How many dogs do you currently have? And why that number?

[DreamingOfSoftWhiteSand]

We currently have four dogs - we've had more but at the moment we have four. All rescues. They are no more of a handful than two or three and there are many times when they are all having a snooze, or playing by themselves, or with each other, and we don't see them for quite a while! We wouldn't be without them.

How many dogs you do have? Would you have more at the same time? Why did you pick that many dogs?

PS: if space (and money) were no issue, we'd have many more - but keeping our place clean already takes our cleaner three hours each day, Monday-Friday!

Hi! well done for giving rescues a home! We currently have 2 (both rescues - all our animals are) and will probably stick to 2 at the most. We have had just the one at various times, as you do, but each time that one has seemed a little lonely, even though my dp is at home all day. That said, the pairing hasn't always been the best. Growing up we had a smallholding, and many dogs who basically exercised themselves as a 'pack'. Now however, size of home, our energy and funds keep us down to the two. Would never not have one, though; at times we have been without, and taken a few months to recover, but soon enough we find ourselves looking at the rescues' sites again..........

3 - two older ones and a young' un. 3 is harder than two we have found just practically for feeding and walking & puppy wanted to play when the there two didn't - but when they have been walked and fed they all settle down nicely together.

Two.

Company for each other and for us.

None because we had to let Ddog go in February and we are still in mourning. We see wagging tails everywhere and they are lovely, but they are the wrong dog.

I'm hoping that a dog will find us at some point. As a family we have been found by many dogs over the years so it must be my turn soon.

@whiteroseredrose so sorry to hear about Ddog. We've been there but an empty home is too sad. Especially since while it's empty, there are dogs in shelters waiting to be rehomed. But I understand it can be very hard to get another one. Just don't think of them as a replacement - because they could never be, IME. They would simply be a beautiful addition to the family.

We have 4. Had ddog 1 for 3 years before I met dh. He wanted a particular breed. A family member's ddog had a litter of a different breed so we got 1 of each! We then acquired a ddog that wasn't being treated very well. Ddog 1 sadly was pts and we got a dpuppy. Would have loved more rescues but too risky with 3 original ddogs and a young dc..
They get on extremely well.. Better than I imagined tbh. Though dh is keen to not maintain a brood of 4 in the future...

We have one dog. He’s a rescue from dogs trust. He’s a bit spoilt now because he had a horrid first 3 years of life!! He’s got me twisted around his little paw - half of his washed toys on the clothesline……

Four.

Two are rescues - one fairly recent.

We just seemed to accumulate them. The more the merrier.

One lovely 5 year old dog. We’d love one more in the next year or two but I work more than when we got her and also it would be financially silly. I still feel broody when I see puppies though!

I have two. But seeing so many with 4..... perhaps my pack should increase 🤣🤪

2 because dh won't agree to a third

1. Because I find it's easier to fully treat her as part of the family and give her lots of engagement and enriching experiences.

We take her everywhere with us (within reason) . Walks for her (obvs) but also a stroll to the local shop, nipping in the car to my mums house 20 minutes away, a number of dog friendly family and friends, local dog friendly pubs etc. If it's dog friendly, she comes.

It's easy just to grab the lead and say 'let's go' with 1. We had two dogs many years ago, before dc and its just never as easy with two. Leads get tangled, they wind each other up etc - plus whilst your family may be happy to receive one well behaved dog, rocking up with 2 + becomes a bit of a piss take.

I absolutely love dogs but would only ever have one at a time.

One because it's all we can afford at the moment but it will be two one day

One at the moment. So far we've only had one at a time. We had an amazing dog who died a few years ago. He was never aggressive but didn't really like other dogs very much. It was in his best interests to be an only dog.

I was heartbroken when we lost him and for a long time wasn't ready for another dog. Then last year we acquired a puppy. He's over a year old now and just wonderful. He would probably be thrilled to have another dog at home. But DH thinks one dog is just right and I mostly agree. If I had the time and money and land I would love to have a dozen (or more) dogs. But in our actual circumstances we'll likely stick to one.

Two, both rescues. Would have more if I could but they are quite big and eat a lot, lol. Also have some rescue cats. Love them all to bits.

Two father and son. The father is soft as anything and bonded to his son. His son was attacked as a puppy and so nervous around other dogs. Sadly if father dog went first we would youngest a single dog as another dog might stress him too much -

1. My arms can handle the leads of any more and there is so much fur from these I don't think we would see our floor. I can't afford a cleaner at all so it's a fur carpet.

One. Because we thought having a dog would be great.

4, all working type spaniels. 2x12 year olds, a 9 year old and a 1 year old. All active busy dogs, just how I like it. I’d have another if I could

2 of the 4 are rescues that I didn’t plan but the right dogs came along when I wasn’t really looking

One, we adopted as a puppy from rescue. We couldn't afford more and don't have the space. We have 2 cats as well.

None because although I like dogs, I don’t want the commitment and I think if you’re going to do it you need to really think about the lifespan of the dog and if you’re really prepared for that commitment. I did a couple of weekends where I mentally walked myself through “what would I do if I had a dog” and the dog would’ve been on its own a lot so not really fair- not allowed at the rugby club, not allowed in the beach in the summer, etc.

Two adult lurchers and an 11 week ish old foster puppy. My two like having company, but three would be two much permanently. Current puppy is a parvo survivor and harder work than usual while she is refeeding (10 meals a day!) and can't leave the house at all

One because we have never owned a dog before so felt it would be best to just have one. He’s my little shadow and I’d hate to be without him now so I do see more dogs in our future but not for a long time yet.

Two spaniels-we've only ever had one at a time, but the current ESS was an informal rescue, and no-one realised she was pregnant! 5 weeks after we got her, she produced a litter of sprockers (3 days before Christmas) So we had to keep one, to keep her company. He's the most intelligent dog we've ever had.