Multiple Dogs, Yah or Nay?

[Verminator]

I have been seriously considering (for a while now) adopting a play pal for Cody. I would be looking to to get a female (to avoid major conflicts) terrier of roughly equal size and age. My question is for those of you with multiple dogs, do you ever regret having more than one? Do you ever wish that you could go back to just one dog to care for? Thanks for your input.

[smkie]

God gave me two hands..one for each i believe all a dog cares about is love and fairness..so one hand for each head works for me

[juliefurry]

I love both my dogs and would not regret getting two. I would just make sure that the dogs get along before adopting another. Bring your dog to the shelter, or rescue, for a meet and greet with it's prospective new playmate. My dogs for some reason just like to battle for dominance and will be fine for a couple days and then will do the whole fighting and mounting thing for a day or two.

[Fran27]

I'm really glad we got two. I can't imagine how bored Boris would be without Tips. The only bad point about having two IMO is that it's sometimes harder to train them, as it's not always easy to seperate them, and that it's harder for walks etc. But I have no regret at all, I'm even thinking about #3 in a few years

[Dani]

I've never had more than one dog at a time, but I think I would definetly consider having two when I'm older and I've moved out. But, this is only if the circumstances are right, and that's really what's most important.

[Sheba]

Generally, two dogs are pretty easy to care for, as long as they are two females. Two males or a male and a female can sometimes be pretty tough, and you may not be able to have two. Room is another thing. Will there be enough room for both dogs? Dogs love to run..you probably already know that. I once had two dogs... Wendy and Sheba (we had to put Sheba to sleep, she had hip problems and was very agressive towards humans), they both got along fine...

[RD]

Sometimes I do think "dear gawd, this is SO much work", and that it was easier when I only had Ripley.
Having multiple dogs is more expensive, there is more yard cleanup more often, more grooming, more food, more barking, more shedding, and squabbles between the two of them.

However I can say from experience that the good far outweighs the bad. It is more work and more money, but it is also more love and MUCH more fun.

[Zoom]

I love having two dogs, but the walks are a bit frustrating at times, since Aubrey still hasn't been trained out of pulling like a cart horse.

A (fixed) male and female is the best route to go though. Two females, unless from the same litter, have a higher tendency to fight with each other.

[Fran27]

Frankly I've heard the same things about people having two females and two males fight-wise, I haven't seen it though... I think it depends much more on the character of the dog than their sex.

Other than that, I would go as far as saying that I can't imagine having just one dog. Just as having just one child. I think it's important for them to have someone else to play with that understands them. Plus they really wear each other out, which is better if you don't have that much time to excercise the dog everyday. So mostly IMO one dog is fine if the owners spends at least 4-5 hours a day taking care of it, if not two is better.

[Barb04]

I always had only 1 dog but as of 3 years ago, I have multiple dogs. It was quiet in the house with 1 dog and thought I wouldn't be able to give more than 1 enough attention, but it's not true. They all have such different personalities and wants. I love them all, each for different reasons.