Benson

All,

Benson is 4 months old and someone suggested that at 6 months we could think of getting him a friend. Benson is the first dog we have owned, let alone the first basset. He has had many ailments, which is still recovering from and as such has given us many sleepness nights and has, we understand, been more demanding on us than a well puppy would have been. Not that this matters, as we love him sooooooo.

Would a second basset be double the trouble or half as much? What has been the experience of people who have more than one dog?

Thanks in advance x

Mikey T

Iwould not get another dog till benson is reliable housetrained housetrain one is bad enough two feed off each others accidents making it double hard. other than that two is often a bit easier than one actual because the tend to keep each other company and you often minimize destructive chewing excessive barking etc that is often related to seperation anxiety especial in bassets.

MollyMcFrecklesMom

Having done the 2 puppies at once (Molly was 8 mos when we brought 2 month old Winston home), I echo what Mikey said. Buuuut if you have the time, patience, discipline and financial resources, then go for it. I wouldn't do 2 puppies again, yet I'm glad I did because I love my pups so much. How's that for a non-committal answer.

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Michelle - proudly owned by Molly (21 mos) and Winston (14 months).

Molly McFreckles' World:
The adventures of a Basset Hound living with Addison's Disease and a baby brother named Winston

Barney'spal

When Barney, a male, was 7 months old, I got a female beagle puppy. This was, by far, one of the best things I've done. Everyone told me that bassets do better with a playmate and how true. For me it's not double the work for they play constantly together and I find that I have alot more free time. Yes, the mess is bigger and the noise level louder but I've never regretted it. I was told to wait until Barney was at least 1 1/2 but am glad I didn't. They are both at the same energy level being puppies. If you can afford the additional cost, I say go ahead and enjoy the fun.

__________________
Properly trained, a man can be a dog's best friend.

MollyMcFrecklesMom

Yes let me add that Molly and Winston are best of friends. That outweighed all to me, but it was/is a lot of work housebreaking 2. The rest is cake.

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Michelle - proudly owned by Molly (21 mos) and Winston (14 months).

Molly McFreckles' World:
The adventures of a Basset Hound living with Addison's Disease and a baby brother named Winston

Soundtrack

I agree, would wait on the housebreaking and until he is fully recovered.

A well-trained dog will help to train the new one. A badly behaved dog will teach the new one bad habits.

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Barney'spal

Additional note: Barney was housetrained when I got the new pup. I have dog doors and a large fenced in back yard so it was easy for Barney to show the new pup the ropes. It's funny to see the beagle flat basset on me. I agree that it is hard to train two dogs at the same time...they do pick up the good and BAD habits of the older. I think that the most important thing though is that they are compatible...if they are....it's heaven....if they aren't....it's horrible.

__________________
Properly trained, a man can be a dog's best friend.

loopylou

i got my pal when I was 6months old and he's ace! Sure, we play fight all the time and pull mum around a lot but everytime Olly leaves without me I get upset - I even stand up for him when he gets picked on coz he's only little! Mum says it's hard work but we just see it us fun

double the bassets, double the drool but double the love

eclairs mom

Pups and younglings Are a LOT of work! One other thing to consider having more than one the same age range is when they get old and pass is that they may pass close together. We ended up with 3 dogs all around the same age and they all passed within 6 months that was heart wrenching. 12 months later we have adopoted 3 dogs all within a 2 year age gap, so I diddnt learn.

Lightning&Stomps

Getting a second basset was the best thing I ever did. I resisted for a long time, but looking back I should have done it the moment Lightning was housebroken. RIP my dear Stomps.