Bellaclan Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Hi Everyone, I have had numerouse siblings that I personally have kept from litters to show and add to my breeding program etc. They were always kept seperate to ensure that they bonded to me and not to eachother. I was told, by three top trainers to keep the apart untill they were older. This was in a breeding/kennel setting. However what is the pros and cons of having two sibling pups in the same household, as family pets? These are Border Collie siblings going to the same home, I not sure whether they have had a Border Collie previousely or not. Is this a good idea? I *think* that these are novice dog owners but am not positive. I would love to hear everyones input on this topic. Thanks Laura www.geocities.com/bellaclan_bcs Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Echo Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Hi Everyone,I have had numerouse siblings that I personally have kept from litters to show and add to my breeding program etc. They were always kept seperate to ensure that they bonded to me and not to eachother. I was told, by three top trainers to keep the apart untill they were older. This was in a breeding/kennel setting. However what is the pros and cons of having two sibling pups in the same household, as family pets? These are Border Collie siblings going to the same home, I not sure whether they have had a Border Collie previousely or not. Is this a good idea? I *think* that these are novice dog owners but am not positive. I would love to hear everyones input on this topic. Thanks Laura www.geocities.com/bellaclan_bcs As a breeder, I have done this myself, and like you I took the trouble to keep them seperate for most of the time. They do spend some play time together, as well as spending time with the older dogs, but I believe it is vital for the pups to develope as individuals. I spend a lot of time with them one on one. This means that your workload is literally doubled. They are trained, socialised, handled and played with totally separately. By doing this, they grow up together to be good friends, but do not become reliant on each other, as they would if they were left together all the time. I think that this is a great burden for the average pet owner to take on, especially if they are novice owners, as you suspect. Most pet owners will want to keep the dogs together from the start and will not have the facilties or desire to separate them during their initial training and socialisation. Also, the breed you have, like mine, are working dogs, which require a good deal of training, excercise and attention. The average pet owner is flat out just dealing with these rquirements with one new pup, let alone two. Maybe you should do a bit more homework on the prospective new owners to find out if they are familiar with your breed, and if they have any experience in training dogs. I have in the past, talked new owners out of buying two pups at the same time, and once I explain my reasons, they are grateful for my advice. You may also want to point out to them that having two dogs will not only double their time input, but their food bills and vet. bills as well. Don't forget also, it's twice the noise, mess and mayhem. Some people don't think of this either. Keeping two pups from the same litter can be done successfully, but in my opinion, it is a big ask for a novice pet owner. Cheers Julie Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ShesaLikeableBiBear Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 Not B/C's but Shelties. I kept two from my first litter, no problems except the bitch does tend to boss her brother, but then that is her nature. Last year sold a dog and a bitch together to two different families but they were not novice owners. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
t-time Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 I'd determine whether or not these potential puppy people have experience with BCs. My cousin thought it would be a great idea to have 2 pups (BC) as well. She was a novice BC owner (not dog owner) and after 6 weeks the pups went back to the breeder Too chaotic, too much mess, absolute mayhem and she had 2 young children as well Maybe it was because she had the kids too and it made it all too much but, yes, take their situation and experience into consideration Just one bad instance here but maybe your new people will be great :rolleyes: Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
shoemonster Posted May 9, 2006 Share Posted May 9, 2006 We were told by our breeder not to have two at once as we were (are!!!) novice owners, I have never had dogs before She advised us to get one, let them grow up and enjoy their youth and then with training etc out of the way, think aout the other When Eddie was 8 months, Molly came up and though it was sonner than we had planned, we decided that because Eddie was such a hassle free pup, we would do it My god 2 puppies are a handful, I don't think as a novice, I could have handled having them both from babies In a perfect world, we would have waited til Eddie was about 18 months but though they can get together and be very naughty together i wouldn't part with Molly for anything Sorry for rambling! I guess like the others it depends on their previous doggy experience Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Tassie Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 I tend to agree with the others. My 2 Border Collies (now 4) are only 7 weeks apart (just happened that the breeders I wanted pups from when my previous Border Collie died were having litters close together.) It's been fine for me - BUT - I was aready a pretty experienced and I hope savvy dog owner, and had owned and trained a KelpiexBorder Collie and a Border Collie, so I had experience with the needs of the breed, and with having and training 2 dogs. I would certainly be looking more into the situation of the potential owners, and their ability to cater for the high needs of not one but two Border Collies. One of the key things, apart from dog experience, would be the time the potential owners would have available to put into meeting the puppies' needs, now and in the future. I think some people think that by having 2 together, they don't have to spend as much time with the pups, as the pups will exercise and amuse each other. My experience, at least with Border Collies, is that this isn't how it works. These dogs need to be with their human - even if it's just hanging out - as much as possible. JMO Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wylie Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 Hi Bellaclan I never ever sell 2 puppies from the same litter to any home. Two pups is not double trouble it can be absolute chaos. I have enquiries on a regular basis for 2 and always recommend that they get one and then wait till about 12 months to get another if they feel that they can cope. It is amazing how many of my puppy buyers thank me for not selling the second after they have dealt wih socialisation, training, toilet training and teething of just one puppy. JMT Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMonaro Posted May 10, 2006 Share Posted May 10, 2006 Well I just wanted to add my positive side to 2 pups. A few litters back...one couple took a shining to 2 of them (one we were to keep).....their enthusiasm and persistance really swayed us and we decided not to keep and well she went to live with the same couple. So they had 2 eight week old full on labrador pups. They did not have kids. Very young and active couple. (and totally devoted to their new babies). They take them on holidays etc., walks every day etc etc. and basically have a dog each of their own. Now when we did this we stated quite strongly that if for any reason that they found having the 2 was too much, then we would take either back - no problems at all. These 2 girls have been to visit me, and I have been to their house to visit them (and also to check out how they have matured). We also discussed bonding etc...and really lots and lots of other things. These 2 dogs are that well trained. They do a trick whereby food is put in front of them and she can rattle off a whole pile of words and until they hear the "right" one they do not eat. I have also sold a pup to a home that also got a pup from someone else as well...both males. They also have 2 small children and a business to run - but all reports have been good and the kids both help at training their respective puppy as well. So sometimes it does work.... never say never on 2 dogs in one home.......I think it depends on the ppl and their commitment etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Bellaclan Posted May 12, 2006 Author Share Posted May 12, 2006 About the above, did this couple have prior experience with labs, or dogs? Thanks so much for everyones input Kind Regards, Laura Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
MissMonaro Posted May 13, 2006 Share Posted May 13, 2006 About the above, did this couple have prior experience with labs, or dogs? The first couple it was their "first" dogs as a couple. I am sure though that they had family pets as growing up. The second couple, yes, they had dogs before......grew up with a labrador that lived to 14 years of age. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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