Opinions on multiple dogs

Oh dear, you asked the wrong folks!

I have SIX high energy dogs, german shepherds, three of whom are "failed" fosters that came to me as pups.  You should do fine.

After seeing that pic, how could you not keep her?  She's gorgeous.  I'd say keep her and only let her go if you can find her a better home.  A better home according to you and her. 

Anyway, congrats on your new pup

I haven't read all the replies but it so depends on what THREE you pick.  If everbuddy gets along well, that's most of it.  And one of the nice side benefits is that they don't have to be in each other's face ALL the time -- it's interesting -- sometimes Luna and Billy hang together, sometimes one or the other goes and lays down and Miss Kee (little peke) joins one of them.  That way if one doesn't really want to play right NOW, the other may.

You do have to figure out what your house will realistically hold.  I have a tiny little 2 bedroom house (and one of those really isn't a bedroom) and my kitchen is SO small I don't even have 4 corners -- so I only have 3 corners for dog bowls  -- if they were any closer they'd be under each other's armpits. 

We've tried 4 and unless it's a super short duration (like during a hurricane or something in an emergency) it does NOT work unless there are really unique situationss.  We decided long ago not to bother doing 'four' unless the situation was unique.  Just cos my house won't support four dogs. 

If this dog :"works" then it's great.  But do have some super open dialogue with your spouse -- whatever you have to do to make SURE you are both being completely honest.  There can be subtle stressors and you have to be sure to talk about them.  But if it works, then do it!

I think it sounds like you've found a great match for your home. I know it's probably a lot of work and as long as you're up for it and know what you're getting into.. I say do it.. that face has "I'm not going anywhere" written all over it :)  I think she's beautiful! Congratulations on your new addition

It sounds like you guys really love her and she belongs there so keep her I have 3 basset hound and will be getting another one next year so I feel the more the better. Dogs are great it seems once people have one they have to get more. Good luck with you new dog.

We have three dogs; a terrier mix; a bichon and three two year old pekingese siblings.  We previously had multiple large dogs and from past experience I can say that multiple large dogs are a piece of cake in comparison to multiple small dogs. 

You said that you and your family have bonded with this foster dog, don't give her up, it could have disastrous physcological effects on her and you may regret giving her to another home as soon as she is gone.

 As long as you can afford to keep her and she gets along with the other dogs, do the right thing for her and you, keep her.

Hi there!. We adopted our second dog [our first adoption] 'Grover' this past July 5th, 2007-it was as they say, 'love at first sight.' Grover, a 'big' OES/Airedale mix blended into the family immediately. He and his OES sister 'Heidi' get along great-Heidi we've had from a pup so she was used to being the queen bee around the house. Grover is great with people, children and other animals-he loves kids as does his sister-lots of kisses going on when kids arrive.We just returned from taking both for a week's vacation at the Jersey Shore. And, while he might be Mr. Alpha Dog at doggie day care, around the house he's content to let Heidi run the show. Anyway, to make a long story short, the adoption couldn't have worked out any better. More importantly, kudos to you and the rest like you out there that provide much need foster care!

If I do this correctly, I will attached a link to 3 stories, the 3rd covering Grover's adoption. This came from the Dogs Deserve Better-Maine Newsletter-a great organization and foster network who helped us adopt, even though we are from NH.

Again, thanks to all the dedicated foster care providers out there!  http://dogsdeservebetter.blogspot.com/2007/09/happy-tails-we-have-many-happy-endings.html

At one point I  hd  five canine friends, had I not taken them in  they would have been euthanized since their human guardian had died. The experience changed my life for the better. I will never regret "rescuing them" because in doing so they recued me.

Hi,

I was always a two dog owner, thinking that they could keep each other company when I wasn't home.. Then I went to the Caribbean and saw so many homeless dogs. I visited the animal shelter there and decided to adopt a dog since they euthanize hundreds of dogs a month. There are so few homes on the island that this is something that happens all the time with euthanasia, but they are trying to spread the word on neutering/spaying.  Hopefully, some day they can convince everyone on the island to be responsible pet owners.... .  I have had the third dog now for 15 months and she has fit in  beautifully with my other 2 rescue dogs. My third dog gets plenty of attention from our family and I have never felt like I cheated her since she has to share us with 2 other dogs.  I have never regretted rescuing her and bringing her back to my home .  My other dogs were fine with her.  They all play together nicely. Having a third dog really hasn't been a problem with extra work since I feed 2 already, what is one more dish? It sounds like you have made such a difference in this poor dogs life already in such a positive way. You have fallen for it and so has your husband.  What better reason to keep the third dog then that. You also can afford her and it sounds like she is right at home already.  You know you can foster other dogs in the future and help them find homes.  It is not everyday that a special dog comes along and touches your heart like she did.  I would say go for it and adopt her.  Good luck with your decision. LeslieJ

