Having two dogs instead of one.

In my previous article about leaving dogs alone we talked of the issues facing a lone dog. What is wrong with having two dogs instead.

When we work long hours and run around being a family taking children to this and that, or even if we are a person alone who works and keeps a dog, there will be long long times when we are not there for our special pet.

This down time can have a very negative influence on his life. I heartily recommend taking two puppies from the same litter, or adopting two orphans from the Animal Shelter, who have already shared house.

Of course there are the sensible things like - desexing both animals to avoid unwanted accidents, or in the case of litter mates desexing one or the other if you have a girl and a boy so that you can still breed if you want to.

The main point is that they will have each other to snuggle up to on a cold day, and they will have someone to play with of their own ilk. It is true they will dig a bit together if they are both the same age, and they will tug and pull and do a fair bit of puppy damage to the garden and house if they are allowed.

They should be crated side by side in the house, but they can probably share an outside run together for the times when they are at home alone.

There will be less barking and whining. They will be happier and better adjusted than they would be if it were just one of them.

I have kept just one dog a couple of times in my life, and it hasn't been altogether successful due to my working full time. I now have four dogs, which is over the top, but I live in a semi rural environment and the dog family just grew alongside my training classes. They are very much a family outside of my influence, they are 'the pack'.

Bearing in mind that dogs are pack animals it would seem a bit silly to expect them to be fully functional in a single dog family. They give each other very positive vibes. It is interesting to watch when you bring one of them home from the Vet after a little operation for a lump removal or something quite simple that involved cutting into the animal and stitches applied. Everyone wants a sniff and a look at the wound, and the patient lies still while everyone checks it out. How bad could it be to come home from the Vet and nobody wanted to roll you over and check you out.

Sharing food bowls is a must, flogging each others bones is another endearing behavior they do to each other, hunting the odd mouse or rat together is great. Swimming together is wonderful. Bush walks, training together, going walkies in matching coats on a cold rainy day.

Having someone, other than the cat, to chase around the furniture to get the adrenalin going. Doing dog things is for dogs. People mostly don't enter that world, but if you do want to and the dogs are used to playing with you and you know the dog ground rules, then you will have more fun than you have ever had.

I probably don't understand why anyone would want one dog, except if they were a bit odd and just wanted something that they could manipulate that was going to be their friend alone, and yet it is the common thing for families to get 'a dog'.

Consider it when you look for your next puppy or new dog friend, you might be surprised how much easier it is to keep two than one. If you have an older dog, providing it is not on death row, then get it a puppy. My older dogs are always rejuvenated by the puppy coming into the pack,they give up prime space in front of the fire, they re-learn the games of puppies and they hang around knowing that the puppy is going to get four meals a day and there just might be something in it for them. I do notice that everyones wastelines grow bigger when there is a puppy in the house. Just the odd snack to keep everyone happy with the pup.. mmmm

Truly it is a joy to keep two dogs, but be sensible, if you have a small house section stick to the small to medium sized breeds or crosses. Two Irish Wolfhounds might look very elegant on leads together when you go out for a walk but there will not be much left of a small house or garden by the time they have grown to full size. It is unfair on all concerned to put big dogs on small properties.

Miniatures and toys are huge fun to own and two of the same are the greatest. Be careful though because beautiful though they are, the jack russells and border terriers can be a handful to keep on the property. They will dig and go just about anywhere. I like the poodle, spoodle, cavoodle types for new handlers, no smell, nice house dogs, easy to train , no hair shedding. I also like corgis although they don't seem very fashionable at the moment. Pugs are okay, and the Spitz breeds are going through a very popular phase at the moment. The American and English Cocker Spaniels are delightful and a bit more substantial than toys

Dogs from Animal Shelters can be a bit of a lottery but having owned a corgi,dashhound, cross, a corgi border collie cross, a staffordshire terrier whippet cross, a huntaway fox terrier cross and a sharpei whippet am staff cross, I feel like something of an authority on medium sized cross bred housepets. They have all been great loving, hard working and obedient, after a bit of training.

If you really have the time and will, then rehome older dogs who have fallen upon hard times. Get a pair of rescue German Shepherds or a couple of ancient Basset Hounds. I know people who rehome older pets and they get great joy out of them. They are generally past all the hard stuff, the don't dig any more, they walk nicely on leash. Someone else has done the hard yards and you get the benefit.

One of my friends did me the enormous good deed of taking on a three legged farm dog in its middle age. I had to help out the original owners who simply could not keep her any more. She is having a wonderful life and is likely to get a new older dog to keep her company very soon.

So many dogs - so little time I say.

Think about it if you have one dog, or you might be thinking of getting 'a dog'. Two is twice the fun and half the problem. You can go to work knowing your dog is in the best possible company, they have each other to communicate with.

It will be a great solution for your lonely single pup...just think about it.

Raewyn Saville.