How many dogs do you have?

[EventingChase]

My boyfriend and I have three dogs on the farm. I love them all dearly and am in no way considering rehoming any of them but part of me really feels like two is a better number for us (easier for us to manage, cheaper etc.)

However, lately I have been having dreams about..... puppies! Yes, some girls get a baby itch, apparently I get a puppy itch. Now, I am standing firm that we do not need another dog but just to humor me how many dogs are in your pack and how do you make it work?

[paintlady]

We have three retired racing greyhounds. They're easy since they spend most of their time sleeping.

[Bluey]

One. I am allergic to dogs and do good enough keeping one clean enough to be able to breathe around her.

At one time, with four people in the household, we had six or seven, but some were in training, border collies to work the cattle and herding trials in the weekends, some obedience and the later years agility dogs.

I think that, if you do things with your dogs, you really have to restrict you to those you have time to train.

If you don't train them, then the more, the more of a dog pack you may have and the problems that may come with it, especially in today's very busy, complicated world.

Remember that puppies are only puppies for a few months and you will have that puppy as an adult for many years.

Did you consider fostering for some local rescue, help a local breeder with their puppies, raise guide puppies for the blind or handicap programs?
I used to get my puppy fix by being a puppy starter for our local herding dog trainer, getting his puppies going until they were ready to be started, at about six months.
Was hard to see them go, but I sure could not have kept that many dogs around anyway.

[MrWinston]

We do dog agility so it's like having several horses to train/show. I admit it gets a bit "tight" with 3 dogs and 2 humans in a king sized bed. I'm looking for a puppy bitch in the next year or so, either this winter or next. I always look for a puppy in the beginning of the agility season so socializing is a natural.

I don't have any problems with managing them. We are lucky to have 19 fenced acres (no climb) and are gated. The dogs aren't outside unsupervised but being able to give them a couple of walks around the perimeter every day makes them easy to live with.

[SGray]

I now have one

at one time (several people 'gave me' their dogs) I had seven - that did not work out too well when a medium-sized bitch decided she would move up in the pack order and attacked the shepherd/dobie mix bitch --- did not turn out well for the smaller dog

a large group (i.e. pack) only works when pecking order is firmly established and understood by all

[Huntertwo]

We have 2 Chihuahuas - little dogs in a big dogs body...;)

That is enough, along with 4 cats the bed gets pretty crowded at night. I love my pets, but after these guys *go*, I don't want anymore.

I would love to go away and not have to board or have someone come over to take care of them.

[EventingChase]

Just to clarify- I am NOT getting another dog.. no way, no how. Our dogs are great- one is my old dog that I have had since high school, one is my boyfriends german shepherd who is his constant companion and the other is a basset hound that is mostly a porch lounger. I worked in animal rescue and fostering for many years so I definitly understand that puppies grow up and are always a responsibility.

I guess I just know that a lot of times horse people have a large number of dogs and I was just curious how people manage it. I was dreaming about puppies but then waking up going "AHH! No way!"..... But they are cute :)

[Bluey]

Just to clarify- I am NOT getting another dog.. no way, no how. Our dogs are great- one is my old dog that I have had since high school, one is my boyfriends german shepherd who is his constant companion and the other is a basset hound that is mostly a porch lounger. I worked in animal rescue and fostering for many years so I definitly understand that puppies grow up and are always a responsibility.

I guess I just know that a lot of times horse people have a large number of dogs and I was just curious how people manage it. I was dreaming about puppies but then waking up going "AHH! No way!"..... But they are cute :)

Yes, that is more clear.
I too want another dog and another and another.
BUT, I know my limits too and wishes is not enough to care for more than my one, this one, a little one, small and portable.
After this one, probably no more and it may be dubious who outlives the other.:(

[Cloverbarley]

I have 5 dogs. 2 giant breeds, 1 large breed and 2 medium breed dogs. The 2 giant ones are here to protect the foals/youngstock, the large dog is here to look after everything and everyone, one of the medium dogs is here as pest control (and darned good she is at it too - leaves our cats to shame!) and the other medium dog is here to leave rocks and sticks all over the place :rolleyes:

[Auventera Two]

I'd have 12 dogs if I didn't have a husband. :o As it is I have 3. Weimaraner, Pit Bull, Beagle/Walker hound. The hound is the most challenging of the 3. I've had him 10 years and he's a big pain in the butt. The other two are super easy and never give me a minute's trouble. But hounds have a mind of their own. I love him, but some days I just smile and grit my teeth :D and remind myself, he's a hound and all hounds have a special duty to drive their owners wild. I remove the rotten squirrel carcas from his teeth, and put him in the bathtub, again......

[EventingChase]

Oh yes... hounds are some kind of special. Our Basset drives us to the edge of tears and laughter at the same time! They are great.

[ManyDogs]

Six. Yes, we are crazy. Just ask the cat.

7 year old Jack Russell Terror. She always asks before she gets in the trash. She will sit by the can/bag and bark (annoyingly so) until I get her what she wants. Likes to hunt slugs and bring them into the house.

3 year old ? Aussie Cattle Dog mix, according to the vet. He is absolutely gorgeous, pale yellow and cream. Active :eek::eek: but very obedient and we didn't teach him a darn thing. Adopted him when he was 5 months old. First thing he did was grab DH's leftover prime rib and finish it in one gulp when I had the door open on the fridge. Keeps all the younger canine hooligans in line.

