So this came up in another thread. I just want to discuss it more and didn't want to derail that thread.

I hear many people say we should have "[insert magical number here]" years between the age of our dogs. "Never get 2 puppies at the same time."

Why? What's the magical age difference? Does it really matter?

Whatever bad things you've heard about getting two puppies together is true!!! Until they're about 4 or 5 years old!

Jan, help me out. Pretend I haven't heard a thing and have never owned 2 puppies at the same time. You are experienced and want to talk me out of my craziness - what would you tell me?

I am no expert but I'd ask if you have time to train and exercise and spend time with them both. I know lots of people do it, but puppies are so demanding. I cannot imagine having a second (active) dog until Saber is like 5 or 6 MINIMUM, and actually I am thinking when she is a senior and slowing down is when I'd be up for another puppy.

It depends on how thin you are already stretched, at least partly.

After losing my two senior dogs within 3 months of each other, both after extended illnesses, I am going to try to get two dogs as far apart in age as I possibly can. They were two years apart but the older dog was a small breed and the younger one was a larger breed.

Ideally I'd like a 4 year age spread in order to avoid having 2 seniors at the same time. However, I lost a one year old dog and a 6.5 year old dog so that doesn't guarantee anything...

The youngest pairing I've had (where I've had to train both) was a 1 year old and a 2 year old. That worked out fine but the one year old was already really well trained when the 2 year old came into the picture.

There is a 4 year age difference between Ivy & Mason.

I couldn't imagine having 2 puppies at once, so I will always have atleast a 2 year age difference between each of my dogs. I like to give my puppies one on one attention, training, socialization and having 2 pups, close in age would make it very difficult to give proper one on one that I feel is very important in raising a puppy and bonding. For Mason's first year, becasuse of the way Ivy is/can be, he was never walked with Ivy, socialized with Ivy around, or trained with Ivy present, everything was done seperately. I wanted him to develop into his fullest potential, and to develop his own personality, without the negative influence of Ivy (as she has some bad habits, that I would never want a puppy to pick up on). I have seen too many times people getting puppies and then the puppy will pick up on all the adult dogs bad habits, including reactivity in certain situations. (I know all dogs are different and this isn't always the case). And it was good for Ivy as she still got that one on one time with me that she had always been used to.

I didn't even think about getting a puppy before Mason, as I wasn't satisfied (if thats the right word), with where Ivy was in her training and behavior. I wasn't ready yet to take time away from her. But, when Mason came along the timing was perfect, Ivy was at a good spot with her behavior and I finally felt that I could comfortably add another to the pack. I won't get another pup for awhile, until I am happy with where I am with Mason in his training. Yes, he may be 19 months old but another puppy is not even on my mind right now. He still has so much ahead of him, in his future and I want to reach that before getting another pup as I do not want to take away from him.
Puppies are a lot of work, and take up a lot of time.

Hope that all makes sense....

Actually – that’s not as easy as I thought. Simply because they are grown now and are the light of our lives. However…

Puppies naturally do not listen – they are not conditioned to listen. Mama dog indicates her displeasure, but only for about 8-12 weeks. Then you get them.

Everyone knows how a puppy can go off in all directions at once. Times that by 2. I guess you could compare it to twins, except that puppies know how to walk and run and chew and tear and nip and…

1. Potty training. No two dogs are going to have to go at the same time. So while you are busy scooping up one dog to take outside, the other one has already left a puddle. Of course you are going to take them out together, but never, and I mean NEVER, do they go at the same time. Bring them back in, and one invariably piddles on the floor. Out they both go again.

2. Feeding. I have no words other than separate them. If you have crates, use them. If not, put collars and leashes on them and make sure they stay away from each other’s bowls. Preventing food issues is way better than dealing with full-blown problems. Fortunately, I have never had issues with allergies or intolerances, but that is, indeed, a possibility with two dogs. One dog may tolerate everything; the other one can’t.

3. Training. One dog HAS to be crated, kept with another human, or secured in another room. Puppies simply have no desire other than to be with each other. There are no rules playing with each other. Even simple clicker or treat training is difficult because the one you are with is still looking for his brother/sister. You really have to turn yourself inside-out to make yourself the best thing your dog has ever seen or been around. You have to make the dog want to be with you when you are with it. Make it not think about the other one crying not too far away. As they get older, the training changes. You must now train one dog to wait its turn while you are working with the other dog. Extra work on your part to achieve two well-behaved, obedient dogs that you can, hopefully, take out in public together.

