So, IF I were to get a second doodle....

[SadieFern]

WHEN is the BEST time? Sadie is only 8 months and I'm not planning to do anything until she's at least a year.
She's obviously a female
In your opinions...is a male the best choice? She's not a dominant type dog at all. Does it matter if I get another female?
All experienced, multiple doodle owners please chime in!

[KingstonTodd]

We had a female first, and added a 4month old male when Hershey was about a year. It was nice to have the first one trained before adding the second.

[jumpinjacuzzijoe]

we got bubba as a pup (8 weeks) and added cosette (rehome) when bubba was about 14 months...cosette is about 6 months older than bubba....it worked out fantastic

[Maureen]

Great question!!
I don't believe gender is a factor AT ALL if you are neutering/spaying both so it really is up to you as to when you want a second doodle.

[KGarro]

We got Juno when Uma was 2 and their age difference is great. Uma's at just the right age to be a good role model for the little one, but she still has enough puppy in her that she enjoys playing as much as the pup.

As far as gender goes, my husband was under the impression that 2 girls wouldn't get along and it's hasn't been the case here at all. They are truly best friends.

Good luck!

[Maureen]

Julie I forgot to add I've just lowered the cost on a scruffy mini-doodle if you are looking right now....email me!

[L's Mom]

We got Della, when Lucas was 8 1/2 months. He was at the time, a pretty well behaved puppy but starting to do the ... huh? I can't hear you??? thing... when Della came, he got on his best behavior, and I really think they are helping each other to stay in line... they bonded well, and they help each other burn off some of that puppy energy!

[MaxandMe]

Overall: The BEST TIME: when you find the 2nd doodle and the 1st one is potty trained

Peanut was 9 weeks old when we brought her home, Max was 7mos old

max and peanut are 5 mos apart in age ,worked out well for us
main reason: they go through stages at same time together,
and are play mates and best buds

I usually would say have a 6mos to 1yr age difference is good
( didn't realize till now mine are 5mos apart) hahhaaa

Most times gender doesn't matter , Beau and Max were the exception to the rule
but i do like having one of each " boy Ld , girl GD they balance each other out

I got Maya when she was 3.5 mos and then added Sadie last Sat. Maya is now 13 mos and Sadie at best guess is 4-5mos. Both are girls and I did not have one minute of issues with them bonding. They were best friends immediately. So while I will not be a double doodle household for a long time to come (God willing) I couldn't give my lil love bug up to a home where I didn't know how she would be treated. However, Maya is a double doodle so I am giving Sadie honorary doodle status.

PS All of Maya's friends are girls too and there wasn't any issue with them getting along either.

[sdrudge]

Ok this is just me. If you get a boy i would say you would want him older then Sadie. For us it is really nice with Beau. He kind of keeps Cacao in line. But sometimes she keeps him in line. It is funny. they just work so well together. I would almost take Sadie to met the new dog. It helps you see how they act together. Cacao and Beau hit it off 1st thing. It was like they just knew it was meant to be.

[lindamarie]

Every time I read a thread like this it gets me thinkin'.........hmmmmmmm....I want another one too!! I'd get a female and name her Bacall. Bogie and Bacall.........love it!!

If I were to do it, I think 8 months is a good time. Bogart is 8 months right now too, and I could see a puppy working out really well here right now!!

[MaxandMe]

on the average they say a boy/girl dog relationship works best
but we've seen members here who could say that isn't true


if You can have your doodle MEET the 2nd doodle on neutral territory
like outside ....that's a good 1st step

and with an older dog you present doodle stays the same way
where as a younger 2nd doodle matures YOUR Present doodle into being a big brother/sister role sometimes overnight.

[annieG]

I hope age or boy/girl don't really play that much a part. I want to get a pal for Tanner and we will just wait until the right one comes along....we'll know

[lmtoth2]

I would probably wait until she is near 12 months or seems to be coming out of the adolescence phase

I think temperment is more important than gender. Has Sadie been around other dogs? If she has, does she take a dominant or submissive role? If she is submissive, than you could probably choose any 2nd doodle, but if she is at all dominant, I would look for either a puppy or a very submissive adult. I have heard that female/female can cause more issues, but i think if both have the right temperments it would work fine

[Maureen]

Originally Posted by lmtoth2

I think temperment is more important than gender.

Leslie you are EXACTLY RIGHT!!
One of the things to think about is, do you want a dog who will be alpha to your first dog? Or submissive to your first dog? Either way is fine, but I have a feeling that this is where the male/female combo gets its validity or why it keeps travelling around as good advice. My vet has 2 boys! My other vet has an assortment! And I have girls, of course. See, it really is up to you and how you want to set up your home. You get to choose. But the truth of the gender question is that gender is NEUTRALIZED when the dogs are neutered. Girls can be alpha, boys can be alpha and that is determined in the litter, not by x's and y's. And it makes sense that people generalize according to their experience. But each dog's personality and temperment are what really matter when they are living with you, and that's the key.

I hope this helps! You'll know what you want or who you want when you "meet" them - even if it's a posting or a picture online!