How Long Should I Wait?

[pixypup]

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Hi everyone,

Hoping for some advice! My lovely Dora is now almost 9 months old and settling down nicely It was always my plan to get another whippet, but I'm just not sure when is best. My friend stayed with me for a couple of weeks with her lurcher and Dora loved having a canine playmate.

With one bitch, should it be another bitch or does it not matter (I'm not fussed and won't be breeding)?

Should I wait until Dora is older - a year, 18 months - and get another puppy?

Should I try to find an older whippy or is that really difficult? Ideally I wouldn't want one older than about 3.

Will it be really hard to stop at 2?

Thanks

 

[eve]

Impossible to stop at 2

2 bitches are nice and will sort out who is boss themselves. If you get a puppy as opposed to an older rescue, there will be less chance of personality clashes as Dora will lead and puppy follow. There is a lot to think about regarding timing with a puppy. Do you have holidays planned for the Summer, can you be at home more in the first few weeks. Dora's age is not quite so relevant here.

I favour rescues. There are often older bitches for sale on eZpups or contact JR whippet rescue. An older bitch may take a while to settle in it depends on previous circumstances, she will probably be dominant over Dora if she is over 3. If you are considering an older bitch, soon would probably be better rather than later. In another few months Dora's hormones will be in full flow (unless she is neutered already).

A dog could work well too. Plenty of young dogs about needing homes and for sale on eZpups. Whippet rescues tend to have a much longer waiting list for bitches under 4.

I like having a dog in my pack, they are so affectionate. If you are not fussed, I would personally try and find a nice young dog 1 yr - 3 yrs. I took on Toddy at 7 months (he had been stuck in a kennel for 3 months). He has proved really hard work but 8 months on things are at last starting to improve. He requires a huge amount of walking to keep him calm. He is such a sweetheart that even with the initial problems, we would never give up. He has however put me off having a puppy in the future.

From now on I will stick to rescues and preloved. Rescues and preloved whippets are so rewarding.

Have you considered a lurcher or small greyhound?

Keep us posted what you decide.

 

[~Sarah~]

Hi

I got Remmy when Dolly was 3 years old and have never regretted it for a moment. Remmy was then nearly a year old, so not too puppyish!! She settled in so quickly and they get on well. :wub: :wub: Dolly is the boss and Remmy has such a sweet nature she doesn't seem to mind.

I love having 2 whippets - they snuggle up together and love each other's company, whereas Bobby (our Collie X) isn't particularly bothered.

I think I would always have 2 (or more whippets) but I am not sure about the best timing for you. I suppose a lot depends on Dora, your family set-up, and whether you decide on a puppy, which could be a handful with Dora still being young, or an older dog/bitch. I don't show or race, so for me I would probably rehome or rescue an older bitch in the future.

 

[Janimal]

I own all male dogs and they all get along brilliantly which isnt always the case...but anyway Oscar was only 9 months old

when I introduced Kobi...and then Archie when Kobi was 2. They are now aged 5, Kobi almost 5 and Archie almost 3.

All I can add is that I wish Id had Oscar trained a little better, before Kobi came along...because its more difficult to have one to one time, but if

you feel the time is right Id go for it....puppies adapt very well in their new surroundings with another whippet for company.

Good luck...whatever you decide... :luck: there are so hard and fast rules, just whatever suits you and your lifestyle at the time.... Im sure you wont regret it.

 

[AnnSa]

I have 4 bitches with a year roughly between them all.

 

Worked fine for me but i wouldn't say this was the way

other people choose to add to their pack. We all have

different thoughts/lives and have to do whats right for

us as individuals.

 

I will say though my four are very close, i dont know if

its because of the ages they were added or not

 

Here's a couple of pictures i took of them lazing around

this morning.....

 

[Janimal]

I have 4 bitches with a year roughly between them all. 

Worked fine for me but i wouldn't say this was the way

other people choose to add to their pack. We all have

different thoughts/lives and have to do whats right for

us as individuals.

 

I will say though my four are very close, i dont know if

its because of the ages they were added or not

 

Here's a couple of pictures i took of them lazing around

this morning.....

......Awww Happy contented Girls too :wub:

 

[~Sarah~]

I have 4 bitches with a year roughly between them all. 

Worked fine for me but i wouldn't say this was the way

other people choose to add to their pack. We all have

different thoughts/lives and have to do whats right for

us as individuals.

 

I will say though my four are very close, i dont know if

its because of the ages they were added or not

 

Here's a couple of pictures i took of them lazing around

this morning.....

Beautiful photos of your gorgeous girls Ann. :wub: :wub: :wub: :wub: Makes me want another one or two, but OH keeps the reins on me. :lol:

 

[littlenell]

:wub: i love that second picture - no stress there then lol!

 

[Trish]

aww lovely pics of your girls AG , any time suits me adding to the pack and its always worked wel, weve never had any problems l :thumbsup:

 

[pixypup]

Beautiful pictures! Thanks everyone, I think I will just declare myself open to another whippet and see what the universe turns up! Though after seeing that poor abandoned girl with her pups, I am leaning towards a rescue... there aren't many to be had in my part of the country, though, they get snapped up pretty quickly.

Dora hasn't had her first season yet, still waiting! It's just me and the boyf, so no issues with kids, but it would have to be a whippet - he has asthma and is terribly allergic to cats, and our previous dog was a fairly smooth-coated whippet/greyhound lurcher but he was still pretty allergic to him, but doesn't seem to be allergic to Dora at all!

I also thought I might contact Dora's breeder and see if any of her previous pups need a rehome ) .