How many is too many?

[Animalcare]

in the past 18 months I have gone from 1 dog to 3 dogs.

People seem to feel the need to comment on this in what I imagine they do with people having children:

1 dog - are you getting another when are you getting another

2 dogs - boy / girl aw that’s cute

3 dogs - why on earth have you got three what do you need 3 for. Well no one needs 3 but I want the 3 and they are all loved and well cared for.

Now here’s the thing I actually want 4 and I’ve seen a rescue that would fit the pack perfectly.

But is 4 too many?!

if relevant house is detached, with enough room and large enclosed secure garden.

Can you afford 4? If they all were to develop something that needs frequent medication/tests/ops, can you afford it?
If yes, then go for it.

Six is a good number. Eight was just too many (sadly that was for a very short time).

My mum had 3 a few years ago, the third was rescued by accident a d she wasn't planning on having three, I can remember her saying how difficult it was to find holiday accommodation which would take 3.
They gradually died and she's only ever had 1 since because it's so much easier day to day plus holidays.

Your house, your garden, your pack. Your decision. Plenty of people would say 1 dog is too many but it would be a sad world if other people's opinions ruled yours.

it is your choice, are they all small?
will they all get on?

All are / would be insured on petplan lifetime ultimate and have vet cover that includes all flea, worm vaccination treatments. All fed on years food. So all taken care of and given best opportunity at long healthy lives.

Largest is cocker spaniel size.

The three all live harmoniously together. Would only add the 4th if others greet well but no reason to suspect they wouldn’t.

I mean, it's entirely your choice.

I only have one but I dog walk for a living and I'd say all the households with three are considerably more chaotic now than when they were households of two

But that's not necessarily a bad thing - it's your life and your dogs, as long as everyone is happy and well cared for, it really shouldn't matter.

When thinking about how many it’s not just about the number you have at home though.

You may have the space and money to have four dogs at home, but realistically you can’t walk and control four dogs. That many is a pack and a recipe for disaster.

Our local park is avoided during the times that the local dog walkers (i.e. those who walk dogs for a living) are out because they have just too many dogs to be able to control them properly.

I know numerous people who have more than 3 dogs, from a local pet owner with four small ones (who are jolly and delightful) through to people with working dogs who have 6 or 7 or more. The dogs are fit, healthy and happy.

So I think 4 is fine if you can afford to care for them properly, and have the time, and they all have a decent recall and have you as their main focus.

You may have the space and money to have four dogs at home, but realistically you can’t walk and control four dogs.

That depends entirely on the dogs involved. A well trained, obedient group of six dogs is often much easier to control than a solo reactive dog by itself.

If the dog walkers near you have big groups of out of control dogs that's because they've bitten off more than they can chew, not because large groups of dogs are always out of control.

Personally I found two the ideal number. 3-4 were too much for me. I also found walking 3 hard because I couldn’t watch all of them
all of the time.

People comment on them however many I have though so I generally don’t care what they say 😄

I have two, about to adopt a third. If you have the space, time , money etc then it’s your decision. I’ve never had three before - it’s just kind of happened, lol - so we will see how having three goes…

I think whatever number you have, people will criticise.

I've been told it's cruel to only have one beagle because they're pack animals

The highest number of dogs I've had is three and tbh I didn't find the jump from 2 to 3 any noticeable difference . I think it's the jump from 1 to 2 I noticed the most .

I have two and for me that’s perfect. I know someone with 15(!!!) and for them that’s perfect. Caveat that they are retired, wealthy and very outdoorsy, so doing 4/5 walks a day with different groups of dogs is no chore.

We have 4.. Get on fantastically tbh. 2 large breeds and 2 medium sized.. All girls. 2 neutered and 2 not..

I have four. Brilliant together, never been a problem. Mind you used to have 16 when I was actively showing & knew many with far more than me. One lady had 32 chihuahuas, lived alone in a large Victorian house in a local seaside resort.
Grew up with a dozen working sheepdogs at home so used to canine crowds 😂

One day that will be me - but not satans. 32 chihuahuas 😱