Naomi Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 OH and I are hoping to start building a house soon. It is on a 3 acre block of land. Our current housing situation only allows for one dog but we were planning on another when we were in the new place. We are trying to decide between getting another adult Aussie or our other dream breed, a Bernese Mountain Dog. To me, an Aussie and a Berner are completely different breeds and I'm wondering how much that should factor into the decision. That's why I had originally thought another Aussie would be the way to go. Same requirements, energy levels, etc. Do you own two different breeds? How does it work for you. Just thinking ahead because if we decide on a Bernese I understand that there can be a long waiting list. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cowanbree Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 They are very different breeds but they may in fact temper each other. I also own an aussie, previously 2 and the 2 aussies together were rougher and a lot more active than my current aussie ) which was one of the original 2) is just with the shelties. She has learnt that they don't tolerate the rough housing and she is a completely different dog. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wuffles Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 (edited) The Berners I've met have varied a LOT in energy levels. One of them that I know is even too much for my Aussie :) Edit: The only thing I'd worry about is that Aussies do NOT know when to stop, and it may be detrimental to a growing Berner pup to have such rough, constant play... Edited July 22, 2012 by wuffles Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 My griffon and my coolie are the greatest of friends, now they are two very different breeds. And at the moment the griffon is curled up in a bed with my coolie pup, having had a good play all afternoon, they will become greatest of friends. Griffons and coolies are two different breeds in relation to size and energy. Mocha the griffon just tells Latte off if she is getting a bit boisterous with him. So I think it can work very well Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Dogsfevr Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Its very doable providing your happy to adapt to each needs if required Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rusty&biscuit Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 I second showdog, I think it is very doable to have different breeds. I have 3 fairly different breeds, and they all get on fine. Cherry is a dainty staffy cross girl, who doesn't like to play with other dogs, and certainly does not like the rough and tumble of an Aussie, and she let him know that, and Rusty respects that. Then I Rusty the aussie is forever playing really rough with Biscuit the schip, but Biscuit loves it, as he doesn't know any different anyway! I think just keeping the berner seperate from the aussie when you're not at home to save those growing bones from the rough-and-tumble play style of aussies will be all it takes :) Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Carlo11 Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 I own two Pharaoh Hounds but I also foster dogs so other breeds come and go. They are always welcoming to any fosters I have but they stick together like glue and arent all that keen to socialise or play with other breeds. They are like two perfect peas in a pod so I wouldnt ever really consider having another breed at the same time as he/she would always be on the outer. Good luck with your decision. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Spotted Devil Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 My two are polar opposites in every way...looks, activity levels, training style, snuggle factor, playing style and off switch (the busy Springer has the best one). They get on very well and I love working and living with their differences. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pepe001 Posted July 22, 2012 Share Posted July 22, 2012 Don't do it . I see a big big problem. Looking at your picture every Tom Dick and Harry will say 'oh a mummy and baby, how cute'. Can you cope with that every time you go out with the pair. :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 Edit: The only thing I'd worry about is that Aussies do NOT know when to stop, and it may be detrimental to a growing Berner pup to have such rough, constant play... Yes Archie loves to play, to the point of not knowing when to stop. His best friend is a lab cross who keeps up with him and they both seem to tucker out at the same time, which is very convenient. This is why I had originally considered an adult Bernese, but they would obviously be very hard to come by. ...I think just keeping the berner seperate from the aussie when you're not at home to save those growing bones from the rough-and-tumble play style of aussies will be all it takes :) I think if I was going to go the Bernese route, this would be the way to go. I'm assuming that crate training works just as well for Bernese as it does for other breeds. Archie sleeps in his at night, so I would have to be fair. :p I own two Pharaoh Hounds but I also foster dogs so other breeds come and go. They are always welcoming to any fosters I have but they stick together like glue and arent all that keen to socialise or play with other breeds. They are like two perfect peas in a pod so I wouldnt ever really consider having another breed at the same time as he/she would always be on the outer. Good luck with your decision. Thank you. Archie wants to be friends with every dog he meets. :) Lots to think about. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi Posted July 22, 2012 Author Share Posted July 22, 2012 Don't do it . I see a big big problem. Looking at your picture every Tom Dick and Harry will say 'oh a mummy and baby, how cute'. Can you cope with that every time you go out with the pair. :laugh: Haha! When Archie was a puppy I had a lot of people asking if he was a Bernese Mountain Dog? :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
cassie Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Sorry Naomi for only just seeing this and your PM! But yes I think a Bernese would suit your situation fine :) Our two get along with my brother-in-law's Border Collie very well. As others have said just be mindful of too much rough play for the first year of the Berner's life, but I've always found mine to stop on their own when they've had enough. They are a very slow to mature breed and remain young and bouncy for several years. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clyde Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 It works and it doesn't. I don't take my Pug on long runs with my Stafford. But at home they play really well together. Then I have 3 Maremmas too which are vastly different from the other two. They all get along within reason though. I think it boils down to what you want to do with the dogs, and if long walks is something you do could they match each other? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
booge Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 We have a Boxer and a Pug, both boys, get along fine. Biggest thing is the vast difference in exercise requirements. I walk them both together, Boxer can go all day but Pug aint interested, and i don't have time in the day to take them on separate walks unless I'm on holidays! That's something I'd consider before having two dogs again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
persephone Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Boxer can go all day but Pug aint interested, And that is how it should be :) One is built for working , and stamina ..one is not. two entirely different sets of needs . :) Definitely a big consideration when getting two dogs ... can you give them both just what they need ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
booge Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 Bit time poor with a new baby at home, me working shift work, wife struggling through new motherhood! They still get minimum of 30 mins walk each day, I'll take the Boxer for a jog when i have a days off too. The pug keeps up with the walking.....albeit begrudgingly! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Parkeyre Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 As you know; we have Australian Shepherds. What you may not know is that we had a Saint Bernard live with us for a few months. They got along like a house on fire. But in saying that; our aussies are quite lazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smisch Posted July 30, 2012 Share Posted July 30, 2012 We had a good mix, lowchen, afghan, Lakeland terrier and border collie.. They all got on great and we just had to adapt as to what they needed but for the most part you'd find all 4 of them curled up on the back step Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Naomi Posted July 31, 2012 Author Share Posted July 31, 2012 Well my Aussie is the opposite of lazy, so OH and I have taken on board all your suggestions and we think we will get another adult Aussie. We both love Bernese Mountain Dogs, but I think it would be best if we wait until later in life for a Bernese. Besides, you can't stop at one Aussie! :laugh: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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