Second Whippet??

[Jillb]

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Hi all, we have always planned a second whippet when my first reached around 18 months which he now has. We have always been led to believe whips need other whips in their life, however, we have recently been getting a lot of negative advice related to getting a second dog and we are now confused and wondering if we should or not.

We have been told by different people that have owned 2 dogs in the past (not whippets) the following and more:

1) my dog is used to being spoilt & having lots of attention and may be made very unhappy having to share the home with a second dog.

2) my current dog will lose his special bond with us and his 'personality' as once a second dog comes along he will only be interested in the dog and not us.

3) They may not be any company for each other when we are out as it's not each other they want it's us so we would have two dogs pining for us instead of one.

Very contradictory advice which has puts doubts in our head and it's why we're hesitating. I know lots of you are multiple whippet owners & I'm sure you will poo poo the above and i'm hoping that you do.

I would appreciate your opinions and advice related to bringing a second whippet into the home.

Thank you in advance.

J

 

[meddling]

I think myself that dogs need other dogs :huggles: - I have two or three always - exercise each other, enjoy the togetherness :huggles: and love to sleep on top of each other :huggles: - but from reading other posts - two whippets are twice the trouble :unsure: as well as twice the fun ) - you won't lose your bond with your present Whippet :huggles: - but they will at least have each other when you're out...cause mayhem together :lol:

 

[Rebecca Claire]

Its always a difficult decision but an exciting one at the same time. Everyone will have their views and there are loads of questions; Is your whippet good with other dogs? Is your whippet spade/castrated? Does your whippet love playing with other dogs? Whats the general character like????? Will they get on???

All I can say, is that I have always had two or three dogs at a time, but when I only had Rocky last year he was my companion and went everywhere with me, but on walks he wasn't as lively and rarely left my side. When my OH and I decided to get another we got Bailey at 11 weeks (around August time this year)and its the best thing we have done - Rocky loves his walks so much more, he has a whippet friend all day long and still go everywhere with me - its brought him a new lease of life (he's 8 and 1/2)!!! PLUS I don't believe you lose your bond because you have another dog, just make sure your whippet is welcome/feed/cuddled first to know they are top dog :huggles:

Truly wish you all the best in your decision and sure we will see a new thread on here from you saying you have another whippet (w00t) :luck:

 

[affieluver]

i must admit having a second dog has done wonders for my other dog it certainly never caused any jealousy and i still have a bond that can never be broken with my first dog as long as you treat them both the same and dont leave your first dog out which is easily done then you shouldnt have too many problems and you will probably find yourself redundant and jealous of the love they show each other :lol: i know i did especially when they slept in a bed together my first dog had only ever slept with me before bless them :huggles: good luck with your decision you know your dog best so will have some idea of how he /she will take it keep us updated :thumbsup:

 

[urchin]

Hi Jill

Gosh, people really have been trying to put you off haven't they? Luckily you're in the right place for the other side of the argument

1) my dog is used to being spoilt & having lots of attention and may be made very unhappy having to share the home with a second dog.

Yes, this could happen, but only if you let it! Although the new kid in the house is an exciting novelty you just have to make sure that everyone pays just as much attention to numero uno. My way of doing this is to make sure I greet Digit first, give him a big fuss - then I turn to Bloggs.

2) my current dog will lose his special bond with us and his 'personality' as once a second dog comes along he will only be interested in the dog and not us.

Well, I was thinking of an argument for this - but I just keep thinkin Naaaah! Why on earth would this happen? Your dog already thinks of you as part of the pack (hopefully the leader!) why on earth would you suddenly be less interesting?

3) They may not be any company for each other when we are out as it's not each other they want it's us so we would have two dogs pining for us instead of one.

This is the one I thought most about when getting a second dog. I specifically wanted a friend for Digit, rather than a dog he would learn to tolerate. As getting a young pup is not an option with the working hours I do - I took in a dog that Dij had met several times and I knew they were good mates already.

good luck with whatever you decide :luck:

 

[georgina]

I have to agree with what has been said - my whippets are always cuddled up together and really enjoy chasing each other.

lots of luck :luck:

 

[jinx and rubys mum]

Great advice as usual

I agree that 2 are better than 1

They play and sleep together but Jinx always gets everything first and Ruby knows her place in the family pack

 

[Janimal]

I worried about these self same things when I got Kobi. Oscar was 8 months old when we got him at 12 weeks of age.

I worried things would never be the same, would they fight, would they be jealous of one another. I can understand your concern though....

I suppose it dosnt always go smooth with some owners, but I wouldnt change a thing now.....and I also have another Archie who is now 9 months old.

