GolfHos

We had to put down our 13 year old Boxer about 3 months ago.  My wife has started mentioning getting another (3 times in the last week), my little girl is ready tomorrow. 

I've had a number of dogs over the years, though never more than 1 at a time.  Everyone I know who has more than 1 says it's easier - they play with each other, comfort each other, etc.. 

What say you, oh wise Hos?

We're looking at some boxers who are looking to be re-homed by their breeders:

(http://www.kenasherboxers.com/mick_x_laura_odell_8wks3.jpg)
(shown at 8 weeks, though is actually 5-6 months, male)

(http://www.pro-boxers.com/gizmo_5mos1.jpg)
(shown at 5 months, now 6 months, male)

(http://www.pro-boxers.com/amber_6mos3.jpg)
(sister to the boy above)

We had two for a couple of years. Sparing all the details, a very sad decision was forced, and we're back to one dog. We won't do two again. But we know lots of people it works for.

Thanks, spacey, though you did break the string of 5 in a row who have me considering a pair.  I love Boxers, but they are an emotional breed.  Male or female.

I think I want a female, just so I can say "bitch" more than I currently do.  That, and I can teach my daughter to say "bitch" - though should I do that, my wife will certainly bitch-slap me.

I have two border collie bitches. I also have a wife and a daughter, so before my son was born, I was outnumbered 4 to 1.

Nice looking dogs.

We've had 2 for about 4 years now and they do keep each other company. The only draw back I've found to having 2 dogs is a financial one.   

We have two Ridgebacks, one of each **** (95 and 70 pounders).  I can't really say that they amuse each other a great deal, and I'm not even sure they provide the other with much companionship.  They play occasionally, but only wrestling.  They do tend to move like Secret Service (always in pairs, traveling slightly behind the person to be protected), but I don't know that they're getting much from each other out of that.

And there are drawbacks: 2x cost of food, 2x vet bills, 2x fur from shedding, more pulling and stopping to sniff on walks, no free hands on walks, 2x the poop to pick up or step in, and there's no way two adults and two large dogs all can comfortably sleep in a queen bed.

So despite having two in our household, I can't be a huge advocate for it.

I hate dags.

My condolences for your loss.  I've had 2 dogs, usually labs or lab mutts, for over 30 years.  The current crop are terrific together.  Best.Pair.Evar.

2x the poop to pick up or step in, nuff said.

Thanks - just got a more recent photo of the brindle; he's our #1.

Finances. ARRGGGHHH.

Thanks for the feedback, Clive.  When we got our first boxer, I had narrowed down to Boxer or Ridgeback.  I wanted to try Ridgeback this go around (neighbor has one that I love), though realized (by realize, I mean that my wife told me) that we will be Boxer people.

Food I can handle.  Vet bills - that would hurt some.  Shedding - my wife is a neat freak, so no skin off my ass.  Walks - hadn't thought of that.  Poop - hadn't really thought of that either.  Our last Boxer shat a lot!

I'm leaning more toward a single for now, given feedback on the forum as well as discussions with the breeders, seeing how he does without a playmate, and then reacting to that down the road.

By the way - had to make a couple of trips to High Point for some meetings last month.  I was going to PM you to see about dinner, though it was so last-minute that my drives up and back were late night.  Next time I'm up - and it seems to be more lately - I'll drop you a note.

FWIW, the older dog -- the male that we got first -- LOVES Boxers.  When we'd go to the dog parks in Portland, it was guaranteed that if there was a Boxer there, he'd be playing with it.  Far more than he plays with our female RR.  So too bad your wife gave you your opinion, 'cause those two breeds seem to get along great.

Let me know next time you're passing through.  (You know where I live!)  I can always meet you somewhere closer to your route to save you a little driving time.

Thanks!  I've had dogs (always a single at a time) much of my life.  Our last one was my wife's first.  I felt lucky to have had him to age 13, but it's never fun putting one down.

Degenerative myelopathy (DM) - evil *feces*.

More I think about it, poop is a factor.  That last boy left BOMBS.

Who knows, if we decide to go with one first, rather than 2, we might look at Rhodesian's for #2.

Not so much the wife giving me my opinion - every time she sees a Boxer, she tears up.  She loves the breed.  It's her birthday on Monday (or Tuesday, or something), so I figured we'd accelerate the process a bit. 

She told me to write that stuff.

Last time back, I almost cut across and drove through the old neighborhood.  Haven't been back in 6 years.

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The dog to the far left is Lucy.  She lives with us.  The dog in the middle is Cosmo, my son "borrowed" him when he moved out (hence, Lucy).  The little white *feces* to the right is Emma, my son's new dog.

Thet are all BFF's, and I am a firm believer that other than food and vet bills, 2 dogs are no harder than 1.

We have 2, Border Collie/Aussie and a Black Lab. They are great with each other.

Everything said before is true.

There, my friend, is a dog. :D