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How Many Dogs Is Too Many While Trying To Balance Pack Harmony?

If you are thinking about adding another dog to your pack, there are many things to consider first. Find out the greatest risks and also which breeds make the best companions to other dogs.

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Last Updated: January 31, 2024 | 8 min read

Many Dogs Outdoors in Snow

How many dogs are just too much?

That’s the question you’ll be asking if you have one pooch and you’re considering getting another to keep your pup company. According to the World Animal Foundation, 49.5% of U.S. households own at least one dog, so you’ll be in good company.

However, many factors will determine what the perfect number is when it comes to dog ownership. For example, people living in urban areas of the northeastern states tend to have fewer dogs than those who live in the mid-west, where the population is sparser and more outside space is the norm.

How Much Is Too Much?

As dogs are pack animals, a family of two or three dogs is thought to be better than one solitary animal that relies solely on you for company. However, the more dogs you own, the less individual attention each dog will receive from you. And that can be where problems begin.

The relationship and bond between you and each dog in the group become diluted, and rather than being seen as the pack Alpha, you become just another pack member. That can lead to insecurity within the pack, and fights may break out as dogs jockey for position in the pecking order.

Of course, if you have a large family, the human-to-dog attention ratio can be more balanced, with each family member having one or two “favorite” dogs. In many cases, that can be all it takes to rebalance the harmony within the pack.

So, the number you should take on depends on several factors:

  • your availability
  • your ability to humanely care for them
  • your resources
  • the amount of space you have inside and outside your home

Generally, most people can comfortably own one or two dogs, although that’s often a full-time job! Some folk who maybe have a large family and live in a vast place with lots of indoor space and land outside may be able to balance four to six. However, owning more than six dogs takes an extraordinary person with exceptional devotion and the resources to go with it.

Hoarding

Now, some people take dog ownership a step too far, taking on scores of dogs that run wild around the home. That situation often leads to both dogs and humans living in unsanitary, unhealthy conditions. Also, most often, they are not de-sexed, leading to litters of unwanted puppies being born and a population explosion that continues unchecked.

Such hoarding often leads to the authorities becoming involved and seizing all or some of the dogs for the animals’ welfare.

A classic case of dog hoarding was recorded in 2012 in Pennsylvania. Two brothers pleaded guilty to animal cruelty after almost 200 were discovered on their property. Like most hoarders, the brothers genuinely loved their pets, describing them as their “boys and girls.” And when veterinarians checked the dogs, mainly Chihuahuas, they found them to be in overall good health.

Even the bodies of 30 canines that were discovered in a freezer on the premises were reported to have died of natural causes. The dogs’ bodies had been kept after death simply because the brothers could not bear to part with their pets.

The dogs, in this case, were fortunate in that the two brothers, although perhaps misguided, did care for their pets properly, and potentially damaging in-breeding did not occur. However, most animals owned by hoarders are not so lucky, suffering severe health problems, emaciation because of a lack of food, and untreated injuries caused by fights due to overcrowding.

Handling More Than One

While we’re not suggesting that owning several dogs makes you a hoarder, there are three vital questions you need to ask yourself if you’re thinking of adding another pup or two to your family:

Can You Properly Care For All Of Them?

Before adding another dog to your tribe, you must first ask yourself whether you will be able to continue providing the proper care to your existing pet, as well as to the new ones.

Be honest in your answers. Think about how much time and money you currently spend on your dog. All those expenses, including veterinary care, food, insurance, etc., will be multiplied by two or three or even more. Can you truly afford that?

Do You Have Enough Space For More Than One Dog?

Now, take a look around you and ask yourself the following questions:

  • Do you live in a house that’s big enough for more than one dog?
  • Do you have a large, fenced backyard for them to play in?
  • Do you have near neighbors who might complain about excessive barking when your pups are playing?
  • Check the laws in your immediate area. Some cities and states have strict rules on how many pets each household can keep. Make sure you’ll be on the right side of the law.
  • Do you live in a condo? If you do, you’ll need to check the regulations that apply to the number of dogs you can keep there.
  • Does your local dog park restrict the number of dogs that are allowed per person? If so, do you have the time to take your dogs to the park in shifts?