Poodle mix-3 years old? Found her down the road and finally caught her with a humane trap and hot dogs. She adores DH and he carries her on his shoulder. I am "the other woman". :lol:

10 month old Peke-a-Poo. I call him my little man. He is a wonderful dog-never, ever thought I'd have a foo foo dog. Which leads us to:

3 month old Peke-a-Poo. She is the most joyful dog I have ever seen. From same guy we got the 10 month old from. Is BFF with:

3 month old Basset. Got him a couple weeks after his above mentioned BFF.
He goes in my flower garden, jumps up to get the hibiscus, then does a belly flop on the rest of the plants. Whoever described their basset in the previous post was oh so right.
Plan to have a one Basset Basset Pack in the near future.

The vet loves us.

[WorthTheWait95]

I have 8 dogs and love all of them. It might be a lot but they all add to the family.
6 of the 8 were adopted at horse shows the other 2 were adopted off the beach in the carribbean.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Ah, puppy lust.:) I have a friend who gets it every spring. Last year, she tried getting a hamster instead, to see if something small and furry would satisfy puppy lust. Not, as it turns out, so much.

I have four dogs: two border collies; a border collie/maremma cross (sheep farm love child, that one:winkgrin:) ; and a feist.

My only complaint with having four is that, if we want to travel, there's not enough room in the cab of the F-150 for all the dogs and DH. So we have to board somebody if we want to go anywhere together.

Day-to-day management of four works out just fine, though. I keep them in pairs.:) Two outside (in a very large fenced yard) and two inside. Then we switch.

The older BC bitch is one of those BC who tries to "work" other dogs obsessively. So she makes poor Abbie Feist's life a misery of being gripped and stared at if I let them together. I solved that by keeping the BC bitches on one shift (Violet BC doesn't dare try to work Faith BC) and the feist with the maremma cross. The maremma thinks poor Abbie's a sheep, as well - but in his case, that just means he plops down somewhere in her general vicinity and watches out for coyotes.:)

[greysandbays]

This coming February will mark six years of doglessness for me. This the first time in my life I've not had a dog (except for rare short intervals between dogs when I was a kid). I probably won't get another. I've rather come to like not having something expecting to be 110% involved in my life 110% of the time. (Having said that, I suppose I'll be posting sometime in the next month or two that I now have a dog...a dog that I didn't go looking for.)

[ManyDogs]

Ah yes, Border Collies. I have owned 7 over the years. One dove into a pond and tried to herd the ducks. Her momma tried to herd our cat. Cat let BC know in no uncertain terms that it wasn't gonna happen. However, momma BC would really go after the cattle (in a good way) and could sure avoid those flying back hooves. She would also kill snakes.
Wonderful dogs and the puppies are just the cutest little balls of fur.

[Bluey]

This coming February will mark six years of doglessness for me. This the first time in my life I've not had a dog (except for rare short intervals between dogs when I was a kid). I probably won't get another. I've rather come to like not having something expecting to be 110% involved in my life 110% of the time. (Having said that, I suppose I'll be posting sometime in the next month or two that I now have a dog...a dog that I didn't go looking for.)

After a rattler killed my last border collie, I didn't have a dog for four years, but still participated with the dog club classes and putting on our agility and obedience shows.
Then relented and got this little rat terrier three years ago, that is sure a good dog.

Never say never is my motto now.;)

[MCarverS]

We have three retired racing greyhounds. They're easy since they spend most of their time sleeping.

I'm so jealous, I love greyhounds, but my mother wanted something smaller so we ended up with two rescued Italian Greyhounds who we love dearly, 1 rescued teacup poodle and 2 large dogs (1 rescued lab/chow chow mix and one purebred Belgian Tervuren).

All shapes and sizes and we love them all!

The Iggies Phili and Shadow: http://photos-f.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs144.snc1/5336_542243951715_10402430_32157461_1920787_n.jpg

http://photos-a.ak.fbcdn.net/hphotos-ak-snc1/hs124.snc1/5336_542243966685_10402430_32157464_5284279_n.jpg

[Janet]

We have 4, but would prefer to have 2.

[talloaks]

We have one, a standard poodle, house dog, also known as LAST DOG!:lol:

[thatmoody]

I like italian greyhounds, they are so beautiful.

I have three dogs total - two chihuahuas (one 15, the other a year old) and an 11 year old giant lab/catahoula cross (he's 150 lbs). I thought the oldest chi was going to leave us this year but the puppy rallied her (no WAY was she going to leave me with this undisciplined thing!) and it looks like she's going to stick around till he's a bit better behaved. He's a smart freakin' dog so that may take a while. I love my chihuahuas AND the big dog, but I think that two is about the right number of dogs to have. Plenty of attention to go around, and enough $$ to go around, too. Having two geriatric dogs and a puppy is a bit of a stretch, but at least the pup has insurance...

[Jaegermonster]

I have 11. Had 12 until July 5 when a rattler took my Lab Megan.
I have an Aussie, 2 Black labs (megans brother and sister), Peggy the three legged dog from the abuse case I made (lab/pit mix), another lab pit mix, a JRT/pit mix, a malinois chow mix, a boxer pit mix, a rottweiler, a flat coated retriever looking smaller dog, a shepherd/akita/? mix. That's everybody.

4 are fosters that either never left or got rehomed and came back.
4 are permanent residents
3 are abuse/cruelty case dogs that I fostered pending court and then was awarded the dogs in court.

I am still fostering for the local animal control, which gives me my puppy fix, and what we can't rehome (not really trying right now due to the economy etc-I would never forgive myself if I rehomed one and it ended up in a shelter due to foreclosure or whatever, they're fine here) is staying.
We are now depetting through attrition. Everyone gets along, we don't have any problems, but rather than the dogs being unmangeable, it's the vet bills that are killing me. I spent $172 today on Revolution for everybody this month, not to mention every month one dog goes for it's annual shots etc. I don't want to get above 4 dogs once we downsize a bit, but I will still continue fostering and so on.

