I have to make one of the hardest decisions I've ever made. Baby or Puppy? I wasn't going to keep a puppy from my first litter because I all ready have 3 dogs and 4 is too many, but I think it will be a great shame if I don't, because my bitch has gone through such pain and suffering and she is unable to have another litter, I know it's no excuse but I really want to keep one and I know I shouldn't because I also want to start a family, 4 dogs and a baby is definitely more than I can cope with!

I think heartbreaking as it is for you, you have to think whats best for the puppy you wanted to keep.
You can breed again in years to come but your puppy won't get that second chance in life.

Regards, Sarah :)

Your dead right, I'm just being selfish, it would only be a shame for me if I didn't keep a puppy, not my dogs. You have just hit the nail on the head! Thank you

Hi jules ,

Cant remember your breed or if you show etc.  Can I ask what made you decide to have the litter if you are not keeping anything and you plan to start a family? Just wondered..

If you show your dogs would someone not perhaps take a decent pup in partnership with you? this may help your problem, or of you sell to someone half decent with the chance of buying a puppy back at a later date.

As  I say don't have a clue if you show etc

Puppy.

Baby. They're much harder to get - there are always puppies available.

Puppy! No competition!!!:)

I would say puppy if the baby isn't likely t6o arrive until pup is two years old.  By then it should be a half sensible adult.  Can't see the difference really between owning 3 and four dogs.

If they are a medium size breed like mienyou can walk two and a pushchair not too much bother so two and two is as easy as two and one for walks.  Also your other half could walk two and you walk tow or look after baby while your take them all out.

If you have to ask puppy or baby - are you really ready for EITHER of them????

Margot

Exactly what I was thinking...........

Me to - wasn't brave enough to say ...... You know if you want a baby - if there's any doubt, stick to the puppy :)

Daisy

I want both! Is that such a bad thing? My partner wants to keep a puppy more than I do, but I know how much work they take to look after when he's at work and I can only imagine how much work a baby takes! I wasn't really asking for a decision, just some reasons by it's a good or bad idea to keep a puppy when we are going to start a family

If it were me I would get the puppy first and then have the baby when the pup has matured, as someone else pointed out if you have 3 dogs another wont make much difference....
They learn quicker when there are others to copy, just make sure there is a time differences othing worse than a crying baby and a poopy pup! :D

But that wasn't what you said :) You said that 4 dogs was too much - so it was another dog or a baby :)

Daisy

I wish you'd tell my mum that, i've got three and want another, but mum said 4 is too much! Hmm shes got 4 kids?!

I've got 4 dogs and want another :d  My mum and dad are very distraught as I'm getting on in years and they want a grandchild.  Only thing is I haven't met a male yet who comes anywhere near my expectations, whereas a pup can :d  And I'm not interested in a one night stand to get a baby, not that they are suggesting this.

Couldn't believe that a friends other half offered to help  :d :d :d 

It's all my dad's fault anyway, I haven't met a man yet who is a patch on my dad :d

Puppy.....the lifespan of a dog is what?  12 years average......you're saddled with a child for life!  ;)

Have a pup now and start trying for a baby in 6 - 12 months time, by the time baby is born, pup will be adult.......solution solved ;-)

We've got 6 dogs and 4 children, in our case, the children came first then the dogs grew up with them

Puppys are easier to bring up! lol

My thoughts exactly Margot - a puppy is a huge responsibility and a baby ....well that's life changing - if you have to ask then think very hard before you decide on EITHER !!!

Yvonne

My friend Em had a lovely puppy but was pregnant so she decided to let her go.  She is now eternally grateful as she is very stressed as she has to look after the other two.  Remember some people can get pregnant quickly i am speaking as the person who only took one month for the first and two for the second the third was the result of a missed pill so if you are trying bear this in mind :)

I would say that is you are comparing the two then you are definately not ready for a two legged version :)

You can do both of them at the same time but you do have to have the commitment :)

Lucy
xx

Thats true - they are non-comparable. Personally, I'd have the baby first, see how I coped with 3 dogs and then get a puppy later that cdomes in when baby is on own two feet and understands how to treat pups. But then thats just me, with 2 children, one baby (imininent), 2 Great danes, and 7 horses...LOL :D

Don't you think it would be unfair on the bitch to have one of her puppies there if she has suffered so much already ( don't know how as you haven't said ). Pups are very demanding as everyone knows so it would be fairer on her not to have one around her all the time.

I have a 2yr old, a 9 week old and an 11 week old puppy, I manage ok. It is stressful at times but I love them all ;)