What is your ideal pack?

[CrystalGSD]

2 GSDs, 1 Great Dane, and 2 other dogs (one large and one small probably, with one or both probably being random craigslist/shelter dogs.) The GSDs will be spread apart with one being a senior and one a puppy, the Great Dane will be in the middle of both, and the other 2 dogs will probably just come whenever if I see a petfinder/craigslist dog for adoption and I can't do without it.

Will this happen within the next ten years? No. Can I fantasize about it? Yes.

 

[Elrohwen]

Hehe, we are also huge planners...and I'm 22 weeks preggo and hubs' pup was just born, he's two weeks old now. LOL I'm sure I'll be on here in the summer throwing a fit about a baby puppy, 5 adult dogs, and a newborn. We'll make it work

I'm interested to see how you guys do it! You spend a lot more time on dog activities than I do, but then both you and your husband share that hobby while my husband and I have different hobbies. He comes to dog stuff when it's important, but it's really my thing. My husband also won't ever want a dog of his own, which limits our numbers. If I'm doing all of the training, even if we split basic care and walks, I don't think I can handle more than 2 especially with a kid in the mix. I do think two mature Welshies will be good with a kid - they mellow out to be pretty laid back sweet dogs, though Watson still has some jerkface adolescent behaviors hanging around. I assume training and sports will get put on the backburner after having a kid, at least for a while, so I like the idea of having nice active pets right now vs getting into a higher drive herder or something. Watson has plenty of drive to do sporty stuff, but he's also become super chill in the house and easy to live with.

 

[Grab]

I think four is our ideal. We want to always have at least 2 Chows, I like having a more active dog for sport and such (Poodle, Standard Schnauzer, Wirehair Vizsla) and my husband thinks we must always have a wee dog too.

 

[Grab]

In my perfect world I'd have one happy go-anywhere love everyone dog like Merlin (although perhaps with less energy)
and a boyfriend with a dog that Merlin likes lol

In reality, I got VERY lucky with Merlin aussie wise (lower energy level, so good with people, so willing to sleep/hang out all day) and will likely end up with a more traditional low energy breed after, perhaps an older rescue. A dog that enjoys a nice jog but is happy to just CHILL all day.
Perhaps a frenchie?

literally the ONLY thing that makes me want more than one dog is the fact that I know Merlin would love a friend and like the idea of a dog having company of the same species.
I just don't want to deal with two dogs.
It's just so much easier with one in the city.

I just have to go completely off topic, because your signature reminded me, I went to conference this week and Trupanion gave me a most stellar cup from what I called the wheel of fun.

 

[SaraB]

I love my current pack, tons of variety, tons of talent, tons of drive and energy. I would be happy with a cool border collie in there too.

So pretty much: two koolies, two mal things (skill counts as one!), two border collie things (Zuma counts!), two terrier things (one small, one bully) and a sighthound. Can't handle two sighthounds at one time though, my mind would explode.

 

[elegy]

three dogs i think. So i can take one and the other two will have each others' company.

 

[Kootenay]

I'm really not even sure any more...

I think ideally it would be two, I would like one big mellow wolfy beast, like Yarrow only with less issues preferably, and one Malinois or Dutch Shepherd. I could see also enjoying the right Koolie or maybe Kelpie?

2 feels pretty max for me personally, maybe especially because Onyx and Yarrow are both really high needs, but with another person around (SO) I could definitely have more in the household.