We are serious considering getting either a puppy or a couple of puppies but before we decide we need to know if this breed is better kept as a single dog or if they are happier with a friend/companion. If they’re better as a couple then are 2 females or 2 males better.
It is better to get one puppy at a time. That way the pup will bond with you better. If you get two they play and interact with each other more than you. You can get a second when your first is a bit older.
Tags: Westie
It is better to get one puppy at a time. That way the pup will bond with you better. If you get two they play and interact with each other more than you. You can get a second when your first is a bit older. Another reason for not getting litter mates is that they grow old together and you could end up with double heartache in a very short space of time.
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If you want to have two dogs get them both now as puppies. Either combination is fine as long as you get them neutered or spayed and socialize them very well. I had one Westie and he was happy as a single dog in the household. They are wonderful pets, very loving and such clowns! They need a lot of exercise as all terriers do. So do what you feel is best for you and your family.
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Def only get one at a time, completely agree the first answer you had. You are just asking for trouble with 2 at the same time, toilet and obedience training 2 pups at the same time, especially terriers would be a nightmare. Make sure you buy from a reputable breeder too, go through the kennel club or have a look in Dogs Today mag for details of breeders, you could also buy a back copy of the mag which has westies as the focus breed for that months issue. Please don’t buy from a puppy farmer or someone unregistered, westies can have genetic problems such as bad skin for one and you want to make sure you are buying from healthy breeding stock and someone who loves their dogs and the breed, not just a money grabbing breeder who just wants a fast buck. If you save money by cutting corners when you buy, you will invariably end up at the vets more often ad loose any savings. As far as 2 males/females or a mix, it doesn’t really matter as long as they are neutered, which can be done at around 5-6 months, depending on your vet.
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Qualified VN and owned dogs all my life
HoundDog and Scoobydo have both offered excellent advice to you.
Virginia
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No reputable breeder will sell you 2 puppies from the same litter. If you buy 2 of the same sex, there is no guarantee that they will be able to live together peaceably when they reach maturity, resulting in heartbreak when the only answer is to rehome one of them. Two puppies, same age, same size & same sex are too close together to be able to work out which is top dog and will fight incessantly. You may be lucky – but you have decide how you cope if you weren’t. If you buy one of each, you’ll have to have at least one of them neutered very early which can cause all sorts of developmental problems later on.
Apart from that, 2 puppies will bond with each other far more than with you. It is impossible to train 2 puppies at the same time and things don’t take twice as long but 3 or 4 times as long!
Far better to buy one, train it and allow it mature then have it neutered. Then you can look round for a 2nd one.
WHWTs as a breed are very popular with backyard breeders – to minimise the chances of buying a dog with health or temperament problems, make sure you find a reputable breeder:
http://www.welshclub.dog-lovers.org.uk/Welcome.htm
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Owned multi-dogs for over 30 yrs.
It is better to get one puppy at a time. That way the pup will bond with you better. If you get two they play and interact with each other more than you. You can get a second when your first is a bit older.
References :