They all have the run of the property (5 ac) during the day and at night they come in to sleep. No one jumps, they all know their manners and basic sit, stay, come etc, and they are all housebroken.

[Tom King]

We have 12 that live in the house with us and it's a real pack including intact males and females. They're odorless and nonshedding so that helps a lot. They have their own wing additon on our house which includes our bedroom complex. Outside we're down to only three farm dogs. We have about three litters a year so we have puppies part of the time.

[SevenDogs]

We have one, a standard poocle house dog also known as LAST DOG!:lol:

I had a friend who brought home a stray to add to their brood of six. When ever anyone asked what the new dog's name was, her husband would answer "DIVORCE"!. Of course, they are still married with a pack of dogs.

[cutemudhorse]

There are seven here. Three Belgian Malinois, a Rottie mix, beautiful golden retriever/setter/? mix, hound mix and shepherd (?) mix.

When people ask how many we have I usually say "Too many. Want one?"

Not that you can give away your kids but we should have stopped at six!

:)

[paintlady]

I'm so jealous, I love greyhounds, but my mother wanted something smaller so we ended up with two rescued Italian Greyhounds who we love dearly, 1 rescued teacup poodle and 2 large dogs (1 rescued lab/chow chow mix and one purebred Belgian Tervuren).


Well, speaking from experience... greyhounds might be big, but they are so easy. We think of them as big cats. Our greys sleep 20-22 hours per day. There wasn't much need for training, since they were handled extensively and trained at the track. All of our greys came to us crate and leash trained. The only thing we really needed to teach them was how to climb stairs.

The only "negative" is that greyhounds can't be off-lead except in a fenced area. They are sight hounds and will take off if they spot something worth chasing. They can reach full speed (up to 45 mph) in three strides. It's difficult to teach recall to a greyhound. Greyhounds also have very thin skin which can tear easily from a dog bite.

[pAin't_Misbehavin']

Jaegermonster - a malinois/chow mix? How's the temperament?:)

[Halcyon Days]

I have six, a border collie, aussie, 2 boxers and 2 jack russells. Border collie now has 6 3 week old puppies just getting into the messy stage, and we board dogs as well, we've had up to 20 at a time, it gets a little crazy at meal times, but it works for us, we have multiple dog yards and 11 acres, dogs have a great time here. :)

[Jaegermonster]

He is the sweetest most laid back baby you will ever meet in your life. I'm really just guessing on breed based on what he looks like.

He looks like a Malinois, short hair, fawn colored with the black face but he has a mostly black tongue. He has GIGANTIC ears :) He almost never barks, and he loves to cuddle. He and two other fosters-who-never-left have buddied up and play and roll around all the time.

I had the whole litter as fosters from just before Christmas til the middle of march, there were 5 that looked like him, and two that looked like little chow babies. Everybody went back one at a time as they got better and got homes, he was here the longest. He stayed at ACC almost a month and didn't get a family so when his time was almost up we went back and got him.

I saw his mom when I got the litter, she looked like him, but of course I never saw dad.

[elly]

We live in rural SC and many lost/abandoned dogs( some in terrible condition) have found their way to our farm - 13 of them became permanent family members. 2 pitbulls, 1 beagle, 2 greyhounds and 8 purebred SC ditch dogs (aka mutts) - let's just say, that my show horses are dog proof and that life on this farm is anything but dull, at any time.

........and yes, we love all of 'em.

[Jaegermonster]

LOL. I think there an underground railroad for dogs somewhere with a map to my house on it :)

I foxhunt (whipper in) so all my dogs are great training for my hunters

[Serigraph]

We have 3 and I'd really like two or maybe even one. And speaking of the hounds....our Coonhound is definitely the biggest "problem" dog.

I think I'd be OK with my one oldster Dalmatian that is a total inside dog and never has any inclination to roam.

Now the horses, I think I could have more of them:)

[Marshfield]

Seven, two corgis and five German Shorthaired Pointers. I came into the relationship/marriage into corgis, he into hunting dogs. Two of the GSPs are trained bird dogs, almost retirees. One foundation bitch and two up and comers. The corgis do AKC performance though the one intact girl is on maternity leave. We live on 20 acres for the dogs. Horse is acually boarded out.

[Mrs. Smith]

Seven, two corgis and five German Shorthaired Pointers.

You must be a saint! We have one GSP and he was a handful until about a year ago. He was like a puppy for about 4 years! He is also a hunting dog and he's always all-business in the field, but he only learned to shut off the energy around the house recently.

Coincidentally, we got a Doberman puppy a year ago (about the time the GSP calmed down - we're glutton). He's a fantastic dog, but he's still a pup and can forget his manners occasionally and act like a puppy.

Now my husband is talking about a GSP pup so that he can back our current GSP and learn from him. Ugh!!!

[jetsmom]

Three-

Christy- approx 9 yr old German Shep/Boxer mix, female. Found dumped on road near barn in winter of 2002. She sat by the stop sign for a week waiting for her owner to come back, looking at each car that passed. I tried to catch her several times, but she would run, then circle back to th estop sign. After a week, she was hungry enough that I was able to catch her in about an hour and a half. Used to be scared of men. Now, she adores my DH. Very vocal when playing...gets all "growly".

