What are your thoughts on this?  I recently received an email from someone wanting two pups.  I told him if I had a litter in NO circumstances would I sell him two pups from the same litter.  My choice.  I explained why.

He emailed me a few days later to say that he had spoken to several 'reputeable breeders' (his words) and they are all prepared to sell him two pups.

Comments please.............

If he's happy with these other breeders, and they're happy to sell him two pups ... I wonder why he's still emailing you? ;)

M.

This subject comes up quite a lot here, I think most people would not let two pups go together. That said I have twice had two pups from the same litter from reputable breeders - but I wouldn't do it again :D

I wouldn't let two go from the same litter unless the new owner was VERY experienced, had done it before and had the time to do it again!  On the rare occasions when I've run on 2 pups from a litter I've found it very difficult to give both the individual attention that they deserve. 
I recently had an enquiry for 2 pups.  I explained my feelings and the people strangely insisted on giving me a deposit, which I don't usually take.  As I was rearing the litter, I heard through the grapevine that they had also booked a pup from another breeder.  When I asked them about it, they confirmed that they had, as they'd decided that they really did want 2 pups together after all.  I returned their deposit.  Their choice, of course, but I want all of my pups to have the attention that they deserve.
If other breeders are happy to let 2 go together, then that's fine, as long as they are prepared to take back a 12 month old hooligan with no manners who hasn't been trained when the new owner can't cope! :rolleyes:

Just to add, I think what constitutes a 'reputable' breeder to someone looking to buy a puppy can vary greatly.......

I did wish him luck and say his idea of a reputeable breeder was very different from mine...

I also initially asked him WHY he wanted two pups and wait for it.... he said to keep each other company, I then said that if HE didnt have the time to keep his puppy company then he shouldnt be looking for a dog! Or words to that effect.  I would be very interested to know who had agreed to sell him two. 

I also had a lady last year who wanted two and I said no, she then said 'oh I would just like 1' - I still said no as I knew she would go and buy one from someone else.  

Val is right, I doubt very much they would take one or even both pups back if this person couldnt cope. 

Well at least I can sleep at night knowing I am trying to be responsible :-)  Anyway I am VERY SELECTIVE where my puppies go.   I frighten alot of people away with my 'what ifs'....lol  Saying that I took would expect an interogation if I was buying a puppy.  If the breeder didnt ask me questions I would be concerned.

I used to get this all the time, people see the litter happily playing together and want two cuddly friends, after explaining all the extra work and one to one extra training needed  it usually put people off completely.  But I must admit it used to always leave me feeling like the bad  guy :-( and I know damn well that these people would just go somewhere else, I just took comfort in knowing my pups were safe and hopefully it made some people think about what they were really doing.

I have to admit though I certainly did let two of my pups go together once, (a dog and a bitch) after 3 visits and long chats of going through all the downsides of two pups going together and asking this particular couple to go away and seriously think about it, they came back to me with a daily plan for each pups training, they both worked from home and I was so impressed with the thought and absolute dedication from them that I allowed them to have two. I have never regretted it, the dogs grew up beautifully together, the couple were completely dedicated to the dogs and 8 years on they are all still very happy together.

So although my first instinct would be no, it can work with the right people.

I've always refused to sell 2 pups together and usually the buyers come back to me & say they are SOOO glad I wouldn't sell them 2 :)

Hi Anwen

I have a 6 month old girl I kept from my bitches litter and she is bad enough, my 3 year old male has reverted to puppy hood too so 'DOG' knows how people cope with two, especially the larger energetic breeds.   Thank god he has been 'done' because it would be a mad house with 3 bitches in season..... and of course it wouldnt be fair on him.  

Well, we kept two from one litter ourselves - and my verdict, 3 years down the line?

NEVER AGAIN!!!!:rolleyes:   Whilst I am delighted to have the two of them (Beau - Thorsoak Puttin on da Style) and Vinnie (Thorsoak Venus in Blue Jeans) - it really has been hard work - training, socialising, making Vinnie independent of Beau, etc etc etc.   

