[ladyjane]

Originally Posted by SWHouston

This is very true for me as well...
I really didn't understand how good it is for one, to have the opposite (sex) companion. Since I realized that, I have always made any addition to My "Pack", like this...

Same Breed,
Opposite Sex,
The new Dog about 2 years younger than the Resident.

Note:
Age separation will assist in promoting/maintaining the Resident's status within your household, and be a reasonable "space", in later years, when the oldest approaches the Bridge...
Also, if/when you do add, be sure to give a LOT of attention to the resident animal, overdo it in fact. Many resident animals really suffer psychologically when they think they are being replaced in your heart, with another.