I am considering adopting two puppies (siblings - 8 weeks old - 1 male, 1 female) - is that ever a bad idea?

Question

they are shi-poos (or shnoodles) - the male is quiet and the female is full of energy

Answer 1

I did the same, only our pair(bordercollie mixes) were born in our house and we decided to keep them. I think it's a wonderful idea and I hope you have a really good time with them. It's always neat to watch how brother and sister grow up, change, differ(and they will), and act the same.

I don't think it could be a bad idea, except if they were allowed to breed or if you are clueless when it comes to handling even one dog - even 5 isn't harder than one, it's easier. If not then it's all good, and it certainly has been for us. We have 5 dogs, including the brother and sister, the sister fights with the other females(our issues, yours probably won't ever have problems like that) and has caused damage, but when the brother and sister fight, which is rare, they have never hurt each other. It's just different when they fight(more like squabble, not real fights), one or the other always gives quickly, and they seem to consider each other as equal leaders of the pack - which is how it should be. Alpha male, alpha female - there ya go, what more stable natural relationship could there be for a pair of dogs?

Teenagers always test authority, and you will have to deal with that, but there shouldn't be any additional problems from having a brother and sister, it will come from the fact that they are trying to find their place in the world- which is normal. As long as they respect you they will consider you top dog, then they would bond so that they are a beta pair(or second rank -wolf terms work well with dogs too!), which will make sense to them on a very deep level. You should encourage equality between them! Three is a wonderful number, I always felt one dog and myself was lonely, and when the pair of pups started to grow up it was perfect. They are 7 now and I still love walking them together.

You'll definitly notice a lot of really neat things about the female/male personality dynamic in these dogs. The female is likely to be brighter, but the male will be the slow-n-steady rock for her, and you, you will be their everything! Dogs do better when they have a buddy to go to the vet with, so the female will be calmed by the mellow male's presence. In general they will complete each other in ways human companionship can't. Really I just can't say enough good things about it! GO FOR IT!

Answer 2

I think it's a great idea. I got my 2 Yorkies at the same time. A brother & sister. Same as you, the boy is very laidback & the female is abit of a monkey.
I got both of mine fixed at 5 months, just incase.
House training is a little harder with two, but worked out well in the end. One of them would go outside & the other one would follow suit. The female still lifts her leg to pee.
Make sure you're financially o.k. to handle double the bills.
Other than that, they'll be great company for each other, especially when they're alone.

Answer 3

No they would love to be together and grow up with a friend. I got a puppy a couple months ago and I wish I would have gotten her sister instead of just the one puppy so she would have someone to play with. I think I am going to wait now until my pup is about a year old then I will get a second dog. Dogs do better in pairs.

Answer 4

We are doing the same thing - although Shelties. We put a lot of thought into the decision:

* Made a spreadsheet of the costs for the first year. (Rather shocking actually.)

* Worked out a schedule for how to give each dog individual attention for training, grooming, exercising, etc. It's actually closer to 3x the commitment than 2x, because you need to train them separately and also together.

* Read several articles about raising puppies together.

Here are a few:

http://home.att.net/~pvee/dbltrbl.html

http://www.veterinarypartner.com/Content.plx?P=A&A=2043

http://fl.essortment.com/puppiesbuying_ralf.htm

and several articles under "LIVING WITH MORE THAN ONE DOG" section of this page:

http://www.diamondsintheruff.com/behavior.html

Answer 5

I think its a better idea than buying another pup from a different litter! There are more advantages since you don't have to worry about introducing and watching if the pups get along as they have been raised together. Another positive outcome is that they will give each other company in their new surroundings and therefore will be less frightened.

Answer 6

I don't think getting 2 pups is a good idea. Not that it is wrong.

But you need to decide what you want in having a dog, or dogs. Then make a plus/minus list.

Here is mine:

Plus to 2 pups:
They will entertain each other. That's the plus.

Plus to 1 pup.
It will look to me for entertainment
It will bond to, and play with me.
Because of this, it will be learning from me
I will have plenty of time to devote to its proper training
Quicker to potty train because I will only need to watch one
Less clean up in potty training



What I want in a dog is a companion.

Answer 7

I think it's a good idea if you are willing to spend a LOT of time caring for them, house breaking them, getting all their puppy shots, getting them fixed, playing with them. Making sure they get the right food & water, and entertaining them... etc.

Unfortuantely, puppies are not easy to care for and require a LOT lof attention, and they will end up unhappy if your can't give them everything they need. But if you can, or if you can get someone to help you out, it sounds great! They can be really fun! They sound just adorable.

Answer 8

I think thats a great idea as long as your sure that you can take care of them, they say that pets are a great way to reduce stress, and don't worry if the two puppies are diffrent, that diffrence would only make them attracted to each other and therefore bring more puppies, but if you were me yould sterelise one of them once theyre old enough !

Answer 9

That is actually a very good idea!!! Your puppies will have so much fun together that it will make a new home less scary and intimadating to them. The puppies being siblings will also help when they begin to miss their mom. So... Go Ahead Adopt Them together.

HAVE FUN...

Answer 10

I got a bro/sis pair of lab pups about 4 years ago and they are the best of friends and two of the best dogs I've ever had.
Do it, once you get past the hassle of potty training you'll be rewarded in so many ways.