Snickers, aka Pigpen- approx 2 1/2 yr old Black/white Cocker mix. Found running loose on a major road 2 Easter Sundays ago. Was skinny and terrified of everything. He is kind of a goof. No matter how clean he is, as soon as he gets outside, he comes in a mess...covered w/leaves and grass. He sports a mohawk, and a cocker clip. The mohawk suits him.

Rusty- Approx 6 yr old Chow/Austrailian Shep mix. Was a stray for 2 1/2 yrs when I first saw him near a barn where I was helping out w/some rescue horses. He would run when he saw people even 100 feet away. I started feeding him at the same time and place daily, and it took me 8 months to get him to take food from my hand and let me touch him. I caught him after 9 months, New Years Eve day. He was so matted that you couldn't even feel his skin. It took me 2 months of brushing to get the matts out. Now he has a wonderful coat. He settled right in, and loves sleeping on the bed, and seems sooooo grateful to have a home.

[Riley0522]

3 Pit Bulls, 1 Purebred, 2 mixes, all living in an urban area apartment with my boyfriend and I! They come everywhere with us, including the barn, and manage to warm hearts and not kill any children or livestock....funny, a lot of people think we're crazy for having vicious Pit Bulls!

[threedogpack]

My boyfriend and I have three dogs on the farm. I love them all dearly and am in no way considering rehoming any of them but part of me really feels like two is a better number for us (easier for us to manage, cheaper etc.)

However, lately I have been having dreams about..... puppies! Yes, some girls get a baby itch, apparently I get a puppy itch. Now, I am standing firm that we do not need another dog but just to humor me how many dogs are in your pack and how do you make it work?

7, and daughter wants to breed a litter. Since all the boys are related to all the girls, we will have to find another girl....so in a year or 2 we will be up to 8.

[MunchkinsMom]

The limit here is 4, but we have 5 now (sssshhhhh ;) ).

11-year-old female Brittany Spaniel named Murphy (The Saint). My only purebred dog in the pacek

9 year old female Rhodesian Ridgeback/Boxer cross. Pound puppy that my inlaws adopted. Lovable dog, but can be stubborn and determined.

2 2-year-old female litermates, Aussie/Golden Retriever crosses, they don't look anything alike. One looks like a highlighted blonde Aussie, the other looks like a golden yellow Dingo! Great dogs, but Cubby (the one that looks like an Aussie) has an unbelievable herding drive, and since we don't have any sheep, her sister Jenna takes the brunt of it.

And last but not least is Angel, the 1 year old stray that it took us 14 months to catch.

We manage by having a dog door, very large securely fenced in yard, and people at home almost all the time. Feeding time can be a bit chaotic until everyone is chomping away from their own bowls.

[equinelaw]

I only have 1 old dog now, but when I am stinkn' rich I want a whole litter of Lurchers. I doubt I will just run across a pregnant sighthoundXshepard so I will breed my brood myself if I have to.

I have taken in enough other people's castoff dogs to think I deserve the dogs I want just once before I die, but I would not breed unless I would provide permanent homes for all. So I could have 1-15!

I have raised enough foster litters to not care if its 1 or 6 or 10. But paying for it all, that another matter!

[avezan]

Two dogs. A black and white Aussie from the pound and a black tri Border Collie puppy. The colors throw people off!

[EventingChase]

Glad to see I am not the only one who can't resist having "a lot o' dawgs." Some of you all are just awesome in numbers though! I love hearing about everyone's dogs and dog breeds. They all sound amazing.

[KnKShowmom]

I have 2 labs - full brother/sister and the dynamics of full siblings are very entertaining and keep me from ever wanting to throw another into the mix!

[Amchara]

Its lovely to read about all your dogs! I'm jealous, I can't wait to have my own dog when I'm in the right place in my life. Currently I get my dog fix dog-sitting a golden retriever frequently and the odd friend or neighbor dog. I browse petfinder and craigslist on a ridiculous basis and long for the day I can put all my coth learned dog knowledge to good use.

[mkevent]

Three corgis-one was a rescue as a brood bitch at a puppy mill and the other two are brother and sister but from different litters.

I think two is the perfect number but my husband only wants one. I think if you're really good with dogs, you can handle a larger number. Like Bluey said, you have to be able to work with as many as you have (hopefully I'm paraphrasing correctly!). I love my corgis even if they aren't perfectly behaved all the time-they are just such happy little clowns!

We had a border collie before the corgis and she was really a great dog-she was my husbands favorite.

Maybe he'd be more pro-dog if I quit getting high shedding herding breeds!

[strawberry roan]

We have 3 rescues: one full red border collie, the other two are mixed borders. Sometimes I think oh, one more dog--and then I get a dose of reality and think 3 is enough for us. :):)

[ponygirl]

Just one. He's a rescue. He can be seen here:
http://www.chronicleofmyhorse.com/profile/JenniferHall

He's the best dog I've ever owned. Love him to pieces.

[DoubleClick]

My mom and I share six (between two households), and when you add in my mom's GSD and Golden, that makes eight. Three are 12 months or younger, and the four year old girl is pure wildness, so it can get loud around here!

[vacation1]

I have one, a collie mix. I grew up wanting one of each breed:lol: but now I've gotten into the habit of having one at a time, and having a particular kind of relationship I think is only possible when it's a single dog household.

[Bluey]

I have one, a collie mix. I grew up wanting one of each breed:lol: but now I've gotten into the habit of having one at a time, and having a particular kind of relationship I think is only possible when it's a single dog household.

My dog loves company, so I thought maybe she would like to have another dog to play with.
Then, when company leaves, she crashes and seems very happy to be alone all the time.
She does have me around most of the time and goes with me in the pickup and tractor, etc., so it is not like she is alone for hours at the time.

