Are 2 small dogs much more of a commitment than 1?

[SpanishFly]

We have a Maltese. She is completely adorable. We have the chance to adopt a Maltese age 8 months, and we're really wanting to. Our dog LOVES dogs, and they get on so so well.
BUT, apart from extra financial considerations, am I missing anything that could make this a bad decision?

Thanks

It is good to have 2 dogs, if possible. It means they have a friend they can understand and bond with and not put their entire being into a person which can make them neurotic and result in things like separation anxiety etc.

Even without these extremes, dogs are pack animals and like to have playmates etc.

I waited 10 years to get a second dog and really regret that but, on the other hand, he had issues I didn't want another dog to mirror.

When he died, we were left with the puppy we got him for company and immediately got another one so the puppy wasn't left alone and wondering where his friend went.

They get on like a house on fire and cuddle, play, share toys, take comfort from each other when they're startled by loud noises e.g. thunder etc.

I don't see any downsides but I'm sure others will come along with their experiences so you can have a balanced view from all.

I have 3 spaniels. They all get on well and play and sleep together.

Downsides:
Due to age and health issues, their exercise requirements are all different. I am currently doing 6 walks a day.

There is no guarantee the dogs will get on. My sprocker loved every dog he met on walks. He did not like sharing his home with another dog, and it took three months of careful managing before they could be in the same room as each other.

I found 2 dogs easy, but the jump to 3 was hard.
2 dogs works well in terms of walks (a lead in each hand!) and them having company if you aren’t around.

There's a risk your current dog won't accept the new dog, and that could be tricky to manage, but other than that, I've always found having two dogs just as easy as one once everyone is settled.

I only have one but my sister has two and I think she secretly wishes she had one just because one of them is so high maintenance. Reactive, anxious, difficult on the lead etc. The dog that will eat the sock and need the emergency vet. I think it dampens her experience with them both because one will set the other off and she can’t relax. If they’d both been chill then I guess it would be a different story.

As others have said, your dog might enjoy playing with friends, but might not enjoy having a housemate.

Most, however, do at least accept it.

Would it affect the arrangement you have for your current dog when you go away? I used to look after a friends dog a lot, he was no bother & welcome whenever. She got a puppy & just assumed this could continue. It couldn't. The puppy was gorgeous, but I could only have the puppy some of the time.

I much prefer having more than one. I had three for many years then two died and I was left with one. I had always thought he’d be fine on his own as he had always been very independent. However, he wasn’t as happy and seemed to age. He chose his next companion at a rescue centre and has got a new lease of life. I feel a lot less guilty when I go out and they have a lot of fun together.
I agree with PP about different exercise needs and the extra expense, but if you can facilitate those factors, I would encourage you to see how they get on and go from there.

I have 3 and had 4 at one point.

I think if you are happy to have a 2nd go for it. But these are a few things to consider: it's easier to have a boy & girl or 2 boys. 2 girls are more likely to fight. Make time for individual walks and training. It's important to be able to take them out individually and the other dog being ok with staying behind. Obivosly it also works for building new puppies confidence with other dogs and in unfamiliar places. Even if they end up sleeping together, please always have 2 dog beds as a safe place to eat trats or rest of tired. Obviously they should not be side by side!

IMO the main consideration (apart from financial stuff) is whether you're happy to walk and train both dogs separately if needed - eg. what happens if one is injured, or your oldest is too old for longer walks but the youngest still needs them?

I have a friend with three and she has to take the older two together and the younger separately for everything - toilet breaks, walks, days out etc. It's hard.

I think the success of multi dog households relys more on their personalities than gender.

My dog/bitch pairing was my least successful and they often had to be kept apart.
My two dogs tolerated each other at best. They never played or slept together.
My three bitches all get on. They play together and two sleep together. They have only had two fallouts - one when one was in season and the other when one was post operative. Even then, it was only a five second handbags at dawn fallout. Not a fight.

