Hubby wants a third one....what to do ?

[Showe]

DOG, not child.

We have two yorkie boys - each are a little over one year old and neutered. We have always talked about getting a little girl yorkie and we have an opportunity now to get one. She would come home just about the end of the school year - which is good because DS and DD would be home all day to help take care of her.

I need advice from people who have more than two pets/dogs etc. I guess I am hesitating only because "two's company three's a crowd" and I don't want to upset what we already have. We have always talked about it so it's not like we don't know the pros and cons already....but hubby is waiting for MY decision. God, the pressure. He has always wanted a female and I don't want to say no and have him be disappointed....

so what do you multi-pet owners think? Should we do it ?

 

[Tigger&Belle]

I would talk to the vet about adding a female into a household with 2 male dogs and the dynamics of that. If it wouldn't upset the balance if things too much and you can afford the bills, pet care for vacations, food, etc (which I'm betting you've thought through) then I say go for it. This is not a quick decision on your part, afterall.

We've had 3 or more pets for a long time. Never 3 or more dogs, but we've had either 3 or more cats or a cat/dog combo or 3 or more for what seems like forever. We had 2 dogs and 2 cats, but in September when my oldest went to college we got 2 kittens, so now we have 6 pets. I hope my 2nd child lives at home when he goes to college so I'm not tempted to get even more pets.

Yes, it's chaotic, but I love my furbabies. They are hairy, noisy, they eat a lot, and are a lot of trouble, but they give so much love in return.

Good luck with your decision. Make the one that is right for you, whatever that is.

 

[trip]

Does your town have any limits on the number of pets allowed? Our town allows 3 but limits it to either 2 dogs and 1 cat or 1 dog and 2 cats.

 

[tinkerrn]

I think it is wonderfull!!! I wish my DH would let me get a third furbaby. I have had many dogs....4 at a time for 9 years. They got along great and rarely had a problem. Just remember that one dog will be the alpha dog a.k.a. leader of the pack. Good luck!! Post pictures of your babies...they sound adorable.

 

[Showe]

these are our boys....max and milo

Milo is the bigger - but younger and he is definitely the alpha now. I think a female might change that though...

 

[tinkerrn]

Thank you....Milo and Max put a huge smile on my face. They are soooo freakin cute.
I come from a family who has always had poodles. I am leaning towards a yorkie or a jack russell for our next baby!!!

Make sure you post pictures if you get a little girl!

 

[DisneyDotty]

Sorry--I'm not going to be any help here--just wanted to say that Max and Milo are TOO CUTE!!! I love Yorkies--they are so adorable. We had a male--Newton--was an overgrown Yorkie--14 pounds. How big are yours?
I'd have a houseful if DH would agree.
Now we have a mutt and a wirehaired doxie.
I miss my Yorkie.

 

[Showe]

Sorry--I'm not going to be any help here--just wanted to say that Max and Milo are TOO CUTE!!! I love Yorkies--they are so adorable. We had a male--Newton--was an overgrown Yorkie--14 pounds. How big are yours?
I'd have a houseful if DH would agree.
Now we have a mutt and a wirehaired doxie.
I miss my Yorkie.

Max is about 4.5 pounds and Milo his little brother is about 8 pounds....

 

[hiwaygal]

Since you are considering adding a "small" dog, you probably won't notice too much difference in cost for food, etc. But talk to your vet about multi-pet discounts!! It's HECK for us to take all three to the vet at the same time, but the discount helps!

We have three dogs, 2 females and a male...but it wasn't planned. I adopted my basenji's just after DH and I first met. And he already had Daisy (setter/retriever mix). I prayed they would learn to get along. And they do...for the most part. Sally (last dog in my siggy) is the smallest of the bunch, but she rules the roost!!! She gives Buddy a hard time pretty much all the time, nothing too serious, but he knows his place!

The only problem we have is there are only two of us and three of them so someone doesn't always get to sit on (oops, I mean WITH) one of us.

