Advice Please

[OEH]

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Right, as you may know, we rather unexpectedly became the proud parents of the hairy little Josephine (another whippet lurcher) last week. She is settling in fine and the other two have forgiven me and Nana thinks it is fantasic having someone to run with. Though it does have to be said that she is completely untrained.

The question is that I have a puppy booked from Lynperry whippets, a half sister to my beloved Tess, that I would be due to take home in January. My OH says that we will have to cancel it now but I am desperate not to. (I have warned the breeder that there maybe a problem). Should we go ahead?

I understand that the timing is very bad, but do you think it is too bad and we should wait for another litter (the only problem with this is that I'm not sure that he will be using this particular bitch again and I'm very keen on her).

What problems do you think we'll have if we do go ahead?

One of the main problems as far as I can see is that they'll all be within a 2 year age gap of each other.

The main advantage that I can see (appart from the fact that I soooooooooooooo want her :wub: ) is that Tess will have someone her own size to play with, she's getting left out at the moment as the others are stronger and faster.

Please be as honest as you can, I won't be too upset if you all think I'm mad to be contemplating it ( :'( :'( ) I just need advice as I'm driving myself insane thinking about it :wacko:

Thank you all for thinking about my problem :thumbsup:

 

[dessie]

Can't have enough Whippets IMO and 4 is not many!!

 

[aslan]

I am managing 5 at present as well as a fluffy-butt Husky.

Mine don't all run together though, I find them too bossy and too rough with each other -- however I know of people who have a lot more whippets than me and they all go running together without a problem.

If you want four dogs, you'll find a way to manage them. :thumbsup:

 

[becpeters]

Can't have enough Whippets IMO and 4 is not many!!

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I say go for it too, :thumbsup:

we had all these thoughts when Joshy arrived and everyone we knew thought we were nuts!!! as Harley was then 7 months old and still a complete handful, the first couple of days were a complete nightmare while we all adjusted but I look back now one month on and think it was the best thing we ever did. They love running round the fields together even though Harley is a lot bigger and faster than joshy, joshy has fun in trying to keep up, it does I believe also make it easier as sometimes they just entertain each other, which often has hilarious consequences!!! the best bit is when they are tired and have now started to snuggle up together, ah so cute!! :huggles:

Dare I say it but would even have more if the chance arose!!!!

Good luck I am sure you will make the right decision :luck:

 

[anslinmcg]

What ever you decide you will be happy.

Personnal if you have the time, energy and money just go for it?? The pleasure dogs give you is beyond comprehension at times - until they chew all the toilet paper in the house

 

[Lanakeshena]

Hi OEH,

IMO i would go ahead and get the other one as well, :- " whats one more!!!! i have less than 2 year gaps between some of mine and its not been a problem, between my 2nd and 3rd there is only a few months difference, we have 5 altogether and they have all settled into a routine.

No point in upsetting yourself and saying no when you could have another one!!!! and they have a playmate waiting for them!!!

I dont walk all five at once, the most i tend to walk is 3 or maybe 4 depending where i'm going. but that depends on your dogs. :- "

Good luck with what ever you decide to do :thumbsup:

 

[~Helen~]

I haven't got any advice, but just wanted to say good luck :luck: with whatever you decide! Lucky you, having such a wonderful dilemma :cheers: should I have three pointy-noses or four...???

 

[~Sarah~]

I think the choice depends on a variety of things such as:

- The amount of time needed to exercise 4 dogs - would you be able to exercise all together or in pairs?

- The cost of feeding/vet bills etc.

- Cost of arrangements for the dogs if you holiday abroad.

I don't think their ages are a problem, other than the fact that you will have 4 dogs ageing at the same time and if you cannot have more than 4 it means you won't be able to have another puppy for years.

But, as you say, it would be great for Tess to have a playmate, plus the breeding of the pup is what you would really like, so if you can afford it and cope with the initial settling in of a new pup, then I would say GO FOR IT. :thumbsup: :thumbsup: Josephine :wub: :wub: will be well settled in and part of the family by January, so that introducing a new pup won't really make a great deal of difference.

I would really, really love another whippet, :wacko: but because we have caravan and narrowboat holidays we feel three dogs would be too much at the moment as Bobby is such a handful at times (being a neurotic Collie X). I am sure 2 or 3 whippets would be less of a handful than Bobby!!! :lol: :lol:

Good luck with whatever you decide. :luck: :luck:

 

[Juley]

I have 4 dogs. I'd say go for it. By January things will have settled down anyway. Good luck with whatever you decide. Either way, why not keep an open mind for a bit longer. You have been honest with the breeder. As you say, if you particularly want that breeding, you may not get another chance. Of course, you have to get round the OH :lol: . I'm sure you'll think of a way!

