Should I take him?

Another chi?  Oh heck, why not?  They're little.  Don't take up much room, don't eat much, don't leave much poop to scoop.......shoot, you'd have to get a whole BUNCH of chi's to come close to one german shepherd!

I'm not much help, am I?

Some advice is better than no advice.
My aunt says I should. I'm just not too sure on how the other dogs will take it. I feel if I do take him, I'm just asking for trouble.. but I feel if I don't, I will regret it. I just need to make up my mind ..and fast.

I'd take him...as long as you can afford another dog, why not  

Red, weren't you having some issues with one of your chi's recently? I don't know if taking on another dog (let alone a pup) is a great idea if you're still dealing with problems with existing fur-kids.

Having said that, if you're certain you can handle another pupper and can give him a great home, then by all means, take him!
 

There is one teeny thing I forgot to mention. LOL.

I do still live with my parents. I'm 19, and just saving for a place.. I pay for everything for them though. Vet bills, food, dishes, ect. The dogs only potty in the house at night ..but it's on a pee pad. So I think I'm doing pretty good?

Vinia

Red, weren't you having some issues with one of your chi's recently?

Glad you mentioned that. Yes I was. Chico was being agressive. I have been doing NILIF with all the dogs, and I do think this is helping.

I have a golden and three Westies.  I got the last two Westies at about the same time.  (long story).  I have time for all of my dogs and I think they all get the attention that they need.  I am happy that I have each and every one and do not for one minute regret having all four.  I even doubted if I should get the fourth one, but I feel as if it was meant for me to have her--it was a very special situation.  Truthfully, she has a very special place in my heart and I couldn't imagine not having her.  That being said, I don't think I will always have four.  It is truly a decision for each and every person and even situations may change the answer, as it did for me and I ended up with four.  I know this isn't much help, but I think it is well worth considering.  I know I am glad I did.

If you know you can handle a fourth dog than go for it.  Don't forget to think about future plans though...I got all three of my dogs while I was still living at home and working full time.  Now I'm 23, moved out and going to school full time.  It is A LOT harder than when I was living at home.  I had to get a care credit card just to be able to pay for vet care, I no longer have a built in dog sitter (i.e. sister), and I often go hungry so I can buy good dog food and whatever else they need.  I love all of my dogs, but my life would be much easier if I only had one.  However, I don't know if there is much of a difference going from 3 to 4.  Good luck with whatever you decide!

redlegos

Some advice is better than no advice.
My aunt says I should. I'm just not too sure on how the other dogs will take it. I feel if I do take him, I'm just asking for trouble.. but I feel if I don't, I will regret it. I just need to make up my mind ..and fast.

Heehee, so you're gonna name him Trouble?  Whats one more!? 

I always think it's a little wierd when a breeder NEEDS to get rid of a dog RIGHT AWAY.

Take this story for example (not to scare you, I don't know the breeder)

We had a man surrender his Cane Corso to us. He's a breeder. He said the dog was in a home, and the family returned her. He was "out of town" and did not know why the dog was brought back. Besty (the Cane) cowered behind the counter, and wouldn't stand up. So we carried her back to the tech room for her vaccines and such. When we finally got her to stand up - we realized EXACTLY why the man had to give her up. It was not because he couldn't find her a home.... her hips were so bad, her spine was curving. It hurt her so much to stand. On top of that, she had a nasty UTI, and was intfested with fleas. Betsy is only 6 months old.

I would find out why she needs to get rid of the dog so quickly. JMO.

Ok, I'm going to play devil's advocate -

 No way would I take a fourth dog in your position.  You'll make it VERY hard to ever get an apartment on your own, and by the time another 10 years passes your vet bill will be astronomical. 

Chico is showing severe allergies - -and this is the SAME breeder?  He's also having some aggression issues.  I wouldn't want to bring potentially the same *only more* problems into my existing pack when just dealing with Chico's health issues has been a huge strain on you.

And four is different from three -- three is manageable for one person -- four typically isn't.  There comes a point when you have to protect their futures and honestly I think at your age three is already a 'max' particularly when you already have one with health issues (and this is the lady who bred THAT one and this guy is 'left over' and she's GIVING him away??)

Hand this lady a 10 foot pole and then stand back and don't touch it!!

huskymom

redlegos

Some advice is better than no advice.
My aunt says I should. I'm just not too sure on how the other dogs will take it. I feel if I do take him, I'm just asking for trouble.. but I feel if I don't, I will regret it. I just need to make up my mind ..and fast.

 

Heehee, so you're gonna name him Trouble?  Whats one more!? 

Nope, that name is taken by the outside family cat. LOL.

And about her "needing" to give him away, I don't think she really needs to, I think she just wants to because ..lets be honest, the older they get, the harder they are to sell. (I think?)

She was still calling people she knew, but I think with me keeping in touch with her about Chico (sending pictures and stuff) she knew I would take excellent care of him, so she called me first. I understand Callie how you feel about her with Chico's problems.. but aren't his allergies something that she couldn't have done anything about? BTW, Atopica is helping! :D

allergy issues are often genetic. Even more concerning is that your dog from her breeding also has behavioral issues...which are also often genetic. I'd not support her breeding dogs, even if it's by taking one for free.

As was said above, while smaller breeds are easier to care for in multiples, if you ever plan on being independant and getting a place on your own, you're going to be hard pressed to find a landlord that is ok with your having four dogs, regardless of size.

Since you are still having issues with your current pack in regards to behavior, I'd not add another dog into it at the moment. It's not fair to your current dogs OR the new one

I would very strongly advise you not to take this new dog. I know you've been working really, really hard with your other dogs and have been making some steps with them, but IME adding another dog to the mix makes it *much* more difficult to continue the positive progress with any dogs that might have been having any "issues."

Bluntly, I think taking another dog would be bad for both Pedro and Chico, and would be a huge headache for you when you have your hands full already.

Have any friends that want a cute little fellow?