Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I have six dogs now what with my two newborns added to the pack. I've asked around, trying to get people to take the new puppies, but so far it looks like I'll be stuck with them. Yet I don't know if I can handle six dogs!

Anyone have a lot of dogs here? I don't want to abandon the puppies, but it's going to cause some disruption, discomfort, and possible landlord problems. Any advice?

In most breeds, having that many dogs will also result in fighting among the pack, unless you establish some very good separations, training, management. It's too much for most homes.

Try really hard to place the dogs while they are still young. There are so many repercussions of having that many. Veterinary expenses are another thing. People with that many dogs often start skipping various aspects of care. Even flea/tick control and heartworm control for 6 dogs would be substantial.
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Kathy Diamond Davis, author, "Therapy Dogs: Training Your Dog to Reach Others," 2nd edition, and the free Canine Behavior Series articles at http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=SRC&S=1&SourceID=47

Why did you breed this litter? You should only be breeding dogs if they are excellent examples of their breed and there are homes waiting for them. Otherwise, please spay and neuter. On the subject of how many dogs are enough, I think that's a very personal, individual decision like how many children are enough for a person. But........generally with a lot of dogs their care will start to suffer. They won't get groomed as they should be, heartworm tests and preventive medication and flea control may be skimped on. Dogs are expensive and they deserve proper care. From a lot of what I've read two dogs seems to be a real good number.

Everyone is diffent, but for me 2 is enough. Eight would cause a divorce.

If you are haivng trouble with finding homes for two puppies, i think you have already answered your own question about how many you can realistically handle.
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Chelle and the rest of the crew including, but not limited to Kita and Taiko (the shiba inu wrestle maniacs), Adi (reserved and dignified tabby cat), and all 28 reptiles

Like the other's have noted already I think you have answered your own question about how many dogs are enough. If you can't keep the puppies it would be best to find them good homes as soon as possible. Puppies will be adopted quicker than older dogs will. It would also be in your best interest to have any unaltered dogs in your pack to be spay and neutered to guard against any more unwanted litters.

As for me I have three dogs which constitutes having a pack. I have only ever had 2 dogs throughout my lifetime and the third was due to extraordinary circumstances when my rescue/breeder contact was dying of cancer.
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Bob

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.

See folks, I'm in Taiwan and come from the US. I've adopted all of these dogs, or rather, rescued them. They are all street dogs, not including the two newborns. These street dogs are a phenomenon in Taiwan.

These pups came via a mistake. My first two are spayed and neutered, the third is an old schnauzer, and the fourth I found tied to a tree while yet a pup being strangled to death on a slip knot.

I took her in but thought she was too young to breed, didn't have the funds to spay her, and she got pregnant. The pups are adorable. But I've asked around and no one wantsthem so far.

They've yet been weaned though, so I will try harder. You're all quite right, I answered my own question, have neglected heart worm on the mother, and feel stressed. It's sort of my feelings about pet responsibility that motivates me though. There is infighting, but I command them pretty well. The largest three love to play and run together, so far nothing serious.

But I've seen many people with a lot of dogs, and just wonder if it's possible. I live in a farming community too, so it hasn't presented a problem yet.

Bless you for rescuing those poor dogs. Do the best you can and try to find homes for the puppies. You do have your limits though and can't rescue all of them. Sorry to hear about the conditions of dogs there, must be very hard to see that.
staffordmom

Thank you for the comments. I'm beginning to think of this as sort of rescue work. The pups seem to have good character too, making me wonder. They've taken to me, as if trying to be in a home.