You don't need to be an 'investor' to invest in Singletrack: 6 days left: 95% of target - Find out more
8 years ago when we moved here, we were in desperate need of some furniture. For reasons far too complex to explain, we returned with no tables but one labrador after a big old barn we visited happened to be owned by a lady with one pup left. It'd been returned as the family it was originally sold to ended up having a fur allergy
[url= https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3041/2874192003_9b4b9b4f72_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c4.staticflickr.com/4/3041/2874192003_9b4b9b4f72_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/5nYZ9x ]Murphy 5 Months in normal pose[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Coincidence. Right. So now I wandered into the coffee roasting place in Ross and ended up chatting with one of the staff who has three lab pubs just 5 weeks old. One she's keeping, two are looking for good homes. Both currently sort of promised to someone else but hopefully one will fall through. Anyway my wife isn't keen. Never wanted two dogs, never really wanted one dog, but loves ours.
So I need some arguments to convince here, so far come up with
- Murf's eight. If we get a lab bitch it'll be like an old man marrying a 20 year old model. How happy is that going to make him?
- Two dogs are no harder than one. Still walk the same distance etc
- A golden one won't show the mud off so well 😉
- The kids (15 and 17) will think we're brilliant parents
- It's my birthday in 3 weeks and I'd like a lab pup as a present.
Failing that, I'm just going to send pics like this to her inbox until she capitulates 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
oops wrong forum... can the magic elves move it over to chat?
As an owner of multiple dogs, I'd say they keep each other company really nicely. We picked upa springer spaniel pup that some arsehole chucked in the river near us, and our lab basically took over as his mother - she lick his face clean, the lot.
Dogs are less bored in copany than on their own, which means less chewed furniture, etc.
One thing is kennel fees, if you're away a lot, it's double.
Apropos of the N+1 title, I present you with the solution:
N+1 = N+1 x Fun, and also;
N+1 = (N+1 + N+1) x Mess
It is harder with two dogs. Unless perfectly matched, they'll always want to walk different places and at different speeds. There are two of them and, invariably, as soon as one distracts you, the other will use the diversion to cover their departure in the opposite direction.
Having younger and older dogs hopefully, theoretically 'stagger' lives so you do not encounter the awfulness that is a suddenly dogless home, but older dogs sometimes need a break from youngsters and might (although this can be overcome) also find it hard to adapt to another competitor for food and attention.
So in summary, yes do it.
That's my main point. Murf - and I guess all labs - love company. He's not left alone much but he's a very happy dog when walked every day with 2 or 3 other mutts.
We're lucky enough to have friends who love Murf and would happily take a second one in while we're away...
Tricky one this, our Lab, Barney, is six now, he works in the winter, picking up on a local shoot or two with my other half. I've never wanted a dog in the house, her family haven't either, but he now sleeps either in their back porch, our our living room, both tiled houses on the farm, so no big deal really. But, they/we've all gone soft and he gets away with lots that was never intended, brilliant dog though he is.
I want a dog of my own for shooting, a spaniel ideally, but they're too busy, and Barney won't want to work for too many more seasons, so we're talking about getting a pup to bring on alongside him. I've said I'm not having 2 dogs in the house, but you can't treat them differently and expect them to work for you to the same standard, so I don't know what to do....
Fair points Digga, ta. My worry would be is current dog would teach new pup bad habits. Most of those involve poo. Eating it, rolling in it, throwing it back up and eating it again.
core - tricky. We're not in that situation thankfully. Not interested in working them or breeding them. Draw the line at letting ours upstairs. Sadly not been so successful with the cats!
We added a bitch to a 7 year old dog.
2 dogs is x2 better than one dog and ^2 worse than one dog.
3 years later the bitch is at her peak, the dog is an old fart.
We should have got the second dog earlier, but we can't learn the lesson as the old dog is likely to shamble on for another few years meaning his replacement will come a bit late for the bitch.
Wife is desperate for a 2nd dog. I'm keen in principle but practicalities holding me back
current dog is a black lab and he's ace. But he's so good on all fronts that there's potential for another one to be not as good
A common choice for dog owners. If you've the space and time then do it. Given the age spread they will have a good few years together and the second will make the inevitable passing of the first a little easier to bear when the time comes
benp1 - Member
Wife is desperate for a 2nd dog.
I dunno if you have kids or not, but when my wife was desperate for a second dog, it was a clear sign that our carefree days were over and children were right on the horizon 🙂
there is definitely the unspoken bit about not have a dog shaped hole in your life. Like BenP says, our dog is fab (apart from his poo-eating prowess) and we\re a bit worried that another one wouldn't be quite as good. Had a few labs in my life tho and never had a bad one yet! Different but all good. Also been lucky that none have ever had awful hip issues. Still we do keep 'em well exercised and not over-fed.
