just wondering "in the dog world" was the typial number of dogs people had, because someone who i work with has 13, and personally i dont beleive you can take care of that many dogs! i have 3 and i think that is plently if i had any more i PERSONALLY would struggle to cope!

SO what do other people think? how many dogs do u all have, and if u have quite a few how do u manage? do u have kennels etc?

I am NOT trying to cause a argement i am honestly intrested to how people coape, i know you all love ur dogs

from karan owner of 3 dogs, 1 gsd, and two rotties all perfectly behaved and neutered, brill with other dogs, kids etc!

so how many dogs do individuls on here have and do they have kennels

Hi. I only have the two at the moment, one staff and a Hungarian Vizsla that I show and am about to start gundog training lessons with him. Because the furthest I go without my boys is to the bar (they stay upstairs) I have alot of time with them, (I have staff to cover most shifts). How people cope with full time jobs amazes me. I think it is what you get used to and fits with your life.

The breeder of my Vizsla currently has sixteen dogs (all bitches)!! Most of them she works and or shows!!! Only the retired dogs are allowed in the house the others are kenneled in converted in stables. Her property has about 5 acres of land and secure paddocks with shade where the dogs are out but safe. She does not however do anything alse apart from look after her animals (she also has a horse!) She hasn't had a proper holiday for over ten years!! She spends time with each dog alone and in smaller groups for training (if possible) and all are very well looked after. How she does it I dont know.....Well I do, her day is as long mine is (about 16 hrs!!) I would rather have the pub!!! She loves her dogs very much and does very little else (her family is grown up now) but still finds time to show and compete in gundog trials.

Hope this helps, I think it depends on how much of a life you want away from your dog.

Liz

Karan - -I think for this type of topic it is only fair to register with the forum so that you can take part in the discussion. You'll also find that by doing a search that this has been discussed before and fairly recently both the question on the number of dogs members have and the question of kennels.

Pam n the boys - 2

Hi
I've just tried to find the discussion we've had previously but to no avail.

I have two dogs 1 Dobermann and 1 Neapolitan Mastiff, we will hopefully in the near future be adding another Neo to our family, to start our showing career:D I have two small children 4yrs and 15months so things can get pretty hectic around our house sometimes.

Alison

Hi I have 2 labradors one we have had from being a pup the other is a rescue. They both live in the house with us.
carol

Alison

I know how you feel, my kids are nearly 4 and just 2, we have 2 crossbreeds and a cat and are planning a pup for later this year, we must be mad! :D (Can't wait!!!)

Hayley

Hi Hayley

What breed are you planning getting.

I've got a cat aswell ( Pinky ) she's top dog in our house:D and the dog's know it!! ;)

Alison

Alison

We're getting an Australian Cattle Dog, the bitch has been artificially inseminated as the stud is in Australia, so we are just waiting to see if she is in whelp.

Our cat, Harry (Henrietta) is a bit of a scaredy cat, we rarely see her until both children are in bed, her and Honey (no.1 dog) have an understanding, she doesn't run, Honey doesn't chase her, but god help her if she brings anything in!!! :D

Hayley

How are things with the new addition ? has she settled in OK ?

Lucy

I must say that I agree in the fact that you cannot give too many dogs enough personal time, this obviously includes walks, play and general attention. We have 7 beardies between the two of us and this takes all our time in execising and training.

I think that anyone who has more than about 5 or 6 dogs per person, unless they do not work and spend all day with their dogs, would not be able to give them enough time.

I am a real believer that dogs should go out for a walk, either on their own property or off site at least once a day, to stimulate them mentally and obviously to keep them physically fit. Anyone who keeps lots of dogs and doesn't bother to exercise them properly (kennel and run is not really good enough in my opinion) and breeds regularly (more then a couple of litters a year) is verging on a puppy farm!!!!! :O

I don't want to set an argument going either, but I feel very strongly that dogs should not be exploited just to make money, they should have a good life and be part of the family, unless they are proper working dogs, ie. gundogs, sheepdogs etc.

What does everyone else think? :)

manda
X

I think it is entirely up to the individual :) Only THEY know if they have the time and energy for more than X number of dogs :) After all , using your reasoning , how many children should someone have? :D :D After all , some folk have 2 children and cannot envisage ever having the time or energy for more ;)

As dogs get older they tend to be more settled in their ways and need less of the *constant* attention that a puppy needs.

I don't understand why , on this thread , you have bought up the breeding and puppy farm issue..this is about how many dogs people own and not about breeding

Melody

Up untill two days ago i had one dog..now i have 2 :)

8yr old Miniature Schnauzer and a 7wk old Miniature Schnauzer..I thought it was about time he had a pal :)

Roxanne

Hi I have 4 children and currently 2 dogs I don't work and my partner can work at home when he chooses.
We work our time around children, dogs and showing,we get up early and go to bed late,we love nothing better in being busy.It not so much about
time but how you organise yourself,I have alarge kennel and run,but I still walk my dog the puppy gets enough exercise in run and garden and ringcraft once a week.

