My name is Richard and me and my family all live in the beautiful county of Cornwall UK, a dog walkers paradise We have just (4 weeks ago) got ourselves a beautiful pure black Labrador called 'Alfie' who is now 15 weeks old. I have a question for anyone who knows anything about X breeds. I was seriously contemplating going to see and get a dalmation X collie tonight and wondered if anyone knew anything about them, temperament etc, would it settle in with a lab ??? It's 7 to 8 weeks old, short haired, mainly spots with a few patches, there are 5 boys and 3 girls, again which is better a boy or a girl (our lab is a boy) Any help would be hugely appreciated and I look forward to chatting to you all Rich
I wouldn't even be considering another puppy yet, you will need lots of time & effort to train the puppy you already have. You could end up with dogs that bond closer to each other than the humans they life with & the older puppy can revert back to younger behaviour. As a breeder I would never ever sell anyone a puppy who already had a puppy of a similar age especially not a cross of two such high drive/maintenance breeders(not that I would breed such a cross)
Firstly hello from a fellow Lab owner To answer your question: the crossbreed you describe will need a HUGE amount of exercise and mental stimulation. Labs, once they are old enough to cope with 'full' exercise, also need a lot, and they also typically need a great deal of attention and affection etc. So personally, I would not advise having two such young dogs, both of which will need so much energy, patience, time and attention. There is also the risk that the two puppies will bond very closely with each other and that you/your family will thus become a type of secondary influence - not a situation you would want, presumably? This may not be the response you wanted but as a Lab owner myself, I would strongly urge you to focus on the lovely Lab puppy you have for now. Once your Lab is a bit older and you have him walking nicely on the lead, with a really good recall, and good manners etc, THEN that is the time to start thinking of getting a second dog. Just my opinion
If you`re going to get a cross, why not get an older one from a Rescue? That way you`ll know what he`ll be like re size and temperament? It`s never possible to predict exactly what a cross will be like when mature.
Hi Richard Any particular reason you want to get another dog when your existing puppy is only 4 months old? no good breeder, vet, trainer, behaviourist, etc., would ever recommend getting two puppies within such a short period of time. I'm afraid you have the worst yet to come with your puppy. Labrador puppies are normally pretty easy (with the exception of the biting and rambunctiousness!) before they hit the doggy teenage phase, when all your hard work tends to go out of the window. You will have to wait until your puppy is around 7-8 months to see what I mean, because I assure you that you will NOT want another puppy when you have a 'teenage' Lab on your hands. Wait until your Lab is at least 18 months old then maybe think about adding another. However you may find that depend on your dogs behaviour (my male Labrador was still a royal pain in the backside at 18 months) you may not be ready for another. As for purchasing crossbreed puppies, I personally would never purchase one as in my opinion you are supporting irresponsible breeding. What I would do, however, is rescue a crossbreed puppy.
I agree. And also with Labradork.. Another dog may not be best yet...Louie is 15 months old and we've only just started contemplating (as a couple - I've been doing it for months ) another dog.
I have to say I would really consider it, there are positive and negative points, but can you cope with it? How well do you know dogs, if it starts to go negative how will you be able to handle it? How much time do you have to dedicate to each dog? I have grown up with many dogs, but the ones important here are a pair of terrier crosses, litter mates, they were great, we had one who loved people, still does, and one who preferred to be with her brother, but was good with people, they would play with each other, and me and my friend were always in charge of them, we took them out all the time, we did our own training with them, both were great at pulling scooters! And even walking to heel off lead, but they did have their issues, when things went wrong, it went wrong with two dogs, when things got chewed, if one was doing it, both were doing it, they attempt to devour the bottom step, one day I remember everyone coming home to find the concrete powder mix clawed open, and spread everywhere, including on the dining room table where my animal rescue booked was chewed to within a inch of its life, and jealousy occurred aswell, and as they were the same age, they had to be neutered and spayed early too, and because of the jealousy they had, the nipping the puppies do went on for longer, but that was bad training to, taking time out for saying it hurt, so the dogs knew that if they wanted attention all they had to do was nip! So litter mates can be hard, but they can be great, but you have to be prepared for both things, and although your dogs aren't litter mates, it may be worth considering. Also I now have two sighthound crosses, they are six months between them, and again I've been in charge of them, and their training since I was fourteen, and I have to say, they've been a dream, for them its worked, they've kept each other company, the older ones taught the younger one, good and bad, and being a simalar age and type they are able to understand each other, and have a close bond, but not too close that I'm ignored, infact the opposite, like today we were on a walk, and all the kids were holding them, but they couldn't get a certain distance behind or infront of me at any point during the walk! They listen well, if I spend time with them training, will do so, but for Diesel only if he wants too, or theres something in it for him! But again when things go pear shaped, its not one dog, but two you have to gain control of, it really can be a case of double trouble, and never forget that bit! As I can't stress it enough. Hope any of that helps you anyway.
