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How many dogs is too many?

If you are wondering what is the right dog for you, this is the place to be. In this introductory forum we talk about topics such as breed vs. mix, size, age, grooming, breeders, shelters, rescues as well as requirements for exercise, space and care. No question is too silly here. This particular forum is for getting and giving helpful, nice advice. It is definitely not a forum for criticizing someone else's opinion, knowledge or advice. This forum is all about tail wagging and learning.

  
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Roxy

Reaaadddyy..seee- ttt.. G---OH A- BIRD!!!		 
 
Barked: Fri Oct 19, '12 10:04pm PST 
Me and my boyfriend have Roxy(Sibe. Husky) and Warrior (GSD). Warrior is a year old and Roxy is going on 10 months old. I joke with my BF all the time about getting another pup, but deep down im not joking! Is 3 dogs too many? I mean when I lived with my parents we had 3 dogs but they were all small: yorkie, teacup poodle(r.i.p), and a JRT..plus a cat. We are about to move out of our apartment and we are looking to rent a house we NEED a backyard, it's a must and they need space. I figured once we get settled in to a house then I can add to the family....maaaybe surprise daddy? =D If/when that time comes (within a year or a little more) Im just debating if I want a small dog or not because i have 1 large and 1 medium dog, I wouldn't want the little rascal getting trampled on. Another husky would be AMAZING, but I am researching other breeds that would work with our GSD/HUSKY family. Maybe im crazy for wanting another pup? The BF thinks 3 would be to hard to handle, but that's what I am honestly use to. If we do decide on adding to our 4 legged family I would like to adopt. Just planning ahead =)

Edited by author Fri Oct 19, '12 10:05pm PST

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Mishka &- Luna

1263406		 
 
Barked: Fri Oct 19, '12 10:57pm PST 
Roxy, I have 4 dogs. 2 huskies and 2 dachshunds. We also live in an apartment to help save money to rent a house. I know that the pet deposits are going to be the biggest thing on our part. But honestly it's not as chaotic as everyone thinks with owning 4 dogs in a 1 bedroom apartment. Both of our huskies are very calm inside our home. Even Luna (she going to be 10 months on the 22nd of this month). As long as they get their walk every day or visit the dog park they are fine. I thought before getting Luna that our household would be a little chaotic but in all reality with the right training it turned out to be fine.
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Roxy

Reaaadddyy..seee- ttt.. G---OH A- BIRD!!!		 
 
Barked: Fri Oct 19, '12 11:10pm PST 
See, and im use to having a big pet family. Mark feels 2 is enough but he is easy to convince lol. Im sure when we get a bigger place he may be more open to bringing in another pup. Then it will be deciding if we want a different breed or another Husky.
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Mishka &- Luna

1263406		 
 
Barked: Sat Oct 20, '12 8:02am PST 
yea when we are able to move into a bigger place we are thinking about getting a male husky since we have two female huskies. I think if you make your house a well established home everything will be fine.
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Squ'mey

too old to eat- any more KD		 
 
Barked: Sat Oct 20, '12 8:05am PST 
I think you need to respect your bf's feelings. You do not surprise someone with a 10-18 year committment & hope they'll come around.
Second..do you have enough money to care for all three dogs? Do you have the time? What about an emergency fund in case something happens?
It is hard enough to find a place that takes one big dog..harder for 2, and truly next to impossible with 3.
A dog, as you know, is a member of the family & the decision needs to be one made as a couple.
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Dr. Watson

Not a wiener- dawg!		 
 
Barked: Sat Oct 20, '12 8:14am PST 
There are many questions you need to ask and answer realistically.

Do you have enough money socked away for a big emergency, say $2500? Or do you have pet insurance, which would be a great idea for you with pets so young? I had never had an orthopedic or internal organ issue with my pets before this current crop. First, my third dog (2nd rescue), needed knee surgery (TTA) for 2700 bucks. Then my original dog showed up at 5 (!) with an extrahepatic liver shunt. That's even costlier to treat, plus requires a special diet.

I was just lucky, I suppose with my previous dogs. Now one of mine just had an abscessed tooth, that was $500, and his teeth had always been in very good shape. Add in flea and tick prevention/control, the possibility of allergies, preventive care visits yearly, feeding a good diet.....

It's a good idea to crunch the numbers really.

There are two of us humans, and 4 dogs, 1 medium, 3 large, from 6 1/2 to 3 years old, plus a roommate with one very large dog. But we have a large fenced yard, live in the country, live in a town where owning this many dogs is allowed, and own our house. Still the dog bills are killer. And I hazard a guess that I am a good bit older than you, as well.

