Get two puppies from the same litter?

thenumber3

Hi, I am collecting a French Bulldog puppy this weekend. This male puppy has will one remaining male sibling left. I was taken by both when I viewed them, and am now giving serious consideration to taking him as well. One experienced dog-owning friend is encouraging this as she feels that, while extra work, it would be worthwhile in the end. Looking online however, there is plenty of advice advising against getting two puppies at the same time, particularly from the same litter as there may be increased risks of them becoming overly dependent on each other, one sibling becoming more dominant to the detriment of the other, and possibly developing less of a "healthy" relationship with their owner.

Has anyone had any experience of taking in two puppies at the same time? They are three months old and have yet to be housetrained properly.

Thanks.

madeiracake

No don't do it. Google litter mate syndrome. It is not good for the puppies to be kept with siblings too long. They bond to each other so strongly that they will have extreme separation anxiety when apart even for a short time. Also training one puppy requires one on one attention and with two puppies that is not going to happen. If you want a second dog wait until the first is trained.

thenumber3

Thanks, separation anxiety risks are what I was reading about. I know there are proposed methods of keeping them apart during certain times and training them individually, but I reckon that would be simply too much to take on board to ensure it is done correctly.

madeiracake

Training one is hard enough. Two would be a nightmare. enjoy your puppy!

DBB

It's not just about the reliance they develop for one another.

Frenchies are inclined to be quite fractious with other dogs... sorry to anyone who has one that's wonderful with other dogs 🙃 but there is no doubt that the breed is overrepresented in dog-dog aggression cases. Male dogs outnumber females by about 2 to 1 in dog-dog aggression cases.

Now, add to that, that same-sex siblings are far more likely than unrelated dogs to fall out with each other, often irreparably, particularly as they approach adulthood and beyond... neutering usually doesn't help once the relationship has broken down.

So, in your case, you're proposing to get 2 brothers, of a breed that's inclined to be "dog hot"... and with that, your chances of running into trouble with them down the line increases hugely all of a sudden.

Add to that, the reality of rearing 2 pups together is actually very, very challenging. Like... reeeally difficult... much harder than any articles you'll read would have you believe 😬 The over-bonding with each other is the least of the challenges to be honest.

Just by way of illustration, and not trying to blow my own trumpet by any means, I'm a very experienced dog trainer. I bred a hyper-planned, long-considered, immensely-researched litter of pups a while back, of a breed that is known for being extremely easy to train, owner-focused, biddable, sociable, clever etc, from a line that I've had for 4 generations and I'm deeply familiar with. This line is renowned for their calmness, gentleness and steadiness.

The pups were robustly handled and socialised from birth, born and raised inside the house, exposed to plenty of new experiences, car travel, traffic, other dogs, kids, hoovers, hairdryers... you name it, they were familiarised with it... if I was buying a pup, I'd buy from someone like me!

I kept 2 pups, a male and a female. They're 1½ now, and I'm still exhausted by them 😂 They are idiotic with each other, and constantly, constantly looking for somebody else's business to stick their noses into, teaming up to multiply the trouble they get into... in reality it is hard to put the time into each that pups need, and while you're working with one, you need eyes in the back of your head to watch the other. Then there's all the pooping, peeing, chewing, pooping, peeing, pooping, puking, peeing, pooping, and general carnage that one pup brings... multiplied by 2!TMy pups are starting to come right now, getting easier to live with by the day, but jesus swept... it's been some process 😂

Bear in mind too that Frenchies come with a LOT of health risks, so much so that the insurance companies apply T&Cs/exclusions before they'll provide cover for them.

So, it might not surprise you that I'd advise against getting 2 pups together unless you're up for VERY hard and sustained work. I'd absolutely advise against getting Frenchie brothers. As advised above, get one, get him along the road to adulthood and maturity, then go for a (female, with a view to spaying) companion... if you're still up for it at that stage!

thenumber3

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120189907#Comment_120189907

Thanks for the detailed and considered feedback. I'm convinced! One 🐶 it is :)

IceT

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120191613#Comment_120191613

You have gotten some great advice here so I'm not going to add to it, especially DBB's post. But I just did want to add, 2 dogs is a great idea, just not from the same litter.

Dogs can get lonely sometimes, especially if you are working or need to be out for an extended period of time and cannot bring the dog with you so having a companion is a good thing. It also helps socialisation especially if you can start to socialise them by doing introductions with the 2 of them (in a park or on a walk) with one or two other dogs at a time (so they don't get overwhelmed).

Any way, litter mates bat idea but do not feel 2 dogs is a bad idea.

DBB

I hope I didn't give the impression that 2 dogs is a bad idea! Having 2 dogs is brilliant!

But, as advised, not same-sex littermates, and not 2 pups at the same time even if unrelated, unless you're prepared for a hell of a lot of work!

Do heed my caveat about Frenchies being reactive towards other dogs though, and make sure to do loads of other-dog socialising, but make sure his interactions are pleasant for him... don't allow unknown dogs around him if there's a risk they'll frighten him, and get him into some really good puppy playgroups... whereabouts are you located? If within striking distance of Wicklow, Emmaline from Citizen Canine Ireland runs FANTASTIC puppy groups, under her immensely experienced eye.

If you do go for a 2nd pup in time, definitely go for a female. The chances of serious trouble between a male and female in a 2-dog household are very small... the risk increases if dogs are same-sex, and/or related, and/or of a breed that's inclined to be temperamental around other dogs.

Best of luck with your new pup! I don't envy you all the work you have ahead of you though 😂

xhomelezz

https://www.boards.ie/discussion/comment/120193047#Comment_120193047

Having 2 dogs is brilliant!

True!

Up till now I used to have always only one at the time. But as our latest lab lady getting old, we got a puppy last year. And God, I'll never ever go back to having just one. Working with new puppy when you have older dog around, was absolutely fantastic experience for me. Housetraining was easy as can be, puppy just followed older one around picking up all the rules with no hassle at all. And I can tell you our older one got younger!

But yeah, I wouldn't go with two puppies at the same time. That must be something else 😁