4. Personalities. It really is a box of chocolates. If one needs a calmer hand, you need to adjust. If the other one is full of stuff and vinegar, you need to adjust.

5. Expense. It goes without saying that everything is double.

I know I have not covered everything, but I think the most important thing to remember is that puppies are just that – puppies. They won’t listen and they will get into everything. However, with all that said, it is still a special time. They won’t be puppies forever. Just make sure you take some time – any time you have left – to enjoy that wonderful, precious stage.

They will be the terrible twos before you know it!!!

Did I forget to mention potty training?

I think you can't just look at the age of the dogs/puppies, but also the people living in the house too.

For us, most of our current dogs are 18 months to 2 years apart in age. But, we have had 2 shepherd puppies at once, 2 aussie puppies at once, and 1 aussie puppy and 1 shepherd puppy at once. It worked for us. But the bigger picture which I think makes a difference, is my husband is just as much involved with the dogs as I am. He feeds, trains, exercises, entertains and vets them, just as I do, so except for when he is at work I have them during the day by myself, but we have such a routine here that it just works.

I'm the odd one out though and feel puppies are easy and love the puppy stage.

Oh forgot one, we also had 1 aussie and 1 newfy puppy at once too!

Yes - that's a pretty scary thought!

I wanted to respond to each post here but I really wasn't expecting this much feedback right away.



Thank you T for saying something I was thinking. (You're faster than I.)

Kind of in the same boat as you in that my husband is also a dog person and we each have our dog(s) we are responsible for and our own doggy "responsibilities".

<playing devil's advocate> I hear this one a lot and I don't get the argument that you don't want to have them pts at the same time. You really can't predict this. When I was a kid, we had to have 2 dogs pts at the same time that had a 7 yr age difference (16 yr old and 9 yr old). So to me, getting them 7 yrs apart didn't prevent having them pts at the same time. I've had a dog live 6 yrs longer than expected and one that had to be pts way too young. I guess it's a personal experience or personal preference.



Dalton and Jake were 6 months apart in age. That's the closest pairing we've had. Each came to us at 8 weeks of age.

I also hear a lot of people say that each puppy needs individual time for training, socialization, etc. But I find this is also true for my 5 1/2 month old and my 11 1/2 year old. They both still need individual time from me. I feel (could be wrong) that they both need equal time with me. It's not a higher demand for puppy than adult. I do however find myself doing different things for each based on their age.

My situation is a tad bit different as they were not puppies, but I can say after adopting two dogs within 3 months that are the same age makes several things harder than having just one.

Not that I would change a thing, because they are my world, and no one can doubt my dedication to them. But it would be so much easier to take one for a day running around town, visiting, to family events, traveling, caring for in medical crisis, training, exploring, hiking, attending venues.

I have to plan everything I do with my two carefully. Hard to split them up because I feel too guilty, so doing things on my own since I am single, with two dogs who have different issues is a challenge.

This is how I feel. We make a point of spending individual time with all five of my dogs. They often are different things, e.g., training, playing, exercising, cuddling on the couch watching a movie, etc, whatever activity suits that dog.

From 1998 until 2009, when we lost Jake, we had a dog pts every year. I don't think that would ever change my mind on getting 2 dogs the same age or close in age again.

For some I know that is a deciding factor, but I just think anything could happen at any age. It's a personal decision, that each person has to make as what fits in their family and lifestyle.

Ditto. I feel the same way. I, too, make sure that I give Ivy & Mason each their own individual time with me, doing diferent activites and they both enjoy it. Regardless, of their age, like Vinnie said, they all need their own one on one time.

GrandJan- funny, I typed out the whole thing about training, feeding, travel, etc but then deleted it all...lol

It wasn't all that difficult when I just had Cheyenne and DeeDee and we were going to training classes. I did one class with one while the other was in the crate and then I switched them. But adding Lakota changed things and by that time Cheyenne decided she wanted to kill DeeDee. So Lakota was rotated between the two females and DeeDee became his favorite. She was good for him and he was good for her.

At home I did joint play/train session with Lakota and either of the girls. Plus they got one on one time with me. So that takes up time. Then just because I thought I wanted to be a breeder I added Raya.

I actually think 6 months wasn't bad until they matured and needed more exercise to be worn out. It is pretty easy to wear out a puppy, but that 12 months to 5 or 6 years old when they settle back down can be tough.