I think dogs will like however they have to live, just like we do, as long as they are not forgotten in some back yard with little attention, as I have seen so many.:(

[trubandloki]

We have three retired racing greyhounds. They're easy since they spend most of their time sleeping.

Want to trade?

I will take one of your real greyhounds and trade it for my 'not as advertised' greyhound. She is buys and loud and ...well I love her but boy is she simply a pain. Always getting into things. Always making noise. She is very good at self amusement, which can be a good thing or a bad thing. Good when it involves her own toys. Bad when it involves her pulling clothes one piece at a time out of the laundry hamper and setting them all over the house while I am in the shower. Or even worse, when she steals my towel off the towel bar while I am in the shower.

I have a total of three dogs. The above mentioned greyhound, an aged pitbull (the worlds bestest dog ever :yes: ) and a rottie.


The greyhound was our third, we had the other two. I am not sure if it was because she is so busy that going from two to three seemed like such a huge jump or just the change from two to three is a big jump.

[Holly Jeanne]

I have two and they are litter mates. Works great for me! I'm not sure I want to be taking three or more dogs to the vet for annuals at the same time. Two works well.

[SidesaddleRider]

We have 3. A corgi, a lab, and a foxhound. They all get along fabulously, and we love them dearly (even though the lab is so GOOFY!). In lightbulb wattage, we refer to the corgi as a 100 watt bulb, the foxhound as a 90 watt, and the lab as a 60 watt. INCREDIBLY sweet, but certainly not the brightest, LOL.

[equineartworks]

I have four:

An English Pointer who is a gun shy completely traumatized former red-neck hunting dog. He has a stage three Mast Cell tumor, most likely from spending his life outside in a cage with no protection from the sun. He spends his time now on the couch with the remote control and air-conditioning. We don't have much time left with him :( Because of all of his past trauma he is not part of our program.

An amazing Bearded Collie mix who is a former meth house dog. He can't smell things well because his nasal passages are scarred so badly from the fumes. He gets to know new people by putting his nose right on your skin and moving slowly all over you, especially your face. He is THE farm dog. He obviously lived on a horse farm at some point in his life, when we started building Dumplin's stall we couldn't keep him out of the barn! He also has some pretty extensive damage to his hip, most likely from a run in with a car. He has been trained as a therapy animal.

A wonderful Golden Retriever who came here as a stray and left with his owner against my best judgment, and came back a few months later to live here. He is allergic to everything and when he came back he was totally septic, bald and oozing. It is also VERY apparent that this dog was abused. He is scarred, and there are places he will not ever have hair again but he is the sweetest pooch on the planet. He has been trained as a therapy animal.

our new guy is a Sunkissed Acres critter. This little buy looks like mini yellow lab and is the most lovable creature! He had a rough start and still piddles if anyone says "bad" but he know how loved he is now and is coming around VERY well. We are going to start some agility with him in hopes that he can have a valuable role in the program.

[witherbee]

I have a Pembroke Welsh Corgi, Sasha - she's 5 and a real clown, an 8 year old Chesapeake Bay Retriever - the alpha of the dogs and the most loyal dog ever, and a 5 year old hound/black lab mix that we got from the Humane Society 2 years ago - a real sweetie who had been at the shelter for over 5 months because she was so scared looking. Here are my girls: http://s74.photobucket.com/albums/i245/wtryan/Our%20Pets/?action=view&current=037.jpg

They are a great little pack and I am definitely the alpha, so no problems. People always told me that females wouldn't get along well, but these guys are super! The corgi is low-dog-on-the-totem-pole, and tries the hound/lab mix once in a while (will try to get on her dog bed etc), but other than that, they are pretty sure where they stand and I keep an eye on all interactions. I work from home, so they pretty much sleep in my office all day. I think the key with any group of dogs (or individuals for that matter) is to make sure they have jobs and get enough excercise. My girls help check the fenceline at evening feed every night (we have 10 acres), and are great mousers/ratters in the barn - especially the Chessie and the lab/hound. The corgi did catch one baby mouse when it committed suicide by jumping right in her mouth lol! She was so proud of her "kill". The corgi's job is to amuse everyone and to bark at my Irish Draught if he paws at the door, which he does just to annoy her and have her bounce and bark at him - they have a love/hate relationship. She will also keep pur TB fillies from digging at the no-climb fencing if I am in the yard (they want me to come scratch them). They all love to ride in the truck, and I take them on any farm chores, like getting hay or feed etc. They all love the cats and get along great with them too. They are all great with the horses as well and never cause any issues.

I've been hankering for a smooth collie (I had a LOVELY rough collie for many years, and here in FL think a smooth would work best), and also for 3 dogs that I saw on a rescue site when helping my SIL look for a small dog:

LOVE this one and may get her - hubby is not thrilled, but prefers this one (who can resist that face?):
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13975180

or this one: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13858001

or this one, but doubtful because of the fee and the age: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14210570

I should probably hold off on getting any - these are all in foster care, so not in danger, and my vet bills are awfully high with 3 dogs, 5 cats and 11 horses.... No, I am not a collector (repeat to self) lol!

[saddleup]

One English Springer Spaniel.

[monstrpony]

I'm down to two, a Corgi and a FORD. I've had as many as five at a time. Have only had two purebreds, the rest are whatevers. I like being down to two, but I consider myself to have an empty spot, waiting for someone who needs it to come along ...

