Dog experts... 12 year old beagle... considering another dog. UPDATE!!! PHOTOS!!

[staceyobu]

We are very randomly considering adopting a 4 year old beagle that is in the pound. She is a female.

We own a 12 year old male beagle. He loves other dogs and sometimes seems depressed when he comes home from grandparents' house where he has two german shepherds to play with. I don't want a young dog to make him miserable. But, I wonder if having a younger girl in the house might keep him active. Any thoughts? I think she would get adopted out fairly quickly, so we probably need to make a rash decision.

 

 

UPDATE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

I checked the shelter's website the next day, and she was gone.   :(

 

Then, DH came home from work and told me to pick her up the next afternoon!!!   :hurray: He had bought her on his lunch break.

 

So, meet TRIXIE!! (It's the name she came with, but four kids like it, so we are sticking with it!!!)

 

The kids and I went to break her out of jail the next afternoon. 

 

 

 

Settling in.

 

Two beagles together.  (Who are not good at being still enough to pose.)

Edited May 27, 2016 by staceyobu

[Slache]

I'm normally very opposed to adding another dog because the original is usually unhappy about it but if he's that kind of a dog I would take him down there tomorrow and introduce them. You'll know immediately if it's the right decision. I wouldn't do a puppy. Puppies age older animals.

[staceyobu]

I'm normally very opposed to adding another dog because the original is usually unhappy about it but if he's that kind of a dog I would take him down there tomorrow and introduce them. You'll know immediately if it's the right decision. I wouldn't do a puppy. Puppies age older animals.

A puppy is not on the table. :)

[Upptacka]

We got another dog when our first dog was "geriatric" (10 year old lab). It was wonderful for us! It brought a lot of life and joy to our older dog. Sure, there were times when the younger dog would wear him out, or be pestering him to play when he didn't want to. But the younger dog was also very receptive and submissive to the older dog, from the moment they met. He knew when older dog had had enough, and then left him alone. He also found out very quickly that he could not climb on older dog (his hips were bad). But they were the best of buddies and cuddled with each other and took care of each other. And selfishly, it was a blessing for all of us to have the younger dog around to help us through our grief when the older dog passed at age 13.

 

I would definitely introduce them first, and let that guide you to your decision.

[hornblower]

I'd introduce them. Having lived with singleton dogs & groups, I think I would be very reluctant to have a single dog again (with the exception obv of if the dog is very dog aggressive). My observations are that they really enjoy the company of their own species & your boy sounds like he's still playful. 12 for a beagle is not that old either. I say go for it & if they get along, bring him home a friend. :)

Edited May 24, 2016 by hornblower

[Pawz4me]

I think it can work out fine with the right dogs and definitely can be beneficial for the oldster.  I agree with the others about introducing them before you adopt if possible.  Good luck!

[ktgrok]

Sounds perfect! A younger dog (but not puppy) can help keep the older guy young. Just take the older one to the shelter with you so they can meet and see how they interact. 

[OhanaBee]

We had a beagle for almost 17 years.  She was a sweetie and SO good with cats......but not with other dogs.  It sounds as if your beagle doesn't have a problem with other dogs, so I'd say introduce them and see what the reaction is.  A younger/older dog combination can be a very good thing!

[Rachel]

We adopted a 7 year old beagle mix last week. He is the sweetest dog ever and seems to love other dogs. The dogs we have had in the past generally preferred having another dog around. We plan to get another dog eventually but want our new guy well settled first.

[Rachel]

The shelter we adopted from had a foster to adopt program where you can take the dog home for a week and if it isn't a good fit, return the dog to the shelter for a full refund. You may want to see if your shelter does something similar.

[gypsymama]

We have been considering this. Our golden boy is 8 years old and we think adopting a younger sibling for him might make him happy. He LOVES being with the family but seems sad sometimes when we don't get out of the house. He really loves cats though and gets excited every time he sees one so we're undecided if we want to get another dog or if we'd be better off adopting him a dog loving cat. Our home can't take two goldens though so I'm not sure what kind of dog we would get this time if we chose a dog instead of a cat. We adopted him last year and waited until he'd settled in good. Now that he's been with us for a year we're starting to more seriously consider adopting again. We also have local shelters that will do playdates or foster to adopt programs. Those would be good ways to check compatibility.

[Slache]

Update?

[staceyobu]

Update?

 

Finally updated. :)

[gypsymama]

Congratulations! Everyone looks so happy.  :thumbup:

[Slache]

She's fabulous! I love her!

[hornblower]

:hurray:  yay! Congrats Trixie! 

[alisoncooks]

How cute! Hope she fits right in!

[Spryte]

Adorable!!!

[MercyA]

Yay! Congratulations!  :party:

[gaillardia]

Congratulations. I say you're crazy folk with one beagle. We had a beagle when I was little. He was all over the place, and a hunting dog.

I love beagles. I'm glad you picked up on your fella's loneliness after being around gs at grandparents'. 

You're a peach.

 

[mmasc]

Congratulations! Stories like this make me smile. You have a beautiful family and it looks like fun times are ahead! :)

[Ewe Mama]

Hooray! Enjoy your new home, Trixie!