How big of a pack?

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#1
How big of a pack of dogs do you prefer to own? 1 dog? 2? 3? As many as possible? How many dogs can you comfortably own and be happy and satisfied?

I personally like having at least 2 dogs. The house seems too empty with only 1, especially with such a lazy dog like the one I have now. I've always liked it better when there are multiple dogs...

Your opinions?
 

Oko

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#2
Well, I'll be starting with one and I assume I'll only really be able to afford one for quite a while (poor college student lol), but in the perfect future I'd like to have four, two big, two little dogs.
 

Laurelin

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#3
2 is ideal. 3 tops. Depends highly on what is going on with my current dogs and plans and how much Im spending on classes for them. I hope to add a third in 2014 and then I will be done for a long time. The only reason #3 is coming at all is because I am very likely to need a new sports dog in the next few years. I'd like to have one to train by the time I have to retire either or both of my girls. I only see 3 happening as a 'bridge number' so to speak when a dog retires. Ideally I will have two dogs to do sports with at all times.

I can and have taken care of 6 a couple times. Never again.
 
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#4
This is seriously hard for me. My ideal max is three (active) I think with good age gaps. As it is right now Didgie and Traveler can be hard because I like doing most of their outings separately so it's a balancing acts.

But, I do want to breed one day hopefully so it's going to be figuring out having the dogs to breed but keeping them at the right number so everyone gets one on one time. It's one of the reasons I'm so happy to co-own Zip with Sara and her husband.

But yes, three active dog is my ideal I think (at this time). My idea tentatively is to keep that third spot open for a keep back puppy.
 

smkie

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#6
same here. 2. 3 tops sums it up. Even so vetting is always a factor.
 

Julee

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#7
4-5+ for me. Right now I have 5 (a foster that needs to be C&R'd, a really really mellow 10 year old, a 13 month old, a 3 year old, and a 4 year old), and I'm a little underwhelmed right now. I love being around a bunch of high energy dogs, all the time.
 

Cali Mae

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#8
I quite like having two.

In the future, I foresee having Cali as well as an Australian Shepherd.. perhaps an adopted small breed dog so Cali will have an appropriate sized playmate.
 

stardogs

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#9
4. Nice even number, currently all four are actively competing, which does make things a bit challenging, but it's ok now that everyone is over 18 months now. LOL
 

Paviche

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#11
My short answer is 2-4.

My longer answer is 2-4, depending on the dogs, LOL. I once dogsat for 2 older dogs and had Rowan and my old elderly poodle mix with me. I loved that... they were all so easy and it was nice having a variety. 3 chill dogs and 1 moderate-with-a-great-off-switch was perfect.

At my last apartment, my roommate and I each had 1 moderate energy dog, plus a moderate foster. They were fine, too, although it was pretty crowded in our little 1-bedroom!

2 Riffs, on the other hand, would exhaust me. I'm pretty much at my limit with Riff and Rowan as it is, unless I added a small, low energy dog.
 

Sit Stay

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#12
I have one right now and I really want another. I think two is going to be my happy number. I could end up wanting three when I have two, but I think it will be unlikely or when they're both much older and slowing down a bit.

Eta: another situation in which I could see three would be 2 higher drive dogs/English Shepherds and a smaller, easier going and more portable dog. I've actually thought that a pair of ESs and a Cav would be a great group. So I guess my short answer is 2-3!
 
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#13
I have one right now and I really want another. I think two is going to be my happy number. I could end up wanting three when I have two, but I think it will be unlikely or when they're both much older and slowing down a bit.
I think two needs to happen for you too.
 

Sit Stay

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#14
I think two needs to happen for you too.
I totally agree! I am praying to the puppy gods that my breeder decides to have another litter sooner than later. And that they're all beautiful little shaded sable males!
 
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#15
I totally agree! I am praying to the puppy gods that my breeder decides to have another litter sooner than later. And that they're all beautiful little shaded sable males!
I'll try and think about that really hard too! Maybe our combined mind power will work
 

JacksonsMom

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#17
In a lot of ways, I do really like having one. We're buddies, we do almost everything together, he's my go-to, he's super easy to travel with, bring to peoples houses, run errands, go on vacation with, etc.

But I think two is my ideal and hopefully within the year, I'll make that come true. I wouldn't want anymore than that on my own. I like to be able to comfortably be able to handle all my dogs, and be able to take them places with minimal stress, etc, and 3 just adds it to that bit more notch of stressfulness that I don't enjoy.
 

Ivy

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#18
As long as the dogs get along and there's enough space, then the more the better.
I have 6 right now and i'm doing pretty good. I love having a larger pack and I will probably always have a large pack.
 

HayleyMarie

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#19
I think my perfect number would be between 2-3. We just have Teagan night now and it's just too quiet in the house. I would love for two terriers and a large breed dog. I grew up always with at least 3-4 dogs in the house so I am used to the chaos.
 

HayleyMarie

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#20
I think my perfect number would be between 2-3. We just have Teagan night now and it's just too quiet in the house. I would love for two terriers and a large breed dog. I grew up always with at least 3-4 dogs in the house so I am used to the chaos.
 

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