Ideal Number of Dogs/Dog limit?

[Laurelin]

In the spirit of more threads... I know we've done this before but there's newbies.

What is your maximum number of dogs? Ideal number? Are you there right now?

For me, three is definitely, definitely my maximum. I'd played with the idea of 4 before I got Hank, but 3 is a lot for a single person. I can still take all my dogs for walks together (if the weather is ok for Mia to go). I can still fit them all in my car in crates- if the back seat is folded down.

But I couldn't walk 4 at a time and crate 4 in my car.

I really think I will keep 3 dogs for most my life. It's a nice number and if I space them out ideally I have 1 young dog in training, 1 middle age but still active dog, and 1 senior. To me that's a very satisfying group. The only hitch in that now is that my middle aged dog is unable to do much because of health so that sucks.

If I were magical I'd just have 2 active young dogs permanently but sadly dogs age fast and things come up that I think 3 dogs is going to be a lot more likely.

 

[Fran101]

My ideal number is 1.
My maximum number is 2.

I perpetually feel guilty saying that 1 is my ideal number, because I KNOW Merlin would love to have a friend...but life is just easier with one. Especially when it comes to living situations in the city, finding an apartment that will take ONE dog is already a hassle, finding one that will take two is a disaster.
One makes travel relatively easy, like taking him on a plane, and if he's staying behind it's easy to find somebody to dog sit a single dog, easy to afford dog boarding etc.. and makes working long hours easier too (just financially paying for daycare/sitters for one)

For his sake? I'm at my ideal number. I get to focus 100% on Merlin and his training goals, on fun stuff with him...

I'm not one of those people with training in my veins. I easily fall into an everyday routine, on fun stuff, on just living and upkeep... focusing and working on training with one is already something I need to be reminded to do lol

2 is the max I could do. It would have to be a dog that Merlin LOVED because it would totally be for his sake and it would have to be in a different point in my life, a point of my life where I have a yard lol

 

[BostonBullMama]

Ideal; 1
Max; Unsure - Maybe 2

I prefer having the ability to really focus on my dogs training and whatnot, and I'm not 100% certain how well I'd be able to balance training 2 dogs... whether or not it'd be too much for me or what. I would LIKE to have a second dog, and I could certainly handle 2 dogs with Toby's temperament, but I don't know what I'll really be getting when I get dog2 and if I have young children still in the stroller, it may be easier for me to only have 1 dog at a time.

For now, we're sticking with 1 dog. We are visiting the idea of having a second dog when we have a house.

 

[krissy]

I think my ideal is 2, absolute max is 3. When we foster I have to do two separate walks unless my BF comes with us. I can handle two large dogs at a time, but three is pushing it.

Likely the only time we will have a permanent third will be if NextPuppy arrives before Summit passes. In which case I will have two active dogs and Summit will likely mostly be spending time around the house and going for walks nearby.

 

[Julee]

Ideal: At least five.

Maximum: Depends on where I was in my life and the dogs themselves. Probably around 12-15, but only if a bunch were fosters. For personal dogs... I don't know. Ten? I'm very used to taking care of large quantities of dogs, managing whoever doesn't get along, making time for everyone to get training, exercise, individual time, etc. I think ten well spaced personal dogs would be where it would start to feel like a chore instead of fun. Also where Rick would leave me.

 

[MilliesMom]

Legally we're allowed three per home, so we have three dogs.

Logically we came to the decision to have three because we have a big enough house, enough property, enough time (four family members, pretty much always somebody home to be with them), enough energy (several walks/runs a day), and we're all really good at budgeting.

Logic aside, we love our dogs. Each one is a family member and I can't imagine life without them. So far three seem to work for us (two to get into trouble, one to tell?) and them.

 

[Laurelin]

Yeah I'd say my ideal is 2, absolute max is 3.

 

[Slick]

I think both my ideal and maximum number is 2 dogs. Though ask me again when I have two dogs and perhaps my maximum number will have increased :rofl1:

In the next few years, I definitely think I will be adding a second dog. Partly because I would really also like to have a female dog, and partly because I think it would be really nice to have two dogs that will play with each other, so I don't constantly have to be Leo's entertainment. I know there is no guarantee my dogs will play, and I am ok with that, but I will probably be at least making a very careful choice to stack the deck in my favor as much as possible.

 

[Red.Apricot]

For me personally, ideal 1, max 2. I don't like splitting my time/attention. I'm a jealous animal.

For my household, ideal 2, max 3. I don't like chaos. :rofl1: Okay, I don't like a TON of chaos.