Back in the dark ages, when I was married, we had a pack of four, all FORDs, medium to large in size. My husband had grown up with no animals and had little sense about them, he thought they were like resident grandchildren and should be spoiled and forgiven all transgressions. I'm a believer in structure and discipline, not heavy-handed, but they have to understand boundaries. Needless to say, there was a bit of conflict so the dogs were a little on the rowdy side. My mother, a natural dog person, was coming to visit and she was getting up there in years, had not had a dog for several years. I was worried about the pack overwhelming her. So, she gets to the house, and I have hubby go downstairs and let the thundering herd in. They come bounding up the steps, into the livingroom where Mom was ... and all stop, quietly, and sit in a circle around Mom, while she takes her time meeting each one in turn.

[bdbeitel]

I have 4 dogs...... we don't have any childern and certainly do not plan on any (ever!). So the dogs and horses are our kids!

They consist of:

1 older male golden - he was a rescue from the animal shelter I volunteered at in college. He was left abandoned at a Circle K. I was living at home at the time and went to the shelter to help out and started playing with him (Big Mistake). I went to call home and ask if I could have him (my parents were used to this) and he jumped in the car and when I tried to get him out grabbed the leash in his mouth and pulled back. He has been my buddy ever since. He has earned his CD and CGC and would have went further in obedience but does not have a retrieval drive. We told everyone his "retriever was broken" He is enjoying the retired life now, consisting of keeping up with the others, swimming in the pond daily, carrying things around in his mouth, and sleeping at the foot of the bed at night.

Our 2-year old female golden - She was a puppy mill rescue our dog club was involved in. She has my heart as she was sooo traumatized by only living in a small cage for 8 months of her life without positive human interaction. Her and I have worked really hard together to get her to accept new things, she is very brave and I truly admire her courage. She has her CGC and will be getting her CD this year (hopefully). She spends her time glued to my side no matter where I am. She goes to all of my horse shows with me and sleeps on my right side at night.

Our 4 year old male Chesapeake Bay Retriever - he is the resident goof ball.... His nickname is PeePee because all he did the first year of his life is pee in the house (and everywhere else). They are amazing dogs, but certainly take a lot of devotion. My husband said several times "its me or that dog". He spends his days swimming twice a day so long as there isnt ice on the pond, chasing his tennis balls and jolly balls, playing fetch, playing fetch, did I mention playing fetch? He sleeps in between hubby and I (thank God for California Kings).

And last but not least our 3 year old female Chesapeake Bay Retriever - she is "dad's dog" why would a young couple who had one CBR monster want another one? She was no angel but... her stories do not compare to any of her brothers. She goes fishing with hubby and most everywhere with him. She is also a twice a day swimmer and the resident toy hoarder. She is a very independent girl and certainly has the strongest character of the group.

How do we keep up? Well there are lots of baths, treats, food, and love for all. They are a great bunch (now), and do anything you ask of them. Due to the their breed natures they are most content when they are with you. It is nothing to walk into our house and all six of us are sitting on the couch watching TV, or out in the barn doing horse chores. I wouldn't change having them for anything in the world.

[asb_own_me]

Three Dobermans. The smallest female (all of 25" at the withers and 68 lbs. of muscle) is also the alpha - which is funny when she just looks at the male (32" and 85 lbs) and he drops his Kong at her feet. My oldest, also a female (29" and 80 lbs), mostly stays out of the "politics" :D

[sisu27]

I have two.

A 2yo rescue Dobe named Ike.

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2468914460103114374DcwtJj

And a 2yo rescue German Hunt Terrier named Lola.

http://pets.webshots.com/photo/2918887040103114374CzQOVJ

Both are recent additions and although I love Lola I realize I would be happy only having Dobes for the rest of my life. Intense doesn't even begin to describe her ;)

To those with multiple Dobes....I have had more than one female and male/female combos but never two males. Can it work? I have always heard that eventually they fall out and make life difficult but I really like the males best and would love to have two one day. I love the females too but the males are so different (sweet and goofy). I have never seen such a difference in personallity between the sexes as I have with Dobes.

[MunchkinsMom]

and also for 3 dogs that I saw on a rescue site when helping my SIL look for a small dog:

LOVE this one and may get her - hubby is not thrilled, but prefers this one (who can resist that face?):
http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13975180

or this one: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=13858001

or this one, but doubtful because of the fee and the age: http://www.petfinder.com/petnote/displaypet.cgi?petid=14210570

I should probably hold off on getting any - these are all in foster care, so not in danger, and my vet bills are awfully high with 3 dogs, 5 cats and 11 horses.... No, I am not a collector (repeat to self) lol!

Do I need to come over for an intervention :D ? I must say the ears on the second one made me laugh right out loud!

Years ago I would never have imagined having 5 dogs in my house, 2 was the usual limit, although we had 3 for a short time at one point, when the oldest was near the end of her life, and the youngest was a puppy, and even then I had days where I asked myself "What the heck were you thinking?".

[pintopiaffe]

I adore reading how people describe their dogs and their life with dog(s). It just makes me grin.

I had one for a long time. At a time that I was home on supper breaks. He also went everywhere with me, in a wire crate in the Isuzu Trooper... EVERYWHERE. He was the closest thing to a significant other I'll ever have. It was also fun to have money to spend on him--collars, leashes, toys, bowls, whatever tickled my fancy. "Only Child." :lol:

But then I moved to my farm, changed jobs, was away from home for 10 hrs at a time... and will never have just one again as long as that's the case. Not fair. I got O'Malley his own Aussie pup, and he adored her. He committed suicide just a couple weeks after she was hit by a motorcycle. :cry: I'm serious. He was a very, very road savvy dog, and I live in the middle of nowhere. He would look both ways and wait for traffic if/when he felt the need to cross. But he was hit by a car. I swear he died of a broken heart. I almost did.

