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The doghouse

If you're worried about your pet's health, please speak to a vet or qualified professional.

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Original poster

To get 2 puppies from same litter instead of 1?

34 replies

Needaheadwobble · 07/12/2019 13:32

We're picking up a 9 week old male puppy tomorrow tomorrow afternoon to bring home to our 8 year old female dog. We've been waiting for this litter and it is in no way a snap decision or a Christmas present - when we first went to see him I was joking to DH that I love them all and wish we could take all 6 but we chose our little dude and paid the deposit. The breeder has just rang and said the other male puppy who was reserved is now available again and asked if we would like to take 2 home instead of 1. I'm really torn - I work from home so Ill be around for training and general company so that's not an issue and we have everything we need, but am I biting off more than I can chew with 2 puppies at once? Just wanting a bit of advice on what you'd do in my position.

OP posts:

BiteyShark · 07/12/2019 13:36

Look up littermate syndrome.

Can you effectively separate them for training purposes most of the time? I have seen people turn up with littermates in training having issues where they don't focus on their owner and the advice was they needed to have two people training them individually.

Even if you discard the littermate syndrome problem can you really toilet train and do all the other things with two puppies and still give your older dog attention?

CMOTDibbler · 07/12/2019 13:38

It would be a totally stupid decision, and I'd be very, very worried about a breeder who would actively offer this

ThroughThickAndThin01 · 07/12/2019 13:39

No don’t get litter mates.

Wait a while and get another one from a different litter of you feel the same.

JumpyLiz · 07/12/2019 13:40

Bad idea and I’d worry about a breeder who would suggest this.

Overdueanamechange · 07/12/2019 13:43

I had siblings from the same litter a few years ago and no problems at all. They are inseparable. As puppies they played together and trained together. No separation anxiety issues during the night or if I go out. They have completely different personalities, one is chilled the other fiesty, but great fun together.

Floralnomad · 07/12/2019 13:44

I agree with the pp that it would actually make me question whether this was a breeder that I wanted to do business with , totally irresponsible of them to suggest it .

billysboy · 07/12/2019 13:44

terrible idea
They will bond with each other rather than you

MustardScreams · 07/12/2019 13:45

If the breeder even considers this they are awful breeders and you shouldn’t get the initial puppy.

The ONLY way to have 2 puppies is to completely separate them. So that means all training, walks, food, play time etc completely separate.

It’s suuuuuuch a bad idea I can’t even begin to explain.

MsChatterbox · 07/12/2019 13:45

My mum got two puppies last minute instead of one. She won't admit it but she has had the hardest time ever training them. These are not her first dogs and she has trained many successfully before. They are nearly a year and still so much hard work. I don't enjoy their visits because it is just absolute madness!

yorkshirecountrylass · 07/12/2019 13:49

OP only you know if you can manage. Providing you can offer the time 1-1 with the pups as well as together and are prepared to set firm, fair and loving boundaries then go for it!

MustardScreams · 07/12/2019 13:50

Firm, fair and loving boundaries doesn’t stop littermates syndrome.

The puppies will grow into adults, and if separated can cause a huge amount of distress, aggression and danger to everyone around them. It’s not a joke, and it’s not advisable in the slightest.

carly2803 · 07/12/2019 13:54

never do this. awful awful idea - littermate syndrome

they will bond with each other more than you. Its a nightmare - i am experienced in training dogs and i would never even attempt to do this

clearly breeder needs the ££ quick. They would not suggest that otherwise!

HerrenaHarridan · 07/12/2019 14:17

Do not!

Just really don’t. It can be made to work in a few circumstances by experienced trainers but it is a lot of work.

They bond with each other and never learn to understand humans properly because like a certain breed of ex pat they never need to!

Yeahnahyeah1 · 07/12/2019 14:20

It’s an awful idea (seriously, why would you even want to do this?!) and your breeder is clearly completely irresponsible to offer this, especially last minute push-sell style.

Whitney168 · 07/12/2019 14:21

I'm inclined on the side of any breeder who would suggest this is not one I would recommend, but for the full picture, what breed are we talking here. There are huge differences - over and above littermate bonding and the issues that can bring if you're not very lucky - of the likelihood of two adolescent males clashing badly and injuring themselves and others around them.

Original poster

Needaheadwobble · 07/12/2019 14:54

Thank you for all of your comments.

I must admit, I've had dogs for years but had never heard of littermate syndrome. My Mum has 2 labs from the same litter and they're 9 now and have always been fine but perhaps she fell lucky. They're pomeranians, this is the first litter this breeder has had but Ive been to see our pup 5 times since birth and she's always been able to answer every question and is very clued up.. I would imagine this suggestion may just be a lapse of judgement. It's reassured me that Im making the right decision in saying no. Although I'm confident by current dog would still get lots of attention, I'm aware it will be twice the work and hassle and think it will be too much, especially over Christmas!

OP posts:

EpcotForever · 07/12/2019 15:45

I did this. Never again!!! Always from different litters in the future.

Burlea · 07/12/2019 16:00

I did this went to pick up the one we wanted and his brother had been rejected by the people who were having him. So we got him as well.
They were the best dogs we have ever had. They had different personalities, toilet training was quite straightforward.

Boristhecats · 07/12/2019 17:10

The lady I work for got two puppies at the same time. My answer is please no. Oh I could sit here and tell u stories about how awful it has been and how hard it is but it doesn’t really mean that much until you actually have to do it. They have now started to hurt each other so goodness knows what will happen. No no no no no. If I could write that a million times I would. Just no. Did I mention no?

Original poster

Needaheadwobble · 07/12/2019 20:37

I've spoken to the breeder and told her we won't be taking the second puppy. She wasn't aware of litter mate syndrome and is mortified that she suggested it.. Luckily she has only rehomed the other pups on their own.

OP posts:

Costacoffeeplease · 07/12/2019 20:47

A breeder who hasn’t heard of littermate syndrome? Really? Wow

fivedogstofeed · 07/12/2019 20:55

The breeder wants her money in for Christmas. Just say no.

MsChatterbox · 07/12/2019 21:32

Glad you've made that choice op. It's the sensible thing to do even if it tugs at your heart a bit.

bluetongue · 08/12/2019 09:44

My dog is my first so I’m very new to dogs but I’m well aware of littermate syndrome. It’s not great that the breeder has never heard of it.

BiteyShark · 08/12/2019 09:51

I suspect the breeder is a 'home breeder' if they have genuinely never heard of it.

When I visited breeders I was amazed that some hadn't even heard of the genetic conditions my breed could get and typically it was those that were simply breeding their pet because they thought it would be nice for them to have a litter.

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