If you're gonna have ONE dog ...

[Overpaid Slacker]

... should you have two? Is it that much more of a hassle? Does it "help" the dog to have a buddy, or does that interfere with the "you are the pack leader" approach you want to instill in your dog.*

Assuming 2 dogs -- get them at the same time or a year or so (or more) apart? Both the same breed?

If the dog "needs" company, will the 2 gatos I've got provide enough?

JP

* Assume, for the moment, that this is the approach you want -- it's what I want, and the foundation of much of the dog obedience/training I've read. FYI, check out the tons of info here. Make sure you have a beverage at hand first, b/c if you're dog-interested, you're going to be on that site for a looong while.

[Dottore]

It depends in some measure on the role you want your dog to play in your life. Do you want to bond with him and have him be "your best friend" etc? If so get only one dog.

The dynamic of having two dogs is much different - as the dogs will generally be much more focussed on each other than on you. In some respects it makes two dogs easier to keep than one - but the price is a much diluted relationship with your dog(s).

[masraum]

I've had one dog before and I don't think it was a problem. We got a dog a little over a year ago. Every one in the house is pretty busy, so she's often left alone. We fell into a second dog a couple of months back. Having the buddy for the first definitely seems to be a good thing. We think she enjoys having a someone to play with. The first dog is a small white German Shepherd, ~50# and the second dog is a miniature, long hair, double dapple, black and tan Dachshund, ~11#. I'm guessing they get along well because they are both German

[Nathans_Dad]

All I know is I wish we had kept to just one dog. Our second dog has been a total nightmare. More food, more vet bills, more poop, more hair, more smell....

Been there done that and I will only have one dog in the future (and it will be a small to medium sized dog).

[masraum]

Originally posted by Dottore
It depends in some measure on the role you want your dog to play in your life. Do you want to bond with him and have him be "your best friend" etc? If so get only one dog.

The dynamic of having two dogs is much different - as the dogs will generally be much more focussed on each other than on you. In some respects it makes two dogs easier to keep than one - but the price is a much diluted relationship with your dog(s).

Our dogs are pretty devoted. The Dachshund to my wife and the Shepherd to me. They play together plenty, which is good when I'm too busy or tired to play, but normally they follow us around the house and hang out with us where ever we are in the house.

Another key is to make sure that you are the pack leader for both. One will be dominant over the other, but you need to be dominant over both, ideally, everyone in the family should be dominant, but I'm no dog whisperer.

[widebody911]

Originally posted by Nathans_Dad
More food, more vet bills, more poop, more hair, more smell....

So, it's kinda like having a wife and/or kids...

[Joe Ricard]

Got two Dalmations. if one is behaving the other isn't. They are NEVER bored as one is always into something that the other eventually helps out with.
Pretty fun ride to have them both pull me on Roller blades. Harnesses connected together one leash/ tow strap. Top speed about 35 MPH

[craigster59]

Got one at the Pound, found the other a year later on the streets. Having one is nice, 2 is better, but it's like having 2 year old twins. They seem to feed off each others energy and there's never a dull moment. First dog Border Collie/Samoyed/Sheperd mix (Cooper) and full German Shepard (Strasse). She's the one from the streets..

[goat]

If you have one dog another is really not that much more.
Yes vet. & food will be a little more.
But exercise is really about the same.
I have two of the same breeds.
Mainly because I know the breed very well, for training and hunting.
Needless to say I am looking at Greyhounds now. just because I love those guys too.

[charleskieffner]

first line of defense............2 dogs, black lab female and a male wolf weimereiner goofier than sh%$!!! have a full size pool to relax, stainless food dishes, shade. endless supply of bunnies lizards and birds! bark at flies let alone all people and vehicles. both pigs. both on full throttle non stop! wouldnt have it any other way! oh yea 3- 5 gallon paint buckets a week in DOO DOO! mi amigoes. cant leave a beer on the ground for a second, or they will knock over and drink. rescue rangers when anyone in pool!

[ChemMan]

We have one female doberman. She is pretty used to being by herself now. Loves the family, loves people. We almost got a rescue dobe, but our dog just ignored her when we put the two together. Many years ago, we had to male dobes (in South Africa). That was serious trouble. They were guard dogs and if you dared enter the yard-good luck. We had a small fruit crop "farm" back then. The farmer next door cut the bottom of the fence and let his 2 german shepherds into our area. They attacked our workers. Dobes killed them both. Pretty nasty sight. I only have one dog. Pretty sure she will be the last. I cant even image losing her. SHe is a sweetie.

[84porsche]

Originally posted by Joe Ricard
Got two Dalmations. if one is behaving the other isn't. They are NEVER bored as one is always into something that the other eventually helps out with.
Pretty fun ride to have them both pull me on Roller blades. Harnesses connected together one leash/ tow strap. Top speed about 35 MPH

I did this when my dalmation was a puppy and got a few bruises. She was a tough dog.

Now I have a German Shepherd and my sister has a Cocker Spaniel. What a mix, one thinks the other is a dog biscuit, you can figure out which is which. I am learning how to train my German Shepherd from a fellow Pelican and so far have made some progress but its still quite a battle.

[rfuerst911sc]

I am 48 years old and I can't remember a time we didn't have a dog but it was always only one. My wife and I 3 years ago got a Daschund pup and 6 months later were offered another Daschund pup for free and we took her. I can't imagine going back to just one dog. They play together,sleep together and are best of friends. The downside is vet bills are x2 and a little more food and attention but the love we get back is x2 also. My son has two golden retreivers and it's the same deal.

[Dottore]

One dog or two. Take your pick.

[goat]

Originally posted by SoCal911SC
Why would vet and food only be a little more?

I'd think with 2 dogs, it would be twice as much as with one.

Yes you are right it is twice as much for bills guess that sentence was not really what i wanted to say. I guess I have factored in the costs for so long for two I really hardly take notice of them.
For high energy dogs two work well in excersing, and yes in neighborhoods and community property carry twice as many plastic bags

[Jared at Pelican Parts]

4 Queensland Blue Heelers. Smart, loyal and they all play and watch out for each other. Dont cross them though. As fierce as a Doberman

[Por_sha911]

[pwd72s]

Dogs are pack animals...if you have the training skills to be the leader of the pack, having two is fine. Without those skills, neighborhood complaints arise. We have a neighbor who is NOT a good pack leader. Combine that with her letting her two dogs run loose as she went to "horsey set" shows, and a problem did arise. Her 2 dogs, one blue heeler, the other a border collie, attacked Cindy one day, as Cindy was in OUR yard. The county animal control took care of that problem, and the poor pack leader has been angry at us ever since. I respect the love people have for their pets. But vicious attacks make that type of respect end. BTW, it was Cindy who called the county...she who calmed me down. I wanted to go over there with a mini 14 in hand...

[Hawktel]

Wineriemer, Boxser, and Mini Daushund keep us busy.

They all know I'm in charge though, and so they mind okay.

[fastpat]

In my opinion two dogs, or more, are easier to keep than just one. First, they entertain each other when you're busy, and that's important with dogs that like to be busy.

The only issue is more food and more heathcare expenditures.

We have three 80 pound canine units.