Need help deciding on 1 pup or 2!!

BTDaisy · 09-29-2011, 09:12 AM

Hello!! This is my very first post- and I am SO excited to be here!

My boyfriend and I will be bringing home our new baby in a few weeks- first time GSD owners. I have researched and researched and I feel that we are pretty well prepared, and I am looking forward to having a running buddy too!
Heres my big question- last night, my boyfriend mentioned adopting 2 pups instead of just one (litter mates). What are the pros and cons to doing this??
If we do decide to go with two, is it better to have one male, one female? 2 males? 2 females? I was pretty set on my little girl, so I dont really think I would want 2 males.
Any thoughts, help, comments- are greatly appreciated!! thanks!!

DanielleOttoMom · 09-29-2011, 09:26 AM

Hello & Welcome from Dallas Texas. Just want to give you my thoughts on two puppies.

Con- Twice the work. Twice the vet cost. Twice the training. Twice the food and supplies. I highly suggest you just get one the first time. Then add another later on when your pup is older. I know two sounds fun but, it will be like having twins. Most reputable breeders/ rescues wont send two pups home with a buyer. Hope this helps. Others here will also be helpful with there input on the subject.

carmspack · 09-29-2011, 09:27 AM

Bad idea . Get ONE pup. If you want a second dog stagger it and get one when your first is about a year of age and has training etc.

Two pups from the same litter , or same age will bond with each other and not with you. They will become dependent on each other . Your experience will not be as satisfying.

Plus this is your first GSD . I think you will have your hands full. Don't overwhelm yourself .

Carmen
Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

schatzi14 · 09-29-2011, 09:29 AM

I agree...start off with one BUT if/when you get a second...I think it's better to get the opposite sex of the other.

**Castlemaid** · 09-29-2011, 09:31 AM

Hi Daisy, THANK YOU for adopting! Very happy and excited for you and your boyfriend. So glad you guys are talking about this and you are coming here for more info, that is the best thing to do before jumping in with two feet.

Before you decide, make sure you and your boyfriend read all the following links and the ensuing discussion. Lots of info there that most people are not aware of when they decide to go the two puppy route (not recommended, as you will find out).
I'd love to get two puppies at once!

You guys will find that ONE puppy, and a German Shepherd puppy at that will keep you guys on your toes enough, adding a second one is not like, twice the fun, but more like, four times the work and aggravation!

I'm the crazy dog lady in the neighborhood, I live for my dogs and all my activities are centered around my dogs, and I would NEVER do two puppies at once!! That is just crazy talk, LOL!

Wolfiesmom · 09-29-2011, 09:41 AM

If you never raised a German Shepherd from a pup before, then get just one. One is a handful as you will soon see. Two would be overwhelming.

**MaggieRoseLee** · 09-29-2011, 09:47 AM

Bless you for rescuing but ONLY GET ONE!!!!

There's great information about how it's so much better for the one you pick!

Just click on this ---> Should I get TWO puppies/dogs at once?

BTDaisy · 09-29-2011, 09:57 AM

Thank you for all the info and advice!!....That all makes perfect sense! (and sorry about posting twice- I was afraid no one would see it..... but I was shown different!)
I appreciate all this help! What an awesome site!
And Im pretty sure once I tell the boyfriend that the pups would bond with each other, and not us- that will be enough to change his mind!!
Great to have some valid points for the debate

Salix · 09-29-2011, 09:45 PM

Congratulations on this wonderful time! Savour it and enjoy it. And the kindest thing you can do to yourselves is handle one GSD puppy at a time. If you folks are utterly retired, living off a hefty pile of gold change and have no lives and do not have to work or support yourselves or have anything else going on in your lives, and you don't mind the high probability of breaking up with each other due to the frustration, I suggest getting multiple GSD puppies.

The first four months are the toughest. But remember, these can be big dogs with medium to high energy. They eat a lot, poo a lot, shed a lot, think a lot and love lots of exercise. They'll likely have big personalities too that will last, and it's a 10 or so year commitment if all goes well. Think of your long term commitments and dedication. It's tempting to think of more than one, but for first time owners, go slow.

katieliz · 10-01-2011, 03:03 AM

oh yea, only one. definitely only one.

09-29-2011, 09:12 AM	#1 (permalink)
BTDaisy New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Melvin IL Posts: 12	Need help deciding on 1 pup or 2!! Hello!! This is my very first post- and I am SO excited to be here! My boyfriend and I will be bringing home our new baby in a few weeks- first time GSD owners. I have researched and researched and I feel that we are pretty well prepared, and I am looking forward to having a running buddy too! Heres my big question- last night, my boyfriend mentioned adopting 2 pups instead of just one (litter mates). What are the pros and cons to doing this?? If we do decide to go with two, is it better to have one male, one female? 2 males? 2 females? I was pretty set on my little girl, so I dont really think I would want 2 males. Any thoughts, help, comments- are greatly appreciated!! thanks!!

09-29-2011, 09:26 AM	#2 (permalink)
DanielleOttoMom Elite Member Join Date: May 2010 Location: Dallas, TX Posts: 1,954	Hello & Welcome from Dallas Texas. Just want to give you my thoughts on two puppies. Con- Twice the work. Twice the vet cost. Twice the training. Twice the food and supplies. I highly suggest you just get one the first time. Then add another later on when your pup is older. I know two sounds fun but, it will be like having twins. Most reputable breeders/ rescues wont send two pups home with a buyer. Hope this helps. Others here will also be helpful with there input on the subject. __________________ Otto Blk GSD 02/23/10 Circe Blk Sable GSD 06/22/08 My fur babies!!

