Have many doodles do you have?

[Discussing Labradoodles & Goldendoodles]

We have one mini goldendoodle and are thinking about getting her a playmate. She would be so happy! How many do you have and is it a lot harder to add another? Thanks for the help :)

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

We have two doodles and a Springer Spaniel.  Our second doodle sheds and has an easier care coat.  Ned has a high maintenance coat.  I would go nuts if both doods were as difficult to groom as Ned, however I would love having no-shed dogs.

[Jane, Guinness and Murphy]

You may want to check out the "Multiple Doodles" group....there's lots of information there about what it's like to add that second Doodle.  My personal experience is that my first one (a mini ALD) was so easy, but my second Dood has been a handful.  It's also twice the expense.  I would definitely never get the second Doodle until the first one is trained....I can't imagine how tough it would be to train two at the same time.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have two doodles, a goldendoodle named Sasha and labradoodle named Oliver.  I would have more doodles but can only afford to have two.  Having two doodles is the best they keep each other company when I am at work, they get along fantastic and are best buds.

[Christine & Macey]

I have 2 doodles...

1 - 5 month old F1 goldendoodle and 1 - 6 year old mini schnoodle 

[Jane Smith]

I have two f1b goldendoodles.  Lucy is 3yrs and Ethel Mae is 2yrs.  They are the best of friends.  I learned years ago with my schnauzers, that two is the way to go. 

[Ginny Nightingale]

Yes, check out the multiple doodle group and also search the forum for previous discussions, as there are lots of them--doodles are so addictive that many people have more then one after being a single dog owner for previous years. I had one dog at a time for 30 years, but then got my doodle, and then got another, and then she had pups and I kept one and now i have THREE! I agree that having one trained dog makes it easier to add another--two puppies together distract each other and it is harder to train them sometimes.

It is a handful, but they all get along and I have a doodle romp in my yard every day as they run and chase each other. It is expensive though and if I had little kids, I couldn't do it--all my kids are out of the nest, so I have filled it back up with doodles. I have two out of the three that are high maintenance in terms of coats but I do my own grooming, so it is OK. The flea/tick repellent and food are the big expenses--I groom other people's doodles to pay for all that!!

One thing to remember is that it isn't always the dream relationship--one can be bossy and can take over all the toys etc, making you feel sorry for the other--but they work it out and as long as there is no out-and-out fighting, you let them figure out their pecking order. My youngest dog, Rio, has been "in charge" since he was just a tiny pup. The other two just accept it and let him run the show. It may take a while though for your dog to be "happy" with the arrangement--not all dogs are compatible--but most doodles are. I recently went to a puppy reunion and there were 5 siblings there from a litter and they were 5 months old. They quickly paired off and played with one particular sibling the most--some felt one sib was too rough and would play with another, for example--

[Dot, Maggie and KoKo]

I have two - Maggie is 3 and KoKo is 2.  They get along great but are totally different dogs.  Maggie is outside right now and KoKo is lying right beside me.  Maggie would stay out all day and KoKo goes out only to do her business. Maggie is quiet and well behaved.  KoKo is still a thief and will steal whatever she can, counter surfs and still wakes me up at six am.  But this is a great improvement from her puppy stage (she almost was rehomed).  The expense is something to consider.  Both need to be grooomed every 6 to 8 weeks at approximately $130.  It's double the vet and food.  KoKo tends to get yeast infections in her ears and has to be sedated while the vet flushes.  This alone costs me $100 and she's had it done three time so far.  Insurance is a consideration but again this is an expense you have to consider.   Would I change anything - NO.  If after reading all the posts you think you can handle two doodles, my recommendation is to go for it. 

[Diane, Baker & Oskar]

We have two...Baker is 3 & Oskar is just 11 weeks.  Baker was so bored, slept too much & was stimulated only by a visit to the dog park or new people visiting.  Not any more...:)  We've had Oskar for nearly 4 weeks now & Baker is one happy dog!  Oskar is too...they play all day long, except for the puppy's nap time...Baker is the picture of patience though & other adult dogs may not be as gentle as he is with the puppy nipping at his body, stealing his toys, etc.  They have been amazing together since the first day Oskar arrived...in spite of the size difference...90# and now 9#.

So far, it is not harder once you get past the initial week or so of no sleep.  We have a large, fenced back yard they can play in but we're still supervising because the puppy is so small, & that takes time.  The series of puppy shots & worming will most likely total around $400.

If you think your current dog would love & accept the puppy, I would recommend you do it :)  Let us know what you decide...good luck!

[Lynda Kamrath]

Right now I have three, two of my own and a guest.  We have had three guests now and it is no harder with two or three than it is with one.  They really do keep each other company.  We will never have just one again after a bad experience with our standard poodle after his companion died.  Two just works out better for us.  However, you need to realize that dogs that have been raised with companions really need (and want) to have another dog around.  They seem to be more bonded with each other than with you (or so I have noticed).  Walking the dogs can also be a problem as they tend to be a little competitive when on a walk (or so I have noticed).  Sometimes I walk one at a time around the neighborhood, but always all of them when we are out in nature.  Sometimes we walk them while we are biking.  You can see some on my page.

[Jarka, Monty & Auggie]

I've got two as well. Monty is 2.5 years old and we added a new puppy this summer. You might want to check my posts. It was a real hell the first few weeks with the new puppy. But again, puppies are a lot of work. Little Auggie is 4 months old and we are still trying to work out our daily routines. Adding a second dog definitely changes everything in the household.

[Jennifer and "Cooper"]

I have Cooper (Standard Goldendoodle) and Murphy (Miniature Poodle). About a year ago I posted a similar question before we had gotten Murphy. You say that you are thinking about getting a second dog as a playmate for the first dog and because "She would be so happy." The best piece of advice I received from fellow Doodlekisses members was this: Make sure you are getting the second dog because YOU want a second dog, not because you think your current dog wants a playmate. You are the one who will have to take on the added responsibility, expense and at times added stress of having a second dog.
Although things were a bit rough at first after we adopted Murphy from the shelter, him and Cooper are the best of friends now and I can't imagine our lives without either of them.

Good luck if you do decide on a second pup.

[Nina, Phil, Harlow & Lacey]

We have 2 doodles; Harlow is a F1b Labradoodle and Lacey is a F1 Goldendoodle.  Lacey sheds but her coat does not mat where Harlow doesn't shed but we have to work hard to keep her woolie coat from matting.  We also have a Beagle named Baxter.  We have almost always had at least 2 dogs.