What is your personal dog limit?

 5!! And once in a while a foster. But 5 of my own! I cant handle anymore than that! I had 7 a couple weeks ago and boy was I glad when I found the 2 that I was fostering homes. I couldnt take it much longer. 

I couldnt give everyone the time and attention they needed with 7 dogs. Money not a problem. Time and attention the problem. Sheesh! And one of mine is as small as a rat but 5 dogs is my limit!

I don't put a number on it, I look at it instead in terms of finances, time, and effort required. In other words, adults generally are easier than puppies, "pets" are less time than performance dogs, dogs already trained are easier than dogs-in-training, etc.

I am at a great number now with three. Having said that, it's not too difficult because they have similar energy requirements, all are adults (youngest is 2.5 years - still puppy brain at times LOL), all are well-trained. Two are in training for agility, which is quite time consuming. Two of them are/were special needs dogs who needed (need) certain requirements to be filled which at one point was very time consuming.

Personally I likely won't have any more until one passes away, but I never say never, because if the right dog or circumstances come along, I will not turn it down simply due to number. Then again, I grew up in different circumstances (breeding home) where I was used to living with 8-12 dogs in the home at one time.

Right now though, I feel very content with what and who I have, and the group is a very cohesive unit.

 One. I've had 3 at once and it was fine, but now that its only me and Toots, I love it. Oh, can't forget Peaches, she'd kill me. I like being able to feed high quality food for the dog and cat too.

I'd say that 3 or less is my limit.  Right now I'm feeling stretched because of health issues of Aspen & Maghee.  Stretched both financially & emotionally.  Thank doG that Grady has been well right now.  We're digging out but in the process of dealing with the Paps issues, Grady has gotten left out a lot for the last month or so.

Kim_MacMillan

I don't put a number on it, I look at it instead in terms of finances, time, and effort required. In other words, adults generally are easier than puppies, "pets" are less time than performance dogs, dogs already trained are easier than dogs-in-training, etc.

Agreed, completely. Emma is like caring for a dozen dogs, with all of her needs. She's pushy, she has health issues, and she needs constant stimulation, or she becomes destructive. If they were all like Ena, I could have 5 or 6 dogs. I don't want that many, really, though. I'm trying (fighting!) to keep my dogs to a minimum, because I'd take them all. Right now, my rule is that the puppy has to be at LEAST 3 1/2, and fully trained, before I consider adding a new puppy. One puppy at a time!

Oh I know how you feel over Gobie. Penny is very similar in her ways, being a Min Pin herself. Although, not as bad. Atleast she doesn't do her business in the house EVER or chew things up. -phew-

Currently, I have two. Penny is 5 and Daisy will be 8 next month. However, they both act like 6 month old puppies in their own way. Penny is essentially a big dog in a small package. She (also) has a VERY high prey drive, very protective, strong and anti- social. However, she is house trained and can go hours without going out. She doesn't chew, bite and I don't have to worry about her running off, comes when called. She's relaxed around the house and in her yard, but more anxious and barky when around strangers. Daisy is quite calm and collected, but quite the spit fire for a Chi her age! She still gets the zoomies, is very playful, can be yappy, and is a goofball over all. She is also NOT nippy or snappy AT ALL like a lot of Chihuahuas I know. She has NEVER EVER biten or even snapped at a human. But she is a puppymill rescue, so she does come with her own issues. She is very scared out loud beeps, doesn't like to be picked up, bossy/demanding and tells Penny to "shove it" at times.

I think that my personal limit would be 3, depending on their needs. Penny and Daisy, overall, are pretty low maintenance dogs. A daily walk, potty breaks, love and lots of food are all they really demand. If I got bigger dogs with more active tendencies, then maybe only 2. But then again, I could do things with them such as bringing them to dog parks, that I can't do with Penny and Daisy (too many aggressive large dogs.) So it depends on the dogs.

jennie_c_d

Agreed, completely. Emma is like caring for a dozen dogs, with all of her needs. She's pushy, she has health issues, and she needs constant stimulation, or she becomes destructive.

I hear ya on that one - every time I think about maybe getting a second dog, I laugh at my own foolishness.

1) I currently rent, and move frequently (it's been about once a year the past few years)

2) Rascal is "high maintenance" emotionally and care-wise, in that he needs verrrrrrrrry consistent boundaries, a lot of attention/stimulation, and constnat supervision

3) Rascal has some health issues that may require very expensive surgeries etc. in the future (even though they don't bother him too much right now)

4) I'm very busy and in a sort of "transitional life phase" where employment, schedules, etc. are constantly changing, and I don't feel I could give enough time/attention/focus to two dogs

So for me, at least for right now, 1 is my personal limit!

And if you had a nice, low maintenance dog, like Bean, you might consider another. She's quiet, well mannered, pees outside, scoops her own poop, and is basically healthy. She is a poorly bred dog, and has ooky skin, but it's just a weekly bath, nothing huge. That's a dog I could have a few of.

Emma, who leans into people for lovins, then flashes a full set of teeth.... not so much. I adore her, and wouldn't trade her for the world, but never again, kids. Never again.

jennie_c_d

Emma, who leans into people for lovins, then flashes a full set of teeth.... not so much. I adore her, and wouldn't trade her for the world, but never again, kids. Never again.

Ahahaha, I hear ya! Rascal's favorite trick used to be leaping into visitors' laps uninvited (when he knows he's not allowed to jump on my lap uninvited) and then snarling and snapping when they went to pet him. While he was still sitting there. Yeah, that is really just not okay. Fortunately we are (mostly?) beyond that now... 

I could see myself in the future having more than one dog, maybe... but in my current state of life-turmoil, no way! I don't even commit to furniture at this point!

 Emma started doing THAT, and the lean/growl routine, just in the last couple of weeks. She's scheduled for a thyroid panel. *sigh*

I have 3 and it's great. But 2 Labs (Apollo and another) would've been ideal. 1 for me, 1 for DH, lol.

We're probably not going to get another dog until the three we have now have passed on. Then we'll get 1 and probably wait a few years and then get another.

I'm dying for a puppy though! Not just to "have a puppy", but, I want to raise a dog and mold it/train it the way I want. All 3 of my current dogs have come to us as adults already and I have to say I would've loved to get them as pups.

 Three is it for me right now, I could see 4 if I didn't have Maggie who is high maintenance (and deserves it at her age) or our cat (who is an attention hound and has digestive issues).  The only way I could see us getting four right now is if DH's mom suddenly decided to get rid of the family's boxer - then we'd be taking her in, no discussion lol.

I got Kes earlier than I would've liked and he has really complicated a lot of things, but so has the cat lol. 4 animals total is my limit I think.

 I really don't know, it would depend so much on the individual dogs and outside circumstances....I am definitely at my limit right now with four due to space and finances, but there are times when I think, if those two things change in the future, I would consider another...and then there are times when I think it would be much easier to only have two, so only time will tell I guess.

 Definitely 3. There is no way i could do more. Honestly, after these guys are gone i will probably stick to 2.