We don't go out very often as a couple but when we do its really special,
but that was a scrafice we make for having dogs and children.We intend to eventually have 5 dogs.We find Goldens love nothing more than being part of this busy family theres always somebody around doing something.
In some ways its harder to have just one dog.
The number of dogs you keep does not matter if there well cared for and happy it does not make you verging on puppy farming,you might have 5 stud dogs.

Just in my opinion,

Briony :-)

Hi Roxanne!
How did your older dog cope with the new pup?
I have a 2 yr cavalier and hoping to get another pup in the next few weeks.
I dont know how he will react when it is time for cuddles and attention,because only he's allowed to give his mummy cuddles!!!!!!!!1.

hi mandates
I think your right no dog should be exploited
we have five dogs 4 vizslas and a labrador (plus three kids)which some people would say is to many!they are all working gundogs, last shooting season we had to much work for the dogs and they were all knackered by the end of the season! so we need to keep back some puppies this year, the only trouble for us is at the end of the shooting season when they are all very fit and bouncy I have to carry on walking them to give them some excersise it turns into a full time job on top of that we have to keep working on their training so every day is a dog day in our house!! but I love it, all said people have as many dogs as they want or can cope with so it really is the choice of the indervidual and i dont think you have to have working dogs to enjoy having lots of dogs around you!

Well I have 13 dogs and love every minute of it. I think it depends on the characters of your dogs. If I had 13 that ALL demanded attention all of the time I would be in trouble. Thankfully most of them are content with just being in the same house as me and only seeking me out periodically for a cuddle, which seems to be less frequent than me seeking them out for a cuddle :D
Bec

Wow Bec sounds like youve got your hands full there!
mind you I think when youve got a few they tend to amuse each other so in some ways its easier than having just one!

Hi Bec,

How do you manage to exercise them all? We find exercising 7 beardies twice a day hard work and thats between two of us. I bet you are always out for a walk....keeps you fit though!! :)

I bought up the thread of breeding and puppy farms, (sorry can't remember who asked....think it might have been Melody??) :D because most and I stress most people who have lots of dogs breed them. Some people I know have them as working dogs only, but I have a major problem with people making money from any animal, especially dogs!!

Sorry to upset anyone!! :(

manda
X

Hi we have one girl called Khira (malamute),and hopeful we will have another in July a boy this time.
sarah :)

So many people make money out of animals ..including dogs ..lets see...

1. Behaviourists
2. Trainers
3. Vets
4. Dog Clubs

etc etc...some are necessary .......some are not ;) But they have ALL made money from dogs one way or another .

My point was though , that the thread was about how many dogs people have and absolutely nothing to do with how money is made from animals

Melody :)

Just to say - agree mith Melody, on both posts!
Gwen

Hi Manda, I think you saw some of my lot when you came for Sparkle! I love going for walks just means I walk between 4 - 6 hours a day (depends on the weather!) and is an up early in the morning job though!
I agree that many people think that if you have a lot of dogs you must breed a lot. Of my 13 5 are entire of which 2 are due to be neutered so not much breeding goes on here :D
Bec

Hi Bec,
What sort of dogs do you have.

Hi Sandie, I have a bit of a mixture! 5 Parson Russell Terriers, 2 Schipperkes, 2 Mini Poodles, 2 Boxer Crosses, 1 Boxer and 1 Dachshund!
Bec

Slightly going off track here, if you want to get a 2nd dog how old should the first dog be? My girl is 15 mths at the moment and i have been offered a puppy by a friend of mine. my current dog has been quite hard work but she has settled down a bit now. Would i be mad to accept the offer? Is two dogs very much extra work once the puppy is trained and has grown up a bit? Are they likely to fight? The reason i am considering the offer despite worrying about the age of my current dog is because i have 4 mths off this summer and the puppy is 6 weeks in june and from a training point of view this would be the perfect time. I won't be having such a long time off again after that. what do people think?

i had my bitches together since they were 8 week old puppies it was a lot of heard work and toilet training seem to take a bit longer but a part from that every thing else was ok ....... they didnt fight when they were younger but as they got older they had the odd niggle with each other they were together for 14 years untill i had to have one pts in march ....... ive also got a 8 year old border collie dog and they got on ok as well just as long as your careful how you introduce them ....... you just have to make sure you dont make to much fuss of the new puppy. i dont know whether this ha been any help to you ........ good luck with whatever you decide to do. Ann

thanks ann thats a great help.

Hi Bec,

I wondered if it was you.... :D

Don't you just love the spring early morning walks, it's lovely going out when there is no one about at about 6.30am and just hearing the birds etc and it's so peaceful.

I always wonder how people manage, we spend most of our time walking, especially as Sparkle can't go too far yet because of her joints etc, so we have to take her and the injured one (damaged back) for a strole round and socialising for Sparks and the others go in two's or three's.

