OMG!! Getting 2nd dog - can't wait!!

Macfrodge · 02-28-2008, 12:02 PM

Hi everyone,

Last summer we decided to get a dog - the kids were a good age, we go camping every weekend, etc...

So we started the research, and kind of set our sights on an Australian Shepherd. I didn't want to rush into anything, so I slowly but surely started checking out various breeders with the hope of finding a puppy.

Well, life doesn't always go according to plan and we ended up adopting a rescue lab mix (shepherd/golden?) puppy who had a very bad start to life.

So there we were. We now had a very lively Lab mix pup, no Australian Shepherd. Great.

Well, time moves on and our pup is a very big 8 month old girl now - tall and slim and around 65 lbs or so.

And I got to thinking - she needs a brother! I don't know about others and their higher-energy dogs who want to play and love everyone to bits (dogs, humans, cats, gophers, you name it) within a mile - but I think she'd thrive with another dog to be a buddy.

A short while later an email newsletter came through from one of the breeders - I had forgotten to opt out of the list. Well, they had a male red tri Australian Shepherd (which was our fav. color choice!) who had just turned a year old for sale. He was the pick of the litter when he was born in the hopes of joining her breeding program. But - he simply grew too big. She breeds mini Aussies (I think they're 14"-17" ?), and genetics being as it is sometimes, this guy grew to standard height (22") from two mini parents. So for that reason they decided to sell him.

It was pretty much love at first sight. He's a very handsome fellow, has all shots, is microchipped, loves other animals, great off leash, great recall, etc...... And the best part? No housetraining a puppy again!! Yippee!! I can understand many wanting a puppy - I mean - who can resist the cutest thing in the world?? But I like my sleep now.

Now for sure we'll be getting into agility soon. We go pick him up at the end of March after his final vaccinations and neutering and whatnot. His name is Gusto, but I think we're going to simply call him Gus.

Anyone else have an Aussie? Or experience in agility?

Oh the excitement!!

Cheers!

-Michelle

clancy_boy · 02-28-2008, 12:08 PM

Sorry, I have no advice - Just wanted to say it's a great story. Lucky Dog.

Your reason is the same for why we found (actually he found us) and kept Boudreaux - a play buddy for Clancy Boy. Worked out perfect for the last 11 years, they are best friends and always together.

cameront120 · 02-28-2008, 01:19 PM

What a great looking dog! I have no experience with anything other than labs, so I'm no help.

**Stefrobrts** · 02-28-2008, 01:27 PM

Sounds like you're going to be in for a fun ride! Be sure to introduce them properly, get them off on the right foot, and I'll bet they'll be buddies forever. That's a great age for them to finish growing up together. Congrats!

We're looking forward to doing agility with our new puppy, but we have a ways to go before we have to worry about that. Right now I'd just be happy with sleeping through the night!

Bo Charlie · 02-28-2008, 03:07 PM

Mac,
SO great for you and yours! We have had 8 Aussies over the years and have been blessed by their smarts, love and devotion. 2 right now ages 3 and 14. The older one is female and still goes like a young one. The younger one is our first male and I wish we had gotten males sooner. Socialize him as much as possible around children....they can be a bit nippy w/ the little ones.
IMO the agility and frisbee stuff puts quite a bit of stress on their joints and brings on greater related problems as they age. With that in mind, ours play ball, swim and love to go on walks. None of the big jumping stuff most of the time.
We are lucky to be able to bring them to work each day.

Best of luck !!

Bo

Wayne&Sam · 02-28-2008, 03:33 PM

good luck with your new pup! You'll have great fun I agility.

Macfrodge · 02-28-2008, 04:06 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Bo Charlie

The younger one is our first male and I wish we had gotten males sooner.

Hi Bo,

Thanks for the info - you must be an Aussie expert by now. I'm curious about your comment on males -

This guy has been raised in a household with 4 kids, 1 cat and numerous other dogs. He apparently doesn't have any of the typical Aussie reserve, which is nice.

So now we wait a whole month for him - that's almost as bad as waiting for camping season to start, which is going to be a long time this season given all the snow we have, and more on the way...

Wayne&Sam · 02-28-2008, 04:15 PM

I'm really not THAT illiterate as one might think from my last post. I'm learning to "type" on my new iPhone and I need to be more careful!

At any rate- enjoy your new pup. Agility is a great training experience and will really bond you and your dog.

Sugarfoot · 02-28-2008, 06:39 PM

Congrats on your new pup, Gus! He looks like a winner. I don't know much about agility, but I've seen one SAR K9 handler from Colorado working an Aussie at one of our seminars. He was a sharp dog, took direction well, and always found his subject. Good luck with your agility work.

Macfrodge · 02-28-2008, 07:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Wayne&Sam

I'm really not THAT illiterate as one might think from my last post. I'm learning to "type" on my new iPhone and I need to be more careful!

Lucky you!

Up here in Canada we're still waiting for the iPhone - not to mention having to pay one of the most expensive data rates in the world...

cameront120 · 02-28-2008, 08:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Macfrodge

Up here in Canada we're still waiting for the iPhone - not to mention having to pay one of the most expensive data rates in the world...

You got that right!

Bo Charlie · 02-29-2008, 10:53 AM

Mac,
We had 1 litter of pups in '05 for the sole purpose of getting some pups for family members. The mother was amazing and has since passed on. My family all took females and 2 neighbors took boys.
Both of the boys are still with us at almost 14. As is my female. The guys seem calmer and more loving. My new male, at 3, will give anyone he remotely knows a kiss, if wanted, as soon as they walk in the door. The female hangs back till she is sure she knows the person.

bo

Zugbug · 02-29-2008, 10:57 AM

There is no way I could imagine having only one Golden Retreiver the two of them play almost non-stop all day long.

crispyboy · 02-29-2008, 01:53 PM

Congrats on the new dog!
The only downside will be the constant high energy level - he will need exercise. (I would also recommend having him castrated so that he will socialize better and not be so worried about domination over other dogs - dog fights).
I have a Border Collie and if I don't spend a minimum amount of time playing with him everyday - he really starts pouting. It can drive you crazy sometimes.
You will do better since there is another dog for companionship.

This dog has changed my life and it's been all for the good - I enjoy spoiling him.