Companion for my new Dogue?

[danielkuhlman]

Hi everybody! This is my first post here!

My fiance and I were talking about getting a DDB (mainly I was and she just agreed). After doing tons of research, this is definitely the breed for me. One thing I'm worried about, though, is drill. I'm currently deployed and return home in May. Once we return to our normal drilling status, I'll have to go out of town for one weekend a month for drill. While my fiance is home, there won't be any issues, but I'm worried about the rare occasion where our new family member may have to be left in his crate for 5-8 hours at a time. I know that they can get depressed and destructive in some situations like this. My question is this, would it be wise to get another puppy at the same time so they ALWAYS have each other? I'd like a male DDB, and a smaller female dog (my fiance would not be happy with two large dogs)? I'd make sure at least one or the other were spayed/neutered, if not both of them. They'd both be puppies, so I could socialize them early with each other so we're all one big happy family.

Is this wise? Or, in your experience, are they okay in their crates for that long once or twice a month? Any advice would be appreciated.


Thank you much!

Daniel

 

[Wyo- Dogue de Bordeaux]

From my experience with two ddb's, one being 18 months and our new one being 15 weeks, they so fine in their kennel for that long. They are very docile dogs and as pups sleep a lot. Mine are kenneled at night from 10 pm till 7 in the morning. They play for an hour every morning and then eat and lay down again.

As for a friend, my 15 week old puppy's beat friend is a tea cup chihuahua who is now 21 weeks old. It can be challenging with two puppies in making sure they get the right amount of people time, potty training, and also obedience (and in my case show training). It can be done but takes a lot of patients.

If you have any questions about ddb's send me a message and I would be happy to answer.

And welcome to the form!!

 

[danielkuhlman]

Thanks for the speedy response! I was thinking of rescuing a small mixed breed if we can find one suitable when we go to pick up Boba (that or Jengo, haven't decided on the name yet!!). If they do alright in a kennel, then we'll wait a bit. Just need to know he won't get too lonely on the days I'm out of town and my fiance works.

Thank you much, and I'm sure you'll receive a few messages from me in the coming months as it gets closer!

 

[Wyo- Dogue de Bordeaux]

We leave ours with a kong filled with frozen peanut butter balls or with a raw hide. This way try have something to do for a couple of hours during the day.

 

[DennasMom]

There are different issues with two dogs... they may bond more with each other than with their humans, which can cause problems with training.

Our puppy (now 10 months old) has to spend 10-12 hours in her crate when I'm out of town on business, but we have a dog walker come by 2x a day, so it's never more than 5 hours at a time. We also have started her at daycare, so one day a week she gets totally worn out from lots of playtime, so the next few days in the crate are no problem. She also has the mondo-crate, what we call the "condo"... it's the 54" wire crate... so plenty of room to stretch out in.

 

[musicdeb]

Depends on the age as to how long they can stay in a crate. Puppies younger than 8-10 months usually have to go to potty every few hours depending on their age.

Re: neutering. It's best to NOT neuter/spay a mastiff until they are at least 18 months old.

Keep us posted on your new pups. The forum has lots of information. If you have a particular question, do a search. If you can't find an answer, post it and you'll receive lots of replies.

Welcome to the mastiff family~

 

[Kujo]

Welcome! And good choice on the DDB