I feel silly posting this. BUT... I have 2 big lab's (a chocolate and a black). I have an opportunity to get a 3rd lab ( a yellow lab puppy) for Christmas. My concern is that 3 dogs may be too many dogs. I really *want* the puppy of course. I have been wanting a yellow lab. It seems a little selfish tho. We have 2 dogs and a cat already. Is it selfish to want a 3rd dog? Room for them to run is not a problem. It just seems silly to be wanting a 3rd dog when no one I know has 3 dogs... Especially 3 large dogs.

??? Silly post I know!

By My2cuties on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 10:25 am:

Not a silly post..I don't see a problem having 3 dogs, as long as you have adequate room for them. I knew a man that had 3 dalmations and alot of people have 3 dogs, it is not that uncommon. It seems to me like you like labs, so go for it. We cannot have dogs here where we live now, but when we get a house I told DH I am getting another German Shephard, like I had growing up, and I am sure when the girls get older they will want a dog too. It all boils down to if you have the means to take care of them properly, and that is the most important (to me anyway). Good Luck with your decision.

By Boxzgrl on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 10:27 am:

When I worked at the vet one of my favorite clients owned 2 labs and a golden retriever. They ranged between the ages of 1 year and 6 years. He said when he got he 1 year old the only difference is that his older dog wanted to play more but it wasnt any different than having 2. Just more to feed as well. I think going from 1 dog to 2 is more of a change than from going from 2-3 dogs.

We only have 2 (1 if it were my choice) but my Dad has 7 dogs!!! Yikes! Thats a bit much there.

Just make sure if you get a puppy you keep on top of the training, for the most part puppies tend to follow the other dogs around so if your others are trained well, it will be easier to help train your puppy.

Good luck and let us know your choice.

(And if you get a puppy from a breeder, make sure it is OFA certified. It basically states that the puppies mom and dad are free from any orthopedic problems such as hip dysplasia, luxating patellas etc.. and guarantees that they werent inbred so they dont have as high of a chance to develop those problems as dogs who are bred with relatives) I only mention that because with the poularity of Labs they are being inbred more and more.

By Vicki on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 10:34 am:

We have 2 small dogs and I agree that I think it would be harder to go from 1 to 2 than from 2 to 3. Don't know why I feel that way, but I do. If you really want the "dog" and not just the "puppy" and you have the room for them, go for it!!

By Bloominspring on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 10:52 am:

i grew up with 5 dachshands (sp?) if you are confused there the weinier dogs they were cute and nice but really a handful because they are indoor dogs. my only comment would be to make sure you keep them flea treated. right now i have 1 dog but my inlaws have 1 to so we share the yard most days the dogs get along really well and it keeps both of them active. so go for it you say you have the room as long as you have the time it should go well.

By Cat on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 11:47 am:

My brother has several dogs. I don't know if they're all in the house or not, but I do know at least 3 are. Two are little schitzo's (or however you spell that) and one is a husky/wolf hybrid. They also have beagles (for hunting). They may be outside dogs, but I'm willing to bet, knowing my brother, they come in the house sometimes. If it works for you, go for it! I think it'd be neat to have three labs. Let us know if you adopt a new 'baby'.

By Pixie on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 12:08 pm:

I see nothing wrong so long as you have the room and time to spend with them! I know many people with 3 dogs who consider taking on the 4th!

By Kellyj on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 12:15 pm:

Growing up we had 3 large dogs (Total weight between them all 300lbs) all in the house. Two were littermates. Sometimes it was chaos (like whenever anyone rang the doorbell!) but overall it was great. If you have the time, the money and the room I'd say go for it. One of the 3 dogs died this summer and whenever I visit home the house seems so quiet now. My parents miss him a lot and say that the house feels so empty without him. Good luck!!

