Help me decide if I should adopt a dog.

[TNDemo]

We adopted a beagle/basset mix about eight months ago. She has some separation anxiety issues (just baying and crying, nothing destructive). I really had wanted to get a Boston Terrier since I had grown up with one but my daughter picked this one out and our former dog had been a basset mix so that was okay. I also have a fat cat with an attitude. I just noticed one of the rescue groups has a 3-year-old BT that has been turned in by the owner because of the owner's health issues. I have been wondering if I should apply for the dog. I have never had more than one dog at a time before so this would be new territory. My main concern is that it would be too upsetting for the dog I already have - maybe she needs my complete attention for awhile longer. Even though she is 100% perfect with people (I would trust her with a baby) she has some issues with dogs - at least on meeting them initially. She will start sniffing with them but then will growl and lunge. She seems so submissive otherwise that this behavior was a real surprise. I know the BT will go quickly so finding it a home should not be a problem. But I would love to have one. What do you think? Should I just keep the current situation or try to adopt the dog?

[nothingshocksmeanymore]

1. Bassetts are aggressive and territorial

Unless you can make sure the dogs are compatible, you are asking for problems. If you do take the dog home, do you have a way of separating them?

[Pirate Smile]

6. Mine's not. He must be unusual because they told me Bassett's

are the hardest dogs to obedience train right after he came in first place in his Class.

My parent's Yorkie bosses him around.

He is my first Basset Hound and I didn't research the breed. I adopted him after I hit him with my car and found out he was a stray.

[merwin]

2. You could see if the place you are adopting from will let you briefly

introduce the dogs (on a leash of course).

[Lex]

3. Bostons are supposed to be good at assimilating

into a family of kids and existing pets.

I remember reading that once when I was doing research on Boston Terriers because I was interested in getting one too and we already had 2 cats.

[Dr.Phool]

4. I've found the best mix is a female and a male

They just seem to get along better. Not as competitive.

My 2 dogs,get along fine. We had one for 2 years before we got the other.
The female is older, and we tried to adopt another female earlier, and she just wasn't having it. She was fine with the male puppy. They're 10 and 8yo now.

[donco6]

5. We have two rat terriers.

My only regret is we waited so long. They keep each other company quite well. Don't know about the bassett/BT mix, but we wouldn't go back to just one.

[Nite Owl]

7. Do you want a dog or a puppy?

It might make a difference as a puppy would bring out the maternal instincts and she would be taking care of the little one. She would also feel like she is the top dog and the little one wouldn't argue with that. As they get older their might be some deciding who is the top dog but they would know each other by then. Just a thought. I have two (had three) and the youngest was a pup and it has worked out ok. They really get along well thought they squabble like little kids over toys and bones. Nothing serious, it's actually quite a show for us humans.