Time for Serious Thought

mimiretz

mimiretz

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Ever since Oberon turned about 9 months old and became more dog than puppy, we've kind of toyed with the idea of getting another Sheltie. However, the apartment complex we live in has a limit of 2 pets per apartment and since we have Oberon and Casanova, we always knew it was more of a daydream than anything else.

Life is never static. We're in the process of buying a townhouse (closing is Thursday, we're moving in 6/20) and won't have the same restrictions. AND the townhouse is more than twice the size of the apartment we're living in here (3000 sq ft versus 1200). So now we're having serious discussions about getting a second potato ch -- er, Sheltie.

I'd love to hear from all of you with multiple Shelties regarding the good and bad. If we do get another, it'll probably be in the fall, so they'll be about 2 years apart -- good timing? We were thinking a female, since I've heard opposite genders do better than 2 males. Any advice, words of wisdom, warnings, etc is more than welcome.
 
We have four Shelties and a Papillion. We also live in a rural area and have a dog door. So barking and going out isn't a problem.

I'd say the main thing to consider is expense -- vet care is costly and absolutely necessary as our seniors age. That said, I can't think of anything else I'd rather spend money on.
 
2 years is a good age gap. Male/female- good gender mix. I have four- certainly not going to vote against a second sheltie:pop
cost of food/vet care etc/ not enough time for each dog but still, two can entertain each other when you need to do things that sheltie help slows down:winkgrin:
 
I calculate that it costs about $1,000 to $1,500 per year to keep a Sheltie. That's with enhanced feeding and standard vet care. If you're the type who runs to the vet for every little untoward sign it's going to cost a lot more.
 
Congratulations on becoming a home owner! Two is nice, especially if you have two people to sort of "mine/yours" it. OK, that may just be that I and my husband are both only children and we don't share well -- we just have two of everything -- but it's nice to walk each with a dog or sit on the couch watching a movie and each cuddle a dog. The age difference / gender difference is good. Honestly, though, the best times we have had is male / male. The females are a whole different dynamic and the male / male combo is more relaxed and "buddy" like. I like females. I enjoy my female, Melli. I don't think the boys really and truly do. I would say consider the barking. They will bark more together than alone. Also, if you forsee that one will be left home while the other goes to do this or that, not a good idea. However, if you can take both to things all the time, great idea. If you forsee having to leave them home more because there are two, not a good idea. I have three. Melli is super carsick. The shepherd does not do well in public. I think we give up a lot of things because taking them all is a pain. I can see wanting to do more if I had, say, only Cubby. When we had only the shepherd we did a lot. Is the dog home alone a lot (like during work) and might like a companion? On the other hand is the cat a good enough companion to be happy? Melli would be thrilled to be alone with the 2 cats. The shepherd would too. Cubby wouldn't. He would eat the walls. Gosh. I don't know if I am being helpful but I think I talked myself out of getting another dog for a very long time.
 
Mignarda said:
I calculate that it costs about $1,000 to $1,500 per year to keep a Sheltie. That's with enhanced feeding and standard vet care. If you're the type who runs to the vet for every little untoward sign it's going to cost a lot more.
Click to expand...
Lol, and if you do agility with your pup, it will cost you more like $1000 per month, between classes, workshops, entry fees, and hotel rooms :-)
 
Cubby - being home alone isn't a problem; I work at home.

As far as doing with one and not the other, the only thing that comes to mind is I would take the new puppy to Puppy Playtime for socialization; Oberon would stay home during that time because he's just too old. The expense is an issue, but our vet only gives a discount for multi-pet households (travelling vet). I don't run to him with every little thing; having 3 kids (one of whom was accident prone) trained me out of that. We do feed high-quality food (Fromm's) but I think the cost evens out over time because they eat so much less than they would of a lower quality food.

I really, really appreciate all the feedback. It's something we'll have to give a lot of thought to - but right now I'd say we're leaning yes.
 
I DO think two is really a nice number. We nearly always have had two. Three, honestly, is one too many except for those times when I take Cubby for training, activities, visiting my Mom, etc. Then there are the two at home to sort of keep company. You will have fun with two. You will have fun being a homeowner. It's SO different than renting.
 
I have three--two females, ages 12 and 10, and a male, 10. The younger girl arrived about three years after the first two. They regard her as "the pesky little sister." And she is. She's a pushy, hyper, pain in the neck. But they also travel together in the yard a tiny herd and sleep cuddled together. Three is a lot...but if you can afford it, why not?
 
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