2 dogs???????

[Chris B]

Please tell me how many of you think it is a good idea to have TWO doodles?  

I love my boy so much.  He is now 1 year and I was thinking of getting him a brother/sister?

Curious your thoughts!

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

OMG Laurie, How could they not look to you to entertain them! You are so much fun to be around. Bet they are laughing as hard as we are with all your antics and stories!!! Do you read your blogs to them???? You just know how to have fun!

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

Thanks, Sue :) My husband says he has never had dogs that had to be entertained before and there are some murmurings among my family that it is all my fault :)

[Lori (Wilson and Woody's Mum)]

Ah, yes, I agree with you Laurie.  I was certain the two of them would entertain each other, wrestle, play, etc.  And while they do, it isn't nearly enough.  To be honest, I was hoping it would cut down on the exercise they needed from me.  

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

My two actually do entertain each other and don't really "require" a lot of exercise, although they are eager and excited to go anywhere anytime I go near the leashes. They do have a pretty good sized yard to run around in 3-4 times a day though. And a pool they (well mostly Murphy) swim in at least once a day when we are home. They do wrestle, chase, jump on and tease each other many times during the day.
Other wise I think they just lay around a lot, but I think that one dog alone would be a lot less active.
Lori and Laurie, you ladies must just be more entertaining than I am. :)

[Sue, Murphy and Bella ()*o*()]

This question always makes me think of what some people must go through when they are thinking of having a second or third child. Weighing the pros and cons. And of course, once you have that new family member, there is no unknowing what you know and you always can't imagine your life without them. Just a random thought I wanted to throw out there. LOL

[Julie and Max]

I had been thinking I would at some point want a second dog, but reading the last post and this one has made me rethink. Yes Max needs a lot of entertaining and exercise but as Lori and Laurie have pointed out, getting a second doesn't necessarily mean that will change, just that I will have to entertain and exercise two dogs instead of one. I kind of love that I have one dog to focus all my attention on. I can take Max pretty much everywhere with me, and as others pointed out that might not be possible with two. Then I look back and remember how easy life was with one child and how much harder/more expensive it got with two. I love my second daughter and would not change a thing, but she was much harder than the first. (Not that I'm comparing children to doodles!) Sometimes I go get the neighbors dog now and take her with me when I want two, I don't have to pay for her, Max loves to play with her, and I can give her back. :)

[Sally S Miles]

I think Laurie said it very well -  it's not all sweetness and light with two, and it is a lot like having two kids.  We have always had more than one dog, except for short in between times.  It was agreed here that having one would mean two.  I take such tremendous pleasure from watching my dogs play, explore, and just be dogs.  The individualities of each is a fascination and a learning experience. They teach each other things, sometimes they go deaf at the same time - but I love dogs.  Playing with them, feeding them, cuddling and talking to them - - I can admit that cleaning up, tripping over them, and battling selective hearing are down sides - - as well as the budget slam.  I come from a large family, we had two kids and each of them has three. My husband is experiencing his first true canine reality now, because he is home all the time with us, it's a challenge and a blessing.

We thought our doodle girl was the easiest and sweetest, smartest and most wonderful creature - we started the search for a sibling right after she was spayed and our intent was an older dog.  Lo and behold we added our little non doodle six months ago, as a pup (they are exactly a year apart)  and I cannot imagine him not being here.  I decided non doodle for many reasons, although I adore our girl and think she is awesome - I wouldn't give you a nickel for another one just like her. I mean that with a  seriousness combined with a smile  -  we have always had disparate sizes and again it works for us. 

They distract each other, entertain one another. I call them my supervisory committee - she is the assistant and he is the supervisor. I must be highly entertaining to them, they rarely assume that I don't need to be watched.  It's unusual for me to get from one end of the house to the other without a companion.  I love it! We are both at home all the time, but yes we adapt to the consideration of the dogs when it comes to travel.  Having two gets heavier to bear in that respect

They do get into trouble sometimes, rough housing inside - but mostly they are well behaved and a lot of fun.  They track in mud, they puke at the most awful times, they get in the way - but they always are ready for a hug, two lounging at my feet are fabulous, and never do I regret either of them. They are spendy to keep =  food + insurance + toys + flea stuff + equipment + grooming for doodle= $$$.

[Marie and Hoka]

My 2 cents again, I will always have multiple dogs: both for my own amusement and for them not to be lonely. 

My second dog, Moxie, is a little rescue pup who was pregnant and had heartworm when taken in to foster.  

She and Hoka play just like 2 big dogs and love each other, BUT she eats almost nothing (very little food cost), has tiny poops, takes up no room on the bed or couch, actually doesn't require grooming or even shed, I can bathe her in under 5 minutes.  All that and I can feel good about adding her to our family. Two doodles would be much more work than my little combo... and really no more fun or love.

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I have two doodles but always had two dogs.  My Sasha was 10 months old when I got Oliver and they are best buds :)  I love having two doodles.

[Leslie, Yogi & Maci Bear]

Chris, good luck with your decision.  It's a hard one.  I read one post and get excited, think yes, then I read on and think no.

It's a shame there is no crystal ball we can look into. 

I would dearly love a second dog to love, I don't feel too concerned over the finances, but the part about making it more difficult to travel is probably my biggest concern.  We have multiple people willing to watch one, not sure if I they would be interested in watching two.

[Lori, Quincy & Frankie]

Interesting topic, as always!  I would love to have a second, but am kind of afraid at the same time!  Right now we take Quincy to day care at least twice a week so he is well socialized, plays all day and then sleeps the next!   

When my son (an only child) was little, he was sitting on my lap and he was asking about having a brother or sister- what it would be like.  I told him to move over so his sister or brother could fit on my lap with him...he got it!  Not that sharing would be a bad thing, just different.  My husband is not convinced Quincy would be happy sharing us! 

That being said, once we retire we may expand our dog family!  

[Judi Kilpatrick]

I'll weigh in as another double doodle mom, as long as you are ok with double the vet visits, double the exercise, etc., I think its a great idea and your first pup is at a good age to introduce a new one. The new pup will learn very quickly from the older one and they will be best buddies. We've always had multiple pups and for us, the pros have always won out over any negatives. Good luck and keep us posted, just love to see new puppy pictures..lol..!