Can You Care For Them Humanely?

Finally, you must ask yourself if you will be able to give your dogs the humane treatment they need. There are far too many unwanted puppies in shelters, so you’ll need to neuter or spay to prevent “accidents.”

If you intend to breed from your dogs, do you have the right housing arrangements for the parents and the puppies? And, can you afford the veterinary bills that will potentially rack up?

If you can answer “yes” to all those questions, then you may be in a good position to welcome one or two more dogs into your life. Now, you need to think about how your new dog(s) will get along with your existing pet.

Interaction

All dogs have different personalities, even those of the same breed or from the same litter — some get along brilliantly, whereas others just don’t. You only have to take a look at the dynamics between groups in your local dog park to see that. Some pups seem to buddy up right away, while others are more standoffish and keep their distance.

When introducing a new dog to a household where a dog already lives, you’ll need to consider the following:

  • Age
  • Health
  • Breed
  • Temperament

In pack hierarchy, it’s usually the eldest dog that’s the king of the castle. So, initially, you’ll need to favor the older dog over the younger one. However, if a younger dog has a very dominant personality, you may have to reverse your support program in favor of the older animal.

In cases where several dogs live in the same household, it’s not unusual for there to be some occasional disagreement between them. Often, this aggravation will take the form of posturing and growling over something that’s of importance to the individual. That behavior is perfectly normal and can mostly be ignored unless there are more serious incidents of biting.

However, if fights break out that result in injury, or if the others relentlessly bully one dog, you’ll need to consult with a dog behavior specialist to see if the situation can be managed. In the worst-case scenario, you may need to consider rehoming one or more of the dogs for their well-being and to restore peace and harmony in your home.

Generally, the more dogs you have in a household, the more the likelihood of inter-pack spats increases. So, two or three dogs may get along just fine, whereas more than that could result in problems.

Size Matters

Even the friendliest dog could cause problems if the size difference between your pets is too great. For example, if you have a tiny Chihuahua, even a friendly Golden Retriever puppy could injure the little guy if playtime gets too vigorous.

Breeds That Do Well

Some breeds of dogs do better in a pack situation than others. If you already own one or two dogs and you’re looking to add another, or if you’re considering buying a dog that has a natural pack affinity, you might want to consider the following breeds.

Siberian Husky

Siberian Huskies are probably the best-known of the domestic pack breeds. Working Siberian Huskies live in packs and work together too, hauling sleds across ice and snow.

The Husky is a very active breed that needs lots of exercise. These are also highly extroverted, social dogs that typically thrive in a multi-dog household where lots is going on to keep them interested.

Border Collie

Although many Border Collies work alone in a sheep herding role, plenty of Collies work in groups of two or three.

Border Collies are highly intelligent and super-active dogs that need lots of exercise and mental stimulation to keep them happy. So, if you enjoy lots of walking or you want to participate in canine sports, a trio of border collies could be a good pick.

Beagle

The Beagle has become a very popular pet over the last decade or so. Beagles were traditionally hunting hounds that lived and worked in packs, tracking and pursuing rabbits, while the hunters followed on foot. In a working role, beagles live in large packs that are kept together in hunt kennels.

Thanks to their natural affinity with other dogs, beagles are very sociable pets, enjoying the company of others both in a household and at the dog park. Beagles are busy, active little dogs that enjoy plenty of exercise.

English Foxhound

Foxhounds come from a similar background to Beagles. As their name suggests, these pups were used to working in packs, scenting and hunting foxes, while the hunters and supporters followed the pack on horseback. In the U.K., foxhunting in its old form is now banned, although most traditional hunts continue the sport using a pre-laid scent trail for the hounds to follow.

Today, you’ll also find some foxhounds living as pets in domestic households. The breed is not the easiest to train, but if you’re up for the challenge, you’ll find the foxhound to be a friendly, active dog that will thrive in a mini-pack setting.