We did talk about getting one a couple of years ago but it was a non starter. I think my constant going on about it has finally worn my wife down!
We have two kids, both teenagers. One is autistic and we've been told giving him his own dog will help him become more self-reliant. So I've sold the pup as long term therapy 🙂
[img] 
[/img]
I've got 3 and it's no more work than one however they are all in disgrace as they slept through my bikes getting nicked. A fox farts halfway up the street and they bark like crazy, a thief steals three bikes, wheeling them right past the the conservatory where the dogs sleep not a peep.
🙁 Our lab doesn't move for the postman, any delivery van or (mostly) someone knocking on the door. Open a crisp packet tho... he's there before you've taken the first one out with his 'clubbed seal.. not been fed for days' face.
I though the white mutt in the picture was actually a cuddly toy when I first looked at it 🙂
We're reached 'peak puppy' now everyone is at home. Going to be some disappointment if both are spoken for. Still now acceptance seems to have been gained, it's only a matter of time!
🙂 our lab wouod only go to the front door on the basis it thought there would be food / a treat involved or possibly a friend to play with
Two is a necessity ... One doesn't quite fill the bath or sofa
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
[IMG] 
[/IMG]
(yellow lab...golden retriever...before you get accosted by the lab club president 😉 )
I waited until my wife was recuperating in hospital from a gall bladder infection, and then took a vote of the remaining children, where the motion ("this house believes that we should have a second dog") was carried unanimously.
Thanks all. It's like victim support in here. I'm sure there's a story about a MTB Racer (maybe Nick Craig) who had sold some parts to a bloke who was going to pick them up while he was in a race somewhere else. His wife agreed to stay in and get the cash. Which she then spent on a puppy. Apparently the text conversation was mildly surreal...
Those pics are great. Our dog isn't allowed on the sofa. Not that he'd bother hauling his carcass up there unless there was a dropped biscuit or something.
I give you exhibit A
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8829/27779096263_8aeeeecdb3_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8829/27779096263_8aeeeecdb3_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JjK8vz ]A dogs life![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Twa dugs here.
Both similar age and breed... but totally different characters. Having two is ace, always one in trouble, one being a star.
Yes, it is more work, but in my case they keep each other company and the original mutt is much more settled with her pal. It is still nice to get some one on one time with each.
Go for it 🙂
Two dogs would be awesome. One question, though: What makes you think one of the promised sales will fall through? it would be a shame to raise expectations/do all the groundwork, only for the sales to go through as expected.
13 weeks old today. And currently having a mad half hour as I type this...
[URL= http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/loddrik1/Mobile%20Uploads/6E3E5C4A-8B68-49A7-BAEA-912F3B767F0E_zpsw7tbe22u.jp g" target="_blank">
http://i1280.photobucket.com/albums/a491/loddrik1/Mobile%20Uploads/6E3E5C4A-8B68-49A7-BAEA-912F3B767F0E_zpsw7tbe22u.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
"Most of those involve poo. Eating it, rolling in it, throwing it back up and eating it again. "
Labs are not taught this, its innnnnnnnstinct.
I dunno if you have kids or not, but when my wife was desperate for a second dog, it was a clear sign that our carefree days were over and children were right on the horizon
Dog, then two kids
No third kid hopefully, I'm done, 2nd dog is much more likely!
@mikey - slightly odd situation as they are being sold to cover vets fees only. Big thing is they go ti good homes. So final say won't be about who asked first but who she thinks will give them the best life. Even so if it falls thru now we're agreed to have a second one, we can always look elsewhere.
@spesh- good point. Well made.
@loddrick - that's a naughty looking hound!
Right Amber is ours.. we'll get her at 10 weeks end Aug. Currently we're on hols so we're getting pic downloads from the current owner. Not the best photos but definitely making us very excited!
20 mins old
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8125/27857591133_1eb30d4e1b_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8125/27857591133_1eb30d4e1b_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JrFrip ]Amber[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
About a week.
[url= https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8836/27857591483_ea2420bde1_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8836/27857591483_ea2420bde1_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JrFrpr ]Amber[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Is it a pug
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8562/27857592733_4ee5c506c5_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8562/27857592733_4ee5c506c5_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JrFrLZ ]Amber[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
With her sister
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8693/27857592453_4b7bbc8856_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8693/27857592453_4b7bbc8856_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JrFrGa ]Amber[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Sleeping (that's how our current lab sleeps as you can see in previous post!)
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8893/27857592093_ca1beae3af_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8893/27857592093_ca1beae3af_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JrFrzX ]Amber[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
About 3 weeks
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8824/27857429383_d36ef63e65_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8824/27857429383_d36ef63e65_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JrEBdB ]Amber..[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Yesterday - yes she is big boned!