I don't think you'll have any problems with "upsetting the order"...I'm not sure you'd even really notice a difference in things (except who is alpha).

Is that your only reason for hesitating?

 

[Aidensmom]

At one point I had 4 small dogs, a male Yorkie, a female Yorkie, a male Lhasa Apso, and a female Lhasa Poo. I say, the more the merrier. They all got along fine, and like someone else said, as small as they are you don't really notice a difference in food price...

 

[Showe]

I don't think you'll have any problems with "upsetting the order"...I'm not sure you'd even really notice a difference in things (except who is alpha).

Is that your only reason for hesitating?

I think really that is the only reason. We have already discussed that we would really like another and we know we want a girl, but I was just worried about a third. The two boys get along so well - they know when the other wants to play and when they don't etc. They lay together like one big ball of fur...I guess I just don't want to ruin a good thing - so to speak. I do think that sometimes Milo, who loves to play, would like to have another around especially when Max just wants to be on the couch laying around.

 

[disneyfanforever]

I would go for it. We have two Yorkies now. Chandler is 10 years old and Sydney is 11 months. I would get another dog in a heartbeat, but my DH would kill me. He seems to think we have enough issues since Sydney is still not completely house trained. We really haven't had many adjustment issues since Sydney came. Chandler is still the dominant dog. I am not sure how that would work with you guys already having 2 dogs but I would think it would all work out. Dogs usually adjust just like kids.

 

[hiwaygal]

I do think that sometimes Milo, who loves to play, would like to have another around especially when Max just wants to be on the couch laying around.

That is one of the good things about having three. Sally isn't much for "playing" and when she does, she'll only play with Buddy (although she LOVES Daisy, I think Daisy is too big for Sally). But Buddy and Daisy REALLY keep each other busy.

It might be good for Milo to have someone else to bounce around with when Max is ready to "chill".

I also think about when one passes on...when you just have two dogs, and one is gone, the other often goes through just as much grief and loneliness and sadness as we do. Adding the third will make sure at least two will always have each other. I know that's kind of sad and morbid to think about...but I have to admit, I've thought about it.

 

[DisneyDotty]

Max is about 4.5 pounds and Milo his little brother is about 8 pounds....

Ooooh--those are teeny tiny! Perfect!

 

[kilee]

I just wanted to add they are too cute!!!!

 

[Dee & Greg]

We got Holly (lightest colored on the right) a year ago. She had been a stray eating out of a garbage can and picked up by Animal Control. She is the happiest, sweetest girl in the world, and keeps the other two "older ladies" busy. I think she's been a great addition to the family, as she has pepped up the older ones.
Go for it!!

 

[TheRatPack]

We have a smooth doxie girl (6 years old) and a male yorkie (2 years) and they both get along with the fosters we bring in the house. Some they get along with better, just like people, there are going to be stronger bonds with some over others. But, 3 never felt like a crowd, it just feels 'odd'. Odd in a good way, but I was always looking around and counting to make sure I had 3 at meal time, and 3 after the walk....etc. At bed time it was making sure 3 were in the bed before cutting out the light and making sure that 3 had their heartworm preventative...treats....etc.

It's certainly not a bad thing though, just takes some getting used to. We've looked at other Yorkies and Doxies (we only do Dachshund rescue/foster), but we're going to stick with 2 right now since it's easier to travel on vacation with 2, crate 2, feed 2, afford 6 months worth of heartworm preventative and frontline for 2....etc. Plus my lap is only so big LOL

Good luck with your decision though. It's a hard decision to make based on looking at their cute little faces and thinking of all that doggy love that'll come your way. But then you have to step back away from that aspect and take in to consideration the other things about pet ownership.

This is our Yorkie Boy !

 

[TheRatPack]

Had to give some screen time to my Copper girl too She is our 6 year old Dachshund (she's a dapple, hence the spots). And yes her ear is turned inside out.....isn't that the universal doxie thing?

 

[TDC Nala]

I'm glad this isn't sitting next to the polygamy thread.