What is better, one dog or two dogs?

Question

My spouse and I have this on going debate. I want a little lap dog (not sure what breed yet) for me and a playmate for our Gordon Setter (she gets along well withother dogs).

My spouse relented finally about my idea and said OK but doesn't want any part of it. In other words he will not have anything to do with the new dog when we are at home or when we take them on vacation with us.

Has anyone tried vacationing with two dogs? We always go camping when we vacation. Of course I will get no help from him with the second dog. We are both seniors but in good shape. I'm wondering if it is a bad idea to get a second dog when your spouse doesn't like the Idea. I will have no moral support from him when things get chaotic which to bound to happen from time to time.

We have plenty of room for two dogs, a large fenced in yard and we are both home all day. So I would like to know if anyone could give me the pros and cons of getting another dog when you have no moral from your Spouse?

Answer 1

From my experience with my clients it is never a good idea to get a sceond dog when one person in the house is not happy about it. The dog always pays the price.
You are not going to get rid of your spouse but if things get bad you will dump the new dog. I see it all the time in rescue we get lots of dogs from homes that have done it.
It will make more problems than just the dog. And if he does not want and is not going to help you are going to have a hard time doing it all. It will make for hard feelings between you two and that is not good for your relationship or the dogs.

Answer 2

I say two dogs are better then one. For about five years we had only our female Akita. She is the gentlest Akita you will ever meet; she is definitely not the "typical" Akita. She has always been a great dog, but hated being alone. We recently adopted a male Silky Terrier (I know, not a typical combination) and at first she didn't seem that happy with him being here. We were actually worried for about a week that she wanted to hurt him. But it turned out to be just a territory thing. Then one day she started to play with him and they have been best friends ever since! She loves having a friend to play with. Her favorite thing is playing on the deck with him. She brings him outside with her sometimes. It's is the cutest thing ever! They run laps around the house and chase each other. They even share toys and water (not food; one on senior one on puppy). Dogs belong with other dogs. It's the pack mentality thing. They are so much happier with other dogs even though they love their humans. What another dog can give them is something we has humans never could, no matter how much we love them.
As for your spouse, try to involve him in the dog hunting process as much as possible. A lot of people can't resist small dogs because they are just so darn cute. So I'm sure he will come around.
About going camping, people do it all the time. Look into a dog pen that is indoor/outdoor that you can use for camping to keep the dog safe. You could buy two and connect them together to use for both dogs. That way their not tied up but still safe. Most pens can be connected to each other and their size and shape can be changed as well.
Good luck! I hope you find a dog that you and your spouse can love and enjoy camping with. Your dog will love having a new friend!
-Brit

Answer 3

Two dogs are better b/c they can keep each other company. I actually have three dogs, and they like to play together, but I think two is the magic number. Three can be a little insane sometimes. My husband wasn't thrilled about the third dog, but I told him I would do the puppy training myself. I did...and with two other dogs, it was frustrating at times, but I made it. Good thing for me though, in the end my husband came around and starting loving the new "furkid" and starting helping out with him too.

Every couple is different though. If the second dog is going to be a source of contention, it may not be worth it to get another dog. However, if the husband sincerely agrees (he didn't just say yes to end the conversation) that adding another furry member to the family is fine, then go for it. Just keep in mind that if he says he's not going to help you with the dog, you can't expect that to change after you get one! You may have to deal with the fact that your husband may not like the dog or want to have anything to do with it.

Two dogs are obvioulsy more work than one, so it just depends on works best for you.

Answer 4

I vacation with my three alot. I have a flatcoated retriever, which is about the same size as a Gordon, a basenji, and a tiiiiny little pomeranian. They do well. They keep eachother company. We have an XL kennel that we keep in the back of the van, and they all sleep together. Having your dogs with you is also a great way to start conversations with people.
The only con you have to consider is the size difference between a Gordon and a smaller dog. If he plays hard, he might hurt a smaller dog.

Answer 5

I have two german shepherd dogs and they are great together. We, too, have a huge fenced area for them to play. And they play soooo hard. It is really nice because big dogs inside the house can be a pain, but they get tired out from all the exercise and make much better pets. That said, without your husband's support, I would be cautious about getting a second dog. You don't want that dog to feel left out from the attention from him. AND you don't want the issue causing problems between you and your husband.

You may be better off trying to convince him to have another dog. Do some research and maybe he will see the light.

I've never vacationed with two dogs.. not even one dog. So I can't speak of that issue.

Answer 6

I have had two dogs and also a lone dog (which I have now) I don't think it is fair to bring another dog into your family if it is not wanted by everyone. Renember dogs are perfectly happy in your company and unlike other animals do not necessairily need to be with their own kind - as long as they have enough attention from you!
It sounds as if a second dog would not be wise at the moment as you say you are both at home and poor new dog would not be happy being ignored by one member of the pack!
I don't however think two dogs are particularly harder to deal with than one, you stil do the same walking, feeding etc and it is nice to see them comunicating. I don't think holidays would be a problem - you can either take dogs or you can't!
Personally if you really want a second dog I would work on your spouse and lets face it he is unlikely to really ignore a dog when its living with him! Its impossible! He obviously likes them! Just don't rush into anything!
Hope it works out.

Answer 7

Let the Gordon Setter select the new dog, after all it will be his friend too. Maybe your closed minded male person would find this easier to accept. Or you could try agreeing with him and say you still want a pet for yourself..how about some birds or maybe a cat..he might think a second dog wouldn't be so bad. And we use to go camping with 4 pugs..

Answer 8

i had a dog for 17 yrs, and then last March we got a new puppy, i loved having 2 dogs, but having said that while it is twice the fun, love and all the great stuff, it is twice the work , walks, food, prices etc, so it doubles up good points and bad . and also the 2 dogs may not get on, so try match ur dogs to size and temperment if u decide to get 2 or else there may be problems. but yeah i loved having 2 dogs, i was happy for 17 yrs with just the one, and never thought of getting another,but since having 2, when my first doggy died last summer, i missed him as my pal being around , but also now only with one dog in house its feels empty. it was lovely to see the two of them curled up together and playing together etc

Answer 9

First of all, if your husband wants nothing to do with the dog, don't get one. Room matters nothing when there's not full love to go around. You know, the dog will learn that your husband dislikes it, or wants nothing to do with it, and will react and behave out towards him. Thats just not a pretty situation!! Im curious why y'all have one dog to begin with! He sounds like a real stitch! Dont get a second dog, it would just be stupidity on your part.

Answer 10

From the people's point of view one dog is best...less expense, less mess, more freedom...

From the dog's point of view, two dogs are best...more company, more attention, more excitement, less boredom.

I prefer one dog but my one dog seems so lonely without a companion, soooo for my dog's sake, I've adopted another with a similar personality. I love them both but...expensive and messy!

Incidently, I live alone and can make these choices without consulting anyone. If you get a dog and expect someone else to take care of it and clean up after you and the dogs then that is disrespectful to the people you live with.