add another boxer to the fam? (long)

[BEMarley]

now it's my turn.... I've seen this subject posted many times and when I get some more time I'm going to do a search and re-read them all....but my hubby and I are thinking about getting another boxer. And the hardest thing is that we've already got our heart set on one that we saw at the rescue (same one that we got Marley from) I'm leaning towards "no" and my hubby is leaning towards "yes". (of course) These are my doubts....we have a small house and small yard. I wish they were bigger just for one dog let alone two. Another one is financial. Granted just food and the vet wouldn't be that much more, right? As long as they're both healthy. Then there's my parents, our primary baby sitters. It took them a while to warm up to Marley and now they absolutely love him. The few times a year they watch him I think they actually look forward to! (Marley does too...) There's no way they would watch two dogs. So who would watch two big dogs?

But I talk to people who have more than one dog and they swear by it....they think it's more fair to the dogs. Then they have one of "their own" to play with. They wouldn't have it any other way. So they talk my ear off and get me on "their side." Then I'm all ready to get another! Yippee!

Then I'll talk to someone who only has one dog and they love it that way and think we're crazy for wanting another. So they give me all their reasons and doubts and then I'm siding with them and think one dog is enough.

So yes, I'm being a wishy-washy woman! What should I do? I'm sure most of you will try to talk me into getting another, right? But another thing to consider....we might want to have skin-kids some day. Are we really crazy then? Two boxers and one newborn?

Ugh...what to do? I'm driving my husband nuts with all this!

 

[M&M'sMaMa]

HI BEMarley!
I've mentioned this before in other posts but I have two and I would never have only one dog ever again.

At first I only wanted one but my fiance wanted two. We did some asking around and decided two would be best. We got two littermates so it's alittle different than your situation but even with housebreaking...if one has to pee, most likely they both do! We also just had them spayed and neutered which cost us a pretty penny but we really prepped financially for the pups so we knew what we were in for.
They play all day together and they still love us so much. I hope you make the best decision for you and your family! But i think if you get the second boxer you will realize that you will recieve twice the love!

 

[M&M'sMaMa]

Oh...i forgot something... when we go away we normally have my fiance's sister dog sit... it seems like two would be harder to watch but in my opinion it's easier because they have each other to play with! Good luck!

 

[busters mum]

Personly if you need advice or reassurance or some one to talk you in to taking on 2 then you shouldnt. I think its a to big deal, to do and then hope it works out. What if you regret it, or the novelty wears off?
You mentioned that you had a small house and garden that you would like bigger for one dog, So dont do it. Wait untill you are 100 % certain and dont need to ask anyone for their thoughts because you have your own confidence and certainty within yourself.
Im sure you have the answer yourself.

And yes 2 dogs may be happy and play together etc. But your dog is still happy now with you as his companion. Im not trying to put you off but just reading between the lines I think you shouldnt.
GOODLUCK with your decision!

 

[charlott1073]

Two Boxers

I have two, got them together they are littermates. You should consider the expense; vet, food, toys, medication. My vet bills alone the first year (got them at 8wks) were $1500.00. I'm spending $240.00 alone this year on heartworm medicine. If you are like me, you only want the best for them, the best cost.

All that aside, I would not have it any other way. The love each other, they are inseparble.

 

[BEMarley]

(Marley's Dad)

Marley is two and Liesel the possible second boxer is one. Marley is trained pretty well. Marley is a well behaved boxer. Liesel is in a rescue and she is house broken. So the puppy thing is not an issue. We would definitely have the two meet a few times before we could even make a decision. Marley was one when we got him.

 

[charlott1073]

Two Boxers

I have two, got them together they are littermates. You should consider the expense; vet, food, toys, medication. My vet bills alone the first year (got them at 8wks) were $1500.00. I'm spending $240.00 alone this year on heartworm medicine. If you are like me, you only want the best for them, the best cost.

All that aside, I would not have it any other way. The love each other, they are inseparble.

 

[BEMarley]

Buster's mum....you're good! Was is pretty obvious from my message that I'm a little nervous about this? What about my husband's message? Can you tell that he's the one that wants another boxer?

Yes, I do have my doubts. But I was also freaking out before we got our first one....and now I can't imagine life without him. So, IF it happens I know I'll get used to it and will make things work out. All the pros will far outweigh the cons like they did the first time. (cuz in all my freaking out all I thought about was the cons) If we had a bigger house and yard this would be a much easier decision for me.

So we'll keep thinking about it.... my husband's being very good with me and all my wishy-washiness.

 

[ladyluck_t]

Personaly, i dont think you are wishy washy, i think this is a life style change, a major decision in you and your family's life. Just like deciding whether to have another child or not. It is also not a bad idea to get some information and opinions about any major decision.
My mother gets really mad at me cause i ask everyone in the family for their opinions/advice on any major decision, then i do what i feel is best for me and my family. This may or may not be following any of the aforementioned advice. I have tried to explain to her, that i am gather information/opinions. so that i can see the issue from ALL possible sides.To me, this is how i make educated decisions, cause how on earth can you make an "educated" decision without information??? Heck, it took me 3 months to decised on a good bed! and if it took that long for something not so important in the greater scheme, i can see how adding another "child" to your family may take you some time.

Now to your orginal question, i think i would do what B&T's mommy did and write out ALL of the pro's and con's that you have thought of (if you write them down you may not count the same one twice :D i do that ALOT) and talk them over with your husband, it sounds like you will be the primary caregiver, and that should be taken into consideration by both of you.
I have been having the same conversation with myself about getting another boxer! (since there isnt a DH to argue with ) I started with fostering at a local rescue (not a boxer one, although the next time i foster it will be with the boxer one) this gave me a real feel for having 2 dogs, you might try that as well.

Anyhow, good luck and hope this helped!
Carolyn and Katie

 

[weslager]

My two cents.....

We are considering getting a third, it's crazy yes, but we are considering it.

It's like adding another child to the family, you have to weigh both the good and bad, I personally write them down, and then my dh write's his down, and we compare, and we see what we come up with. With my kids getting a teeny tiny bit older, I allow them their two cents.

Financially, I can see how this could be a damper. It does make a difference. But if you both agree that you want another boxer, think about things that you can do to cut costs, i.e. eating out.

Room wise, I don't have a huge house, or a huge yard, but I do make sure I take my two out at least once a day for a good walk, or a good run. They are still nutty in the house though,

As for the baby sitters, talk with them about it, that's all you can do with them. If they warmed up to one, who knows, they may warm up to another?

Good luck!