Thanks for all the replies.
Plans are now delayed, as the dog we were going to adopt turned out to be a scam. Thankfully we hadn't sent any money, due to being cautious, but it turned out to be a scam 😭
We're gutted, as we were sent LOADS of photos and some short video clips of her, and none of the photos came up on reverse image, so there weren't any clear red flags.

OP at least you realised before it was too late. There are so many lovely dogs waiting for homes. I hope you find the one who’s just right for your dog and your family.

Thanks so much. It's a minefield!

We’ve had a dog/bitch pairing, and then after we lost him we got another girl so, bitch/bitch. Never a cross word between any of them. Both pairings cuddled/played/slept together and truly enjoyed each other’s company.

But they were all labs, so pretty easy going friendly sorts.

We lost our older bitch a few months ago and we’re looking at getting another, probably female, puppy from the same breeder as both of our girls this summer.

I hope you find a suitable new dog for your family

This happened to me. I ended up going to a breeder. The world is full of chances. TBH having a well bred puppy from an experienced and caring breeders has made it easier. Easier, not easy. I've also been thinking about getting a second one. Will be interesting to see how you get on.

It's really not. Where are you looking?

It is, though.
Trying to find someone who who has a <12m puppy, but that the history is kind of known. We're not in a position to get one with behavioural concerns/needs. I'd also prefer (but not crucial) a Maltese of some form, as that's what I currently have.

It's also tricky to me that breeders (whether professional/registered or hobby) are pretty much doing it for profit, and so the ethics and implications of that confuse me somewhat

I would contact these and see if they can help.

www.themalteseclub.co.uk/rescue/

@SpanishFly Trying to adopt a young dog with a known history and ideally a specific breed is always going to be difficult. Reputable rescue centres are the way to go but you could be in for a long wait.

Re breeders. You want one who is breeding for the health of the breed. I can't tell you how to find one but other people on here may be able to.

Young, small dogs without any issues are like rockinghorse shit. Sorry, but that's my experience. I'd get cosy with breeders/ breed club and sit back and wait. Maybe have a list ready with absolutely not and maybe in terms of behaviour issues. Some can resolve themselves by simply taking the dog away from a specific situation (old home) and giving correct directions and training. Some need a bit more training and commitment so it's a longer project. And then there are the ingrained behaviours that need management and carful consideration.

Sadly you do not know what you are dealing with until you had the dog a few weeks/ months. So try and think what you are prepared to take on.
(I took on a small dog with 0 training, icl. toilet and no confidence when out & about. Took me over a year to get them house trained, dog was scared of a multitude of things: 2 years+ and can take it everywhere.)

Thanks - yeah, the main issue re behaviour issues is that our Maltese is often v yappy or boisterous, and we can't put her at risk if the dog is known to be easily spooked etc. If we didn't have her, we'd be much more open to a rescue dog x

Thank you. I will do x

No. If anything it’s easier as they entertain one another. DO NOT however do what I did, and wind up with three. Never have more Dogs than hands is my motto going forwards .

It's also tricky to me that breeders (whether professional/registered or hobby) are pretty much doing it for profit, and so the ethics and implications of that confuse me somewhat

Just to say, the profits involved in ethical dog breeding are minimal. My 'profit' from my last litter was less than £5K. That's once you factored in my loss of salary for taking unpaid leave for the litter, but not factoring in the fact that I worked a damn sight harder as a dog breeder (longer hours, lack of sleep, being available 24/7) than I do in my day job.

When done properly, dog breeding is incredibly hard and not very profitable - at least not if you have a day job, which most ethical breeders will have (because otherwise how do we afford our dogs).

Are you in any breed fb groups where you can ask? Champ dogs is a good website and you can email breeders asking if anyone has a slightly older dog if you don’t want a puppy. A breeder will sometimes keep a puppy for breeding or showing and then it becomes apparent they won’t be suitable so will sell to a pet home.