Opinions on multiple dogs

groo

How can I possibly give up this face.

 

How indeed! 

Yeah. She's home. She's beautiful! More pictures, please.

Hi! I have 5 dogs, all girls, various breeds and ages and 99% of the time it works great.  On that 1% I end up sounding like my father when my sister and I were going at each other.

As long as everyone gets along I think  you should go for it!

I love having multiple dogs, but it is a challenge to give them all the attention each deserves, and needs!  I currently have three mixed breed rescues who all get along, all are beautifully behaved and all endure the cat who rules the house!  The key for me is if I can give each the time they need for love, training, walks, hikes, swimming, individual activities away from the others, etc.  Search your heart and consider the dogs you currently have and what it will mean to them.  Have fun. Dogs are a blessing and deserve to be treated as the special animals they are!

Hi, I have had as many as 5 dogs and just this year am down to two, a 10 year old Terrier mix and 4 year old Toy Fox Terrier I " rescued" from a pet store who was very sick! I just recently took in my aging mother's two dogs, a 10 year old Water Spaniel and a 4 year old Terrier mix. I was very concerned in the beginning about the adjustment, as I always am, and sure enough the 10 year old Terrier mix, Scotti, went after Rose, the Water Spaniel in a dispute on who was allowed to stand closet to the sliding door, where I was standing! It turned out ok, although Rosie did turn back on him, he was able to keep his dominant role and 7 weeks into my "new muliple family" they have adjusted well. All of them eat in the kitchen together, no problems, they all know their place. I take my two originals to see my horse on the weekends and that leaves two to be home together. I have always found that it's kind of nice with multiple dogs because most of the time, they always have someone with them which is so important to dogs, that pack mentality. I feel so bad to one family dogs where the family works and the dog stays home along all day, I think it's unfair to the dog. I would say that if you have the time, energy and resources for vet bills, you will be very happy with 3 dogs. Because they are big dogs I would say 3 is probably your limit! When I had 5 dogs they were all under 20 pounds and that does make a difference. Good luck and I hope you can keep her! Smitty

Hi,

 I have three big dogs (a rottweiller, chocolate lab and golden retreiver/yellow lab mix) and it is no more trouble having three than it was  having two except for the cost of food and medical care.  You can fit three big dogs in the back of the car, you can walk three dogs together if you train them and they pretty much play with each other so I would say if you have a bond with that new dog, you should keep it because if you have a bond with her then she probably has a bond with you.  And this way she would never have to move again and take the chance that something would happen to her.  I hope you decide to keep her.

If you are up to the challenge...by all means keep this girl.  She is a beauty.  Gordon's are regal animals, and she shows all of the qualities of being a queen.  She has found her fantastic home, you care about her and she cares about you....that's all that matters to dogs. 

Hi 

I am new here. Please keep her. I agree she has chosen you. Gordons a very sensitive dogs. Having owned 6 gordons and 3 of of which I still have. They can only take so much before they shut down. I have 5 dogs in my house now. I have had as many as seven with no problem.  So do her a favor and spare any more upset in her life keep her.

Of course I say keep her.  Being the third dog, even if three is too many, is better than death.  If you find her a home, then you've taken the place of another who would have found that home.

One thing I do know, though, is that three CATS is one too many.

She is a  very pretty Gordon. One question do you leave her choker on all the time? The only reason I ask is I am a firm believer that chokers should only be on a dog while being trained. I have too many horror stories about accidents that have happened with chokers left on all the time. They certainly have there usefullness but only while a person is present at all times.

elkdog

I just want to say she is quite lovely!  You're in the best position to say whether she should stay or not, but I've certainly not heard you say anything that would cause me to urge you otherwise....

(I'm a subtle enabler)

If it were me, I'd go for it. As long as they all get along and they love you, no question about it. Right now, I have two rescues who are very high energy dogs. I would not trade them in for all the money in the world. In the past I've had three dogs, all adopted at different times. They got along beautifully. If you love that dog that much, keep her and give her a new chance at life. She obviously loves you. I'm with that one person, the more the merrier.

Keep her! No question about it. She needs a wonderful Mom like you. Your heart will break if you give her up and then there'll be two broken hearts, hers AND yours.

Well, no biased opinions here!

I would like to thank everyone for their input on this. After a couple of days it really wasn't a decision anymore. She is currently curled up on the end of my bed, one of many spots she has claimed for herself. I decided to keep her and gave her to myself as a birthday present. She is doing remarkably well and as time passes I am starting to see more and more of the delightfully silly personality that I associate with this breed. (My other Gordon is still totally a puppy, even at the age of six).

To the poster who asked about the choke chain, your concern is appreciated, and I totally agree with not using them as a substitute for a collar, but that picture was taken right after I got her home from the pound. I wasn't sure how she would be on leash and I find that the easiest thing to use when dealing with a potentially unpredictable dog. Within an hour of being home she was wearing a sporty red collar with a heart shaped name tag. She looks mighty good. 

Thanks again for helping me to make a big (if pretty easy) decision. More pictures soon.

Proud mom of Lucy, Gracie, and now Penny

 

I'm really glad you decided to keep her. She looks like a real gem. There are so many poor animals out there who deserve and need a loving home. One thing I might suggest, if your dogs are unpredictable on a leash, consider one of those gentle leader halters. My two red heads love going for walks; they are the sporting Irish. As a result, when they see critters (usually bunnies or squirrels), they get all fired up. We were using pinch collars when we walked them. Our vet suggested that the gentle leader halter was a better way to go. They do work. We still have control of them, but they won't get hurt.