09-29-2011, 09:29 AM	#4 (permalink)
schatzi14 Master Member Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Long Island, NY Posts: 511	I agree...start off with one BUT if/when you get a second...I think it's better to get the opposite sex of the other. __________________ Joyce (NY) Sheena 12/10/03 *********** Forever in our hearts.....** Nikko GSD 7/17/04 - 1/4/11 Schatzi GSD 5/12/90 - 3/12/04 Sheena GSD 10/22/86 - 5/7/90

09-29-2011, 09:31 AM	#5 (permalink)
Castlemaid Moderator Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Northern British Columbia Posts: 9,089	Hi Daisy, THANK YOU for adopting! Very happy and excited for you and your boyfriend. So glad you guys are talking about this and you are coming here for more info, that is the best thing to do before jumping in with two feet. Before you decide, make sure you and your boyfriend read all the following links and the ensuing discussion. Lots of info there that most people are not aware of when they decide to go the two puppy route (not recommended, as you will find out). I'd love to get two puppies at once! You guys will find that ONE puppy, and a German Shepherd puppy at that will keep you guys on your toes enough, adding a second one is not like, twice the fun, but more like, four times the work and aggravation! I'm the crazy dog lady in the neighborhood, I live for my dogs and all my activities are centered around my dogs, and I would NEVER do two puppies at once!! That is just crazy talk, LOL! __________________ Lucia Keeta BH, OB1, TR1, AD (HOT) Rottweiler/Hairy Dog mix?? Shelter rescue Gryffon Vom Wildhaus BH, OFA Good (HOT) "Bites Through the Sleeve" Cuddlebug, b: Mar 2009

09-29-2011, 09:41 AM	#6 (permalink)
Wolfiesmom Crowned Member Join Date: Apr 2010 Posts: 3,810	If you never raised a German Shepherd from a pup before, then get just one. One is a handful as you will soon see. Two would be overwhelming. __________________ Mom to Chases Wolfgang Heinrich Von Ryan aka Wolfie born 12/20/09 Waiting for us at the bridge is Chases Chieftain aka Chiefy Left this earth and left a hole in our hearts July 2000

09-29-2011, 09:27 AM	#3 (permalink)
carmspack Knighted Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Location: ontario - Posts: 3,325	Bad idea . Get ONE pup. If you want a second dog stagger it and get one when your first is about a year of age and has training etc. Two pups from the same litter , or same age will bond with each other and not with you. They will become dependent on each other . Your experience will not be as satisfying. Plus this is your first GSD . I think you will have your hands full. Don't overwhelm yourself . Carmen Carmspack Working German Shepherd Dogs

09-29-2011, 09:47 AM	#7 (permalink)
MaggieRoseLee The Agility Rocks! Moderator Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Bushkill, PA (The Poconos!) Posts: 22,215	Bless you for rescuing but ONLY GET ONE!!!! There's great information about how it's so much better for the one you pick! Just click on this ---> Should I get TWO puppies/dogs at once? __________________ MACH2 Bretta Lee Wildhaus CGC TC TQX Glory B Wildhaus NA, NJ, NF + LOL (still) "*Always forgive your enemies; nothing annoys them so much." - Oscar Wilde*

09-29-2011, 09:57 AM	#8 (permalink)
BTDaisy New Member Join Date: Sep 2011 Location: Melvin IL Posts: 12	Thank you for all the info and advice!!....That all makes perfect sense! (and sorry about posting twice- I was afraid no one would see it..... but I was shown different!) I appreciate all this help! What an awesome site! And Im pretty sure once I tell the boyfriend that the pups would bond with each other, and not us- that will be enough to change his mind!! Great to have some valid points for the debate

09-29-2011, 09:45 PM	#9 (permalink)
Salix Member Join Date: Feb 2011 Posts: 92	Congratulations on this wonderful time! Savour it and enjoy it. And the kindest thing you can do to yourselves is handle one GSD puppy at a time. If you folks are utterly retired, living off a hefty pile of gold change and have no lives and do not have to work or support yourselves or have anything else going on in your lives, and you don't mind the high probability of breaking up with each other due to the frustration, I suggest getting multiple GSD puppies. The first four months are the toughest. But remember, these can be big dogs with medium to high energy. They eat a lot, poo a lot, shed a lot, think a lot and love lots of exercise. They'll likely have big personalities too that will last, and it's a 10 or so year commitment if all goes well. Think of your long term commitments and dedication. It's tempting to think of more than one, but for first time owners, go slow. Last edited by Salix; 09-29-2011 at 09:47 PM.

10-01-2011, 03:03 AM	#10 (permalink)
katieliz Crowned Member Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: york township, mi Posts: 6,324	oh yea, only one. definitely only one. __________________ mom to seraphina blue & the cashman miss jeni-take-a-ride, rescued 7/07 shangri la's great white caesar, rescued 4/09 hearthside's cinderfella (RIP 4/20/09) shep von bellefontaine (RIP 6/9/10) voodoo lily (dsh) & cricket (african grey)

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