Daryl,

You have done your reading. It is not a good idea to get two puppies at the same time, as they are more likely to bond more closely to each other than to their human parents. This is especially true of puppies from the same litter. Adopting puppies two years apart seems to reduce the amount of tension between the dogs. When considering a second dog, it is best to add a dog of the opposite sex, although this is not always necessary. Spaying and neutering is very important, and neutering male dogs at a young age goes a long way to preventing aggression from developing.

It is always a good idea to gain a sense of knowledge about your breed and how well they get along with other dogs. The Golden Retriever is a breed that tends to be very social with both humans and dogs. Other breeds, for example some terriers can be especially possessive of their parents and will not take lightly to the introduction of an attention-grabbing puppy. Male dogs that meet the criteria of guard-dog temperament may not get along with other males. These can include such breeds as Akitas, Rottweilers, Chow Chows, German Shepherds, Shar-Peis, Weimaraners, Great Danes, and Mastiffs. It also depends on the individual personality of your dog. Some dogs just don't get along with other dogs no matter what their pedigree.

Hope that helps.

Sincerely Zena & Zippy