I just think from now on I will keep them spaced out more than 6 months a part. I know it is no guarantee that I still won't lose dogs close together, but I think it increases the odds that I won't.

If you are dedicated 2 years apart isn't too bad depending on the dogs and training. 6 months apart was doable because I had one house broken before I added another.

I think it comes down to how dedicated you are. If I worked 10 hours a day I don't think I would have enough energy to handle 2 young dogs. I worked 10+ hours a day an got my first GSD pup, he still is one of the best dogs I ever had. But as soon as I got home from work it was puppy time.

I guess most breeders won't normally sell two puppies to the same house or sell a pup to someone who already has a pup from some place else, is because they see more bad outcomes than good ones.

I will say that my nicely trained young dogs did a bit of a back slide when I added a puppy, it was like their brains reverted to puppyhood for a while because it was so much fun.

I've never had a problem with raising/living with dogs around the same age. My problem came when they became seniors ... with some the medical expenses were very high and having more than one senior made finances very tight ... I'm still paying off Ringer and Kelly's vet bills.

But the hardest part emotionally was when they died close together.

1. JR was 13 (who I got as a 5 year old adult), Too 12-1/2 and in '03 they died about 3 weeks apart.

2. Ringer died in May of '08 a month shy of his 13th birthday; Kelly died at 12-1/2 in July '08; Ringer's sister, Honey, died in March '09.

There are 13 Hooligans at the Bridge. It's always taken me a long time to grieve and get over the loss of any of them. However, it took me an extremely long time to recover from these two instances of multiple deaths in a short period of time ... in fact, I honestly haven't completely gotten over losing all of them so close together.

I don't know what the answer is, but I personally prefer a gap in the ages.

Tammy makes a good point about the age of the owner too. I will be 54 in Feb. I do not want two young dogs. I did it in my 30's and had no problem with having two GSD''s 14 months apart in age. They were both trained and socialized adn were great dogs.

I no longer have the energy I had in my 30's and I just do not have the patience for two young dogs. My training skills are far superior now then when in my 30's but I won't have two young dogs.

I like 5 years minimum between dogs. There is 4 1/2 between Kayos and Havoc but she is such a steady dog and was at 4 1/2 that it was not a problem.

Havoc is 4 1/2 and I would not bring a puppy home yet. He is not ready for that, he needs more work. I feel that each dog needs to be fully trained, push button before a pup comes home. Havoc is not push button yet but it is coming. I am starting to think 6 years is a better spread especially with a male dog.

I know the thread that started this was about a person that wanted to add a puppy fof a buddy for the young GSD. That is whay I got my second GSD and it is not a bad idea, they did provide company for each other. I do like having two dogs.

I have put myself on a strict limit of waiting until Masi is atleast 4 years old before getting another dog.

A couple factors for me..When I started with ONE gsd, I didn't get the 2nd one until the first was around 4, then "things" happen, I had taken in a rescue, and kept her, then 1.5 years later had the opportunity to get a puppy out of a last breeding that I was interested in..So I had 4 GSD's where sets of "two" were pretty close in age...In one year within 6 months I lost the first two:( few years later, I again lost the second set of "two" within 6 months of each other, the first was bad enough, the second set devastated me:(

Luckily I had the 2 aussies and Masi to keep me going..Now my aussies are 12 and 11 (again circumstances happen),,they are healthy as horses and show no signs of slowing down, but gosh I don't want to go thru losing "two" again so close:(

I'm also going to be 53 in January, still work part time which is a plus, but I don't have the energy to keep up with "another" Masi,,she is 'enough' dog for me. With that in mind, the next one I get and I'm not even sure I want an 8 week old puppy, will hopefully be, a tad less 24/7 go go go:)

I will always have atleast two dogs.

Correct me if I'm wrong, it sounds like from most of what I'm reading that this is a personal preference or due to personal experiences (which change from person to person). Based on that we put different age requirements on when we feel it's appropriate (for us and others) to get dogs. But there really is no "right" or "wrong" answer here.



Val, I know you're not saying good vs. bad breeders. But I'm glad you brought this element into the conversation. I've seen GOOD breeders go both ways. Again, I think it's based on their experience with buyers. I don't want to get too far off topic and onto what breeders do but it reminds me of a recent conversation.

