How many dogs is too many?

Dear Dog Lady,

The other night, when I was outside taking my one dog for a walk, I ran into a couple sitting on a park bench with four dogs tangled up at their feet -- all Cavalier King Charles spaniels in varying small sizes, colors and coat conditions. Since true dog devotees can’t help but make conversation, about, duh, their dogs, I naturally asked them about their pack.

Turns out the couple have two spaniels of their own -- the healthiest looking ones. They also take in foster dogs for the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel Rescue group. The two dogs they rescued have long, sad stories.

The skinniest one, Cleo, had been used as a birthing machine at the puppy mill in Ohio where she had delivered four litters in three years. The other one, Patches, with the shaggy coat, had lived in a place where he was chained up 24 hours a day. The couple told me that he must have been beaten a lot because he was initially afraid of a human’s extended hand -- even if that hand promised treats or a loving stroke behind the ears.

The stories were enough to break my heart. But the happy result is that Cleo and Patches are thriving in their foster family. I asked the couple if they were at all tempted to keep their two rescue dogs. They both laughed and said they debated it all the time. But, ultimately, they will have to surrender their two rescues to good homes. The question, however, led all of us muse about how many dogs can one keep before you’re considered a nutty -- pardon -- dog lady or gentleman. Two? Three? Four?

Fran, New York, N.Y.

Fran, Dog Lady doesn’t take the “nutty” part your question personally. Dog Lady has one dog and she still considers herself Dog Lady.

Dogs are not potato chips. You can have just one and be perfectly satisfied. I guess it all depends on your ability to handle the animals. Many dog keepers, who start their brood with one dog, get another because they say the pack of two keeps each other company during those hours when the humans are not around. People who have two dogs rave about the advantages of the twosome. They say two can be easier to take care than one because the dogs, essentially, watch over each other.

But three and four? In the city, it really doesn’t make sense -- even if you think you have the fortitude to care for the animals. You can become a nutty dog lady or man if you create a loony life for the dogs. Ultimately, you have to think of their needs, not yours. Being cooped up in an urban jungle puts a heavy burden on the dogs.

Now, if you have a large spread out in the country, and many attentive hands, then, by all means, go to the dogs.

Dog Lady is very touched by your story of Patches and Cleo, who, you will admit, may be thriving in foster care but, ultimately, the rescues will be happier in households where they’re the top dogs. They’ve suffered enough to deserve anything less.

Posted by Dog Lady at March 8, 2003 12:00 PM