I had four for the last five years or so. Mamadog Shenanigan, two littermates who survived parvo--one cost $$$ in ICU, the other I nursed through at home... how do you choose between them??? Eamon used to come running over to me as a crosseyed little pup, plop at my feet and simply gaze at me in adoration... Malarkey didn't want to be born and I rescusitated him. How do you choose??? :uhoh: :lol:

Then there was Augustine Donegan. He was my special dog. Very much like a child with CP. He had no muscle tone. Originally we thought perhaps spinal cord injury--he didn't show up 'different' until about 8 weeks old. First vet said put him down, he'd never be right. Holistic vet determined he wasn't in any kind of pain, just special. He always looked like an old man, people sometimes thought he'd been hit by a car... but there was NEVER a bad day in Gus' world. He was incredibly full of joy. And that's why he was here.

I lost Gus last fall, and Shenanigan this winter. She was 9.

And I find myself *enjoying* just having two sooooo much. It's not like I didn't enjoy four, but two is just calmer. Less demanding. It's perfect to have two hands for two dogs. ;)

I'm also planning to go to WEG next year, and will be able to board. With just two I can board. With the four--more because of the special dog, but still, four was $$$$--I could never board.

I don't regret a minute of the time with four. Shenanigan healed my broken heart after loosing O'Malley & Kyrie both in such a short time. Gus made me smile. Always. No matter. But I am definitely enjoying two.

[DiablosHalo]

I have four. It all started with the first, Mollie (11yo Aussie) I had her 9 years and for some reason thought she needed/wanted a friend puppy (and to help train it with/for me!). I brought the pup home, Pippie (2yo Aussie), from 1000 miles away and old dog ignored it! She tolerates her and that is it. So much for training the pup for me!

The third, Prissy (14yo Mini Schnauzer) came with my husband. He's had her since a pup. She chases after the 11yo Aussie when outside bc she knows better than to mess with the big 2yo!

The fourth, Derbie (2yo Aussie/Heeler mix) came from a client that moved from a farm to an apt when Derbie was 4m old. I really really didn't want another, but how do you say no?!? After months of chewing everything in sight, he's finally a farm dog. And fierce protector of the farm, house, and especially the baby. He's the worlds biggest dunce though! We honestly thought dd's first word would be Damn It Derbie from me always hollering for him getting into something else, in my way, etc.

The two 2yo's get along so well, they really live for each other. They chase each other for hours. Derbie will grab pippies limbs and drag her around the yard! (Derbie is built like a couch- as wide and he is tall. Pippie is very slim built). The 11yo Aussie could care less about any of the three and bites Derbie anytime he gets within 10 feet of her feed bowl. The 14yo chases/bites on the 11yo but the 11yo ignores her.

I "handle" them by letting them all out morning/night to run their energy off. They stay on the small farm and don't go in road/neighbors. They stay out at least an hour in the morning and 2-4 hours at night. They they come inside and crash! I crate the two 2yos during the day (one piddles sometimes, the other chews incessently on everything but his toys). The 14yo sleeps in tv room all day. The 11yo sleeps in kitchen all day and night. The other three sleep in our room at night on their beds. Baby is next door in nursery. ugh- it's a busy life but I wouldn't have it any other way! Well, actually I do day dream of only have the two 2yo's one day but then am so sad bc the 11yo is my baby and can't imagine life without her. :(

[pintopiaffe]

I got sidetracked... how do you deal with them?

Mine are the best companion/farm dogs ever. Not so much obedience trained--that was when I had one. But they LIVE with me so comfortably. They know 'lessgoeen' (let's go in) and LEAVE it. Only recently at age 7 are they learning sit and stay. :lol: they know "enough" and they know, "I said they could." (when referring to horses being on the back lawn to 'mow' it. :lol: )

They are big calm slugs around just me... love to spend the day out when it's the right weather, are in when it's hot. Socially gifted with other people, the drawbacks of living alone. Are fabulous watchdogs and all a single girl really needs on a cold, dark winter night... well, them and an electric blanket. ;) :winkgrin:

[pintopiaffe]

Jetsmom... how cool are those stories. :sadsmile: The dog waiting at the stopsign... made me cry. But happy ending. :yes:

We live on 20 acres for the dogs. Horse is acually boarded out.

:lol: :lol:

[Mimi La Rue]

I have 3 pugs. I'd love to have more but we'd need a bigger house and a bigger bed. 2 people, 3 pugs and a cat make for some really cramped sleeping quarters since we all sleep in the same bed.

[Ishi]

3 dogs here.

My coming 12 year old Akita Ishi (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v44/FlyACK/Ishi/Copy_of_DSC_0014.jpg) is in congestive heart failure. To write he is special to me is the understatement of the year! I knew I wouldn't want to look for a new dog after Ishi leaves me so, I "accidentally" went on Petfinder and searched for a Pressa Canario and found Augustus. Then I accidentally filled out a 6 page application, somehow ended up in the truck and drove 9 hours to SC to meet him. And now we have Augustus too!

The third dog is Sweet Melissa, another Pressa who came into the shelter I worked at in Denver a few years ago. Animal Control brought her in after she had been hit by a truck on the on ramp of a major highway. Her right eye was not in the socket, she had tire rubber melted into her skin, and came in on a rabies pole with a gaping hole on her side.

