3 dog's

[Funhouse8]

Would I be completely mad? We've got two at the moment, but thinking of adding a third, which would be the daughter.

Would I be absolutely nuts? The two I have now are fantastic dogs. Easy going and just a joy to have. Financially I think it's doable. But I get a lot of " you can't have three dogs, it's too many"

I have more than 3 dogs.

In my opinion 3 was way harder than 2. After 3 it doesn't seem to make much difference!

Bigger cars, different dynamics, only have 2 hands, walking three can be harder than 2. They will learn each others bad habits not good. It will make changes to the 2 you already have it may be good it may not....Holiday cottages are harder to find with 3 dogs!

If one of the dogs does need extra time it is hard to find it.

Be prepared to feel very guilty that you are not giving them enough individual time

What age are they? How well trained are the two you have? How much time do you have for training and grooming and exercising? Can you afford it?

The two we have are well trained, both are nearly 2 years old, exercise wise. Once pup is old enough it will be on walks all together. Up until then I can find time to walk an extra walk and do some training.

I had considered that the walking may be slightly more tricky, both dogs walk to heel and are no problem, and I do usually walk with kids/partner who could take one if needed. We have a large 7 seater.

I was concerned about the dynamic between the two changing, but the breed itself is very placid and calm. Cost wise its do able. Its just more the logistics.

It would worry me that you have two already so close in age. Littermate syndrome can happen.

They aren't from the same litter, we rescued her about 6 months ago. So they haven't grown up from puppies. So we've had no issues. I wouldn't buy from the same litter for that reason

Are you breeding from the two you have to keep the daughter?

I have three. I love them all individually but three is MUCH harder than two. Walking three on a lead is hard. Walking them off lead is harder - it's tough to keep an eye on all of them. Getting three back and on the lead takes much more time than one. Pubs that welcomed two are iffy about three. Hotels and campsites the same. They act as a pack together and run up to other dogs - whilst they're individually friendly, many dogs - understandably - don't like being charged by a pack. I feel permanently guilty. My old girl doesn't get enough fuss. My youngster doesn't get enough training time.

I love them all, but don't underestimate how much harder 3 is.

Littermate syndrome isn’t just in siblings. Despite the name it applies to any dogs that close in age. I would also worry that six months isn’t enough time for a dog to be fully settled and trained.

It doesn't matter. Littermate syndrome can occur in any two similarly aged dogs raised in the same household.

I've 5 dogs. This time last year I had one dog 😳One we've had since 8 weeks she's 5 now. Then we got a pup last year he's 15 months now. Then I was given a dog she's 3, then we got two pups from same litter they are 6 months old now. I don't walk them all together. The oldest and one of the small pups out in the morning. Husband takes the 15 month old out with him most of the day so he gets out and about. Then I take the other younger pup and the 3 year old out in the evening that way it's easier to handle. No way could I take 4 out (or even 3) all at the same time. This way they all get to have a good run off the lead and I've only got to control two. If I was you I'd stick with the two you have.

I had 3 up until very recently when my older dog sadly died.

3 is so much harder than 2. The time is the main issue, you just can’t equally give everyone the same attention as you can 1 IMO. I underestimated how much more 3 was and I’m not sure I would do it again.

Walking seemed to be the hardest thing. Mine are very well trained but it’s still hard heeling 2 on one side, even holding two leads in one hand is harder. It’s also even harder when you’re charged at by an off lead dog and you’re trying not to tangle everyone up. Keeping an eye on all 3 at all times had me on edge. When dog1 got too old to come with the others I was doing 4 walks a day to suit everyone’s needs. Other dogs tend to be more standoffish about meeting a group of dogs which meant my dogs also reacted the same way at times and turned into a group of bullies on occasion, probably because they had eachother for backup- individually all of my dogs are very friendly and well socialised.

Then the training of everyone individually, with 2 young dogs I would be expecting to attend training classes with both at a minimum.

Holidays also require much more thought. Most places are very funny about 3. Kennels are harder and more expensive to find if you want them together. Home boarders almost impossible. Dog friendly places usually aren’t for 3. I can manage two on a family day out but 3 seems to tip it into leaving the dogs at home for an easy life.

There are positives, more dogs being the obvious one but also that it’s easier to train one individually and leave the other with its friend but I think the negatives most definitely outweigh the positives.

Thank you it's a lot to think about. I think because they are so easy going it just seems like it wouldn't make much difference. Both dogs are independent and can spend time apart from each other, so I often try to take them out individually to places so they have a bit of one to one time. But equally they love to snuggle up together and I worry it might tip the balance.

it's the walking that I was more concerned about, neither mine go off lead unless I've booked a private space. One's too friendly. So It wouldn't be about keeping them all in check. It's more other dog's, and juggling the leads and picking up the poo.

I have got three and honestly would never do it again. You only have two hands and it can be like herding cats at times, even in the house.
I tend to walk them in two goes and feel constantly torn.
I think it depends on your lifestyle and where you live and know some people for whom it's not a problem, but they tend to have low energy dogs or live in very rural areas.

We live rurally and out dogs are very low energy. The breed is known for being lazy and chilled. So we don't get the mad running around the house. However I'm just trying to work out if it's a step too far. So I do appreciate the feedback.

Ours are a large lazy breed so we were lucky in the respect they were no trouble at all in the house. I didn’t really notice any extra mess so that wouldn’t put me off, it was literally the walking! It turned into a lovely enjoyable activity to a military operation 😄

Yes the walking is what I worry about! Especially with the wooden steps to climb over into the fields. And one is a giant baby who won't climb them. That's why I tend to book a private field,l once a week, let them off to just go nuts for an hour. So I get one day of not having to carry him over them

I've had three before and I would do it again - but not till our older dog is about 10 and slowing down. We had three with a reactive older dog, a bold-as-brass young dog and batshit puppy and that was tricky but manageable.

I think 3 young dogs would be a bit nuts, though. I'd be worried about not giving them enough time.