I recently had a friend tell us (group of friends) that she would be getting 2 puppies from the same litter. One friend just went ballistic telling the other how crazy she was for even thinking of doing this. She also went on about how she was going to have a talk with that breeder for agreeing to sell two litter mates to the same home. What a terrible thing for this breeder to do. (I was pretty taken aback that she was so pushy with her opinion and took it upon herself to think she should talk to the breeder. It was really not her business or place.) What she didn't know (because she immediately went off) was that the 2 puppies were for 2 separate people.

It’s funny – and interesting - how everyone feels about certain stages. Personally, I felt more hassled caring for the two puppies than I did when they were between 1-6.

IMO, puppies are non-stop from the minute they are out of the crate or off the leash. They are like toddlers – you need eyes in the back of your head. As they mature, you need more mental strength to get you through (very much like teenagers!). By the time they were between 1-2, they had the routine down pat, the training was easier, and the respect for me was in place.

I am speaking as a “pet” owner only, and do not train for events. We dabble in agility, but it is purely for fun and exercise. So as far as the training goes for older dogs, I can only say it got easier.

Right now I can’t think further than the two we have now. I am in fairly good shape for my age, but since I have some shoulder problems, I am really questioning whether I will be able to handle a big dog in a few years.

However, be it GSDs or poodles, there will NOT be two puppies in my house at the same time again! I take my hat off to those of you who enjoy it!

I actually prefer to get a puppy when my other dog is retired. I prefer only seriously training one dog at a time. I haven't had that luxury, though, since I had Tara and Treue. The best case scenario would be 4 years apart. Saying that, I am currently working 2 littermates who are 2.5 and their 5.5 month old 1/2 sister plus I am still seriously tracking their 7 year old mother.

I have raised littermates a number of times to at least prelim age. I never found it all that much of a problem. Yes, it does mean double the work, but not really. The pups spend time with each other, with my older dogs and private time with me. During the private time the other pup is either out in the dog yard, kennel or crate. They get used to this anyhow because this is how it is during training/club. They learn to go outside and potty at the same time at first and then later individually. Not a big deal. Feeding is separate.

Seriously training several dogs takes some talent. There will be differences in their personalities and how one must approach training. It is this way no matter if you are working two puppies or two dogs that are farther apart in age.

Biggest issue for most people is that they do not have the time to give the individual attention to multiple dogs. This can be more problematic with puppies, especially littermates, because often the pups are turned out together to play to both save time and because it is easier. This is when the pups wanting to be with each other more than their owners becomes an issue. This is why it is recommended that most people/families not get two puppies at the same time. Their lives are already hectic enough.

Vin, there are a lot of breeders out there that won't place two puppies at the same time in the same home. Like I said I believe it is because they have seem more bad outcomes than good.



Vin most of the information given here be it training or health or other things is all due to personal experiences. I don't see that as a bad thing. People can always have the choice to not listed to what others have said. All we are doing is sharing our experiences.

I just know that when I had my first GSD and worked 10+ hours a day I didn't feel that adding another GSD or any dog was what I wanted to do. Keeping up with an active GSD, Work and house chores pretty much ate up all my time.

There are always good outcomes and bad outcomes when it comes to adding another dog to the pack. You may be the best owner but dogs have their own personalities and just may not like each other at all. My friend is a Weim breeder and she now has a male that doesn't want any other dogs around her male or female. So she for the first time has to crate and rotate dogs, so things happen.

At least the OP has seen that every thing may not be all they want when adding that new pup or dog.

I agree with this assessment. The whole question of age between your dogs is based on personal preferences and experiences. I've had them close together and only a couple of year apart. Some of the decisions to add another dog were most certainly colored by my emotional state at the time.

For instance, when I lost Kelly years ago, it was very unexpected and I got another dog within 6 months of her death, because that's how I chose to handle my emotional state. I waited with Rica to get another dog when Max died, but he was slowly declining and I was somewhat prepared for it.

In either case, I never felt that I didn't have enough time for each dog. A part of me feels that having a bit more than 2 years between dogs makes it easier for me to deal with the senior years. But another part of me doesn't feel that way at all after an unexpected death, which is where I happen to be right now.

Hay Val, sometimes your posts make no sense to me whatsoever!

Are you reading things into my post that I'm not saying?


Yep, and like I said (see my last post), there are a lot of breeders out there that will. Doesn't make one good or the other bad. It's based on their experience - I think I said that too.



Either do I. I actually think it's a great way to have a conversation. Sharing what we've learned and what we know.



Huh? The OP in this thread is ME! Try not to read more into this. I'm not talking about any other person here - just a question that I have and another thread brought it back to the surface for me.

