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))

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

If you are considering it, I would strongly advise you to ask for the name and contact info of the dog's vet, and then ask to have the records emailed or faxed to your vet, so that you can make sure there isn't a pre-existing health issue that would affect your getting health insurance for him/her. 

Molly may love to play with other dogs, but has she ever had another sharing her home, her toys, and her people? It can be surprising how different they are when the other dogs are in their space versus the dog park or day care, where everything is neutral. Many adult dogs will accept a puppy more easily than another adult. One thing I always advised potential adopters was to invite one of Molly's canine friends for a sleepover ( better yet a weekend). It will give you a chance to see just how life might be if you bring in another dog. 

[Wendy and Myla]

I have never had two doodles before, but definitely two dogs and we found that it never worked the way we envisioned.  Every time, we figured our beloved dog needed a playmate and when we got a second dog, they always just tolerated each other.  They only played together when we engaged them (throwing a ball or Frisbee) but on their own, they never did.  We always felt guilty if we praised one or played with one and obviously, they were double the work and expense.  It was  harder to travel with two, especially in hotels and there was always double the commotion when a stranger walked by.  When we took them for walks, it was harder to control two - even though we trained them individually, if one started the other would follow.  I love looking at puppy pictures and love listening to the stories of double doodle families, but for our lifestyle, I know that it would not work!  I honestly do not believe that Myla is lonely when we are gone - in fact, she is with us so much that  I believe she kind of likes her solitude :)   It is truly a decision that only you can make but for us, I think Myla would just look at us with sad eyes if we brought home another doodle and honestly, she is totally enough for us!  She is the love of our lives!!!!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We added another doodle to our family when he was 2. At the time we had another doodle also 2, as well as two other dogs about 8 and 12.  There was some settling in with the adopted doodle and the 8 year old dog, but all was fine in a few months.

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

That is an excellent add regarding the vet records -- thanks, Karen. Also a great point about having an adult dog sleepover at our house. Molly sleeps over elsewhere, but not vice versa!

Wendy, that is my fear of "rocking the boat" -- regretting adding another dog if they create more trouble. Though my dog is very social and energetic, I haven't had the meeting in-person with the other dog yet.

Good to hear it worked out, Nancy! Wish I could do a trial run, but I'm not sure the family would go for that. We are in the same metro area, but are still 70 miles apart. Houston is huge...and I wouldn't want them thinking I'm trying to steal their dog (yikes). Though, it seems like they'd appreciate letting her spend a week away if they are so busy.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Personally, I do think some dogs prefer to be the only dog.  Interesting, my DH made the comment the other night that he thought Beau would like to be the alpha and only dog.  Charlie was 2 when we brought puppy Beau home.  I thought Charlie needed a playmate, but he really did not.  They get along well and do not fight, but they seldom really play together. That being said, we would not want to be without either of them!  You mentioned you have had two dogs at the same time before so you know how the dynamics can change - and that goes without saying the expense of having two just doubles. It sounds like Molly is a very special girl and you have a wonderful bond with her. I wonder how that would effect the work you are able to do with her at school - would you be able to take two?  

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

Oh my - she is a doll! Have they ever spent any time together?

[Texas Doodle Mom and Molly Rose]

I just happened on the post online when I was looking for something else. They have not ever met, but I'm sure if they had it would be a lot of fun. I'm glad her family is trying to give her a better life, but sad they are letting her go too!

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

OMD - the weather is mild here 56 today and Charlie and Beau wanted to stay out after we played ball this afternoon (normally they are really tired and want to come right in with us). That seemed a little strange for them, but when I went to the window to check on them they were playing and chasing each other like crazy!  They played for probably 15 minutes and then Beau came running to the door - he had had enough!  We were thrilled because they have not done that in the past!  It will be interesting to see if that is the new norm!  Fun to watch their interaction when they did not know anyone was watching.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

We have two doodles. They are 10 months apart in age. Best friends. They play together daily with or without our
being involved. I just love watching them. They spend time apart as well as together.
I do think it makes easier when we are away, they always have their doggy friend with them.

[Linda, Charlie Brown and Beau]

They look so happy.  Nice image!

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

We have two Doodles who are incredibly bonded.  They are about 10 months apart and have always got along well together.  There's a major size difference (one is 22 pounds and the other is 70) so the little one had to learn how to "stick up for himself".  They play together and on bad days when we can't walk they initiate their own little games....they'll chase each other through the house to run off energy.  They often sleep touching each other.  Karen makes a great point about checking vet records, but if everything is okay I think you would be happy with two...I know we have been.

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

I can address two issues, one being a playmate for Molly and the other, a very valid concern of the financial commitment.

We started out only wanting one dog and as soon as we got through the puppy phase, and I saw how bonded he was with DH and had separation anxiety issues, I decided that first and foremost, I wanted a dog for me, and oh yeah, it might help him with his issues.  I would recommend asking yourself: Do YOU really want 2 dogs. It's more about you than your present dog, because I don't feel that they can miss what they never had so if they are an only then that is just fine with them. 

As stated, there are no guarantees that Molly will even "like" or "play" with another dog, so that leaves most of the playing with #2 up to you and your three children.  Which btw sounds perfect to me in regards to Molly already having so much interaction with her people. It's not like you are talking about a dog who sits alone 8-9 hours a day in an empty house and gets a few minutes of play time when you get home.  

As for us, Murphy was 18 months when our breeder approached us with a perfect little girl for us as she knew I was thinking of a second. It took him about a month to warm up to her and he pretty much ignored her during that time, so a weekend sleepover may not give you a clear picture. And I think adding a puppy is very different than adding another adult aged dog.

For us it has worked out well, Murphy is no longer a wreck when we leave but he is by nature a very anxious dog with just about everything else. Bella is very non-reactive and I like to think she has helped him through a lot of his issues. 

She on the other hand is my heart dog and Murphy is my husbands, so it worked out very well. 

Now, finances....what that looks like in reality is " a LOT".  Food is $50 a month instead of $25, Yearly vet bills are in the $500 range as opposed to $2-300 for routine testing and shots and fecals and just normal maintenance. Then add the Heartguard and Frontline and it's in the $400-500 instead of $200-$250.  Grooming: Double again, about $500 a year for two, $240 for one. And this is all just routine, not to mention an ear infection here or a torn paw there, or God forbid, an ongoing medical condition requiring more (yes Pet insurance is a must with one but of course goes without saying with two). So add that to the mix and we now have $600 a year instead of $300. So bottom line its about $3000 a year to have two dogs, as opposed to about $1300-1500. That is a very low-ball figure I'm sure, but I tend to treat a lot of stuff at home first before going to the vet, so it could be a lot more for others.

Do I love having two? Yes. Do they play together? All the time. Would Murphy have had a happy life without Bella? Absolutely.  And lastly, would I do it again? NO!

"That's all I have to say about that...." Forrest Gump. lol