Multi-Dog Ownership – Yes or No? Advantages, Disadvantages, and Reasons

Are you considering adopting a second or third dog, or are you simply wondering why some people choose to have an entire pack? In this article, you’ll discover the benefits, drawbacks, and reasons behind multi-dog ownership.

Reasons for Multi-Dog Ownership

When people find out how many dogs I have, they are shocked. Why on earth would I do that? Why not just one or two dogs? Isn’t it expensive? Don’t the dogs suffer when there are so many?
My answer to why I prefer multi-dog ownership is simple: it’s more natural, it brings both the dogs and me a wide range of benefits, and it’s a lot of fun. However, it is not suitable for every dog or every person.

Let’s take a closer look at my reasons and those of other multi-dog owners.

#1: Multi-Dog Ownership is More Natural

Dogs are not strictly pack animals in the narrowest sense because dog groups often don’t consist of parents and their offspring. However, dogs are generally not solitary creatures either.
When given the chance, they form social bonds, as seen with street dogs.
Whether you call it a pack, group, family, or friends, interaction with other dogs is crucial. The social connections and communication between them cannot be replaced by humans. Neither a visit to the dog park nor a walk with acquaintances can compare to dogs living together.
It’s a more natural form of living.

#2: Multi-Dog Ownership is Exciting

The way a dog behaves with unfamiliar dogs – whether at the dog park, dog school, on walks, or with visiting dogs – versus how they behave with their canine family members is a huge difference.
Just as you behave differently around strangers, colleagues, or your boss than with your family, a dog’s behavior also varies.
Watching how much variation there is in canine communication within your family, how they learn from each other, and interact with one another is fascinating and educational.

#3: Multi-Dog Ownership is Important for Some

Those active in dog sports or those who work with dogs as service animals invest years of time and effort into training. It takes significant work to train a dog to the point where it can, for example, serve as a search-and-rescue dog or therapy dog.
Eventually, the dog retires.
To avoid long gaps between retirements and the next dog being trained, owners often adopt multiple dogs over time, training them before the first dog enters retirement. This ensures almost seamless transitions.

#4: Multi-Dog Ownership Enriches the Dogs—When It’s a Good Fit

It makes a significant difference whether a dog is left alone while you work, shop, or run errands, or if it has familiar canine companions around.
They have playmates, can cuddle, and communicate in their language. And they have these advantages around the clock, whenever they want. Moreover, the bond with other dogs in the family is much stronger than with an occasional playdate.
The key is that the dogs get along with each other. It is, therefore, sensible to choose a second dog that complements the first – though that is often criticized by some.

#5: Multi-Dog Ownership Makes Some Things Easier

Despite the limitations and disadvantages of multi-dog ownership, it simplifies some things.
If you have two or more dogs that get along well, they keep each other entertained.
You no longer have to search for suitable dog friends, visit dog parks, or take other steps to ensure your dog has enough social interaction.
It’s also easier for many dogs to be left alone when they have companions.
Dogs experience less boredom in a multi-dog household, which makes life easier and more fulfilling—for both the dogs and you.

Advantages of Multi-Dog Ownership

The reasons for multi-dog ownership already include several clear advantages. But there are a few more that you should know about:

You learn more: When you have multiple dogs, you need to coordinate multiple leashes, train each dog individually, mediate disputes, and understand different dogs’ body language. In short, you’re more challenged, but you also learn a lot more than if you just had one dog.
Dogs stay youthful: Many dogs thrive when they have a canine companion. Older dogs may become rejuvenated, playing more, taking on new roles, and caring for the younger dogs. The challenges are positive as long as they don’t lead to constant stress.
There’s no constant focus on one dog: Single dogs, like only children, can become the constant center of attention. This can create stress and even lead to behavioral problems. With multiple dogs, attention is spread out.
Greater diversity: In a group of dogs, each has its own character, strengths, and weaknesses. Just like you, the dogs need to adjust to one another. For example, you might go to agility with one dog and do tricks with another.
The dog language remains fluid: You know the saying, “Use it or lose it”? The same applies to dogs. Dogs kept alone with few or no positive encounters with other dogs either never learn how to interact properly or forget over time. In an intact dog pack, this doesn’t happen.

Disadvantages of Multi-Dog Ownership

As convincing as the advantages of multi-dog ownership are, the potential disadvantages should be taken seriously. Having multiple dogs is not always sensible, especially in certain situations or for certain people.

More dogs, more costs: Food, veterinary bills, insurance, taxes—one dog can quickly become very expensive, especially if they fall ill. With multiple dogs, the costs can explode. The basic care of several dogs represents significant expenses that should not be underestimated.
Higher time commitment: Wiping paws after walks in the mud, grooming, training, cleaning the house, caring for sick or parasite-infested dogs—all of this takes significantly more time when you have multiple dogs.
More complicated transport: Taking one dog on the bus or securing it in a car is easy. With more dogs, it becomes more difficult and expensive.
Complicated care: Looking after one dog is usually easy and inexpensive when using family, friends, another dog owner, or a dog kennel. With two, three, or more, it becomes much more complicated and expensive.
Less security: Carrying a dog or keeping it behind you is simple. With two or more dogs, it becomes harder. You must be extra cautious during walks, ensuring the dogs don’t pick up dangerous items or get into other hazards. Dogs can also have conflicts and hurt each other, even if they are from the same family.
More work: Training individually, going on separate walks, cleaning up more mess, and dealing with more mischief from the dogs means a lot more work. You need to organize your time efficiently and simplify processes to keep the burden manageable.
Pack dynamics: A single dog can react very differently from a group. This can lead to more stressful situations and increase risks.
Vacation: Traveling with one dog is relatively simple. Whether it’s a hotel, vacation rental, or campsite, dog-friendly options are plentiful nowadays. However, they often come at a premium, and there are limits to the number of dogs you can bring. Traveling internationally brings additional hassle and cost due to regulations and vaccinations. Leaving your dogs behind at home or in a kennel can also be costly.

For multi-dog ownership, you need adequate resources, a reliable support network, and patience.
If living with multiple dogs sounds exciting to you, it can be very rewarding and fun every single day – but it also comes with several challenges that you should not underestimate.

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