Alaskan Malamute

The Alaskan Malamute is similar in looks to the Siberian Husky, and he also has a comparable history. Like the husky, the malamute traditionally lived and worked in packs where he was used as a sled dog, hauling heavy loads of supplies across the harsh terrain of the far north.

Alaskan malamutes kept as pets are highly social extroverts who love canine company and usually do well in a multi-dog setting. The Malamute is often everyone’s best friend in the dog park, too.

Breeds Best As Lone Wolves

Although there will always be the exception that disproves the rule, reputedly aggressive dog breeds such as American Pit Bull Terriers and Kerry Blue terriers may not do well in multi-dog households.

If you’re thinking of rehoming a crossbreed dog from a shelter or rescue center, try to work out what breeds the mix is made up of. Also, most shelters carry out tests to find out what pups get on well with others and which prefer their own company. Some shelters offer a “try before you buy” type of arrangement. Here, you take a dog home for a trial period to see how he gets on with your existing pet. If the trial works out, great, you keep the dog. But if things don’t go so well, the shelter will take them back.

Final Thoughts

So, the answer to the question of how many dogs are too many can vary, depending on a lot of different factors.

Before you rush out and take on an extra dog or two, take stock of your situation. Do you have the space, time, and resources to care for more than one dog humanely? If the answer to that question is yes, then you’ll need to make sure that you choose breeds that will get along well together in a multi-dog household.

Owning one dog is a very rewarding and joyful experience. With the right forethought and care, owning two or three can be even more satisfying.

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8 Comments

  1. Michael J Milici

    My brother & sister in law has 4 dogs & 3 cats in my mom’s house.
    But my mother doesn’t care.. I have to live on the 2nd floor w/them..

  2. I love and have great compassion for animals. I have an 8 year-old unaltered female Bichon, 6 year-old rescue spayed schnoodle, and a 4 year-old unaltered male second generation golden doodle.
    I also have asthma and a sensitive respiratory system, hence why all my dogs are poodle mixes. There are places, like pet-friendly hotel room, where I had to leave after a few minutes because my airways would constrict and asthma attacks ensue. I was tested by an Allergist for a slew of things and turns out I have an allergy for dogs (and cats) along with a bunch of other things..
    I am soft-hearted/guilt ridden and have a dilemma. A neighbor (across the street and down one house…so it’s an adjacent, across the street neighbor) this neighbor’s friend, rang our bell, a while ago. We live in a house in southern florida. We have a backyard with a small pool. This young man, that rang the doorbell, has a female, in tact, 14 month-old Siberian Husky. My husband dealt with him. It turns out this fellow needs to re-home his dog. My husband asked me about taking her in, and I said I wish I could help but I probably will have adverse health reactions. This kind of thing had happened to me a four years ago when we acquired a kitten, and we had to re-house him. I eventually had to go to the hospital for breathing problems. I experience mild allergies with my current canine crew.

    Back to the dilemma. This person said we were his last resort and the dog was going to have to go to the pound, as it was no longer able to stay where he lived. He wanted no money, he was just desperate and couldn’t find his dog a home.
    I feel like I am supposed to take this poor dog in, and at least re-house her, if I can’t tolerate her with my health conditions. I am home all day, as I am on a personal leave with no benefits or pay. I just put in my resignation yesterday and it was hard as I was there 20 years. I’m not insured, currently,
    If I were to have a medical emergency. I know intellectually it sounds like (a no-brained, duh) I should just leave this situation alone, let sleeping dogs lie, as my husband already said to him, “sorry, but we can’t, wife has allergies…).
    I feel so very bad. I want to save her. I also would like to see if miraculously I could handle her with my illness(I have diabetes as well, Type 2). I bet there are a lot of people reading this and saying, this woman sounds like she’s pretty stupid. I know,
    It’s a matter of putting myself first, some say, but I get so guilt-ridden.
    Why did God have him pick us, to ask for taking? The only interaction we have ever had with him, was once his dog got loose and ran to our front yard,
    and that was with my husband. I have only seen the dog in the car a couple of times. This dog fellow, visits those neighbors frequently. However, in the six plus years we lived here, we haven’t ever spoken to those neighbors. I don’t know what to do and my husband already went to sleep. I don’t have any kids, and my dogs get all my attention and tender loving care. I don’t have family here or friends, so it’s me and the dogs and hubby when he’s home.
    I realize I should have gone outside and interacted with the dog to see what would be my body’s reaction, but now it’s too late. I feel like going across the street (though it’s getting late and I won’t,
    Lol) and saying, ‘Hey, call your friend back and let me meet the dog, bury my face in its fur, to see if I don’t have a reaction, lol). What should I do? I gave a lot of details, sorry, because I sincerely care and want to make sure anyone willing to help me pan this out, is well informed of my situation.
    Thank you for reading. Have a good one.