It hasn't been twice the work - I would say it has been at least 4 times the work - you have to train each one independently - and then again - and then together (so that they will behave when they are together) - but also to make them independent of each other - not to be dependent upon the other.    

They are now delightful dogs, as they always have been - but no, never, ever again :D

i have never had a problem keeping two from a litter myself & have done it 3 times without any probs, however unless they were going to someone I knew & that had a lot of experience in my breed I would notlet 2 go together to a pet home. Definitely not. Made the mistake once but luckily got them back again.

Same here Sam, but maybe it's a hound thing? I've got the point where I'm reluctant to keep only one from a litter. Nothing exercises a young deerhound like another one, and pairs don't seem to have the problems with bonding / training that people in other breeds mention. I've sold a pair once but it was to an experienced home and I wouldn't sell two together to inexperienced owners.

Well, we kept two from one litter ourselves - and my verdict, 3 years down the line?

NEVER AGAIN!!!!rolleyes 

DITTO! Almost 4 years down the line for me. Never again!

I would never let anyone have two from the same litter, especially not in my breed although I know people who have and their new owners have really struggled because of it.

In most breeds it's enough with just one without another at the same time :rolleyes:

I've had two from the same litter twice and I have to say I've never had any problems.  I kept a dog and bitch from a litter of Hamiltonstovare - both were fine.  I now have Border Collie litter brother and sister who will be four next week - no problems at all.  I guess it all just depends on your experience/lifestyle.

Debs

I wouldn't even have 2 of similar age again. As many people probably know from my earlier posts, we now can't leave our 2 boys unattended in the same room, and although they are different breeds, they are only 3 days apart and were bought on the same day. They lived happily together for 3 years, then bang! Probably more because of the combination of a new bitch puppy and that weekend last year when they were split up for several days, but I think it would have been easier to reunite them if they hadn't been so similar in age and dominance. :-(

Sell two from the same litter, in my breed no way! I know of breeders keeping two from the same litter, it never works out. Sadly, because so much trouble and sorrow could be avoided. In another, smaller and less demanding breed, I'm sure it could work quite well. But only if the people who take this on, are aware of the extra time and comitment, not to mention sense of humor, it will take!
Karen

i have only once sold two pups from the same litter and the pups where for a woman who trains the dogs to go in to see sick children at a children hospital and the reason two went is because its such a large hospital it would take all day for one dog to do the rounds to all the children. These two are now the most sociable well balanced cattles i have ever seen but they are trained that way so they dont hurt the children and that means a big difference when compared with pet dogs.

My Parents had 2 pups from the same litter ( westies).  However they knew the breeder and they knew that they had owned 2 pups together before. They are now almost 3 years old, loving and friendly and get onwell. I think it depends imho on how expereinced the owner is and as in my parents case, they are at home all day, they devote all thier time and energy to the dogs.
Tan

I guess it must depend on the breed. I bought 2 pups within 2 months of each other and had no problems, and they are both 11 yrs old now. Know of many successful breeders who keep 2 from a litter, sometimes even 3. I think ecerything depends on the breed and the person wanting them.

Hi,
I would sell two puppies to a person who was into my breed of dog well,
I wouldn't just sell them to anyone who asked. As puppies are hard work,
two lots of wee's, poo's double the amount of chewing up.
If they were litter mates they wouuld be company for one another, But!
would be very hard to train, like children they would encourage one another
to be naughty. Not many people could handle them appropriately.
Regards
Denese 

this person is a first time owner and the breed is a very active and quite large.

