Hello everyone. I am looking for opinions regarding the addition of a new dog to our household. We currently have an almost 10 year old Boxer/Beagle mix and a 5 year old Golden or Lab??mix. Our boxer mix, Hamlet, is a male and has been with us since he was 8 weeks old. He is the reason that all of our future dogs will be Boxers! We ADORE him and his boxer personality. Our other dog, Izzie, is a female and has been with us since she was about 1. The only issue we have ever had with the two of them was the day Izzie came home and tried to eat from Hamlet's bowl. He set her straight and they have been fine ever since.
We are looking to add a Boxer puppy as I know that my Hamlet won't live forever…and we would like our new dog to learn some of Hamlet's behaviors etc. We have watched him change Izzie for the better.
In my research, I have come across a breeder who has a 1 year old male that he is willing to let go to a pet family. I know I cannot say names of Breeders on this site but he is in North Carolina and Mexico and seems to be quite reputable and has beautiful dogs.
My question is this…my husband is on board with a trained dog vs. a puppy but I am concerned that Hamlet would have to "defend" his "alpha" role if we added another male who was not a small puppy. He is getting old and I don't want him to be stressed by this…does that make sense?
Any advice? (This dog is not going to be shown or bred because his testicles did not descend..I don't know that that has any relevance but figured I would share)
Sorry this is sooooo long and thanks for any words of wisdom!!
kelley in NC
We are looking to add a Boxer puppy as I know that my Hamlet won't live forever…and we would like our new dog to learn some of Hamlet's behaviors etc. We have watched him change Izzie for the better.
In my research, I have come across a breeder who has a 1 year old male that he is willing to let go to a pet family. I know I cannot say names of Breeders on this site but he is in North Carolina and Mexico and seems to be quite reputable and has beautiful dogs.
My question is this…my husband is on board with a trained dog vs. a puppy but I am concerned that Hamlet would have to "defend" his "alpha" role if we added another male who was not a small puppy. He is getting old and I don't want him to be stressed by this…does that make sense?
Any advice? (This dog is not going to be shown or bred because his testicles did not descend..I don't know that that has any relevance but figured I would share)
Sorry this is sooooo long and thanks for any words of wisdom!!
kelley in NC