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How many dogs are too much?

3K views 15 replies 14 participants last post by  winnie 
#1 · (Edited)
What is your opinion on this?

How many dogs is too many?

I know in my city, the city ordinances state that 4 dogs per household/house is the limit. (we currently have a few people in my city upset cause they want to take in some strays and have more than 4 dogs).

For myself, 4 dogs, that is even a bit high. If my neighbors each had 4 dogs, I would not be a happy camper. I would say 2 dogs should be the limit for a city or suburban environment. I could never see me owning more than two dogs, or see the reason why one would want more than two if living in the city or suburbs.

Personally, I think it is weird when you go to someones house, in the city or suburbs, and they have like 4 dogs running around. Very annoying.

Now if you live on a farm, out in the country side, I say have as many dogs as you see fit. As long as you take care of them, control them, keep them on your property, etc. Farm dogs are working dogs.

Now as for cats. One cat is too many if you live in a house or city to me, as I HATE cats. If you are a chick and you have more than one cat, you are starting to drift into crazy cat lady territory. ; )

But, always good to have several OUTDOOR cats if you live in the country or on a farm to keep the rodent population at bay. We use to have 3 cats, outdoor only, on our family farm. Just gave the a saucer of milk every now and then, and let them fend for themselves eating mice and chipmunks.
 
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#3 ·
Kari hit the nail on the head. Different situations and different means will dictate how many dogs are too many.

A stay at home person can easily care for multiple dogs while someone working full time or struggling financially may have a hard time managing just one. I don’t think it’s any reason to judge anyone for how many dogs they have. The exception to that being when the dogs are being abused or neglected (mentally, emotionally, physically, etc).

My household has 3 dogs, 2 cats (guess I’m about to be a crazy cat lady .. *rolling my eyes*), 2 bearded dragons, and a tank full of fish. All of the animals here are well cared for and spoiled, even my fish who are fed veggies on a regular basis and who have a setup closely mimicking their natural environment. They dogs are well behaved aside from the normal to be expected puppy issues with Dixon. If I had the time and money I would love nothing more to take in more animals. That’s actually been a dream of mine for years. Win the lottery and open up an animal rescue/sanctuary.

None of my pets are of any concern to my neighbors and I find it odd that you would be so unhappy and bothered by a neighbor having 4 dogs when it doesn’t even concern you. Unless of course they’re left outside barking 24/7 in which case I could see the irritation. Aside from that, there’s no reason why you should be so annoyed.
 
#4 · (Edited)
Most dogs I have ever had together is 2. My friend has 3.English setter irish setter and golden retriever.All big dogs.So when we walk we have 5. And I have 4 gorgeous affecionate and funny cats!.All boys of course.Tend to always have the male of the species! :crazyeye:
I for one am HAPPY to be a CRAZY CAT LADY!!!!!! :clap:
 
#5 ·
Well I think I qualify as "crazy lady" In my home we have 4 cats, 2 persians , a DSH that my daughter found in a ditch where she was working at a facility nearby, we bottle raised him, and a domestic long hair which we adopted from the shelter, who by the way doesn't mat and has the softest fur imaginable . the we have 4 dogs...a cairn terrier, 2 chihuahuas, and of course the boxer (who really does belong to an adult daughter). We also have a cocketeil and a sulcata tortoise.
 
#6 ·
Sigh ... yet again a valid topic! But apparently not having any built in filter ... the urge to insult Cat's, Females, and Males can't be resisted ... apparently??

In the home of "Homie" I am a male and a Cat luv'er ,at current down to 6 cats. The high was 17! Cat rescue and I kept that many not because I had no choice but because I found I could not give them up. And yes my better half ain't all that thrilled! :)

But the multi dog thing is a valid topic but instead of giving input on it ... I felt complied to do this ^^^^ because yet again you pulled focus away from a valid topic.

Just saying, carry on all.

:)
 
#7 ·
I think the perfect amount changes by person. Mine is 2, not too many that they suffer from lack of attention but they also can keep each other company when the family is gone. My brother has had as many as 9 dogs at 1 time (5 were boxers), but he is now down to 4 and they seem to do fine.
 
#9 ·
ok on the topic...
I have 2 boxers which I love, would like another one but hubby is saying no, my health is sucky lately, he thinks 3 might be over the limit for me right now, but someday.
I think as long as you care for your dogs, feed, clean up and love your animals there should be no law about it. but I see peoples point and agree, I unfortunately have a neighbor who we really like and go out on double dates with but she has 5 big dogs that are kept outside all day and into the the night and they bark constantly, the one dog is outside 24/7 as she hates being indoors, barking happens all night.. I lose a bit of sleep over it and my family/boxers can't go in our own backyard with tons of constant barking...
so as long as you car for your animals and they don't become others peoples problems then go for how many you can handle.

Off the topic....
I am that crazy cat lady, I have 2 big boys one is 16 and the other is 6. they are spoiled lazy house cats.....
So to make me even crazier in my house we have 1 hubby, 4 children ( all grown now and still living at home 25, 23, 21, & 16) 2 boxers and 2 cats ALL ARE MALE!!!!
I love my life and wouldn't change it for anything! ok maybe change my health!!!!
 
#11 ·
Our town has a limit of 4 (can be a combo of dogs / cats). At one point we had 2 dogs & 3 cats (guess we were breaking the law) All my kitties have gone on to the rainbow bridge, so now we just have 2 dogs and 1 angry bird that hates me.

I miss my kitties and occasionally think of getting one but I don't miss litter box duty!

:)
 
#12 ·
I have 4 dogs on a relatively small piece of property right outside of town limits. My dogs are well behaved, quiet (usually), and well supervised when outside.

The number of dogs I have really isn't anyone's business. And since it's MY house, if someone doesn't like MY dogs, they can stay away from MY house.
 
#13 ·
I have one dog, and two cats. I would LOVE to have another dog... My other half thinks we have enough, but I come from a farm where animals were abundant... With people constantly dumping cats off at the farm I became the "cat" lady. Now that I have my first dog ever... I think I'm slowly becoming less inclined to cats and more in love with having a dog... Not that I don't love my current two kitty's, But dogs are pretty special love having this guy around, defiantly "two" would be my limit though....
 
#14 ·
Usually two dogs are not a problem especially if you stick with the same breed or group!

How to Socialize an Older Dog with a New Puppy
Leerburg | The Groundwork to Establishing Pack Structure with Adult Dogs
Leerburg | Introducing a New Dog into a Home with Other Dogs

By and large you can't go wrong following the above advice! I found obedience training alone was not enough! And with three dogs the "new guy" did not get enough one on one time to establish a real bond with me!

I did this to help with his "people issue":
Leerburg | Who Pets Your Puppy or Dog

Turned out "walking him was the "missing ingredient!" Dog's don't need you to "exercise" they do need you to "walk!" :)
 
#15 ·
I currently own two dogs: my boxer, Jackson, and a small 11.5 lb. westie/maltese mix, Maddie (who rules the roost, btw). I also currently have a foster dog, a Shih-tsu, who I've been nursing back to health for 2.5 months now after pulling her from a local shelter for the rescue I volunteer for. She was so matted (and therefore very snarky), the shelter couldn't tell what gender she was at the time! She's now sweet and will make someone a great pet soon.

I have had up to four dogs before, and I found it too chaotic and time consuming. As I get older, the desire for so many dogs is diminishing... I think two is the perfect number.
 
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