2 vs. 3 dogs?

[HayleyMarie]

I don't really see the big deal of having three dogs. Right now Im in a three dog household 16lb, 30lb and 90lb and I dont find it hard at all. I will be moving and only taking Teagan with me. Im not really looking forward to that as I know Teagan will be alot more demanding and there wont be another dog there for her to burn her energy off with.

Im hoping that we will be able to bring a 2nd dog into out household sooner than later.

 

[thehoundgirl]

I have 3 right now and had 5 at one time before my old dogs died. I don't really see too much of a difference as I have had multiple dogs all my life.

 

[JessLough]

I have one dog personally. But, I went and watched Jessie's 5 last year for 11 days, and watched 5 of Dekka's for a couple months last year.

I really didn't find it that much harder than just my one, especially at Jessie's, since they could all hang out together all day. I mean, I'm crazy enough to go back to Jessie's this year to watch her 5 . I'd honestly prefer to have 2 or 3 dogs myself, that way they have each other and aren't annoying me all day, like my current dog does lol

 

[thehoundgirl]

What do you think is a good age separation for adding dogs? 12 months? 18 months? 2 years? 3 years?

Until the other dog is fully trained, I don't really have a cut off point. With my dogs Rocky and Jenny (both RIP) we got Rocky first then when he was a year or so we got Jenny. I'm not getting another dog anytime soon though. No plans for another dog right now. Plus Dixie is still maturing she is only 2.

 

[GSchnauzer]

I didn't notice much of a difference. What's one more dog? lol I have a 6, 2, and 1 year old. All are very active. I work full time and manage to exercise and train all 3 equally.

 

[Laurelin]

We've had up to 6 at a time. I would never have that many. 3 is my max, but two is very comfy and easy. Especially 2 of the same size. 3 was a big jump for us but we went from two older shelties to adding Beau who is really really active. It was like a system shock. I thought 3-5 was easy transitions but then both times we had 6 it suddenly felt like a lot.

It's harder with a bigger dog depending on the dog. Even a small dog (20-30lbs) is a big difference from a toy sized dog. When Ada showed up she was not good with the papillons so there was crating and rotating. She was only 15 lbs but it was pure terrier attitude. The paps hated her even after a month. I think that's something to be prepared for if there's a size difference and especially a personality difference. Now we had the shelties (27 lbs and 18 lbs) and paps and it was fantastic. They all got along fine but I think shelties are generally a lot more respectful of other dogs space and not out looking to pick fights like the terrier was. But still they had to be separated while we were gone. It's nice having two dogs that I really do trust together.

I'm planning a larger dog (than the paps) for the next dog and I am going into it hoping it works out but prepared that the bigger dog will have to spend a lot of time segregated at least while it's learning the rules with the little dogs. The big thing with toy sized dogs and larger dogs is imo supervision.

As for spacing my two are almost 8 and then almost 3. I plan on adding dog #3 when Mia is 4 or 5 years old and Summer will be 9 or 10. (holy crap!)

 

[Laurelin]

Oh and I disagree that adding a small dog is always easy. Adding Mia to the house more than doubled the work required for the other 4. It really depends on the individual dog. Adding the other small dogs was very easy. Adding Mia though was a big life adjustment if only for the fact that she needed a lot more time.

 

[Paige]

Yeah personality plays a huge part. I could do seven of Bandit no problem. Yet I'd shoot myself in the foot before I'd take a lot of people's dogs right now as they are just too much.

 

[Tortilla]

I felt like going from one to two was a bigger adjustment than going from two to three. Maybe it was just because I had always only had one dog at a time, and suddenly all of my attention was divided into two. And Seamus was a terror, and required a LOT of attention and behavioural classes. We added Wilbur a couple months ago (he's a Yorkie/Chihuahua and my mum's dog anyway), and it really didn't make much of a difference at all. He's tiny, he doesn't eat that much, he's quiet, not that energetic. But I guess personality does play a huge role. I could never have three Seamuses.

 

[*blackrose]

Oh, that was also a good point made regarding space in the house. We had three dogs inside in my parents large two story house and it wasn't an issue at all. Chloe had to be kept separate from Blackie and Rose and it wasn't a hassle. We had room to split the house, keep food dishes separate, and take everybody outside through different doors.

I would NOT want to handle having three dogs in my boyfriend's tiny one bedroom flat. I'm not even sure I want to handle having two dogs in this small of a space. Not due to exercise or anything like that (he's actually in a brilliant place to have a dog - lots of walking areas/off leash areas/huge fields/a yard right outside his door/etc.), but just because the living space is cramped.

As for size, I consider 30 pounds a small dog and it wouldn't be that much different than handling a 10 pound dog. Cynder is around 30 pounds and she's just as easy to do things with and transport around as a 10 pound dog (although she does eat more and her poops are bigger).

And as for age, I really think it depends more on how well behaved your current dog is rather than its age. One thing to keep in mind is if you have dogs that are mostly the same age, they'll be seniors around the same time, too, and you'll be dealing with senior health issues at about the same time. Blackie was three years older than Rose. Rose was eight years older than Chloe. Chloe and Cynder are about the same age. If I get a pup in the fall or next year, Chloe will be five years older than it. *shrugs* Really no "best" age, IMO, as long as your current dogs don't have any major problems that require a lot of your time and effort trying to work with.

 

[~Jessie~]

I have one dog personally. But, I went and watched Jessie's 5 last year for 11 days, and watched 5 of Dekka's for a couple months last year.

I really didn't find it that much harder than just my one, especially at Jessie's, since they could all hang out together all day. I mean, I'm crazy enough to go back to Jessie's this year to watch her 5 . I'd honestly prefer to have 2 or 3 dogs myself, that way they have each other and aren't annoying me all day, like my current dog does lol

:rofl1:

People never believe me that it's really not too hard having 5 dogs. I was so happy that they didn't scare you away! :lol-sign: