male or female newcomer?

[SCHUMI]

i've got a 19mth border collie who is my life.we have a 15yr old dog who has shown the young un the way and is now not bothered with him.sam my baby is forever wanting to play and my husband and i are thinking about getting him a playmate.now a friend has advised that i do not get my dream dog which is a doberman as my response towards having that breed may upset sam so we have decided on another collie.this is where you lot come in.
do we go for a male or female and younger than sam or around the same age?
i should point out that sam is very much a mummys boy.he has been neutered.he goes to agility training and loves to be around the other collies in his group which makes the point of having another one. any advice?

[divegirl]

Hi, can I ask why you do not want to get a Doby......any dog , introduced as a puppy can cause stress to an older dog, why should a Doberman be any worse? I had a Doberman and it was one of the best dogs I ever had....easy to train, great companion and fitted in well with exsisting pets. I think is it is up to you as an owner to nurture the relationships between your pets.....I should know.....have just introduced a mad kitten into my house, which already contains 4 dogs, a parrot and 2 Degus [and now the kids want another kitten :o( :o)!!!]
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Lisa x

[kita1]

I would be more concerned about your 15 year old feeling pushed out than Sam. From what you say Sam is pretty well adjusted and I think would bond well with any young dog that you got. I don't think male/female is an issue as Sam is neutered and does not sound as though he is very dominant. Collies are usually pretty even natured. If you got a puppy the only thing is you would have to take care it did not get too excited and overdo things like exercise etc. as regards physical growth.

I cannot see any harm in getting a dobe, if Sam is going to be jealous of your relationship with the new dog he will be jealous of any dog whatever the breed! (This is one case where I would say follow your heart!). I would advise taking the dogs out seperately a couple of times a week so that they do not bond too strongly otherwise you may be the one pushed out!!! I think they will have a ball together whatever you get, and will probably give your old dog a bit of well deserved peace and quiet!

Good Luck!

[GypsyGSD]

I have at present a 8yr old gsd a 5yr old gsd and a 3 yr old collie plus 3 cats all have come to me at different stages in there lives, if all introductions are done carefully and in a controlled way i cant see that it would be a problem with what breed you get. they do say that its better to have a dog and bitch and have them netuerded and speyed rather than have two of the same sex this cuts out the pack instinct and possilbe dominant circumstances,I have also found that it is better to wait till the other dogs in the house are around two before getting another dog,Another thing to consider is the temperment between the two breeds, i have always worked and owned gsds and my methods of training suited them you can be firm and fair this would apply to a dob, but when i decided to change my sport to sheep dog trialing and got my collie my methods of training had to be totally changed being of a softer approach as there tempermentsare totally different the point im trying to make is this br prepared if you have never owned a guarding breed before of being a lot firmer than what you have to be with a collie and i cant see you having many problems with getting your dream dog. good luck

[SCHUMI]

thanx for all your advice.re the dob i have been obssesed with that breed since i could say the name and my pal was just concerned about how i would react to owning one when i have such a strong bond with sam.he was worried that sam would feel pushed out and would cause problems with sams reaction if we brought in a really young pup.sounds silly but my mate does know me very well and was just advising me.re the older dog lee is so laid back he really doesn't mind what is in his space the more company he has the happier he is as long as he gets his share and he dotes on my husband so as long as he gets his "dad" and his treat he quite happy so he is not a problem.we are going to see a young collie bitch 2day she a year old so about the same age as sam.if they get on we will have her if not the search goes on but will keep you posted again thanx