As far as the actual work of taking care of them, making sure they get exercise, play, training, that is not terribly difficult, and is, in fact, quite enjoyable. And I just got the 4th dog about 7 months ago.

As Sq'mey said, it's just not appropriate to surprise someone with a dog. This needs to be a reasoned, considered decision by both of you. And you need to be in a very stable situation in all facets of your lives.
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Buster

1201864		 
 
Barked: Sat Oct 20, '12 8:51am PST 
I wouldn't just spring a puppy on your OH and expect him to get used to it that's a big commitment and it will be his responsibility too. How do you think the puppy will feel if one person resents them and they will know this.

You have too many animals when you don't have the time, money or space to look after them well. The more dogs you have the more bills and not just medical care puppies are expensive. Then there's all the time needed for training and socialising on top of taking care of your other pets.
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UCH Onyx TT

Do you even- lift?
 
 
Barked: Sat Oct 20, '12 9:16am PST 
In addition to the points made by other posters, I would consider the implications of having three dogs so close in age. Raising three puppy/teenage dogs simultaneously is a lot if work, especially when one of them is a GSD. I know personally I won't be getting another puppy until my GSD is at least 2-3, so he'll be past most of his teenage phase. And three dogs that are young at the same time will result in three dogs that are old at the same time, which could be difficult financially and emotionally down the road.

That beig said, I think three dogs is perfectly reasonable as long as you have the time, money, and energy to care for them all for their entire lives.
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Shiver Me- Timbers- "Charlie"

My Little Dog, a- heartbeat at my- feet.<3		 
 
Barked: Sat Oct 20, '12 11:01am PST 
I think, that if you can handle the financial cost AND the physical/mental needs of not two(which are already both high energy dogs that require A LOT of stimulation), but THREE dogs, then no, three is not too many.

However, that said, As Squ'mey said, it ISN'T fair to surprise your boyfriend. At all. It's a commitment and responsibility, not a present. This is something you need to make as a MUTUAL decision, or ultimately, it could put a negative impact on your relationship. I would honestly wait until your dogs are at least two years old. Teenage dogs are a pain, especially when you add another puppy to the mix. But if you have trained, adult dogs, it makes it fair easier with a puppy and the adult dogs can teach the pup too and actually HELP the situation, rather than hinder it. Keep in mind too, that often while puppies will pick up on the good behavior of other dogs in the household, dogs can ALSO pick up the bad habits of others too!

I want my GSD... But I'm waiting, both until I have a house with a yard(I'm in a townhome with no yard), and until my current puppy is much older.

You really do need to take into consideration though, that you've already got two breeds who need A LOT of physical and mental stimulation. Are you able to provide that for another? AND... Not to mention, the occasional one on one training and bonding that a puppy would need? Then yes, there is the financial aspect, especially emergency vet costs. A backyard does not equal exercise or stimulation - a backyard is just a good private place for a pet to do their business and relax in the sun or play in the snow off leash.

And... if you want to rescue, you don't necessarily have to look into breeds, you just have to find dogs at the shelter that you think would suit you both AND your dogs and then do introductions before bringing another dog home, so you can gauge how your dogs are with a new dog on neutral territory. If you wanted a smaller dog, they can typically handle their own when they're raised with larger dogs and usually learn how to keep out of the way of getting trampled.
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Roxy

Reaaadddyy..seee- ttt.. G---OH A- BIRD!!!		 
 
Barked: Sat Oct 20, '12 12:13pm PST 
I wouldn't actually get another dog without telling him, i was kidding about the surprise thing, I should have elaborated, that's my bad. Whether I get another pup with him or without, it would only happen if we agreed on getting him/her and agreed on the breed. I am aware of medical bills and care for my pets as this is not the first time I have had dogs. I've had more then 2 dogs before so I understand the responsibility of taking care of my pets, this isn't new for me. As for financials, that is personal, but yes I am financially able and have the means in case of an emergency. The main reason I was asking about how many dogs is too many is because some people have recently voiced to me that "you shouldn't have more than 2" and that adding another is to much responsibility and a stupid decision. Im just use to a big dog family i guess idk lol. I see it as normal, some see it as irresponsible.

I do understand and I am able to care for another addition. Please understand I would never bring a dog or any other pet for that matter into my life if I could not care for their health and well being. Im old enough to know better.

We did talk this morning and he said as long as we have the space and means then he is open to it. As for training and giving them the time they need, that is not a concern for me, I've done that and do it now everyday. We are an active couple, we go on walks, runs, and bring them to the park constantly as long as the weather permits. But PLEASE know, I would have never posted this thread if I couldn't invest my time or afford another pup financially.


Thanks for the responses!
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