Please advise on opp to add a second adult doodle to family

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

Molly (Australian labradoodle) is now 2 years old and I think she'd love a playmate. I didn't want to go through the puppy phase again. We are very happy -- she and I do reading therapy at the elementary every Monday, etc. I do have 3 children, but we are an active family (fetch, frisbee, etc) and I am home most of the time (not often left alone for more than 2 hours). I was not actively looking and told myself I'd consider an opportunity if it popped up.

Well, an adult mini "F1b" Goldendoodle of a similar size (28 lbs) is available in my city. The breeder posted the info for the family. They are too busy and want her to have a happier life. Of course, there is a price tag attached. But, more than that, will it rock the boat too much at home? This dog has had formal training, is well-behaved, raised with children at home, etc. My husband has issue with the expenditure, but we also love our Molly so much and want her to have a playmate (she has friends in the neighborhood and does well with everyone!). But we've owned two dogs together before and we have had single dogs (easier, but lonelier for the dog?).

Please help. What do I do? Should I just say we are happy as is, or take a chance on a great dog?

((Posting from my phone - apologies for any jumbled text))

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

This made me LOL!  I agree on many of your points.  Financial is a BIG concern here too.  We had only one dog for 5 years and I thought Skadi would like a playmate...wrong...Skadi was fine being an only "child". Then we took in Elli who was 6.   I wouldn't do it again either unless they were half the size of my brutes now.  The big ones eat more, poo more, take up more room...in the car...in the house...in the cottage.  They do not play together unless I am there to encourage their pla (but then it's really fun to watch.)  Alas, they do look good together...we get many many many people coming up to us with questions, compliments and hugs and pats on the head.  That's the fun fun part...plus, I get to love another doodle and truly believe we were picked to become Elli's family.  She came with issues and I have the patience to deal with her behavior and my mate loves running and found a running partner in Elli (Skadi just HATES running).  So pros and cons.  Funny thing is you don't know what you are getting into until it's too late to turn back!  Good luck on whatever decision you make.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Love this Joani!  So glad you the Ellie addition worked out so well for you and DH.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

We are on the road now and discussing. VERY good points all around. I like your info, Sue, and expense is a big issue. Been there and done that with 2 sick Shelties. More soon!

[Kamela & Beckett]

We have an 11 year old miniature schnauzer who for most of her life was an only dog. We had tried in the past to add a second via rescue (adult dogs) and even after months passed, our dog would at best ignore the new dog. Our Aussiedoodle who we got as a puppy is the only one she has accepted and likes. All of which is to say I think it can be different with adding an adult dog vs a puppy.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

(See image attached) We are home now! Stay off the roads -- spring break madness everywhere.

My husband read through all of these posts and he says he feels even better about saying "no" to this opportunity. I feel like I agree with him :(. Now, if I can upload the picture though....you'll see why it is so tempting. My Molly is 25 lbs and this girl is 28 lbs. So, they'd be fairly close in size. She has also has formal training already. But you just don't know "until it is too late to turn back" (as posted above!). So true.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

This post made me think of another reason to say "no"...two females. Conventional wisdom has it that the best combination is one of each sex, followed by two males, with two females being the combo least likely to be harmonious. I think the posts here bear that out. Looking at all the people here on DK with two doodles, I can only think of one or two people who have two females. In one of those cases, the second was a puppy and the older dog HATED her for quite a while after she came home. 

[Joani, Skadi & Elli]

Both my doodles are female.  We have had Elli now for over a year and they settled in the very first week.  Lori has 3 females, Pippa, Lucy, and Daphne.

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Okay, make that three people, lol. The other one is Sheri with Lucy and Annabelle. 

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

We have always (for the past 45 years) had multiple dogs. We have never had an only dog, but have occasionally had an only "big dog" along with anywhere between 2-5 dachshunds. Whoever the "big" dog was - they rarely associated with the dachshunds. When we added a second big dog, there was always a "settling in" time - that lasted anywhere from literally a manner of only a few minutes, to one occasion that lasted several weeks. They finally ended up settling in and getting along with everyone. They always acted happy, ran and played and rarely had any confrontations (except in the dachshunds who mother and daughter both desperately want to be the alpha-bitch). They are both getting old, have dull teeth and now mainly just snarl at each other periodically. Guess it is like having a lot of kids. Only children aren't too sure they want to share, but a household with lots of kids know it is just part of life, get along, and enjoy the chaos of a big family. Personally, I love having many - guess that's why we had 4 kids, too.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

That is funny Joyce.  I had two children (now adults) and then after we got Charlie I thought he needed a playmate.  I think it may have been I just needed two kids again! LOL

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

This is what makes me think I'm crazy, lol. I have three boys, 11, 8 and 5. Yet I desire more chaos? ;). I really do love my Molly girl -- she is different than any other dog we have ever had. SO affectionate and hilarious. We have been blessed by her many times over!

[Joyce (Casey & Cody's mom)]

I love the suggestion that someone made about offering to foster the dog for a couple of weeks and just see how they get along.