Getting two puppies at once can seem like a good idea when you’re looking for a furry friend for the family.
After all, with two puppies, you have a built-in buddy system when you have to be away from home for a period of time.
They also have a buddy to play with no matter what time of day, whether you’re able to play with them or not.
But it’s not all roses and sunshine, as you’ll see in the pros and cons below.
Getting Two Puppies at Once: Pros and Cons
Getting two puppies at once makes sense both on paper and in real-life application.
However, it’s important to understand that having two puppies at once comes with its own set of unique challenges.
Before deciding to raise two puppies at once, it’s important to understand those challenges so you don’t bite off more than you can chew.
Today, we’ll discuss the prose and cons of getting two puppies.
The Challenges of Getting Two Puppies at Once
Before getting two puppies at once, it’s vital to understand the challenges you will face.
To begin with, adopting two puppies means doing everything twice.
It doesn’t mean twice as much work. It means more than twice as much work.
Two puppies means two animals to clean up after, two animals to bathe, two to take to the vet – you can see where I’m going with this.
It’s a big undertaking. Let’s take a look at what you’ll need to deal with.
Cleanup
Two puppies means two of everything, including bathroom breaks, dirty paws, and bathing. Bear that in mind.
- You’ll be giving two baths whenever the pups get dirty.
- You’ll be scooping up twice as much poop.
- You’ll be taking two dogs out to do their business.
It’s a lot of work, and not everyone’s life is suited to that level of commitment.
Vet Care
This is quite possibly the biggest factor to take into account when raising 2 puppies at once.
If you have a dog, taking proper care of him is a vital part of that. Puppies require multiple vaccinations.
In addition, all dogs require yearly vet visits, bloodwork to have an accurate baseline as well as checking for heartworm.
They also need flea and tick preventative, and of course, any injuries or sickness your dog might have, and dental cleanings when needed.
You’ll want to think ahead to the future, too.
Elderly dogs require two vet visits a year with bloodwork because as dogs age, they’re more likely to fall prey to illness and age-related problems.
Adopting two puppies means at least twice as much expense.
Toys, Bedding, Etc.
Closely related to the expense of vet care is the expense of your dogs’ daily needs.
Both puppies and adult dogs require toys, bedding, leashes and collars, food, treats, and more.
Having two dogs means twice as much of all of that.
Time
Puppies require a lot of attention. They need playtime, potty breaks, walks, baths, and the like.
All of these things take time, and doing it for two puppies at once takes more than twice as much time.
Be prepared to invest a lot of time in your pets if you are considering getting two puppies at once.
Advantages of Getting Two Puppies at Once
Of course, just as there are negatives to consider when getting two puppies at once, there are also positives.
If you have the time and money to invest in having two puppies, both you and your pups with enjoy a lot of benefits to having tow fuzzy friends in the home.
A Built-In Buddy
Of course, we love our dogs and want to spend as much time with them as possible.
However, that’s not always possible. Most of us have jobs outside the home and social lives which cause us to be away from our dogs.
With two puppies at home, your pooches will never be alone, and it’s more than just not being alone.
Adopting two puppies at once allows them to grow together, immediately cementing that buddy bond.
For their entire lives, your two dogs will always have a strong connection to one another which means they won’t be upset when you’re gone.
Less Separation Anxiety
Closely related to a built-in buddy is less separation anxiety.
All dogs can have some level of separation anxiety.
When you adopt two puppies at once, you are immediately giving each puppy a built-in pack.
That means that when you’re gone, they’ll have each other and be less likely to be stressed by your absence.
Of course, this doesn’t meant that one or both of your pups won’t have any anxiety, but what it does mean is that the anxiety will most likely be less.
Be very aware that this is a bonus to adopting two puppies at once.
Adding another dog to your home will most likely NOT HELP a dog with separation anxiety. These are two entirely different avenues.
Exponentially Increased Cuddles
Having two dogs doesn’t mean twice as many cuddles. It means an exponential increase in cuddles.
Most dogs are by nature very affectionate. A pair of dogs are even more so. Their desire to cuddle feeds off of one another.
When one dog gets cuddles, the other dog, of course, wants them. So what you end up with is the perfect storm of cuddle time.
More Exercise with Less Work
If you have a fenced-in yard, getting two puppies at once sets you up for a super easy exercise routine.
All you have to do is open the door and your dogs can help each other exercise.
Chasing, wrestling, tug of war, and the like are all games that dogs love to play with one another, so your dogs will always get plenty of exercise.
So. Much. Love!
Finally, the biggest pro of adopting two puppies at once is all the love that will fill the home.
Two dogs means at least twice as much unconditional love, if not more.
You two furry friends will fill your home and your life with the kind of love and devotion that only dogs can give.
Do the Two Puppies Have to be Related
The short answer is no.
Many people think that raising two puppies together that are from the same litter makes for a more successful pairing, but it really doesn’t matter.
Of course, if you can adopt two puppies from the same litter, it’s nice because you can keep two siblings together.
However, if you are adopting from a shelter, just look for two dogs that have a similar temperament, and you’ll be fine.
Compatible temperament is absolutely key here.
You want two dogs that are similar in size and energy level so that they can both get the most out of each other.
It’s important to note that some anecdotal evidence suggests that adopting two puppies from the same litter can result in something called Littermate Syndrome.
This a condition in which two pups from the same litter may actually become aggressive toward one another.
HOWEVER, it’s also important to note that these issues can occur in pups that are not littermates, which brings us back to the short answer:
You don’t necessarily have to adopt two puppies from the same litter.
Getting Two Puppies is a Good Decision for Some
Getting two puppies is a great thing if you have the time and money to put into it.
Having two puppies means a built-in support system for each puppy when you’re away, so much more cuddle time, lots of goofy dog fun, and a general low-level controlled chaos that can bring joy to any home.
Just be aware that two puppies means more work and more expense. If you’re okay with that, then have at it.
As an owner of multiple dogs, I can say that it’s one of the most enjoyable things you can do for your family.
