Need Advise!!

[Sherry]

We have decided to expand our doodle family.  We currently have a 16 month old male mini doodle, who is very, very playful and active and loves people.  We are picking up our sweet little girl next Saturday.  We are first pick on the litter, should we go after a more laid back personality or should we go after a personality that is activity like our current dog? 

Any suggests??? 

[BG and Gavin]

Great question. I am curious to see what others think. My first reaction is laid back. Puppies are always energetic so by the time the puppy energy disappeared, your older dog will be more mellow and then their energies would match.  My philosophical opinion only based on NO experience with two dogs.

[Lynda Kamrath]

It is great having two dogs and when raised together they become very dependent on each other.  Having gone through "doggie grief", I now usually have three dogs just so they always have a companion.  I actually prefer to spread out the ages of dogs (and children) so that they are not the same age.  Right now, I have a 2-year-old, a 5-yr.-old, and an 8-year-old dog.  I like that spread.  They are very playful with each other, but not competitive for attention.  The smallest, middle dog is the dominant dog.  About picking your new pup, I would take your current dog along and see what he chooses.  They sometimes have definitely preferences which you cannot see.  That is how we came  upon our current dominant dog.  The older dog selected him four years ago.

[Sherry]

I would love to bring Milo to pick out puppy.  I didn't mention it to our breeder because I didn't think she would approve. Is this typical?  Milo, our first pup is from the same breeder.  

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

I would pick laid back each and every time. I have one of each...opposite in every way...and they get along and mesh beautifully together. Also, I am old....I don't have the energy for two high energy dogs :) 

[Bonnie and Kona]

I'm with you Laurie...always pick one that is laid back. It doesn't mean your more active dog won't have fun. They will figure out what works for them, but it will be easier on you. 

[Debb, Lucy & Oscar]

I 2nd (or 3rd) Laurie’s suggestion. I have a high-energy, playful puppy-like 8yr old doodle (Lucy) and a laid back, even tempered, teddy-bear-like 5 yr old doodle (Oscar). They are the perfect complement to each other’s energy level, and because they are different it definitely saves my sanity. BTW, the playful 8 yr old, hasn’t mellowed with age one bit. Everyone who meets my doodles thinks Lucy is the younger one.

[Lynda Kamrath]

Ahhh, you are not old Laurie.   It is all in your mind.  Don't be making excuses to us.  You are as young as you feel, Grandma.

[Haley, Yeti, and Phin]

We recently expanded our doodle family and our guys (yeti is 2 and phin is 7 months) are totally different! Yeti is like the energizer bunny. He can play for hours with no rest. Phin on the other hand likes to play for a bit and relax most of the time. I was worried that Yeti wouldn’t have a great playmate but as phin has gotten older his play drive is getting better and better!

[Wendy and Myla]

I too would pick a laid back puppy every time!  I feel a laid back dog will do whatever you are doing just because she wants to be with you but I don't think I would have the energy to do more just because my dog needs more exercise if that makes sense?  

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I'd always go for he laid back but curious pup - but that is MY preference (I'm older and not active).  You need to choose the dog personality that suits your family situation.

 I would not choose the fearful or timid pet - even though I am not active, I go lots of places with  my dog and I want one that would enjoy that and not be overwhelmed.

Please let us know what you choose!

[Lori, Winnie, Bob and Indie]

Laid back! Our first dog, Winnie, goes bat crazy whenever anyone comes over to our house, or when she meets a new person out in the public. She thinks that everyone is her very, very best friend! :-) She is a sweetheart, but I know in my heart of hearts that I could not handle a second dog like her. So, when we decided to add a second (and third!) dog to our family, the first criteria was to be "friendly, but not overly exuberant." Both Bob and Indie are just that. The 3 of them get along beautifully! And, Winnie is the only one that needs to be on a leash when we have visitors... :-)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Our Charlie is over-the-top excitable. He’s a rehome. We are his fourth (and forever) owners. I suspect this might be why no one really bonded with him. Along with his over exuberance is his pure and trusting love. We consider it a trade off in his case, but calmer is appreciated.