[url= https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8445/27856925974_e90b87ffd7_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8445/27856925974_e90b87ffd7_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JrC2z9 ]Amber[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
More to come as she gets a bit older 🙂 We'll be seeing her when we get back.
This sleeping on your back must be a Labrador thing
[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/emilysdad/12509294_1256730797677501_2830332228516226254_n.jp g" target="_blank">
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/emilysdad/12509294_1256730797677501_2830332228516226254_n.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
[URL= http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/emilysdad/8170_1256730757677505_3691714395166664081_n.jp g" target="_blank">
http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v116/emilysdad/8170_1256730757677505_3691714395166664081_n.jp g"/> [/IMG][/URL]
That's a very relaxed dog. Even for a lab 🙂
Dawwwwwwwwwwwwww pupppppyyyy
I think she was about four months old and had just been for a walk and a swim.
Interesting pics, but where's mum? Do they separate them?
Luverly .. 🙂
[url= https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8579/28446519426_710d27ce6f_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c3.staticflickr.com/9/8579/28446519426_710d27ce6f_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KkHRau ]Amber[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Nah, she'll be happy to see them go apparently! only 3 pups but she's apparently not that material. Good job it wasn't a big litter.
A few more. You can never have too many puppy pics 🙂
[url= https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8699/28491263715_579cfb053d_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8699/28491263715_579cfb053d_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KpFb5K ]Amber - 5 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8879/28459085876_2d43cb9781_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8879/28459085876_2d43cb9781_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KmQfJq ]Amber - 5 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8293/27874694804_f5c6ec47bf_b.jp g" target="_blank">https://c5.staticflickr.com/9/8293/27874694804_f5c6ec47bf_b.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/Jtc6Ch ]Amber - 5 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Awww lovely looking pup.
Well done Alex - according to your last pic, you've won a bronze medal already!!!!
My wife has just persuaded me we need a second spaniel
@dan - 🙂 Never saw that. Based on my performance last night, it might be for 'services to drinking' 🙁
A few more...
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7561/28609991495_8880601e6c_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7561/28609991495_8880601e6c_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KAaFHr ]Amber - 6 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8883/28609305555_d7c5d674e6_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8883/28609305555_d7c5d674e6_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KA7aNT ]Amber - 6 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8703/27983751583_871da4bd40_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8703/27983751583_871da4bd40_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JCQ3pz ]Amber - 6 weeks[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7535/27983750063_f67b4d6bf6_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7535/27983750063_f67b4d6bf6_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/JCQ2Xn ]Amber - 6 weeks[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
🙂
Can we sticky this thread and make it a chronicle of Amber's growing up? 😀
So far we have about 50 pics and she's not seven weeks old yet! Going to be a hell of an archive
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7561/28609991495_8880601e6c_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/8/7561/28609991495_8880601e6c_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KAaFHr ]Amber - 6 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Eating that.
[url= https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8606/28609992025_50f92c3070_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c2.staticflickr.com/9/8606/28609992025_50f92c3070_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KAaFSz ]Amber - 6 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Eating that as well
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8591/28609992525_1a857da079_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8591/28609992525_1a857da079_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KAaG2c ]Amber - 6 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
You took a photo of my fat side
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8759/28609305125_da08edb932_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8759/28609305125_da08edb932_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KA7aFt ]Amber - 6 weeks old[/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
Spoons!
Awesome - I'd be happy with just one pooch.
The other half has finally come round to the idea and it looks like a goer next summer! Wahoo. We're waiting until then because the little dude should be a bit more gentle - he loves dogs but gets a bit excited / rough.
He'd be hard pressed to upset a lab with that behaviour! But yeah little kids can treat dogs like cuddly toys sometimes...
Let me know if you've seen enough 🙂
[url= https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7660/28559075121_54f94517e0_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7660/28559075121_54f94517e0_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KvEJ3V ]Amber - Six and a bit weeks![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8694/28559076431_8bdb4de3f6_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8694/28559076431_8bdb4de3f6_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KvEJrv ]Amber - Six and a bit weeks![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8479/28559075711_d118c70451_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c8.staticflickr.com/9/8479/28559075711_d118c70451_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KvEJe6 ]Amber - Six and a bit weeks![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr
[url= https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8680/28559078021_1f21bb34a7_c.jp g" target="_blank">https://c6.staticflickr.com/9/8680/28559078021_1f21bb34a7_c.jp g"/> [/img][/url][url= https://flic.kr/p/KvEJUV ]Amber - Six and a bit weeks![/url] by [url= https://www.flickr.com/photos/alexleigh/ ]Alex Leigh[/url], on Flickr