By Shellyg on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 02:20 pm:

I say go for it! I have three dogs, a Bullmastiff, Boxer-Ridgeback mix, and a mini Doxie. All rescues! All indoor doggies, the mastiff is 130lbs! We have a small house, but the dogs are very well trained and that makes a huge difference! I did not plan on the third, the mastiff, but am so happy that we adopted him. There is not a big difference between two and three. I have to sweep and mop every day, but having hardwood floors makes it easy.

By Babysitbarb on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 02:33 pm:

We just got a chocolate lab like 2 months ago (he's 5 months) and we are thinking of getting another just so he has company. Maybe he would stop getting into everything.We have found out that labs are a hyper dog.

By Conni on Wednesday, December 22, 2004 - 04:09 pm:

Babysitbarb~ lab's are at their worst (if you will) for the 1st 18mos!! Yes, they have tons of energy as puppies and they chew so much for that first 18 mos. If you can make it thru that part they become the most laid back wonderful dog you can ever imagine! They also do better with a mate (this has been our experience anyway) because they are so social. Our lab's are 7yrs old now I think (maybe they are 6?).

That puppy part is what I reallyyyyy had to think about. I have wanted a yellow lab for about a year now and just had to seriously think about going thru the whole puppy stage again. Its fun but it can be trying too I know. lol So after much thought I called my sister (who is the breeder btw) and told her I was ready to make a deal. ;) I am so excited to go pick up our new female 8 wk old yellow lab!!!!

Guess I need to think of some possible names...

Thanks for your help ladies!

By Conni on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 12:53 pm:

Going to pick up our new puppy this afternoon. I cant wait to meet her.

So far the names I have thought of for a yellow lab are:

Mayzee
Maci
Sunny
Kenzi
Lemony Snicketts lol not!

Our chocolate lab is named 'Moka' and the black lab is 'Polo'.

By Bloominspring on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 01:29 pm:

i like the names Sunny and Kenzi. Thank you for explaining that part about them being hyper. my dog is german shepard/ lab/ chow. talk about being messed up sometimes. she is about a 1 1/2 years old and we are just starting to get her aclimated to people.

By Tink on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 04:18 pm:

I really like the name Kenzi! If we'd had another dd, we were going to name her McKenzie, so that might be why I'm partial to it. Good luck! You knwo we want to see pictures.

By Boxzgrl on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 05:41 pm:

I like Belle or Bella personally but I think thats because those always seemed to be the names of my favorite Labs! Good luck and Congrats, can't wait to see pics!

By My2cuties on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 07:07 pm:

Dh says he thinks Mayzee goes really well with the other dogs names. I like it too.

By Pixie on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 07:49 pm:

I think Mayzee is adorable - I also like Mya.

By Breann on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 08:50 pm:

I would pick Mayzee

By Conni on Thursday, December 23, 2004 - 10:36 pm:

Thanks ladies!! We have been snuggling in front of the fire with the new baby all evening. She is so sweet.

Now we are thinking about the following names:

Mayzee --(I still like this one but dh hasnt really warmed up to it)
Harley --(again dh doesnt like this one either)
Sam --(her Dad's name was Sam)
Gracie
Belle --(i do think this is cute Melissa!)

I have a feeling the name game could go on for days around here. Now I need to go take some pics.

By Tink on Friday, December 24, 2004 - 12:15 am:

Gracie is so cute! I love that one, if you're looking for my two cents.

By Conni on Tuesday, December 28, 2004 - 08:35 am:

Update on new puppy. She is doing great the other dogs are beginning to tolerate her. She is quite spunky and really gives our cat a run fir his money. lol!

We had fun thinking up names for her. We got it down to 2 names after several family votes and a list of about 30 names!! Andi and Cedar are the two names we are trying to choose between. The kids all liked Cedar and dh and I like Andi so we are kind of going back and forth trying to determine which name fits her best.

I liked the name Fresco and Cricket as well. No one else liked those. Oh and I liked Nacho!! LOL

I tried to post a pic but couldnt. I also tried to send one to Karen, to see if she could post it but I dont think it got to her. So maybe one of these days I will have time to sit down and figure out how to crunch pics...