To get 2 puppies from same litter instead of 1?

[Needaheadwobble]

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.

I once asked a show breeder who was advertising a litter what their COI was. She either hadn't a clue what I meant or didn't want to tell me.

I'd be cautious of 2 male. We had 2 male and they got to a certain age and would attack each other trying to figure out who was top dog. Was awful.

What kind of breeder is she if she hasn't heard of littermate syndrome?

I’m glad you said no. Many years ago my BIL and SIL got a pup from the same litter as us, SIL fell ill shortly after and we cared for their pup for 4 months whilst she was spending a lot of time in hospital. It. Was. Hell. Genuinely. I’m a very experienced dog owner but it was enough to make me cry daily and almost put me off dogs for life (even though they were separated most of the time. Which incidentally is a lot harder to do than you’d think! We have land and a decent sized house and still struggled). When the other pup finally went home, things got worse for a while for both of them, beyond that they couldn’t spend time together without problem behaviours for their entire lives.

If anyone else is reading this and considering it, just don’t. Yes, you many know someone who had 12 puppies from the same litter and had no problems, but the likelihood is that you’ll end up a stressed, exhausted mess with difficult dogs. Also, if your breeder suggests something that may cause serious issues, or is unaware of potential (well known) problems, walk away.

I'm glad to hear you said no, however it's a basic thing the breeder should have been aware of.

Sorry to say but your breeder sounds clueless.

Poms are gorgeous, but popular so they do attract idiotic and/or unscrupulous breeders. Has the breeder shown you results of all health screening tests, in writing, for both parents? If she has not, don't accept any excuses and consider pulling out. You could end up with your heart broken from a puppy with serious health problems. Also, please ensure she's breeding for large ears and long noses, there has been a tendency among some idiotic breeders to squash the faces of Poms and Spitzes, leading them down the road of brachicephalic breeds and all their problems.

I'd be cautious of 2 male. We had 2 male and they got to a certain age and would attack each other trying to figure out who was top dog. Was awful. What you had was a classic example of littermate syndrome. But actually 2 sisters is worse. Females will fight to the death if allowed.

I would be genuinely concerned that a breeder has never heard of littermate syndrome.

I’m also slightly suspicious of the litter size, poms generally have small litters, mine is one of two. Six is an unusually large litter for them. My guess is either it’s more than one litter or they’re not pure poms, possibly crossed with German spitz. I’ve met a few Pom owners with suspiciously large dogs and one who was sold a spitz as a Pom.