 

[Rae]

I understand your concern - having 4 dogs all under 2 years old (w00t)

Could be total mayhem :- "

If it were me I'd really get stuck into training Josephine and by January she should be well settled and well behaved.

I exercise 5 at once, all off lead. My 2 youngest are 2 years old and they are ofcourse the wildest when we are out but I've walked with friends and their young dogs plenty of times and it's no worse :lol:

The only thing that gets to me sometimes is the hysteria as I am getting ready to walk them. Tie starts to make a noise like a chimp and Star & Leia start running and jumping all over, which makes Vader either join in or growl (depending on his mood) and then Holly barks non stop. It's my fault as I shouldn't put thier leads on or put them in the car until they calm down and behave... I really *must* do some training :b

I dont think you'd regret it as it would be nice to even the numbers up and give Tess someone to play with if she is getting left out a bit.

When our lot settle down in the evening you wouldnt know there were 5 dogs in the house.

If you are going to have lots of dogs whippies and lurchers are prefect IMHO as they are not smelly.

Ofcourse you are going to have to come up with your own plan for convincing your OH :*

 

[BeeJay]

>One of the main problems as far as I can see is that they'll all be within a 2 year age gap of each other.

Biggest problem as I see to having lots of young dogs is that they will also be lots of old dogs. Okay none of us know when our dogs are going to become ill or die. But it stands to reason that if you have lots of dogs that are more or less the same age then you are likely in the furture to be in for one hell of a lot of heart ache in a very short time period.

Can't say for certain that it will pan out like that but having them so close together in age increases the risk that it will.

 

[Karen]

I cant see any problems at all. I understand what Beejay is saying but our oldies slip away at all sorts of ages, we lost two that had two older than them and our oldest is 16 in Jan, she has out lived a few of her babies.

I think if you have 3 dogs then 4 is hardly noticable, even money wise because you buy in bulk.

My son has 4 children under 5 (w00t) now THAT is trouble.

 

[~elizabeth~]

I think Tess would probably enjoy having whippet-sized company, she was so different today without the big ones wasn't she? Exercising them separately won't be so much of a pain if and when you move.

 

[Juley]

I cant see any problems at all.  I understand what Beejay is saying but our oldies slip away at all sorts of ages, we lost two that had two older than them and our oldest is 16 in Jan, she has out lived a few of her babies.

I think if you have 3 dogs then 4 is hardly noticable, even money wise because you buy in bulk.

My son has 4 children under 5  (w00t)   now THAT is trouble.

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Yikes! (w00t) Do you baby sit only in the evenings or are you brave and do whole w/ends :lol: :lol: :thumbsup:

 

[lalena]

ultimately, you have to do what is best for the new puppy. no matter how much you want her, you may not be the best potential owner ask yourself a few simple questions first:

will she get enough exercise?

will the other dogs accept her?

do you have the room?

do you have the time to train a youngster so soon?

if you have kids, would they be ok with taking a backseat until shes settled?

do you have the money it'll take to raise her etc?

if you can do all of these, then you take the darling home!

ps, i'm not saying this to offend in any way, and i'm sure youre not irresponible, it just sometimes helps to set things out clearly. the very fact that you've asked shows that you are looking at all the angles

pps, any chance of pics? :- "

 

[noo]

We've got two and are getting ready for our third (very excited). I have to say that i've got a funny feelin we're not gonna stop there :- "

Like the last post says, if you know you can give the new one all it needs then go for it and enjoy!! (sorry to your husband for my comments :x ).

 

[Whip]

Were getting ready for our number 4 due to be born anyday now. Our oldest is 3 and we don't have any problems in fact it will be easier with 4 as you can pair them up for walks as 3 is such a pain at times when you have to walk them by yourself.

Simon

 

[Joanna]

If it is what you want, and you feel you can manage, then go for it! I think that the older we get, the less energy we have for puppies, so do it all now! :luck:

 

[*Lesley*]

I can only speak from my own experience but the main problem I found when I went from 2 to 3 is that I only had 2 hands to stroke them so I could really do with an extra hand :lol:

Seriously though if you have the time ,space and money I say do what makes you happy the puppy will obviously have a good home with lots of loving so I say do what you think is best, I also agree that it would be easier to walk 2 pairs, it looks like I need another one to even things out :- "

I also understand what Beejay is saying and that was one of my concerns with having litter sisters but when that time comes I think I will feel better in the knowledge that they have had such a happy life together as a pair and then as three with Spry, although I don't really want to think that far ahead

 

[OEH]

Thank you all for the great advice :thumbsup: I have decided to give OH a break on the subject until the litter is born (a few weeks to go yet). He's getting rather stressed. Then I'll try to get some pics of them :wub: