poodlefan Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I think the general answer would be "more than I have". Seriously, its not about numbers, its about quality of care. There are people who shouldn't own a pet rock and others who could manage and care for quite a few dogs. The RSPCA need their heads read. Anyone with over four dogs is a hoarder but an owner that provides their one dog with a water bowl and crap food, never walks it or allows it out of the yard is just peachy.... wonderful. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bjelkier Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I agree with Megz. We have three at the moment and by the end of the year we are looking at having two or three more Samoyeds and very likely a Bullmastiff. And we rent too Snow Wolf Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
OSoSwift Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I think it is a really personal thing. Apart from there being enough money to fund the dogs and time to provide their basic needs and then some, I also think it comes down to the sanity of the owner.Some people can cope with, care for and enjoy a lot of dogs and that is fine. For me personally, I find that 3 seems to be my limit for coping and fulfilling my personal requirements as a dog owner. I am currently training and competing with all 3 of them in several different disciplines and I am just at the edge of my limit with that, I think I am also running a business, so there is only so much one person can take on. Let's face it, we all have different expectations on ourselves and our dogs and as long as we can live with what we are doing, then "all good" Many wonderful dog owners are not into training or competing in dog sports, therefore they may find that owning more dogs is fine for them. If I wasn't doing my dog sports (but I can't get my head around not training and competing ) then I could easily own more. But I do tend to enjoy my dogs more, the less I have. I have owned 5 dogs in the past, and everything ran smoothly and was fine, but for me, I didn't feel I could do enough quality training and competing in enough disciplines to maintain what I feel is right for me and my dogs, a bit overwhelming... but that is just me . It is not so bad when one dog is retired or semi retired and now that my OH is doing more training and will be trialling soon there may be a chance that we could possibly look at going up to 4 again in the next couple of years. But by then my older girl may have passed on anyway. I am at my happiest with only 2 dogs, but then of course another one comes along...... I agree with this, I like to train and compete (when I can get way) with all of mine so I just would not have the time to have more than 4 dogs at this point. Exercise isn't an issue it would be me being happy with the training and one on one quality time I could give them as well as having Beef Cattle and young kids. If I didn't do dog sports and need that time for each one seperately I could possible go more. Feeding time is never an issue they are all fed seperately. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
raz Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Considering they source most of their inspectors from law enforcement or investigative type backgrounds, and that no animalknowledge is a requirement I am not at all surprised. sure for sure. They're public servants and have one thing in mind - their paycheck. That's fair enough but they're not psychiatrists so I think it's pretty rude they want to label someone as a hoarder if they own more than 4 dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mim Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 We've got 5 here at the moment and everything's going swimmingly. It is harder at meal times to juggle all five on my own but somebody is always there to help me. Currently two of the dogs are elderly fosters so I imagine 5 young active dogs would be very different but I still think it'd be fine. I like owning 4 dogs at once, I think that's a good number and I wouldn't mind having a foster or two on top of that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rivergem Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I have 3 dogs at the moment, and am looking to add another to the pack in a year or so... Definately agree with whatever it suitable for the person, keeping in mind time able to be spent with the dogs, financial abilities, needs of the pack (exercise, food requirements, special care) etc We had 5 dogs when I was growing up and I was in heaven I am a full time student at the moment and starting a couple of courses surrounding canines this year, as I want to move into working with dogs - so I definately see the pack getting bigger in years to come... Being on 5 acres definately helps, lots of space to romp and explore! And I rent, but it's my Dad's place, so that helps Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tenties Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I have 9 here at the moment, with 3 to be re-homed/ sold..... a friend has 2 more of mine that have been de-sexed with one having found a new home and will be going there in a couple of weeks... my normal numbers are around the 10 mark, but im wanting to cut back these days due to a serious illness i had 4 yrs ago..... my heart dogs number 5 with a new puppy added to the clan recently it brings me back up to 6 permanents ,...unless puppy falls apart showing wise then i will get back to the 5 fur kids.. My guy's are all happy to run together but i dont take any chances , if i go out each are seperated and at night 5 sleep with me and the others are in crates, my lot know the rules.... NO barking when they go to bed etc........ we all have a routine and it works !! you must have a routine with multiple dogs, its the only way to stop yourself going mad lol My Landlords Love my Dogs...any Dogs they are true Dog lovers.... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Agility Dogs Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 We have 3 at the moment. When the youngest turns 4 or one of our current 'older' two retire (whichever comes second) we will consider another. Living with them is the easy bit. Finding time to train and give them enough attention is where I would struggle with another at the moment - especially when the puppy is only 10 months. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Swizzlestick Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I have 6. Four whippets, a JRT X and an Afghan. Pretty much every single person I know thinks that many is crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Staranais Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I'd find it hard to own more than one dog like mine and give them the attention that they really needed to be happy and to reach their potential. Plus, more than one is far harder to transport within the country & overseas, and to travel & holiday with. But, I don't think people with more are necessarily crazy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Kajtek Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 3 fur kids and I am at my limit. Like dyzney, I like parenting only 2..... but then foster failure happens Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
fuzzy82 Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 As long as they are all well cared for then I guess it's up to the individual what's too many. Personally I don't want more than two. I don't think having more than two would add to the enjoyment of having dogs, it would only result in each of them getting less attention. Plus, mine are indoors with me all the time, bit different having 10 dogs outside and 10 dogs inside.... And I don't think I could ever have less than two, now that I have seen how much the enjoy being around a canine friend. We don't have ANY friends who have dogs, so if I only had one it wouldn't get to socialise much with other dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Paptacular! Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 At the moment we have 3, soon to be 4 (I don't count the puppies yet, hehe). I think 4 would be my limit. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RubyStar Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Many wonderful dog owners are not into training or competing in dog sports, therefore they may find that owning more dogs is fine for them. If I wasn't doing my dog sports (but I can't get my head around not training and competing :D ) then I could easily own more. This sums me up! I could easily have more dogs, I want more (think I'd like 4 or 5), but training and competing is my life and I just wouldn't be able to cope with finding time to train more than 2 or 3 at a time. I have 2 now, and holding off on the 3rd until my current 2 are at a "maintenance" training stage for competition. Currently, they're still learning heaps, as am I! But if I wasn't into dog sports, I would probably have quite a few more furkids! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sayly Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Our household has 4 that live here all the time - two are mine, one is Mum's and the other is Dad's. My brother also lives here, and my OH may as well live here. So 4 dogs between 5 adults has been really easy. While I have been on holidays, one or two of the Aussies I co-own have been staying here for varying lengths of time so we have had 6 dogs at times. Maizie may as well live here now with the time she's spent here, and I found having the normal 4 plus her is a good number and mix of dogs. 6 hasn't been a big issue either. I couldn't imagine having 6 Irish Terriers in our set up would work but 6 Aussie Shepherds woud be fine. I think it would be different if it was just me as compared to 5 adults shared between 6 dogs. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Remarkabull Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I'd like to eventually have somwhere between 4 and 6. But no more than my current two until I atleast have a rental history and no more than 3 till I own somewhere. It seems like the line other people draw between dog interested and crazy dog lady is when you go past 3. Oh, wow. You have 2 dogs and you're renting? I've been looking for a place to rent, need to take 1 of the dogs with me. But i am having an impossible time finding a suitable house, that allows pets. I have and am renting with 5 dogs. It's a regular suburban block. Our landlords and neighbours have always been fine with it (I hate barking dogs and will not tolerate it from my own). As for how many dogs is too many, I would say I'm well over my limit and will be keeping it down to 2 when my current dogs pass on. I have very strong bonds with 2 of my dogs and feel guilty that I don't get to give as much attention to the other 3 because my 2 entire boys demand so much of my attention. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Nekhbet Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I had 5 when we were on a 5 acre block in the country. It was easy when everyone got along, everyone in the run during the day then house at night with us. Crates at bed time. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Miss B Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 Our property is about an acre and a quarter, my OH and I cope fine with 4 dogs (2 medium, 2 small) and have another on the way. I have 3 good sized dog runs (the largest is 1/3 acre) and 1 smaller run so feeding time is no problem. There is only one dog who needs to be fed separately anyway. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ons Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I have four, I think that's my limit my family thought I was mad for owning three dogs, they don't know about the fourth at the moment I worry my oldest dog probably is missing out a bit on attention because of the pup and the fact I'm recovering from illness so not been able to exercise them but that will even out soon as I'm alot better, the pup gets older and I am starting to take him and the pup for walks together I also own 3 cats there's only me I'm lucky enough to say that I find feeding time is easy - I have always been strict that no dog has been allowed to eat out of another dog's bowl. and I feed in strict order although it's not in pack order but it works for my lot my friend has well over 30 dogs that's far too many in my opinion. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TangerineDream Posted February 16, 2011 Share Posted February 16, 2011 I used to have 3 Dobes...but 1 Tango is quite enough for me and that's on 1.25 acres Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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