The reason we wanted to get a second dog is because Loki spends a lot of time alone, and we think that isolation isn't good for a pack animal. But packs don't have to be of the same species. So another option might be a cat... except for the fact that I'm allergic to cats.
I searched for "hypoallergenic cat" on Google and the first entry is Allerca. I went to their website and was absolutely shocked. The cheapest one is $7950!!! And on top of that there is a 6 month waiting period. I don't suppose this is a breed that you'd find in shelters.
9 comments:
Are you sure your shiba even LIKES cats? Mine does NOT bark UNLESS it's a cat or a squirrel! Maybe it will be different if it's a kitten.
best thing we did was get the 2nd dog. maybe consider another breed? in hindsight, we're thinking maybe a herding dog (corgi would be of simliar size) would have been a good idea since the shiba has a tendancy NOT to want to come back on command when off leash ;)
I got another shiba so my first shiba could have a friend but Cooper hates my second dog and I've had both together for over 4 months. Make sure Loki isn't the type of dog to be an "only child."
Woah thats $$$$~!
I too wanted a second dog or even a third one but it's easier if I just have two.
From Wikipedia:
There are claims, but no scientific evidence, that the Siberian and Russian Blue breeds are naturally hypoallergenic. Similarly, cat breeds such as the LaPerm, Sphynx, Devon Rex, and Cornish Rex, which lack some of the normal layers of cat fur, are generally held by mild allergy sufferers to be significantly less likely than other breeds to provoke an allergic reaction. However, as more people are allergic to the cat's saliva rather than the fur itself, the benefit of a hairless breed may be limited.
I had a sphnyx or hairless cat and was EXTREMELY allergic to her! I kept her anyway because my body just got used to it but it is in their saliva and when they lick themselves all over so having hair or not is not a determining factor of whether you will be allergic. AND my shiba did NOT like the hairless cat! Remember whatever companion you get for YOUR shiba, match energies!
Find out if Loki likes cats or not first before going through all the effort of finding one that won't make your allergies worse.
If you can't find another Shiba and you don't have dog allergies, I'd find another canine friend for Loki -- maybe a Sheltie as they are also high-energy and not too large.
Dorene
Sukoshi, my Shiba, gets along well with Corgis at the dog park. May be a breed to consider if you don't get another Shiba.
Cortez is a Highlander. There can e only one. He is not bothered by being left alone because in his mind, there is no reason for anything else to be in the house.
He was supposed to be catfriendly when he came. Maybe he was at one time, but after two attempts to kill our cats, we had to develop a system of separation.
They know that each other exists, but I have no doubt that if he could, he would.
The second dog? We debate it, but in the end, I think it would hurt Cortez more rather than help since he is so self important.
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