Would you get 2 puppies or one?

[Kangaroo9880]

As the thread title says really, we are getting a puppy and Dh has suggested that it would be best to get two so they can keep each other company. We have only ever had one dog before but since loosing our last one our circumstances have changed so any new dog would spend a few hours (maximum 4) home alone. We plan to use a local service that offer puppy pop in times and when old enough dog walking services. I really only want one but Dh says it will be lonely but two sounds like so much hard work and we have to consider other things such as my Dp's who help us out a lot and I think asking them to take two would be to much. Any advice would be appreciated as we really are stuck on what to do.

Thank you for all of the advice we have decided that one is the best and although we love the poodles we are still looking round at others - we need a little dog due to the size of our garden and my dd has fallen in love with a friends miniature daschaunds so we would love one of those but can't find any.

Google for the club for the breed you're interested in, they'll have information about the breed itself, but also they should have breeders listed, either directly on the website or if you contact them.

Champdogs is another website to look for breeders and of course the kennel club.

Good breeders though tend to have a waiting list for puppies, so they don't advertise.

we need a little dog due to the size of our garden
No need to let garden size determine which breed you get, little dogs can often be more lively than big dogs.
I've got 2 large dogs and a very small garden and the dogs never run around, they get all their exercise on walks and use the garden for sunbathing and generally relaxing.

Yes, gardens are handy for toilet training and nice for a bit of a play...but I've had large dogs and no garden and currently a large dog and a tiny garden, they get their exercise from walks.

We currently are training our two 14 week old Sheltland Sheepdog pups. We have a boy and a girl and 'shock horror' they are litter mates!

This is the second time we have done this and we have had no problems either with training or socialising. Yes they are hard work at the moment but all pups are and we are careful to factor in individual time with each of them.

Ten years ago we did exactly the same, a male and female from the same litter and they grew into to well behaved, beautiful little dogs. We still have one who at 10 and a half is really enjoying have 2 little companions after the devastating loss of her brother in January.

I absolutely disagree that breeders who let two go together is a bad breeder. The breeder from whom all 4 of our pups have come is both committed and knowledgeable and is absolutely focused on ensuring her pups go to the right home.

Becoming a dog owner takes a huge level of commitment irrespective of whether you have one or two, litter mates or not and with the right attitude and understanding my experience is that there is absolutely no reason why you can't have 2 pups related or not if you're prepared to make that commitment.

Good luck!