Sorry Vin. I thought I was on the other Post.

Good to know I'm not the only person whose done that.

MY answer?
Do I have a magical age? No – wish I did. I’m thinking maybe somewhere between 2 and 9 years for me. How’s that for vague? Really though, I believe it comes down to the individual person.

I’ve never had 2 litter mates at the same time and I doubt that I would want to attempt that. I have however had 2 puppies at the same time. And I really should define that as 2 puppies in the same house as they weren’t both mine. One mine (Dalton) and one my son’s (Jake). So honestly, I wasn’t training the 2 at the same time. I say that because I think it makes a difference. It wasn’t until Dalton and Jake were almost 9 yrs. old that I started assuming most of the responsibility for both of them at the same time (when my son turned 19 and moved out of the house). I still made my son be responsible for major things regarding Jake (medical attention, bills, when it was time, etc.).

If it were me alone, I doubt I’d undertake 2 puppies at the same time. To me a puppy is any dog under the age of 2 yrs. (but I believe this can vary between dogs). Personally I just am not sure I could handle the training and do it properly. And that’s my only reason for not liking the idea. I honestly think there are more talented trainers out there who could handle this no problem. I'm just not that person.

However, the one thing I do regret is waiting sooooo long. It’s just the way it worked out this time. But there is an 11 year age difference between Dalton & Sundance. It’s hard for Dalton to play with Sundance. He tries but he doesn’t get around as well as he use to ever since he tore his ACL this past spring. Although at 11 I don’t really expect him to play like a puppy. Another thing is that it’s been 9 years since we’ve had a puppy in this house. You’d be surprised what you can forget in 9 years. When Sundance first came home I felt kind of like a fish out of water. I had forgotten many things. (OMG – puppy zoomies around the house!) Even my TD would get on me sometimes and tell me to stop being so serious. “He’s just a puppy.” It does come back to you pretty fast but I still don’t think I’d wait 9 years again.

Now if we want to talk about in the same house? That’s a different story and if all the responsibility didn’t all fall on me alone – I would tell you a different story. It was not a problem raising 2 puppies (6-months apart in age) when I had help from my son who spent every waking moment he could with his dog. Heck, Jake always slept in my son's room ON the bed. So it was not only hours awake but also hours asleep.

Vin, I am trying to decide when I want to add a pup to the pack.

Cheyenne will be 10 in January and she also has a bad knee so a lot of hard playing makes her sore and she limps. I believe it was an ACL injury my Vet says just arthritis.

Raya is 6, but I will have to watch how she would be with a puppy because she is a resource guarder and I am the resource.

I only want to add a male puppy, no more females at least for a while.

But I am just not sure I am ready yet. I would like Cheyenne to be with us, she loves puppies so I could take the pup and get him good and tired before I let him be with Cheyenne.

Interesting thread. I think there are many factors; Our family had three dogs very close in age. Benny is 2 1/2, Jake, DH's Borzoi will be 2 in a few weeks and Annie. our adult sons Pit is also 2 !/2. We are all dog lovers so I don't consider myself having three dogs. We each have our own dog for which we are responsible. We often go on outings together and sometimes train together.

It is also easy because the dogs are so different. Jake is a couch potato ( as long as he gets to run a bit each day) Annie is very submissive and also a bit of a couch potato while Benny is needs lots of exercise, training, a job to do.The three have really bonded as a pack. It would be hard if all three were like Benny!

For me adding a new pup is more an issue of time. I can't wait to retire or at least be able to work part time so I can spend more time with a pup.

I am hoping to add another GSD pup this spring or next when Benny turns 3 -4. I will be 58 ( yikes) but have lots of energy and also plan to be just working part time and have more time to devote to Benny and a new pup.

Here is Benny trying to be a couch potato!

Personally I would rather have 6 puppies at once than have 1 puppy and 2 seniors!!! (Or even a puppy and one senior.)

Never again will I have a baby and a senior! It just makes that much more work having to ride herd on the puppy to keep it from driving the old dogs crazy. And it was just due to the seniors age, they were fine with a puppy crawling on them when they were younger. But as they got older, they just didn't want to be bothered.

I think AT LEAST 2 years between is ok, but I think 4 or 5 years is even better.

Personally, I would say that I put age requirements on when I feel it's appropriate for me. If I offer an opinion to someone else , it's just an opinion or another point of view for consideration. I would not presume to say that my choice is right for everyone, just for me.