Rescue labrador, 7 months old

bmwguy

I have a female Labrador at the moment, 7 months old who is doing extremely well with training and obedience, we put in the ground work early and reaping the rewards now. Had her out for her first swim today too, she loved it. When I was getting her, my plan was to get a second at the same time but read advice against getting 2 puppies at the same time due to training issues, but I kept it in the back of my mind to get a companion when she was trained. She is very sociable and playful with other dogs as a result of being socialised with parents dogs, friends dogs and trips to the local dog park (great facility locally which can become more frequent now with the long evenings). Now I have seen a male lab in a rescue, about the same age and am thinking of taking the plunge very soon. It warns that training is still needed as none was given by previous owners but this rescue provides training courses too. I am a responsible owner willing to give them time and effort so no issues there but are there any issues with the ages, genders etc of the dogs in question? Just putting my thoughts down in words and maybe looking for some discussion on the matter.

Homester

Your pup is still a baby no matter how well behaved. I'd leave it another year or so - otherwise you'll end up with 2 pups who bond with each other and not you. I'm sure it wouldn't be a disaster, but you'll make life easier for all concerned if you put it off for the moment.

muddypaws

Years ago I got a 3 month old pup from a rescue, 6 months later I got another pup, again, around 3 months old. The pair of them were fantastic together, kept each other company when I was out at work, but loved having my company when I was home. It worked really well for me, and the dogs.

I'd have a chat with the rescue, and if they are agreeable, bring your dog along to meet him a few times, see how they get on.

Best of luck with whatever you decide.

borderlinemeath

Are either neutered?
It's quite detrimental to the health of large breeds to neuter as young as 7 months so I would be holding off for now if you haven't neutered your bitch. Bear in mind, even if the rescue have neutered the male, if your female happened to come into heat within the next few months that his testosterone is still active for about 6 weeks, possibly a few more. Plus, he could still get distressed with her in heat so keeping them apart would have to be done as a matter of caution.

bmwguy

Rescue dogs are always neutered, my female will be neutered in the next few weeks, vet is happy to do it when she turns 8 months, she had her first heat cycle a few weeks ago so should not have another one for a couple of months so the timing in that way will be ok. I will speak to the rescue about it anyway. I don't want pups from them, just want 2 dogs to enjoy each others company and have the laughs that 2 dogs always provide!

borderlinemeath

bmwguy wrote: »

Rescue dogs are always neutered, my female will be neutered in the next few weeks, vet is happy to do it when she turns 8 months, she had her first heat cycle a few weeks ago so should not have another one for a couple of months so the timing in that way will be ok. I will speak to the rescue about it anyway. I don't want pups from them, just want 2 dogs to enjoy each others company and have the laughs that 2 dogs always provide!

Reputable rescues always neuter, I know a few "rescues" that don't. Nor do they chip, vaccinate or even worm some of the dogs that they have.

However, having said that, it's still stands that it is detrimental to the health and well being for large breeds such as labs, and particularly male dogs to have their testosterone removed from their systems until they are fully grown. Some of the research suggests 18 months, some says up to 2 years. But I completely understand why reputable rescues have this policy in place. It's just a pity that the dog you're looking at isn't a year older, for his sake.

bmwguy

Its a reputable rescue alright, one of the SPCAs. I have read a lot about the neutering age/spaying and there is so much conflicting information on it, but most of what I have read recommends early neutering/spaying. 2 reputable breeders sites I read yesterday conflicted completely with each other about neutering/spaying adolescent dogs, 1 said it promotes extra growth the other said it restricts it. But they both agreed there is an element of the unknown involved in it but overall I think 2 infertile dogs is the best bet.

tk123

I'd be cautious about them both being adolescents at the same time? Your dog may be good as gold now but that can all go out the window once they hit adolescence and have a mind of their own and you have to start retraining stuff. It can be tricky training 2 dogs at once - I find my older guy wants to join in because he loves training and he can end up sabotaging the other. The other week I was teaching her to fetch for a class we were doing and he kept going and getting the ball. The same for her scent work he was getting the scent sooner than her and helping her lol

My retriever girl was spayed at 17 months btw - I'd already decided to wait until she was fully grown and the vet agreed. I've experience of joint plates going wrong so wasn't taking any chances this time around(!)

Satori Rae

When ever I decide to get a new dog I take my other dogs one at a time to meet the proposed new arrival over the course of 2 weeks or so to see how they would get on together during multiple meetings. As one meeting I think is not enough to see.

I take them walking together and let them play together and try see how the effect of the new dog would have on my other dogs. Granted this is not fool proof it would be a differently completely setting to your home but at least you will know if they will get on together.