One or two people said to me to be careful with 3 males in the same household, but touchwood everything has gone better than Id ever imagined. and its lovely to see them running and playing together, and especially snuggling up together. :huggles:

You are obviously thinking carefully before jumping in so to speak, Id say You will know when the time is right....dont get another until you feel certain you are doing the right thing. :thumbsup:

 

[phill]

Great, All Your answers have given us the answers to the same questions we would ask.As we would like another whippet when Eric is older.

Which get on best? Dog and Bitch or 2 dogs? Obviously neautered/spayed.

 

[Rebecca Claire]

I have always had dogs, some were neutered, some weren't, and all luckily got on. Rocky is neutered and Bailey will be once he is 10 months old as only one of his chaps have dropped!!!!! With regards to bitches and dogs, believe they all would get on but will leave that answer to the more experienced K9'ers :thumbsup: Can't wait to hear your outcome on what you decide :luck: :luck:

 

[meddling]

Can't help much on that one - I've a neutered dog, spayed bitch and entire bitch and they all get on just fine :huggles:

 

[argos1]

hi glad someone has asked this question we have seriously been thinking about getting a second whippy but we are just not sure we think princess phoebe would dearly love someone to play with and if we had the space and money we would have every whippy we could get hold of lol, but our concern is that we have really really spoiled phoebe like real bad we dont see her as a dog 2 us she is a baby and we worry that she may not take to us sharing our love with another dog she gets real jealous if we even stroke one in the park,she has never been left alone ever not even in the house for 5 mins she comes everywhere with me even to the loo and in the shower andi just worry how she will cope seeing mummy sitting cuddling another whippy.....what do you think?? kat.xx

 

[wigglesworth]

Hi. How exciting! I agree with Urchin - people have been trying to put you off!! We went from no whippets to two whippets and brought two totally unrelated whippets home on the same day - a calculated risk but both dogs came from homes with a pack situation so we were confident they would adjust.

They both also had super, super temperaments that seemed to compliment each other. We have a (now) neutered male and entire bitch, both the same age. Our boy is soft and mellow while our girl is bossy and cheeky (w00t) .

It took probably two weeks from being total strangers before ours became so close you would never know they had been apart. They bomb around, play, snuggle and keep each other warm and secure when we're not there. And they seem to adore us and look to us for leadership, so I think the point about them losing interest in you is nonsense.

Good luck. I'd say go for it!! :luck: :thumbsup:

 

[Jillb]

Thank you for all your replies. To answer a few questions, my dog is due to be neutered soon as his testicles haven't dropped. He is generally good with other dogs and is very playful and energetic.

I only work part time so I do spend a lot of time with my dog and we do make walks fun - lots of frisbee throwing and playing, he always gets plenty of exercise, however, saying that you can't beat 2 whips running together and that doesn't happen very often as you don't see many whippets where I live.

Argos1 I totally know where you are coming from, we too treat our whippet like that so perhaps it's a good thing to introduce another dog into the mix.

Thanks again, I will let you know what I decide.

 

[madbella]

Or you get the best of both worlds like I am lucky enough to have.

Austin is an only dog at home, but when I am at work he goes to my mum's and she has a whippet too.

They do play, but when he was tiny we had to keep him on the lead as their garden is big and he would have gotten hurt.

My parents dog is about 9 and has always been an only dog, she is now more energetic and plays with toys when Austin is there!! We were worried as to how she would react to Austin in her house, but it was fine.

I wouldn't get another dog as I don't have the time or money, but Austin has his cousin so he gets the best of both worlds too.

And if we want extra whippet fun we just give bex a call and the 2 of us and our 3 whippet go out terrorising the country side!!!!

 

[Judy]

Personally, I think dogs are social animals and it seems a bit mean to keep just one.....There now you have to get another dog

If you get a puppy, you first dog won't resent it as he will clearly be dominant if only because of age. Its a lot easier than trying to introduce an older dog.

Having more than one only emphasises their personalties as you then realise what characteristics are just them being dogs and which are there very own personality traits.

They are bound to be more company for each other when you go out than if they were left totally alone. I don't really understand the idea that they won't be :unsure:

Good luck. I wouldn't have any hesitation

 

[Cornish]

Hi Jill, we are very much like you and Sidney is now 26 months old and we are off to get our second bundle of fluff on Saturday.

I am both nervous and excited as like you I was told the same about Sidney feeling left out and all that you listed.

You know you want to lol

I wish you lots of luck :huggles:

 

[phill]

I agree with what most people have said,That whippets are better in pairs :- "

Eric has a whippy friend he see's fairly regular on his Runs/walks and it is fab to see them run and play together.He does with all dogs but they can't keep up with him :lol: :lol: :thumbsup:

 

[whippetmad]

Good luck whatever you decide :luck:

 

[JAX]

Now , why would anyone want TWO ( or more ) whippets

Whippets just love other whippet friends to snuggle up to and play with :huggles: . Even out walking or in the car they can recognise fellow whippets and want to play .

Trust me , you wont regret it