Good time for a new puppy?

[PollyGirl]

Ok, since I joined this forum and started looking at all the beautiful pups that are being adopted and also all the folks that have more than one corgi, I'm been toying with the thought of getting another. But with living here in the UK right now(everything really expensive, esp pets!) and a new baby and a small house/yard, I think it may be best to wait until we're back in the states. By the time that happens though, Polly will be 5 years old and I'm wondering if it'll be harder for her to get used to another pup if she's older or if I should consider getting one sooner while she's younger. What do you all think? I'm kinda leaning more towards waiting, but I'd like more input.

[CorgiMum]

From my own experience, I see no problem in waiting.

Montrose was 18 mo old when we brought Thomas into our home, he passed over to the Bridge when he was 18 mo old and then Dylan came to join us. So Miss Montrose was 3 then.

Montrose is now 13.5 and Dylan was 10 in Sep, and our newest family member is Danny who was born July 10th of this year.

Danny and Dylan are becoming great pals, and my only concern is to make sure that Dylan gets enough rest (for his age) from all the running & wrestling matches that the two engage in.:SMILE:

[manymuddypaws]

I would wait- it will be no easier or harder on Polly at whichever age you decide to get a puppy. And from the sounds of it you have your hands full! (and a move coming soon!) in the meantime you can ooh and aaah over everyone elses puppy! that's what I do!

-amanda

[Merlincorgi]

Waiting would be just fine. Really.. if she does good with other dogs already now that is not likely to change. I have almost always kept two dogs and sometime there was a big age difference, other times not (like my two boys now are 1 and 2 years old... but I've had an 11 year old with a puppy as well, with good results.. it all depends on the dogs). Also... and you will know this better than I do, but the hassles of transporting the dogs back to the US would be twofold with another one.... especially with young kids. (Transporting the dogs is my biggest concern if we get the overseas assignment to Germany that we are hoping for!) Really.. I think the best you can do now is get Polly out with other dogs to socialize her as much as possible... then she'll be much more willing and ready to have a new playmate when you come back to the States, regardless of her age. Then again... if you happen to find a really great puppy there, that could be fun too right?! I know.. not much help!

[glencorgi]

I think you are right to wait until you return to the States. A five year old dog, if they are good with other dogs, will be fine with a puppy. There will be adjustments of course, but usually not a problem to work out.

Debbie

[Jespah]

I agree with everyone here - I got Jemma when Rupert was five years old and he adapted to her and bonded just fine! They wrestle and FRAP and have a grand ole Corgi time!!

[MissGambler's+Mojo'sMommy]

Miss Gambler was barely over three years old when she found Mojo, now we had not planned on getting another dog, but in my opinion, Miss Gambler needed the age and maturity in order to handle a crazy puppy. I would think that an older dog would have more of a calming effect than a younger(especially a puppy) would. I would not worry about waiting at all, if anything, I think that it will give your older dog some youth back, I know that Miss G is much perkier and will probably live longer.

[jcj528]

I agree with everyone, too. Waiting will work. Zack and Zoey will be 7 and 6 next year and in the last 14 months I have brought a whole slew of dogs (mostly very young puppies) through the house. The result: Zack ignored them and Zoey played with them. Two of the transients have stayed on and joined the team and all four get along about 90 percent of the time. Not bad at all!

[MVons]

My opinion based on Pepper who lived to 15, when she was 12-13 was when she was too old to adjust to a new puppy. 5 seems young and no problem. Your child being older may be able to participate more with a new puppy too...which is a dream, I might add.

[mtoy]

I think that it will give your older dog some youth back, I know that Miss G is much perkier and will probably live longer.

Millie will be 11 in a few weeks, Link has definitely made her perkier and more interested in everything. She had "issues" before we got Link, and still has them, but they are greatly reduced (like her "no touching" rule for other dogs - my jaw dropped to the floor the first time I saw her touch him and when she let him touch her). Overall she acts years younger now.

[Kassie]

Megan and Costello were 16 when we got maeve at 7 Months. She helped Meg regain her youth and took care of cos. Both have passed on now and we got Aine who is 1 year younger. The only problem with that is we will probably loose 2 close together again, which was hard. At 5 or so your dog will still be young and your little one older. Sounds like a plan. Even with 2 I look at the puppies and get the bug! I just tell myself to look and not touch!

[ZdogZ]

Zip was 7 when we got Zia and 8 when we got Zeke. Getting Zia totally changed Zip for the best. He plays and plays with her, and his attitude changed for the better drastically! Good luck with your decision!

[MVons]

If you have decided to wait, do NOT go near an available puppy. My son and I held a 6 week old border collie and we melted hearing the little puppy snorts. We held her because the owner had just gotten the puppy so we had no risk. It was total joy to hold a young puppy, small, light weight, sigh... Puppies grow up too quick.

[bunnybutts]

If you do decide to get a 2nd corgi I would go with a male for Polly. I have 2 Girls and they can have issues with each other (dont know if this is just corgis or all females) Mine suddenly started fighting when Chloe became a teen. It took a little while for me to learn what made them fight (me mostly) and how to stop conflicts b4 they started (thanks Debbie Glencorgi & Peggy). Now they hardly ever fight..

Emma will be 9 in July and Chloe just turned 2 on Christmas. I dont think age was an issue but sex can be. Two males seem fine together and so do a male/female combo. Two females can live fine together but you may need to do a little Referee work at times :CUTE: