Would you get the dogs in this situation?

[velvetteddygirl]

We have a bearded collie, Zoe, an Old English sheepdog, Ezra and a pug, Nell. Zoe and Ezra were both chosen from breeders, respectable breeders, may I add!
Nell was originally my DM's friends puppy. She picked out a reliable, respected breeder with the help of my DM (quite a doggy family) and was interrogated thoroughly but when it came down to taking Nell home, they had her for two days before claiming it was too much work and asking the breeder to take her back. Breeder was annoyed with herself for not thinking this would happen and not managing to get a reliable owner, was in floods of tears about having nearly left Nell with a bad owner. DM's friend had asked DM to come round to help her with returning Nell and I tagged along. I adored Nell at first sight and asked the breeder whether she'd consider letting me buy her. Breeder was very reluctant and we had two weeks of thorough interrogation and she stayed at our house with Nell for nearly a week before she allowed us to have her. It was all very traumatic for our Nell but she has a lovely home with us now. She was either a Lola or a Nell but we went for Nell!

Anyway, background info finished with, I would like to know whether you think I'm mental for considering taking on two pugs. A very, very close friend is recently going through some changes in her life. She's pregnant, going through a divorce and is a position of financial hardship. She's had the pugs for 8 months. At the minute, she's moving back in with her parents and their dog anxious dog and she cannot give them the life they deserve. She's been terribly upset about giving them up and is terrified that she'll give them to someone who doesn't care! My dh and I have been considering getting another dog for a while! For a while, we've been looking at getting another dog. We went to go see a litter of beagles but didn't particularly connect with any of the dogs. A school run mum was rehoming their English toy spaniel but we decided against it as she was a bit snappy. We went to see a Staffy in a rescue centre but she was very boisterous and ended up knocking our son over. We've been to see litters of Welsh Springers, Entlebucher, Dachshunds and Border Collies. All mainly for viewing purposes but if we had ever really clicked with any of the dogs, we would've put our names down in a flash. So, what I'm really trying to say is that we've been looking for a while!
These pugs are some of the most lovely-natured dogs I've ever met. Really lovely temperaments and I adore them.
We have one son. He's about to turn four soon. He's very good with big dogs so I'm fairly sure the pugs will be fine with him as he's met them and played with them already.

[velvetteddygirl]

bump

[Scuttlebutter]

Have you done the maths on whether you can afford these dogs? Apart from the extra feed and insurance (essential for such a deformed breed) you will be almost certainly living at your vets' surgery. Make sure you are fully clued up on these dogs' health histories.

How will you walk all of them? Do you have time to devote to this? The pugs and the sheepdogs will have very different energy levels.

Things like holiday accommodation - as a five dog family you will find it very difficult to find things like SC accommodation (many cottages often just limit to one or two).

There will be a lot of care/maintenance with these - I'm thinking about things like bathing skin folds etc - again, do you have the time/commitment?

What has attracted you to these dogs? You seem to have bounced from breed to breed in your search without a clear list of requirements in terms of size, temperament, health issues, activities etc. Irrespective of breed, are you truly ready to be be a five dog family? Once you get past three, it really does become almost a lifestyle (I loved it when we had four, but it was a hell of a lot of work). How will you manage when your son has friends round - wrangling five dogs (even ones with good temperaments) and a bunch of small kids is a handful.

There is nothing wrong with the dog's owner rehoming them via a reputable rescue. Pugs are currently popular/fashionable so there will be no shortage of homes for them.

[Slimmingsnake]

I struggle with one dog...sounds to me like you have made up yr mind..😃

[Wolfiefan]

Two? Are they litter mates or close in age? Read up on litter mate syndrome if they are.

[DementedUnicorn]

You want to have 5 dogs?!

I have two. That's waay more than enough!

[GinIsIn]

Can you afford them? Would someone be home with them? What will you do for holiday care etc.? Have you tested them with your existing dogs?

