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mark88

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Hi there. I have a senior (13), male Labrador and I'm now looking for a young, spayed female in one of the following breeds to keep him company:
  • Weimaraner (ideally long-haired)
  • Hovawart
  • White Swiss Shepherd
  • Great Swiss Mountain Dog
Please feel free to message me if you can help. Thank you.
 
There are rescue centres looking for potential adopters. Provided that you (without being too picky) can satisfy their criteria this may be a good option.
 
Will your elderly lab tolerate another dog? If he isn't accustomed to sharing his home with another dog, you could find it creates more problems than it solves. Generally, the advice is not to introduce a new young dog when you have a senior.
 
There are rescue centres looking for potential adopters. Provided that you (without being too picky) can satisfy their criteria this may be a good option.
I had considered that, but ideally I would like to see where the dog (bitch) came from directly.
 
Will your elderly lab tolerate another dog? If he isn't accustomed to sharing his home with another dog, you could find it creates more problems than it solves. Generally, the advice is not to introduce a new young dog when you have a senior.
We did have another Lab before, so he might be okay. Granted, it was his brother, but I'm specifically looking for a spayed (young, but not very young pup) female to help minimise any problems.
 
What is wrong with your own company for him.

I know that a lot of elderly dogs resent a younger model moving in. I would be inclined to let him have a quiet life that he is used to, with no jealousy or feeling pushed out or unwanted. :(
(We did have another dog before, so he might be ok !) so what happens if he is not ok ?
 
What is wrong with your own company for him.

I know that a lot of elderly dogs resent a younger model moving in. I would be inclined to let him have a quiet life that he is used to, with no jealousy or feeling pushed out or unwanted. :(
(We did have another dog before, so he might be ok !) so what happens if he is not ok ?
I suppose jealousy is a risk, but I don't know if he'll be thinking I'm actually replacing him. I don't know if dogs think that much about it. On the other hand, it's also possible he might be happier to have company during the day, be proud to lead a younger dog (bitch) and be an alpha, and maybe even give him a bit of tail to chase in his final years. On my part, I can only give him the usual love I give him if not even more.
 
One of my regrets is getting a pup many years ago when my existing dog was 12 ...it took her a while to accept the other dog and she was never the same after we got the pup.....so I would Never do this again....
You know your dog better than us ......
 
One of my regrets is getting a pup many years ago when my existing dog was 12 ...it took her a while to accept the other dog and she was never the same after we got the pup.....so I would Never do this again....
You know your dog better than us ......
Never the same in what way?
 
it's also possible he might be happier to have company during the day, be proud to lead a younger dog (bitch) and be an alpha, and maybe even give him a bit of tail to chase in his final years.

As someone else said, you know your dog. But I have a dog of a similar age and my concern would be that it would be like asking a child or teenager to live in an old people's home. Uncomfortable for both age groups.
 
She didnt want to be in the same room as the youngster ...would be ok on walks but she became withdrawn and never went back to her normal self ...I was being selfish getting a younger dog Hindsight is a wonderful thing
 
I agree with everyone else. It isn't a kindness to wish a young dog on an old one. I respectfully suggest you devote your time and company to your old boy instead.
 
As someone else said, you know your dog. But I have a dog of a similar age and my concern would be that it would be like asking a child or teenager to live in an old people's home. Uncomfortable for both age groups.
Even if I try and keep them in separate rooms till they acclimatise, have separate toys for them, and allow them to socialise during walks?
 
She didnt want to be in the same room as the youngster ...would be ok on walks but she became withdrawn and never went back to her normal self ...I was being selfish getting a younger dog Hindsight is a wonderful thing
I understand and sorry to hear that.
 
I agree with everyone else. It isn't a kindness to wish a young dog on an old one. I respectfully suggest you devote your time and company to your old boy instead.
Although, my dog hasn't been the same since his brother passed away. More subdued etc. Perhaps he is lonely and a younger dog would revitalise him?
 
I suppose jealousy is a risk, but I don't know if he'll be thinking I'm actually replacing him. I don't know if dogs think that much about it. On the other hand, it's also possible he might be happier to have company during the day, be proud to lead a younger dog (bitch) and be an alpha, and maybe even give him a bit of tail to chase in his final years. On my part, I can only give him the usual love I give him if not even more.
There are no such thing as an"Alpha"dog & domestic dogs aren't really true pack animals the same way wolves are, the Alpha & pack theories are based on very flawed studies of man made zoo wolf packs put together during the 1930s & 1940s from totally unrelated wolves kept in captivity.
Domesticated dogs are over 40,000 years of human intervention away from wolves.
Dogs don't do jealousy the way humans do & believing this is anthromophazing dogs.
Bringing an adult unknown dog/bitch into your household needs careful handling, males are much slower than females in accepting an invomer
 
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