If you are a strong person that is good at teaching one dog to learn to behave then 2 should be ok. There might be some regression but really nothing you shouldn't be able to fix

aonb

female/male mix is good
you have your female well trained/socialized
you would like a 2nd dog
your female would enjoy a companion
the male is in a rescue
you have the time to spend on them both
lab's are a sociable breed
you sound like a knowlegable/responsible owner
summer is coming-long evenings and good time for toilet training etc
the rescue will help with training
All sounds pretty good to me....
good luck whatever you decide

bmwguy

aonb wrote: »

female/male mix is good
you have your female well trained/socialized
you would like a 2nd dog
your female would enjoy a companion
the male is in a rescue
you have the time to spend on them both
lab's are a sociable breed
you sound like a knowlegable/responsible owner
summer is coming-long evenings and good time for toilet training etc
the rescue will help with training
All sounds pretty good to me....
good luck whatever you decide

yeah summertime is the big factor for me - I do have a couple of hours every evening to devote to walks/parks/splash around in the local stream. Walks take no more time with 2 of them, its just the upkeep costs which will increase but I am ok there financially. Going to call the rescue tomorrow regarding this dog, owners only kept him a few months before deciding it wasnt for them, sad really. I'll go meet them, bring my own female along for a meeting with him and see how things go. They do thorough checks so once the dog is a match for me and my family, plus we are a match for the dog I think we will go for it

boomerang

Labs are often surrendered at his age OP. Generally because the owner hasn't taught them any life skills, and as the pup gets bigger, they get ever more un-manageable because they are jumping up on people, pulling on the lead, won't come when called etc. No reflection at all on the poor dog. Just good to be aware you will probably have to start from scratch with this boy, as if he were a younger pupster. I agree it's the perfect time of year to take on another dog!

Rips

Good luck OP, it sound like you have done your homework, I would agree with the points aonb made.

I have to say, its very disheartening to read in almost every single thread, advice to delay neutering, or even to not consider rehoming a dog thats been neutered/spayed early as all good rescues do.

Since you mentioned sources of conflicting information OP, spayaware gives a probably the most concise and balanced educated opinion.

http://www.spayaware.ie/Spay-Aware-Large-Dogs.php

borderlinemeath

Rips wrote: »

Good luck OP, it sound like you have done your homework, I would agree with the points aonb made.

I have to say, its very disheartening to read in almost every single thread, advice to delay neutering, or even to not consider rehoming a dog thats been neutered/spayed early as all good rescues do.

I take it since I mentioned it that this is directed at me?

Believe me Rips, I'm all for neutering pets. But neutering at the appropriate time for their health and mental well being. I completely support rescues in the position that they're put in with people dumping unneutered dogs and bitches on them and I've fostered many of them, in fact a lot of them have come directly from the vet post neutering and I give post operative care. In this particular instance I mentioned it because the dog is so, so young. He's obviously not mentally fully mature, he's barely into his adolescent phase and growth wise absolutely nowhere near full size for a dog of his breed. I mentioned it to give the OP something to think about, because having 2 young dogs can be tough, but having 2 older dogs that have a barrage of possibly preventable health issues is even tougher. Not to mention when they get older, the possibility of losing them both close together is a heartbreaking reality.

Sometimes when I see a dog coming with his jewels hanging between his legs I groan. Is he adequately socialised? How is he with other male dogs, does the testosterone take over and does he get aggressive? Is he a pest to other dogs? (some intact dogs tend to always revert to mounting when playing with others) Is he going to mark everywhere? There's only a small amount of dog owners who leave their pets intact and make sure that the dog is well socialised and comfortable around all other dogs, and even fewer people know the reasons why.

All my own pets are neutered, one bitch we've had since a pup and and 2 came to me neutered. I think that for a multi dog household where all dogs are nothing but pets (ie not for showing or breeding) it's essential for a harmonious life for the owners, the elimination of accidental litters and less distress on the dogs themselves. Did I say no when I was offered a neutered dog from rescue? No. Because at the time I didn't know any better, I hadn't done any research into the side effects of early neutering and my rescue boy was maybe a year old and very nervous when he came to me neutered. Not only was he hugely nervous, but the neutering destroyed his coat. Not that we love him any less for it, but it still had it's side effects. Would my dog be any less nervous now if he was left intact for a little longer? Who knows, He's come on hugely but still has a few issues and obstacles. [/QUOTE]

Since you mentioned sources of conflicting information OP, spayaware gives a probably the most concise and balanced educated opinion.

http://www.spayaware.ie/Spay-Aware-Large-Dogs.php

I'm not going to link to any anti neutering links because I'm not anti neutering. I'm all for neutering at the appropriate time for the dogs health.

tk123

borderlinemeath wrote: »

Not only was he hugely nervous, but the neutering destroyed his coat. Not that we love him any less for it, but it still had it's side effects. Would my dog be any less nervous now if he was left intact for a little longer? Who knows, He's come on hugely but still has a few issues and obstacles.

^^ I ask myself this all the time with Bailey. And now I'm at the stage where I've pretty much accepted that he probably won't have a long life.. so any time anything is wrong I think of the worst case scenario and wonder if we're going to have to make a decision we don't want to make for him. It can be challenging at times.

borderlinemeath

tk123 wrote: »

^^ I ask myself this all the time with Bailey. And now I'm at the stage where I've pretty much accepted that he probably won't have a long life.. so any time anything is wrong I think of the worst case scenario and wonder if we're going to have to make a decision we don't want to make for him. It can be challenging at times.

And poor Bailey has been dealt more than his fair share of ill health and mental issues . Benson is brilliant, but just sometimes I wonder would he be a different dog if he was found a bit older, or left intact until he got the chance to gain a bit of confidence.