When is a good time get another?

[Roxysmama]

My husband and I want to get another Boxer, but this time we'd like to rescue one. I know Roxy is only 4 1/2 months old and wouldn't imagine bringing another in until she's a least a year a year and 1/2 old. Is that a good span or should I wait longer? Any input would be great!
Thanks
Michele and Roxy
4 1/2 month old brindle female

 

[Kerry Jane]

The earlier the better...

My opinion is that the earlier the better...especially if you are thinking in terms of a rescue/older dog.
For one, it will give your puppy another dog to play with - when I got my 2nd boxer I wondered why I had waited so long because they had soooo much fun playing together, and I regretted the alone time my older dog had had.
Then, it all depends on the personality of your puppy and the personality of the dog you bring in, but it may be easier to introduce a new dog to a puppy.

 

[Angie K]

We did the same thing. Our female has heart problems so we went back and forth about another Puppy. We decided it would be more stress for her with a puppy than an adult rescue. So when we looked we asked for a very laid back kind of guy. Well we ended up with a great guy just what we wanted and our female still rules the roost. But she was 1yr and 8months old when we adopted him. Our male rescue's estimated age was between 18mon and 2yrs when we got him. I think by the way he acts he was more like 2 1/2 yrs old. We have had him since March 04 and they are great together. Good Luck

 

[boxer]

IMO the best time to get a second dog, whether it be puppy or rescue, is *after* your first pup has finished going through its adolescent phase. So that would mean at very least a year old, but 18 months is better.

Puppies are a lot of work, and rescue dogs can come with their own set of issues - they're not all well trained, well mannered owner surrenders I think you owe it to both dogs to be able to give them the one-on-one time they need in order to develop into happy well trained dogs. A puppy who has finished being an adolescent and has it's basic training well cemented will be a better companion for, and even tutor for, another pup or rescue.

So to your actual question, my opinion would be that 18 months is a perfect time

 

[Roxysmama]

Thanks! I thought 18 months was a good time. i just wanted others thoughts so I could show my hubby!!! I believe that our puppy deserves my total attention! She is my baby after all!!!
Thanks
Michele and Roxy

 

[kassa]

18 months sounds good to me. Yes, the dogs will probably enjoy each other, but all that good would be counteracted if you were overwhelmed. Puppies are wonderful things -- enjoy puppyhood to the fullest, then add to the family.

 

[JoeBox]

Along the same lines

We would like to add another Boxer to our family - I think this time that we will go the puppy route. With Joe he was already 1.5 years when we rescued him. He is almost 6 now. How do you all think he would react to a puppy? He's still playful, but we can tell his age is catching up on him. Would it be a good thing or a bad to bring in a puppy at his age? Thanks.

 

[Shakira's Ma]

He is almost 6 now. How do you all think he would react to a puppy? He's still playful, but we can tell his age is catching up on him. Would it be a good thing or a bad to bring in a puppy at his age? Thanks.

I am going on my personal experience and I would say if his age is catching up with him a puppy might just be too much for him. My Chow is 10 1/2 years old and if I would have known how much Shakira would want to play with this dog and how rough I would have probably either waited until the chow went to the bridge or got an older boxer. Shakira rides on this poor Chow's back and Shakira weighs more then Ebbie, I know that it hurts her and I make Shakira stop, but all the warnings in the world that Ebbie gives Shakira, Shakira will not stop, she is not the least intimidated by Ebbie. On another note, the pup may rejuvanate the older dog, you never know.

 

[geordiegirls]

Our older girl Maisie was 5 when we got puppy Ruby in feb. 2004. It really brought Maisie back to life as she had become a bit of an old lady. After a few weeks she was acting like a puppy again herself and has really got her spark back. On a sadder note our baby Ruby is very poorly and has cardiomyopathy so we won't have her much longer we dont think. We got the pup thinking that Maisie was getting on in years and we didn't want to be in the position of 'replacing' her so why not have the two together for a few years. We are gutted that this won't be the case. I would say if it feels right go for it as you can never predict how things will turn out but the one thing you can be sure of is the love you will get back from your boxers and in my opinion this outways any problems.

 

[Elyse]

We are expecting out new puppy in about 2 weeks. Nestle is 2 now and we have a 10 month old son... It just seemed like the time to get her a new baby brother. Just as the insanity calmed, we decided to get a puppy!!!

I have been told that anywhere from 1 1/2 yrs to 2 1/2 years is a great time.