Maybe if we had lower-key dogs, I'd be comfortable with a higher number.

 

[Elrohwen]

I'm not sure yet. Somewhere between 1 and 3.

I love having one dog, and being able to spend all of my free time working with only him. It's so much easier to take one dog on vacation or out in public vs more dogs. I would like to compete with him and maybe get some low level titles, and I wouldn't accomplish that if I got another puppy any time soon.

I definitely want a second at some point though. Watson would really enjoy having another dog around, and when he's older and settled I'll be ready for the challenge.

I'd consider 3, with the same relative ages as Laurelin mentioned. With one senior dog, and one active middle aged dog (who is mostly trained), I think I would be ready for a puppy again.

 

[Southpaw]

I think 2 is my ideal. Max of 3.

Basically, although I have 4 right now, Juno and Cajun are the only ones that take up my time and energy. So it mostly feels like I only have 2 dogs to worry about and I can't imagine throwing another active dog in that.

I guess 1 dog would maybe be most ideal but I'm too used to a multi dog house.

 

[xpaeanx]

I don't have a real number per se, more of a combination of energy levels + social interaction + living situation= # of dogs. That being said, I think I'd like to keep my dogs spaced ~4 years apart so there isn't too much overlap in the type of training needs and activities. 1 young dog(all the training)+ 1 middle aged(only fun training) + 1 senior(couch herder) is my "ideal." How things actually play out going forward? Who knows. But I know I only want 1 young dog at a time.

 

[PlottMom]

My ideal is probably 4, all Plotts. That will never happen as my husband does not share my love for Plotts :/ That will probably bring our max number to 5 or 6. We have 5 right now, I'm still thinking I may be able to pawn the Pom off on my mother or one of my aunts at Thanksgiving.

 

[Bruschnazzy]

I would say my ideal is at least 2. My dog limit is probably around 6. Currently we have five dogs, and it isn't too big of a deal lately, so I can't imagine 6 would be either, so maybe more than 6 would be my max, haha! Can't imagine myself ever to have over 6 of my own dogs though (not including a litter; if things turn out for one to come).

 

[meepitsmeagan]

*I* can only keep up with two high energy dogs. Thankfully I don't consider either Harlow or Rider to be high energy, they are moderate. Harlow I don't have to actually train, so that just brings us down to the cattle dogs.

We've had three off and on for a while now and it is a super great number for us. Four is the max.

Ideal is: 2 herders for me, 1 bird dog for Josh. More likely ideal is: 2 herders for me, 1 bird dog and bulldog for Josh. If the bulldog will do fun things and I can show it, I may be willing to give up a herder spot.

Now if I were by myself, my absolute max would be 2 dogs.

 

[Applebear]

Ideal is 1-2
Absolute max is 3

Law here is 3, but even if it allowed more...I wouldn't go over that. For me, it's just what I feel is practical and I can handle without neglecting the individual needs. I would probably be content with just 1, but do like the idea of them having someone to share the things they can only get from another dog.

 

[StillandSilent]

I would have said 2, but now I'm looking at 3, so who knows. That said, though, Gambit is not a normal dog. I can't take him many places, and he demands very little of me. He's more like having a cat who likes to go out for a short potty break instead of using a litterbox. He goes to daycare for his exercise, and that's pretty much his life. It sounds sad from the outside, but after 4 years, it's what works best for him and his needs.

So one Gambit, one Gimmick and hopefully another whippet in summer.

 

[k9krazee]

Ideal: 1. With husband wanting to be involved, 2
Max: 3

I had never had one dog before having just Crossbone. I kinda really, really enjoyed it. I just felt guilty he was spending all of his time alone. He also feeds off of other dogs and is more friendly and confident when he's with a friendly, confident friend.

Ideally, I would have two Crossbones Same age, size, energy level and they'd stay the same forever and ever. Ken & I would each have a sport dog. Unfortunately, I don't think that's possible yet.

Ken was "MAX ONE DOG" then saw the value of two and agreed we could get a second. But "MAX TWO DOGS". Then Jack landed with us and he says the max is still two, we just won't count Jack.

 

[GoingPostal]

We have three, two is more manageable, have done four with fosters but ideally I would say 2 is probably best for ease of travel, walking them, cost. I like the idea of three, especially since our current crew one dog is mine, one dog is his and dog #3 is more aloof so it works out well. I guess it would depend on personality and energy levels more than anything.

 

[Finkie_Mom]

Ideal: 3
Max: 5