Dogs - two's company... ?
Discussion
I did.
Took in a rescue dog as a stop gap really - long story of a drunk with a dog that wasn't working out.
Had him for 6/7 months before managing to re-home him somewhere I was happy with.
I have to say I didn't find it as big a step as from 1 to 2.
The dogs coped well and the newbie was definitely third in the pecking order and luckily accepted this pretty quickly.
My OH hated it, said it was too much when out for walk, but I think this was more to do with the new dogs training and not knowing the rules. As he was with us longer he got better and better IMO. (And she simply didn't like the new dog, said he was too 'wet')
My family are breeders so to me it was pretty much the norm when I was grwoing up to have more dogs around than most.
Was fortunate that our Lab is a real enforcer and when she knows a dog is doing wrong gives them a telling off so he was getting corrected two ways! Poor little sod.
What mix of dogs?
Took in a rescue dog as a stop gap really - long story of a drunk with a dog that wasn't working out.
Had him for 6/7 months before managing to re-home him somewhere I was happy with.
I have to say I didn't find it as big a step as from 1 to 2.
The dogs coped well and the newbie was definitely third in the pecking order and luckily accepted this pretty quickly.
My OH hated it, said it was too much when out for walk, but I think this was more to do with the new dogs training and not knowing the rules. As he was with us longer he got better and better IMO. (And she simply didn't like the new dog, said he was too 'wet')
My family are breeders so to me it was pretty much the norm when I was grwoing up to have more dogs around than most.
Was fortunate that our Lab is a real enforcer and when she knows a dog is doing wrong gives them a telling off so he was getting corrected two ways! Poor little sod.
What mix of dogs?
Lots of good points already.
The extra food, poo and hair from three dogs stands out compared to two. There are issues with finding holiday cottages - but they exist - like everything with three dogs it just takes more effort.
The question of 1 to 2 is easier than 2 to 3 - maybe disagree here. There is extra complication about getting the pecking orders to work. With a pup this might be easier as it can learn from the larger older dog. If the extra dog is older or a rescue there will be risks from getting the dogs to 'gel' together.
Personally I like three - but two is so much easier overall.
Met someone last weekend walking FIVE Irish Setters - had seen her before and noted the older dogs were not there with her. 'Oh - the three oldies are at home' - Eight Irish Setters in a normal domestic environment !
The extra food, poo and hair from three dogs stands out compared to two. There are issues with finding holiday cottages - but they exist - like everything with three dogs it just takes more effort.
The question of 1 to 2 is easier than 2 to 3 - maybe disagree here. There is extra complication about getting the pecking orders to work. With a pup this might be easier as it can learn from the larger older dog. If the extra dog is older or a rescue there will be risks from getting the dogs to 'gel' together.
Personally I like three - but two is so much easier overall.
Met someone last weekend walking FIVE Irish Setters - had seen her before and noted the older dogs were not there with her. 'Oh - the three oldies are at home' - Eight Irish Setters in a normal domestic environment !
I know people who have many, many dogs - as in double figures! I've had up to four and it's been OK 
I don't think it's an issue as long as you can manage them all and they all get along. I wouldn't go for more than two if you have one dog with any issues as that dog needs so much input. Another consideration is that dogs still need some one-to-one time with training and socialising, so you will need to factor that into your time - new dog maybe in particular.
I don't think it's an issue as long as you can manage them all and they all get along. I wouldn't go for more than two if you have one dog with any issues as that dog needs so much input. Another consideration is that dogs still need some one-to-one time with training and socialising, so you will need to factor that into your time - new dog maybe in particular.
Thanks for the helpful replies everyone.
We've currently got two rescues, and neither have any issues - we got them seperately and they live together no problems, plus are very accepting of when my parents dogs used to come round.
The reason we are considering adding another is that A) One of our current dogs loves to play with other dogs but the other is not interested at all, so it might be nice for her to have a playmate, B) Our current dogs can look quite intimidating and I'm getting really sick of peoples reactions. This seems to improve when we take my Mum's lhasa apso out with us as people must think we are not so bad if we can have a little fluffy one with us! And also there is the fact that there are so many rescues that need a good home and if we can offer another one then, why not?
It does seem that taking the step from 2 to 3 is bigger than I thought, so we will have to consider very carefully. It has tended to be the case when getting the others that they just 'stood out' for some reason and we knew they would be right for us. Perhaps it will happen again, you never know.
We've currently got two rescues, and neither have any issues - we got them seperately and they live together no problems, plus are very accepting of when my parents dogs used to come round.
The reason we are considering adding another is that A) One of our current dogs loves to play with other dogs but the other is not interested at all, so it might be nice for her to have a playmate, B) Our current dogs can look quite intimidating and I'm getting really sick of peoples reactions. This seems to improve when we take my Mum's lhasa apso out with us as people must think we are not so bad if we can have a little fluffy one with us! And also there is the fact that there are so many rescues that need a good home and if we can offer another one then, why not?
It does seem that taking the step from 2 to 3 is bigger than I thought, so we will have to consider very carefully. It has tended to be the case when getting the others that they just 'stood out' for some reason and we knew they would be right for us. Perhaps it will happen again, you never know.
Going from 2-3 was easy for us, so easy infact we later went from 3-4 and when we unexpectedly lost our Border Collie went from 3-5. Just incase you thought I was mad I'll confirm it and say I'm going to look at a puppy tomorrow afternoon taking it from 5-6, although 2 of those will be living with me but spending most of their days and walks at my parents house with the rest of the clan hopefully.
On walks it can be hectic, but your conservation of number skill soon improves so instead of counting 1, 2, 3, 4, etc etc you can just glance and know that your pack is all there. You get a lot of 'are they all yours?' which can get tedious after a while.
In terms of keeping the garden clean, we try and clean up on a daily basis and obviously they toilet on walks so it isn't actually too bad. I can understand why it would appear harder if you were to let it build up the whole week, but it's more hygienic to just get it up on a daily basis anyway.
We source our food from a little known horsey place, and as it's working dog food there is no VAT. We pay about £10 for a 15kg bag.
Vets bills obviously increase but I find if you put a little aside each month it's not bad at all, and either way so worth it for everything the dogs give you back.
Hope that helps!
On walks it can be hectic, but your conservation of number skill soon improves so instead of counting 1, 2, 3, 4, etc etc you can just glance and know that your pack is all there. You get a lot of 'are they all yours?' which can get tedious after a while.
In terms of keeping the garden clean, we try and clean up on a daily basis and obviously they toilet on walks so it isn't actually too bad. I can understand why it would appear harder if you were to let it build up the whole week, but it's more hygienic to just get it up on a daily basis anyway.
We source our food from a little known horsey place, and as it's working dog food there is no VAT. We pay about £10 for a 15kg bag.
Vets bills obviously increase but I find if you put a little aside each month it's not bad at all, and either way so worth it for everything the dogs give you back.
Hope that helps!
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