does it make any difference whether we go with a pup or something older? Whether we go with a breeder or rescue, I would be bringing Lola to meet them before they come into the house to hopefully make the transition easier for both.

DBB

No reason not to go for it soon OP!
I'd be inclined to go for a male, and I'd go for one about her own age, or if older by more than 6-12 months, a male who's a bit of an eejit
Two females together is the most likely to develop issues, even if they've been well socialised.
I would also suggest that you arrange for one of you to have a week or two off work so that you can do the integration gradually, rather than expecting a brand new dog to fit straight into your present routine. If yours is a quiet house at Christmas, the Christmas holidays might offer a good opportunity to do this... but only if yours is a quiet Christmas house! They do exist!
I think giving Lola the opportunity to meet any prospective new brothers beforehand is very sensible indeed... they may not love each other at first sight, but as long as there is no negative stuff going on you'll have something to build on.
Good luck!

aonb

Sounds like Lola is a very lucky dog. I hope you can manage to find a friend for Lola from a shelter/rescue - that would a lovely option and you would gain lots of brownie points!

Arbiter of Good Taste

Thanks for the responses. I don't think we'll be doing anything before Xmas, but there are plenty of shih tzus for adoption in Ireland so I will be waiting for the right one to be available.

Thanks DBB for the advice on getting a male.