    1. You’re a caring person, not stupid. I would stick with the no on this one. What good will you be to your current dogs, hubby and your life if you’re sick all the time? I also believe he was trying to guilt you into taking his dog, I’m certain that with a little more work on his part he will find a better suited home for his dog. Your health must be #1 so you can take care and be there for your family, your home your life, and the continued health of yourself.

  3. We have 3 male rescue pit/ pit mixes with only 1 or 2 serious fights over the last 4 years. Maybe the fact we also have 3 small rescues, so each big has a small may possibly help. Two of the smalls (females) got here 6 months ago and the whole pack has been more calm. Guess the big guys needed their own “pet.” Three are seniors 8, 9 & 12, so our vet bills are ginormous, but we wouldn’t trade our 10 pack (6 with fur and 4 without) for anything. It will be sad when we start losing our oldsters. BTW, all are altered and that helps (the 2 fights were prior to alteration).

  4. Hi , our female JUG had a litter of 6 , after the vets told us dad couldn’t breed ! Dad and mum since desexed … my daughter bonded with one puppy in particular and so did I ….. so we decided to keep two puppies . We have the space we are a family of five . However mums protective still of the puppies when dad is allowed to play …. any suggestions or advice ? Puppies are 11 weeks .

  5. I am the only one in the home and have 2 dogs that get along. I fostered a momma and her 8 babies, and now the babies are adopted, and I am trying to decide if I keep the momma. She gets along with my 2 guys (4-5 and 2-3). She is a happy girl and brings life to the house. BUT when we now walk, the boys bark at every dog, when they never did.

    They are also now ganging up on dogs they have had playdates with, but when they always got along. Is it that my dogs are protective of her? If so, will that change? Also, the older make, he is high maintenance and requires a lot of love. The second male, not so much.

    The momma and the second male have bonded and the momma gives the second male what the older male doesn’t in play. I can afford a third dog. I can give her a great life, but am I worsening the quality of life of my first and older rescue? I welcome any insights and advice as I decide to adopt a third dog as a single person.

    1. Hi Laura, I really think it depends on the size of the dogs, the breed, their personalities, and if you think you can handle it. We have three dogs ourselves, with the third one just added a few months ago. We have a family of six, including my husband and me, so we have lots of helpers. We own two mastiffs and one mastiff mix. Two were rescue dogs. Our male is territorial and protective of our home. He doesn’t do well with other dogs, but he’s a perfect gentleman with all humans. Since he was a rescue, there may have been some abuse in his past.

      If you are comfortable with your two dogs, as a single person, it might be best to not upset the pack balance. Your dogs may grow out of their protectiveness, but they may not. Our male is definitely protective of our older female. We chose to adopt a third because she was a rescue, and she was VERY submissive. We knew that instantly she would be the lowest in the pack order, plus she was only 6 months old and still a puppy. Our three now get along fine, but there was a transition period.

      Getting a third dog is a personal decision. Only you can really make the call. We had to be extremely selective when we picked our third. Now that we have her here, it’s definitely a lot of work, but it’s been worth it for us because their personalities complement each other. As a single person, I would lean towards keeping it at two, unless you really think you can handle it. Good luck with your decision!

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