Four or more dogs

 Cute as a bug!!!!!!!!!! You're super talented, Shammy!

Oh garsh, thanks :) 

She was 'wrinkly' from the humidity, when she's all blown out and dried straight she's even cuter!

Odd is how much she reminds me of our poodle Jordan we had years ago. He was apricot, long bodied, short legged, cheeky with an underbite and a long curled tail.  These two are lookalikes!  I am guessing now he was likely a poodle mix but I did all the poodle trims on him. 

Anyway, glad you guys like her trim too and I am even more pleased with it than  I thought I'd be!

 She looks so cute! you should paint her toenails - (if she'll let you)

Kim, my favorite miniature schnauzer cut is a client i put a mowhawk on from his head to his tail with full beard and eyebrows (no skirt).  It's the cutest thing- and his name is Spike! It's different, but I get to put a creative spin on it! lol

I think it depends on the dogs.  I had six for many years and everything worked beautifully, but would not have if the mix weren't a good one.  They loved each other, played together all day and slept on top of each other at night!  There were four Dobermans and two Italian Greyhounds.  They went on walks together, except usually in two groups, just because it was easier for the humans.

The things I personally think are critical are: 

• if both spouses are in total agreement (it would be a nightmare if they weren't).
• finances:  you have to be able to pay for the food, vet care, toys, etc.  We all know how much vet care can cost, and then imagine how that can add up if two or more have problems at the same time or in the same year.
• personal time with each dog: do you have the time for this?
• the particular dogs (not just breeds, but personalities)
• your energy level
• space in the house and yard 

Coming in a bit late on this one, but I have had as many as five dogs at one time.  They were spaced in age, but not gender - believe it or not, 4 females and one male (didn't he just have it made?).  I never regretted having that many dogs, although now that I'm getting older, I think 2-3 is enough for me.  Right now, I have two girls (just lost my boy on the 20th) and I am in no hurry to add a third at this point.  That's actually the hardest to add - that third dog.   It really has to be a special one that doesn't cause any friction.

 Absolutely, on the third dog note, Anne! We've been experiencing quite a few growth pains with the current foster. Different playstyle, different height class, bossy. It would just be stressful forever. The dogs must mesh.

Definitely decided against the 4th dog. 

Mostly I wanted a poodle to groom, and since Darby is really freaking cute in a poodle trim, my creativity is sated. 

Some days all the girls get on really well and days like today I wonder what the heck I was thinking getting a puppy SPORTING dog LOL!

Thanks for all of your point of views, it is appreciated!

jennie_c_d

The dogs must mesh.

I think that this is the biggest thing in multi dog households.  Our dogs have different playstyles, energy requirements & are different sizes, but they all get along.  That is, imo, the most important thing.

Anne, the hardest addition that I made was with Brinxx, aka dog #3.  I got her as a young adult.  She wasn't trained at all, housetrained or otherwise, & she was an absultely psycho for the first two months with me.  Once we got some training done, & she settled into our routine, things got better, but there were moments when I wondered if I was going to survive dog #3.  Each addition since Brinxx has been seamless.

It does help that all of our dogs are well trained.  Along with diligent training, new dogs learn a lot from our other dogs. 

 They do learn from each other! I'm amazed at how fast Fluffy has learned "be good" (wait at an open door), "go potty", "sit", "down", and "kennel". She came with house manners, but has learned more, and the beginnings of basic obedience almost exclusively from imitating the other dogs. She is a calm adult, though, not a wild puppy, LOL. It makes the girls MAD when she goes for their feet, and it's not going to work out, in the end. She needs a home where the other dogs LIKE IT that she goes for their feet, LOL.

Very true what Amanda says.  My decision to possibly add the fourth dog is only made possible because the current dogs get along and don't have any behavior issues we're currently dealing with.  Now that Nikon is 2 I don't even have any crates set up in my house any more, everyone is free during the day (but confined to a "dog proof" area) and free at night.  We have no fights, no guarding, no SA.  I talked to my neighbor about allowing the dogs to be free together because I was worried they would play while I was gone and sometimes the play gets loud b/c Nikon is so vocal.  He says he's not heard a peep and will inform me if he does.  With the new puppy, there will be two intact males, so I also have to ensure that I can keep each animal safe and happy IF they don't get along.  Before, this would not have been possible, but now I'm creating another dog area in my basement and we're looking into purchasing a larger house.

Bevolasvegas:  I know what you mean about having the perfect pack and then adding one who mixes it up a bit.  We took in a small Beagle who needed a home.  She was definitely not your easy-going gets along with all, average Beagle, like others I've known.  She had a bit of a psycho, hell on paws, element to her that took our home from one of tranquility to one that was not.  It took quite a while for that to smooth out.   Honestly, there were days in the beginning when I wondered if we would ever again be the same happy pack, but she ended up being a great member of the family. 

Sunburst