Too many beardies out for a walk becomes a bit mad and they race about like idiots and cause kaos. :) :)

Nice to hear someone has lots of dogs and isn't intending on breeding loads of litters. Out of our 7, Sparkle is too young, Taya is neutered (the mad one with the hormone imbalance), Tassel and Rosa are too old, Winifred is now 7 and not had a litter, so she is too old, Echo has the back injury and Joka is neutered. :)

manda
X

Hi Manda,
I think people who don't do the 6 o'clock run especially in spring, summer and early autumn miss out big time. I go early because I have a few so I don't upset too many people! Can be a bit of a shock to the system when 8 monsters come from out of nowhere, thats why I walk the big group first then the smaller groups when it starts getting too 'busy'!
I'm planning my next litter in about 2 - 3 years time when my Ellie is old enough (and subject to passing her health tests) so I have to keep my puppy 'urges' at bay. Still I have a Schapendoes coming in later in the year so although he wont be a young pup is something to look forward to :D
Glad Sparkle is doing well shes a pretty little thing!
Bec

Hi Bec,

Definately missing out on the walks, especially in the winter, when it's dark, cold and wet!!!! :D

I go early for the same reason (also I work, so have to take mine out, but mum looks after them while I am at work and she takes hers later at a more sensible hour) :) cause Winifred is a bit of a devil with other dogs and want to play with EVERYTHING!!!!

How are you getting on with your poodle and dapple dachsie, they were totally lovely. Bet you can't wait to get the Schapendoes, can you show them in import register here yet, or are they not yet?

Sparkle is fading in colour fast and looks sort of pinky/copper coloured, she is very pretty and doing fab with her training. She will be old enough to compete soon (baby classes only of course). :)

manda
X

Hi again Manda
Glad to hear you are getting on well with Sparkle. Just love brainy dogs. My Mini Poodle and Dapple Dachs are coming on great apart from Ellies (poodle) house training. So it's going to be back to basics from now on (just moved into flat above shop so wasn't expecting miracles!) and take her out every hour and not let her back in until she's gone! She gets a bit too easily distracted. :D
Bec

I have 11 dogs at the moment and they all live in our house. I do not work and spend all day walking. Each of my dogs get individual attention. I never intended to have so many. We had only 4 but decided to get involved with breeding. We bred our bitch and got 8 puppies. 2 went but unfortunately my boyfriend has become too attached to the others to let any of them go. Lucky for me he helps with them. It is hard work and wouldn't recommend anyone to do the same. As for my boyfriend, he is in the dog house!

I forgot to mention that I'm looking after my brother's dog whilst he's on holiday which is where the 11 comes from. I'll be back down to 10 next week.

I presume you are not going to breed again as can you imagine how many you will end up with!! :D

What breed are they ?

Lucy

i have a border collie called sam who lives with my mum due to his attatchment with both of her cats. he gets seperation anxiety when seperated. walking him is hard because both cats and the dog have to go together. vet visits altogether. he is poorly at the moment.

I have 11 though most of them are getting on a bit now , the reason i have so many is that once they retire from the showring i don't rehome them like some show people do ( not that there is anything wrong with that it's just not for me).I don't breed as i would find it too hard to let the babies go, tried it once and i cried my self silly for 2 weeks after the pups went, some breeder i would make. I,v got 4 that i show at the moment and the rest stay at home enjoying their retirements.

hi Ace,

I think thats lovely that you keep all your oldies and hangers on, we keep all our retired workers to, once something comes into this house, it dosn't leave again. My Tassel is now 12.5 years old and still competes in obedience (warm sunny days only) and loves it. She is a bit stiff, but enjoys the atmosphere so much. :)

manda
X

hi,
well i have six dogs,4 bulldogs and 2 deerhounds,and they all live in the house with me,my husband and our daughter,and three cats.
when you get used so many animals being around,belive me,it becomes a way of life,and of course one that you never ever get bored of,or tired with.

Hi Bulldogowner,

Totally agree, life without animals would be VERY boring, probably calmer and cheaper, but very boring!! :D

manda
X

I have two and a half at the moment!! The half is a 10 month old male who is 'on holiday' at he moment due to his mum being in season! He comes home this week, just in time for SKC! Oh, they are all Large Munsterlanders.

We have 7 rough collies aged between 6 months and 10 years......always space for 1 more (but don`t tell my husband)Gail:) :) :)

We have 3 Akitas (two boys and one girl) and 1 Miniature Schnauzer (girl) who all live in the house in harmony (most of the time!!!). Life is pretty hectic at times but we wouldn't have it any other way.

I have seven Rotts ranging from 6 months to 10 years of age and taking them across the fields at 4.30-5.00 in the morning and 8.30-9.00 in the evening is bliss particulary in the morning when the hares and rabbits are out and the birds singing. Those of you still lying in bed dont know what your missing! The dogs love it (particularly the pups) with the dew on their coats romping through the crops.

Is that your own crops, Rugrott?