[PUGaLUGS]

I know someone with 6 pugs, an English bull terrier and now a frenchie pup. She takes it all in her stride and feeds them all raw. She also has three children, admittedly teens now but obvs they were small once.

Personally I think your existing pug will take the two new ones into her fold and look after them.

[velvetteddygirl]

@Scuttlebutter
We can definitely afford the insurance and are financially stable.
DH runs with Zoe and Ezra in the mornings for an hour before he heads off to walk. I will walk all of the dogs at around 1 o'clock with DS in the large country grounds near us for around an hour. I tend to take, DS, Ezra, Zoe and Nell there already quite often as we like hiking and I often take them to different places to hike. In the evening, I walk Zoe, Ezra and Nell for half an hour for a bit of down time anyway. I don't know whether I would have to take Nell, Dolly and Minnie with me too or whether that would be a bit too much exercise for pugs. At the moment, I always get Zoe and Ezra up if they're having a nap up for a walk but I'll bring Nell if she's awake and leave her when sleeping. I assume I'll do the same with Dolly and Minnie but if you have any advice, I'd be willing to hear it.
Accommodation wise, my mum and dad have offered to take the dogs whenever we're on holiday. My friend has also offered to take Dolly and Minnie if we're ever on holiday.
I currently have the dematting of Zoe and Ezra and bathing of Nell's skin folds down to an exact science. Whether, I'll be able to do that with Dolly and Minnie too we will have to wait and see! Of course, I can just rope DH into giving me a hand. He normally will do one dogs grooming and wander off but I can force him to sit and give me a hand.
I can promise you I've not bounced from breed to breed. Zoe and Ezra were researched thoroughly before we decided to buy our puppies. We'd been looking for a dog for a while before we heard of Nell and it was love at first sight. I now feel that I'm very capable of taking of pugs.
She doesn't want to put them in a rescue because they're so fashionable! She's worried that somebody will want Dolly and Minnie as fashion accessories and not take care of them.
@Wolfiefan they're not littermates no, simply close in age.
@FenellaMaxwell they've been walked with my dogs many times, played with them and have even stayed with them for a day or so.
Thanks @PUGaLUGS!

[Wolfiefan]

If they are very close in age it can still be an issue but I am no expert.
I'm sticking at one dog. Well she's a Wolfhound so I kind of have my hands full with just the one!

[velvetteddygirl]

Ooohhhh @Wolfiefan how gorgeous! I love a good Wolfhound. When we got our OES, my dreams were fulfilled!! I was very tied up with our Ezra for quite a while. I love a good, gorgeous scruffy mutt!

[Wolfiefan]

She's gorgeous. I may be biased though!

[Sugarpiehoneyeye]

Hi Velvet, yes, take them.
You've done your homework, you have the time, energy and cash flow to allow you to have five dogs.
However, may I suggest, that you walk the two larger dogs together, and the three pugs separately. They have different needs to the larger dogs, and accidents can easily happen, when they are excitable. In other words, you don't want them to get squished.
Also having experience of a multi dog household, one rebel dog can cause bedlam, should it be off lead, with no recall. Your little boy will be safer too.
Good luck, don't forget the pics ! 🐶😄

[NoChocolateThanks]

You sound like an amazing friend and dog lover.I would go for it,it looks like you thought very thoroughly about practical side of owning additional members of doggy family.
I would avoid though separate walks as suggested by PP.Dogs have pack mentality.I have one pretty big Hungarian Vizsla cross and tiny tiny Yorke mix and she is the boisterous side of the "pack"

[GinIsIn]

It absolutely sounds like you'd be able to offer them a good home - go for it!

[GinIsIn]

Although we really need dog photos on this thread please.....

[PUGaLUGS]

velvet and this thread isn't a real thread until we see pics .

[PUGaLUGS]

Fenella

[ThroughThickAndThin01]

Take them! You have the set up for it. You were looking anyway. It's meant to be.

[PUGaLUGS]

From one pug lover to another... she won best dressed at a pug valentine party on Sun