How many dogs is TOO many?

[abearcalledpaddington]

I know it will vary from person to person, and depend on things like income and space.....

I only have 1 9 month old lab at the moment but i am desperate to get her a playmate, although i am forcing myself to wait until she is at least 2!

[MarcoPoloCX]

If you couldn't find the time to train the dogs and get them to be obedient, that's too many.

[EasyToEatTiger]

It boils down to how many you can cope with! How many dogs you can make room for and train and feed and house and walk and how able you feel to cope with any issues that come up. We are now down to 3 dogs after a brief 6 month blip of 4.

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

2 for me. I'd love another one, but think 3 might tip me over the edge in terms of mud, dirt, hair, and watching 3 of them whilst out walking.

[Greyhorses]

I have two and that's my limit.
I had 3 but really struggled to walk 3 dogs with 2 hands

Mine are large though...maybe I could more in if they were small!

I would say if you have the time for it then consider another. I waited until my older dog was sensible enough (when he was 4!) to get another.

[MarcoPoloCX]

Why are you desperate to get a playmate may I ask.

[moosemama]

It depends on lots of things: the individual dogs, your house/home set up, finances, the amount of time you have available, etc.

I had three for years, but then went down to two, which is where we've been for around 5 years now.

When I had three I had no dcs, a bigger house backing on to open countryside with lots of beautiful walks and a lot more time on my hands. They were also three different sizes with one being very large, the other collie sized and the smallest a Soft Coated Wheaten Terrier. All three were very highly trained and I basically lived for training and caring for them.

I now have two Lurchers, both fairly large and my house isn't big enough for anymore. I also have less time and health problems that mean taking on another wouldn't be an option. I am much less involved in training etc these days and while both of my lads are fully trained in the basics I haven't taken their training any further.

When we lost our last girl we fully intended to stay at just one dog, but our other dog grieved so terribly and developed separation anxiety/isolation distress, so we chose to take on a rescue pup to keep him company. Now the rescue pup is two years old and has worse separation anxiety than our older lad. With an age difference of 8 years we are inevitably going to end up back in the same position at some point and will have to take on another dog, as our younger boy would never cope with being an only dog.

[MothershipG]

I have 3 small ones (can easily hold their leads in one hand even if they see a cat ) and have decided that is my limit. We occasionally dog sit/walk for a friend so I know I don't want 4 on a regular basis.

Also I think a lot depends on size/personality and your lab is about to become a teenager so I think you'll be glad you waited!

[insanityscatching]

We have one, I'd like another but think we will probably stay at one. Eric loves to play with his friends on walks but his first love is people and I'm not convinced he'd like to share our attention and I think it would be pretty miserable for everyone if he wasn't happy.

[BlueKarou]

I'm just about to get a second dog now that mine has turned 2. Two is definitely my upper limit due to time, space, money, etc.

I think your plan of waiting until your lab is 2 is a good idea - she'll be more settled, and you'll be able to find her a buddy of the right temperament.

[Candlefairy101]

I have 6! But their is 10 of us..4 generations in one house x there's also 2 children, ones a 9 months old and I have another one on the way but 6 dogs at the mo but mums talking about getting another ????????????

[AccordingToOurRecords]

I had 12 but lived on a farm. Now I just have 2 and live in a house. The 12 took up all of my time, that's a lot of exercising, training and everything else. The 2 are no trouble at all. I think they know they have a cushy life and are grateful.

[ApplesTheHare]

I would have always said 2 but having had 2 I'd now say 1. I thought another would hardly be and more work but they both ended up having different needs through no fault of their own, so it actually felt like more than double the work having 2. Now (many years later) we're back to 1 everything's a lot happier at home. If I was to get 2 again I'd make sure the first was impeccable training/manners-wise. In our case dog 2 picked up dog 1's bad habits and it made the 2 of them a handful on walks. I'd definitely wait until a young dog had properly matured (3/4 years for some breeds) before getting a pup. Good luck whatever you decide to do!