Do bulldogs benefit from a companion?

[janinez107]

Hi, I got my lovely female bulldog nearly two years ago as a rescue, she is nearly 8yrs, isn't very sociable with other dogs and tends to take off if they approach. When we are at home she loves all the attention and follows me around constantly however we both do work during the week. Three - 4 days of the week she will be on her own (during work hours), we do pay a dog sitter to come in each day and let her out and giver her fuss for an hour but I just feel that might not be enough. My question is, would you get a companion for her based on the situation?

Or do you think because she does not respond well to dogs initially it would be a bad idea?

Your opinions would be welcomed.

xxx

 

[natski282]

I have always had 2 or more for the exact reason company for them . ( We now have 5 but I am retired so I am here )
That said and might be hard to do with your schedule , and a puppy is the better choice for fit maybe with a older dog again tough to do as the older dog will teach what is ok and not . think the key even if you went with a older dog is the fit within there personalities you would want a submissive dog to fit in with the one you have now.

 

[Donnam]

I agree with Nat. Mable would probably accept a puppy more easily than a grown dog--most dogs accept puppies well. But it sounds like a puppy would be hard since they require so much time. I have had puppies while working, but usually in the summer when my kids were home with the dogs. Also, I only worked from 10:00 to 3:00 four days a week.

If you were to get a young adult, I would strongly recommend getting a male. Sometimes adult female dogs dislike each other and when they fight it's brutal. An easy-going guy would be great.

I have 3 dogs (only one bulldog) and I love it. We adopted Jack, then got Winnie because Jack LOVES other dogs and we wanted him to have some company (and I wanted a bully). He took to her right away--she was 8 weeks old. We recently got another young dog from the shelter. Winnie was really possessive of me when we first brought him home. After about 3 days, she was totally fine with him. He's a great fit, because he plays tug and stuff with Winnie. She loves it, but Jack has no interest. Jack had some separation anxiety when we first adopted him, but that improved a lot after we got Winnie.

Whatever you decide, good luck!

 

[TyTysmom]

I don't know if I necessarily agree... only because I have a 9 yr old, and he is so stuck in his ways that I think a pup wouldn't work. But that's just me, and our situation. Tyson is great with other dogs, and he's been around pups, and he'll tolerate them, but he just seems to get annoyed by them, lol and will do anything to just get away from them - haha.

 

[dolphin]

I say the more the merrier, if you already have someone coming in to take care of your girl then I think you've got it made. Our Buster's spirits DEFINITELY got a lift once we adopted his sister Elsa. That old adage, Bulldogs are like potato chips, you can't have just one really really is true.

 

[2BullyMama]

to EBN!!

Based on her reaction and age, if you were to get a companion,,, it should be a puppy (regardless of breed) non-socialized dogs are much more open to accepting a 'baby'. Which will be a lot of work for at least 6 months to introduce and train the puppy

 

[ddnene]

I have always had at least 2 dogs, and we are in the process of getting Wally a friend. I think that unless you take dogs to play w/other dogs they get lonely… or at least having another pet in the house like a cat.

 

[janinez107]

Yeah it's a difficult one because like you say she's an old girl and she is now used to being spoilt getting all the attention. I think a puppy would probably be better suited but I would need the time to invest in training which would be difficult. When dogs approach her she either ignores them completely or freezes or tries to nip them (but like biting the air). Toughy.. I just don't want to get something that will annoy her! xx

 

[RalphieBoy]

Mable and I are about the same age (her dog years). I believe if I had someone to wait on me in the day I wouldn't want someone to play with. Spoiled before work, during the day and all night. Maybe a fish but no competition. Ralphie

 

[natski282]

One other thing came to mind today as they were all playing on the deck , Dive was a worry to Me re a new pup , She is 11 now and a EB and was a breeders main bitch so she had done her duty as a Bully .
I see her even at 11 with Rosie 13 weeks and it is amazing , Diva insists on going out with the pup day or night , run ya runs to the door to make sure she can go out with Rosie and do the potty thing . surprise the heck out of Me to be honest . Diva showed lower tolerance to Dakota as a pup this is why I was a little concerned ( Dakota is now 2 and is a Malamute / flat lab mix they say ) about bring a new EB pup home but she surprised me big time . diva was playing with the pup today on the deck pic are posted .

 

[Texas Carol]

Hi, I got my lovely female bulldog nearly two years ago as a rescue, she is nearly 8yrs, isn't very sociable with other dogs and tends to take off if they approach. When we are at home she loves all the attention and follows me around constantly however we both do work during the week. Three - 4 days of the week she will be on her own (during work hours), we do pay a dog sitter to come in each day and let her out and giver her fuss for an hour but I just feel that might not be enough. My question is, would you get a companion for her based on the situation? Or do you think because she does not respond well to dogs initially it would be a bad idea?

Your opinions would be welcomed. xxx

I have a 7 & 1/2 yr old female, Cami, that I adopted at 5 (a retired breeder).

Loves other people & animals of all types but is very happy being home, just
me & her.

From your description of your dog & home situation, I'd say she's very happy.
I'd leave well enough alone

Thank you for adopting her and giving her love & a forever home...lucky girl!