Bringing up two litter mates - pros and cons?

[Flatbread]

We are thinking of keeping two puppies from our girl. One male and one female. Anyone done this? What are the pros and cons?

I am not really worried about the bonding bit. We have known the puppies since they were born and they all have a strong bond with us.

I am worried about any potential problems with pack hierarchy. The two pups we are thinking about keeping are laid-back and gentle. But mum loves being our special girl, how will she react to our attention being divided among three, in the future? She already wants to come on our lap when we are cuddling the puppies and wants to eat the same food we give them...right now she cares and looks after them, but will all that change when they grow up, to a more competitive relationship?

Also issues of going to restaurants and holiday rentals with three dogs. We usually take our dog into pubs and restaurants and hotels/b&bs, pretty much everywhere with us in France. Do you think it would be inappropriate to go into public places with three dogs? Would we be considered the 'crazy dog people'? Would love to hear your experiences. Thanks.

Ah, you are probably right about the quality. I didn't think of that. We do alright with carpet and frequent carpet cleaning. It helps that the carpet is a vile browny-grey colour to begin with.

The vet has shiny tiles and none of the other dogs seem to struggle, but our husky is like a cartoon skidding thing on it.

Hi Flatbread,

The puppies are gorgeous (just seen the pictures). I don't blame you for wanting to keep them. I would say that having three dogs would be very, very difficult. No matter where they come from, there are going to be personality conflicts and squabbling (just like with children!) and it will seriously cramp your lifestyle in terms of holidays and taking the dogs out with you as a family. If you're going to do it, I would say be prepared to invest heavily in dog-training, doggy-kindergarten and be prepared to devote whole days (ie; view it as a full-time job) to training the pups (I think you'll need to work with them separately to some degree as well as getting Mum out for her usual walks). I'd like to have three dogs one day and I wouldn't even consider it unless I had whole days free to work with them (I'm a SAHM of three school-age children). I'm sure you've thought everything through and prepared for the hard work that will be involved. Good Luck!

PS Two of our favourite dogs that we encounter on walks are mother-and-son (they are best buddies).

PPS Is your girl's suitor really named "Romeo"?

Jooly, I get what you are saying. I know my girl would be happiest being our only dog. She has no need for canine company, and is happy being just with us.

Regarding the two puppies, we have been thinking a lot about it. It is something we are doing for us, but I don't think it is to the detriment of the dogs at all. Honestly, we tend to over think things. All three will be fine and happy. They will have a stable home, good food, a comfy bed, interesting activities together, discipline and love. A better deal than most people get in their lives.

Messy,

Thank you. The puppies are darlings and good natured. They just bumbled around and were happy with the most trivial things, e.g., sitting on the mop while I swirled it around. DH and I would feel their gums, press their paws, tickle their tums and they were relaxed about all of it, enjoying the attention.

I think Dogs Trust does an amazing job vetting homes and I feel happy that they will be hopefully going to their forever homes.

I agree that it will mean a significant lifestyle change for us to have three dogs. I work from home, so can spend time with them. But it will be hard to give up part of our social life.

The papa is called Eliot. He is a Romeo by nature though. If he was human, he would be one of those very handsome, somewhat vacuous, good natured boys who have an eye for the girls.

Good to hear about the happy mum and son dog buddies.

Happy Staffie rescue have a brother and sister for rehoming at the moment - Will and Ebony - Flatread will you keep us posted how you get on?

My my Flatbread you are uptight. I am not contacting the Dogs Trust about YOUR puppies. I deal with rescue organisations and would want to know DT's official opinion on a basic homing issue. It would affect MY work with them nothing to do with YOU at all.

We went today to the couple whom we had promised our girl to, eons back when she was a week old. That time I didn't know I would fall in love with her. Anyway, we went to say our bye to them before leaving for France with our three.

The lady was heartbroken and wanted to hold our little girl once more. I just knew then, that the right thing was to give them the puppy. They have an old dog that is beautifully calm and have had 30 years experience bringing up animals. They work from home and have acres of land for the dog to play in. Plus they take their dog out to old people as therapy and our puppy would be perfect for that. She is really a very calm, perfect puppy.

It was very hard, I cried, the lady cried and the little girl was busy exploring the kitchen and playing with the cat's scratching post. Anyway spoke to them again this night and the puppy has settled in well. She has made friends with the cat. The post-lady to their house cuddled her and puppy fell asleep in her arms. They sent us three photos and she looks content.

So an emotionally wrought day, but I think I have done the right thing for the puppy...miss her terribly though.

Fat boy puppy is oblivious to all this, and is happily sleeping curled up against his mum.

Thanks for the update, Flat. It sounds like a very emotional day, but also like you knew it was the right thing. Hope all goes well with the pup you have kept and with getting the mum spayed. Keep us posted.

Article here on problems with two littermates more than just fighting

Interesting article, Snoopy. In most human twins I have met, one seems more assertive and outgoing, while the other is often quieter and introverted. It often happens in families with two siblings close in age, even if they are not twins.

Not sure it is a bad thing per se, it probably maintains balance and harmony within the family. But on the other hand, as the article indicates and Charlearose mentioned, it can mean that the quieter dog or child does not develop to their full potential...

Interesting article, snoopy. I do a lot of work with guide dogs at all stages, and am always amazed how these little mischeivous puppies are transformed into the beautifully behaved dogs I see later!

I think you have made the right decision. I don't have as much experience as other people on here, but the litter mates that I have seen in training classes have always been more challenging for their owners. Common problems included difficulty with recall as the pups had each other to rely on and would wander a much greater distance from their owner than a single dog, general control issues until behaviours were established, e.g. trying to safely get two young dogs onto leads and out of the car, having to spend a lot of individual time to teach things like lead work, etc.

Awww...Flatbread. A tough day for you but a happy ending nonetheless; sounds like you found little girl pup a lovely home. Does little fella have a name yet? I like the sound of "FatBoy Puppy"

Got another update about the girl. She learnt some important life lessons today - not to go chasing after bees and not to eat the cat's food . Also got a lovely photo of her with her beautiful new collar and shiny, brushed coat. She looks like bambi, delicate and well-proportioned like her mum.

FatBoy, on the other hand, is almost square, as wide as he is long. I couldn't help but notice that he looks like a rug when he is lying down.

But he was brilliant in the six hour journey on our way down South. Slept all the way through, except for some feeding sessions with mum. Gave us time to think of a name for him, and we have settled on Hugo. A nod to my favorite author, Victor Hugo.

Love the name I think you've done the right thing, flatbread, hard though it may have been.

Thanks, Jooly

awww - I think what you have decided is for the best all around Flatbread. the new owners sound brilliant and you can now concentrate on your new baby without the potential hassle of two pups vying for attention or ignoring you. and I LOVE love love the name Hugo!!! We need a pic of him on your profile....but you know that already

I LOVE the name Hugo FatBoy YY to pictures.