Hi Liisa,
The answer would be NO. Not for a first time owner No-way.
Regards
Denese

For the first time in my life, I have a single dog (now 21 months) I've always had two together previously.   Yes, hard work in the early puppy stages but no problems at all, always happy together and never lacking company.   Yes they had individual attention but most things they did together.    Now I have the naughtiest dog ever! she's constantly demanding that I play with her, not too reliab le with other dogs and the most difficult ever to housetrain! Can't wait for another suitable if only to teach her to share.     Of course it depends on the breed, two large v. energetic might be a bit much but not two smaller ones in experienced hands.   I would never let a pup or n pups go to someone who was going to leave them alone in the house, anyway, that's when you get the chewing and the puddles!   Opinions will always vary.

Hi, Judy Anne,
But, as you say you have had two dogs before!
you have experience with dogs. Not! every one has.
Some people fail with one pup when it starts to demand attention,
and starts chewing thing up when left.
But! two do the double amount of damage, some people who have
dogs like children find that there accessories, are more trouble than they thought.
Regards
Denese

Also I notice that some people who say yes great twe have two pups and they get on fine no problems have yet to have some of the problems we are talking about.

Once the owners get past the bringing up two pups stage they then have often the problem associated with having two dogs of same age and status who at full maturity, perhaps not for 3 or 4 years will start to fight.

We are looking here at the likelihood of bringing up two dogs the same age or close in age for the whole of their lives, and in many breeds and individuals it just isn't going to be likely.

There are other breeds that actualy fair best in a pack situation (thinking of some of the Hound breeds here), and here owning several of the same age together, as long as the owners ahve the stamina presents few social problems.

Hi Brainless,
I agree, it can be a shock to an unexperienced person when the disagreements starts
between the dogs on who is boss, you can worn people untill you are blue in the face,
but! they always think it isn't going to happen with there's. My breed is one of the
most layed back breed of dogs, but! it still happen's.
And then if they can't manage the constant flare ups, there is a breakdown.
Regards
Denese 

We have 11 month old BC litter mates and I admit that it has been incredibly hard work!  The breeder only permitted us to take a dog and a bitch because the dogs weren't coming to a family situation but to two adults and because we have the time, ability and commitment to spend quality, individual time with each dog...
We knew it would be hard work and I can vouch that it was 10 x the work of one pup, but now they are maturing and have become such wonderful canine companions I have to say that it has been worth it.

Weve kept litter mates too from same litters with no problems.  Yes it is hard work but then all puppies are hard work irrespective of whether they are a single puppy or more.  I think folk forget just how much work puppies are especially if its been a few years inbetween having one.  The very worst part of having two dogs nearly same or the same age is that when they get older you lose them near to each other, that is really hard to  cope with.
Neeva

I know someone who bred a litter of DDB's, 18 weeks down the line she's now selling them both!  Such a shame as they looked a really nice pair and I know that the male did well at the recent DDB day.  She is selling them because they are attacking each other I believe, how sad and I feel for the family too!

We have kept all 3 girls from our last litter and now at the age of 5 months thay are a joy, thankfully!! We have had no problems at all, each is given one on one attention by my partner and myself each day, they play together in their own room with hundred and one toys and spend the rest of the day sleeping with the other dogs. If we were to breed another litter and anyone asked us for 2 it would be to an experienced owner in the breed otherwise no.

I understand why people think its a good idea to get two pups together, from the same litter, at the same time - lifelong playmates and companions is what springs to mind for most people.  BUT I'm soooo glad we scrapped that idea ourselves *phew!* (even though we would never have got 2 pups together who were under 6 months old)  We've had 2 dogs together previously but there was an 18 month age difference and a year between getting the first and second so there were no problems   Our current 8 month old little girl is absolutely desperate for a doggy playmate (she came from a home with 10 other adult shelties into a home with a middle-aged-cat who will swipe even if she looks at him bless her).  My Grandad has an bitch who's 13 (too old to play) and next door have only ever let our 2 pups meet once despite me asking if they can play together for socialisation for them both :rolleyes:  Of course we're playmates for her but its not the same as another dog is it :(  So, we're definately going to look into getting her a playmate but not until the middle to end of this year when she'll be well and truly settled into our home, responsive to all of us and airing on the mature side :D