Wanting a second schnauzer...

Question
Hi!
We have a big (25 lbs) mini schnauzer (Enzo), who will be 2 years in Aug.1,2008. We love him to death and wanted to find a second dog of the same breed, but could not find a decent breeder with dogs we liked.
The breeder we got Enzo from was a farm outside of Kamloops, and she would breed her 2 dogs once a year. I believe she was what you would call a backyard breeder. Although we met her dogs before we bought Enzo, he ended up a very anxious little pup, and were recommended by our trainers not to go back to the same breeder for another pup.
This could have also been from having been seriously attacked at 12 weeks by a bouvier, (which required me to haul the bouvier off of Enzo, and a trip to the vet for puncture wounds to his back rump.)

Since then we've been through tons of socialization,  obedience training, and are currently taking him to musical freestyle, (which he's terrible at, but we have fun.)

I guess my question is this. Enzo is VERY dog oriented, he adores everyone. But while he's great with me one on one, he doesn't seem to listen very well to me in the dog park. We're constantly working on that, and that's fine. But oddly enough, he calmed right down after spending 5 days at my in-laws place with their 3 dogs.

If we get another, would the chances be good at desensitizing his obsession with other dogs?

Also, we found a GREAT breeder for ckc standard schnauzers, and were planning on a calm, female pup from the next litter. The litter is due in a week, so another 8 after that, and we can take her home.

I've read a bit on introducing a new pup to a one dog household, but the opinions are so veried. Besides making Enzo number one, what would be the most important thing to think about in introducing the second dog?
I've also read it's better to get a different breed, is the standard schnauzer far enough away from the mini? Or does it really matter? Should we look for an opposite personality to Enzo's? If we pick a calm pup, would she still be into agility later?

Sorry for so many questions!
If you can give even a little insight into my situation, that would be great. Thanks!
L.


Answer
The best way to introduce two dogs together is to do so VERY slowly,such as just sniffing through a baby gate for a few days,also by rubbing different towels over both dogs,and letting the other dog sniff it,and also by holding the puppy and letting the other dog sniff her

Usually when dogs live with other dogs,they tend to ignore other dogs more since they have one at home to play with

The most important thing is to give Enzo time on his own as well,so he won't feel jealous and slowly include the puppy in the playtime

It doesn't really matter what breed you get-many people get two dogs of the same breed with no problems so it is up to you in that way

Also another thing,for a long time,even up to a year when you are not home do not leave the two dogs together-just to be on the safe side

And calm dogs do fine in agility-in fact sometimes they are better because they are more focused then a hyper dog