Melissa hung out with me for the next few months in surgery (I was a vet tech at the shelter) and she got put back together. No one claimed her. Longer story short, Sweet Melissa came home with me.

Gus and Melissa spend their days at the barn with us, and Ishi sleeps a lot now in the air conditioning. We all go swimming and camping and sometimes we do both at the same time! (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v44/FlyACK/IMG_4961.jpg)

The dogs are just as much a part of farm life here as the horses. We all work hard and sleep well at night! Melissa is 90 pounds, and the others are over 120, so instead of dog beds, they have crib mattress or memory foam beds. Otherwise DH and I would never have a place to sleep at night!

[BasqueMom]

We have just two:

Goldie Bear--about 8, part Yellow Lab, part Aussie, touch of Sharpai. Recently learned
her hips are shot (don't tell her) and heart slightly enlarged. Was a stray that never
went away.

Jake--black tri-color Aussie. Pulled from animal control to foster and ended up keeping.
Our beloved border collie had died a couple of months earlier. He won't ever be able to
replace her but is a love in his own way.

Do the twelve cats count? Seven of our own, three unadoptable fosters and two foster kittens that will hopefully adopt one of these years.

[Bluey]

What a neat thread.:cool:
I love all those stories.:yes:

[MissCapitalSplash]

We have four:

Annie- 5 yr old aussie. My first dog of my own. I grew up in a house of no less than 6 dogs at any time, but Annie was the first one that was just for me. I love her to death. But I'd never get another aussie.

Harley- 8 month old GSD. The love of my life. Seriously. My right hand man, best pal. Smart as a tick. Going to his first Rally-O show next month. Yay!
My wife and I were going to stop at 2 once we got Harley. But then she wanted a little dog that looked and acted like a big dog....so we got...

Fenway- 5 month old Boston Terrier. This dog is freakin' HILARIOUS. She has entered agility training and is gonna be a champ. She's a little superstar. And she's loyal, adorable, and outgoing.

And then wife decided that she wanted a pack of Bostons. And that all she ever wanted after Annie goes is a pack of Bostons and a GSD to watch over them.
So one day last week we ended up with:

Frankie- 8 week old Boston mix. He's adorable, funny, and just as smart as Fenway.

We manage our pack by twice daily walks. Spend 3 nights/week at our local club. It's a way of life.
I also work at a dog daycare so they come to work with me. :)

[Indy]

We just have one. Riley is a 3+ year old black Lab/Chow/Corgi hybrid (and yes, he looks goofy). We also think he's part Wookie. At some point, he might get a sibling but for now he's an only dog, and spoiled just like an only child...

[Arcadien]

I love reading about everyone's dogs!

I "only" have 3, but they all top 100 pounds so these days the house seems filled with dogs, LOL -

"Nox" is my geriatric, getting old too soon at 10, black male GSD; hips & back arthritis has him on major meds, but seems quite happy for now to help with barn chores, then sit on the couch to watch the "pups" play.

"Baron", my main man, 4 yo black & tan GSD, well bred so hopefully hips don't go, and so intelligent, he blows me away. All his bros & sis from his litter are show dogs, and 4 are champions; he's handsome enough to be a show dog himself, but seems happy to be "head farm dog" instead.

"Beowulf" is my rescue puppy, at 8 months old he just hit 100 pounds! he is a giant breed, Russion flockguard type known by various names in Europe but most common seems "Caucasion Ovcharka". His parents have Russion passports, they came over then their owner died and they ended up in a rescue; no one could get near them until my friends with a large horse farm took them in; unfortunately they didn't know the bitch was pregnant until she welped on a freezing night in the barn (the adults have thick furry coats so cold wasn't an issue for them) all the pups died except Beo, and the rescue felt guilty so I got to take him in! He is going to be huge, 160-170 pounds. I'm socializing the heck out of him, so far so good. Brother Baron looks a little worried though, he wants to know when his "little" brother is going to stop growing, LOL.

Yes, they all sleep with me <grin>, I need to upgrade to a King size mattress soon - or do they come any bigger than that? ;)

[witherbee]

Yes Munchkin's Mom - I need an intervention! I just need to back away from the computer when someone tells me they are looking for a dog (like my SIL did) - I always end up with a new dog when that happens. In this case, I ran into the rescue operator at the vet when she was bringing one of the small dogs in to be spayed. Hubby and I have been saying we'd love a small dog that can be carried, but I really should wait. We'll see - something would have to happen for me to get one, and I would probably get that old poodle mix - many people don't want an older dog, and I just love them.

[MunchkinsMom]

Yes Munchkin's Mom - I need an intervention! I just need to back away from the computer when someone tells me they are looking for a dog (like my SIL did) - I always end up with a new dog when that happens. In this case, I ran into the rescue operator at the vet when she was bringing one of the small dogs in to be spayed. Hubby and I have been saying we'd love a small dog that can be carried, but I really should wait. We'll see - something would have to happen for me to get one, and I would probably get that old poodle mix - many people don't want an older dog, and I just love them.

Well, I will say that any animal that comes to live with you and your DH are truely blessed, you are soo good with all of them.

[vacation1]

My dog loves company, so I thought maybe she would like to have another dog to play with. Then, when company leaves, she crashes and seems very happy to be alone all the time. She does have me around most of the time and goes with me in the pickup and tractor, etc., so it is not like she is alone for hours at the time. I think dogs will like however they have to live, just like we do, as long as they are not forgotten in some back yard with little attention, as I have seen so many.:(

My dog lives with me and several other people, all on different schedules, so she's got company most of the time, even when I'm working. If I lived alone, I think I'd get her a cat, as she adores cats.