Please keep her!  She sounds like a great fit for your family and the other "kids".  If you let her go you will always wonder about her

and probably will be sorry that you didn't keep her.  I know dogs adjust to new environments but she seems so happy and at home with you and your family. 

KEEP HER!!!!!!!!!!!! 

hello, i came into the same situation over the summer. as well i have two black labs and fostered another for a friend to adopt. the adoption did not go through, however the minute we saw the little girl get out of the van from a three day journey in the middle of the august heat we knew we wanted to keep her. again wondering if three dogs were too many. having a couple of medical issues that needed clearing up, i did not want the dynamics of the exsisting dogs to change, it was perfect. the little pup,n ow a big pup has fit in very well with some obedience training and a lot of exercise. we live in a modern ranch with not a lot of running space, however the outside fenced in area is there play area. keeping the new pup was one of the best decision we made. all of the dogs are very happy with each other, as are we.

I'm sure by now you've been convinced to keep the new dog as part of your family.  I completely agree!  100%.  If she gets along with the people in the house and fits in with the other dogs in the house than there is no reason she shouldn't stay. 

 We have three large dogs as well.  A German Shepard mix who is 6 and two black Labs who are both almost 2.  (They are the shepards puppies, although they look nothing like her.)  We never intended to keep either of them, but after finding homes for the rest of the litter we realized that these two should stay.

 One big plus for having so many dogs is that they always have someone to play with, even when you are not interested.  Our girls always play together and I don't always have to be involved.

 The downside:  our girls shed so there is lots of dog hair.  And since they are big dogs, there is quite a bit of poop.  I hired a pooper-scooper service that comes twice a week.  And they are my favorite people in the world!!!!  It's an option that many people don't know about.

Third:  should you get her fixed or not?  I would say yes!  You won't have to worry about the mess when she is in heat.  You won't have to worry the extra concerns of what happens if she gets out when she is in heat.  You won't have to worry about other male dogs that will get agressive when she is in heat.  And since she is the most recent addition to the family, you other two dogs will tell her where she fits in the heirachary of the pack.  If they haven't starting fighting over territory yet, they won't.

 I may not have an unbiased opinion, but I say keep her.    I own four dogs, 2 Newfoundlands, a Golden retriever, and an Aussie mix.  Yes, they are 450 lbs of love and mischief.  I admit they are a lot of time and effort, but well worth it.  They love each other as much as they love me and my family.  If she gets along as well with your other dogs as you say, than it is most certainly fair to her.  She will bond with them as much as she will bond with you.

Good luck!!!

 
Newf lover
 

I would keep her. If she fits into her pack, and has bonded so well with every member, it's the right thing to do.

It's like Kismet. Some dogs do pick us. Even if we don't pick them at first.

That happened with two of my dogs, and they became the greatest canine family members I ever had.

It seems as if you have a great foundation going, and if the are no constraints either monetarily, or time- wise,

why shouldn't you add one more to the mix?

Especially a breed that you are so knowledgeable about.

I think that security, and the comfort of a safe home,with loving pack leaders, and a happy canine pack is the best thing for her.

Truly. You won't be harming her in anyway. She'll thrive.

I grew up with six normal dogs(German Shepherds,Labs, and a Beagle Collie mix) and one diva (a Cocker-Manchester terrier mix). Everyone got along great, and we were very happy together.

We had the land, the money, and the time to care for all of them.

If I still lived on the farm instead of in suburbia, I'd probably still have at least 5 or 6 dogs.

 I hope that this has helped. She's won you all over.Including your husband.

She's filling a spot in your heart that you might haven't realized was even there.

Yes, there are excellent homes out there. And loving people too.

And maybe someone is waiting for a dog just like her, but what was she waiting for?

A home, a family, a place in the pack??

I think that she's showing you where she wants to be.

Let her get her wish, her needs answered.

Congratulations!! You've got triplets!!!

Best of luck!