Getting a Second Dog

Question
QUESTION: Hi,
My husband and I and our 2 children (aged 3 and 1) currently own a Jack
Russell Pug X. She is a very sweet dog and very affectionate and loving with
everyone. She is a year old. We are currently putting her through obedience
training and once she has graduated and we are satisfied with her behavior
we are thinking of getting a second dog.

So that leads me to 2 questions I have for you. We are wondering if getting a
second dog is a smart idea and if so what breeds would be a good match.
Does this type of dog generally do well with a second canine companion? We
want something about the same size as our first.

ANSWER: Kendra -

I think that a second dog would be fine if you get a good match.

My recommendations would be

1.  A male dog. Anything with terrier in it tends to do much better with a dog of the opposite gender.

2.  You may want to consider something that does not have any or much terrier in it, but is still smart and fun enough to make a good playmate... Perhaps something poodle, schnauzer, king charles, or corgi-like....  Poodles get a bad rap, but I really enjoy them if they are not raised to be so froo-froo... Remember the breed was originally developed as hunting dogs !

Sounds like you have a fun and busy household !

Best wishes

-Beth

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: What about Beagles. That is one breed we are quite interested in but have no
experience with. Would that be a good match?

Answer
Beagles are a neat breed, and very cute - and often very good with children.

Two factors to consider - They are often quite loud (baying) and if they get the scent of some critter, they often run away. Many many beagles end up in shelters simply because they got loose and went hunting.

-Beth