Pros and Cons of Raising Two Littermate Puppies

Author:
Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST
Updated:
Nov 4, 2024 5:24 PM EST

If you're thinking about adopting two sibling puppies, this guide will help you. As cute as they may be, it's good to know what to expect.
Ben Michel on Unsplash

Thinking About Raising Sibling Puppies?

Upon visiting a breeder, prospective puppy owners may find it challenging to pick just one puppy from among the litter. At times, they may be trying to decide between two puppies and think, "What if I adopted both?"

This choice, however, needs to be thoroughly evaluated, as it is not as easy as it may seem. Indeed, responsible rescues and breeders are mostly aware of the difficulties of raising two puppies at a time, and they may categorically refuse to give two away.

However, some breeders who enjoy the profit of selling two at once may not fully inform you of the challenge you're about to undertake. It's called "littermate syndrome" or "sibling rivalry." Regardless of what it's called, it's something that denotes trouble.

Why is that? Below are some disadvantages of raising two puppies from the same litter that you should be aware of before taking the plunge, plus some potential advantages.

Littermate puppies: double the joy or double the trouble?
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Disadvantages of Raising Littermates

For good reason, reputable breeders will refuse to give away two littermates to anyone considering it, as they tend to be too much work for the average household. Following are several challenges one may encounter:

1. Struggles With House Training

House training one puppy is unnerving enough that two may really make it quite impossible. You may find yourself cleaning up the mess of one pup while the other is soiling at another location. Because small pups can pee and poop every 30 minutes when awake and actively playing, you will soon get the idea.

2. Double the Trouble

Young puppies, just like toddlers, are prone to get into mischief and, therefore, need very close supervision. You may find yourself removing one pup that is chewing the couch while the other is right about to take care of your shoe. It is not easy keeping an eye on both at the same time.

Raising two sibling puppies is almost impossible if owners are at work half of the day. They require constant supervision and guidance.

3. Puppies Bonding Too Much

One of the main issues that owners of sibling puppies must deal with is the possibility of the puppies bonding too much, often referred to as "littermate syndrome." This often creates two dogs that feel better amongst each other than with their owner. The owner may, therefore, be ignored as the pups are in pure bliss playing together and exploring the world.

This creates problems that may interfere with the training and bonding process with the owner. Two pups raised together may not be able to flourish into their own complete dogs, but as two half dogs that sleep, play, and eat together all day long.

4. Risks for Insecurity and Fear

Something else to consider is that sibling pups who bond a lot because they are kept together, fed together, sleep together, and walk together 24/7 risk hindering the socialization process with humans and other dogs, which can lead to nervousness or fear of new people or dogs.

Among the two pups, there often seems to be one who is more insecure and tends to rely too much on the other pup's presence and risks becoming more reactive as he or she matures.

For example, you may need to encourage separate sleeping (initially starting with separate crates kept side-by-side, then gradually increasing distance), training, socializing, and walking to help develop their individual personalities and prevent raising two "half-dogs" who depend too much on each other and may also learn to not pay attention to us.

It is best to start this early, as it may become more difficult later on. This way, the puppies will bond more with the owner and concentrate their energy on interacting with, playing with, and being trained by the owner. If left to cater to each other on their own, the puppies will choose the easy way, which is to focus on carrying on their own lives.

7. Difficulties for Those Who Work All Day

Keeping the puppies separated can be quite challenging because it often translates into dividing the chores in two. Owners will find themselves walking one puppy and then the other, feeding one and then the other, and training one and then the other, which doubles the time for just about everything.

This can be time-consuming and both mentally and physically draining unless you have a family member who can help you, have lots of time on hand, and work from home.

8. Double the Heartache

Something that doesn't come to mind at the moment but will hurt later on is watching littermates age together—and potentially losing them at the same time. This can turn out to be heartbreaking, costly, and difficult to cope with.

Advantages of Raising Two Puppies Together

There are also some advantages that are worth mentioning for those who are debating whether they should go the littermate route.

1. Double the Fun

One major advantage is that littermate puppies are fun to watch. Two puppies can provide hours of entertainment. Owners often find themselves shutting off their televisions just to watch them romp around, explore, and play.

2. Built-In Playmates

Puppies are full of energy, and many owners of a single puppy struggle when their puppy wants to play. This may, at times, trigger frustration and resentment over getting a puppy in the first place.

With two puppies, the puppies can benefit from playing together, as they get to get rid of excess energy with each other.

3. Improved Bite Inhibition

Two puppies also get to polish their ''soft mouth'' skills together. In other words, through their play, they learn how to bite more softly. However, you will still need to work on your puppy's bite inhibition, as your skin is much more delicate than your dog's.

4. Proofing Your Training

While you will initially be training each pup individually, once they have a solid response to "sit," "down," "come," etc., it is possible to occasionally work with them together to your advantage.

For example, I like to have sibling pups sit before they are fed their meals or before I open a door to let them out to potty. I also like to do recalls with them together when needed (once one dog takes off running towards you, the other should automatically run in your direction too, eager for the reward).

This type of training teaches the pups to pay attention to you despite the distraction of being together, which, in my opinion, is very valuable.

5. Double the Pleasure

If your two dogs get along well and flourish into two wonderful dogs, you will be granted double the pleasure. Many people have complimented us on how well-trained our sibling Rottweiler puppies turned out to be.

As a dog trainer, they were my "business cards," helping me show how dedication and patience can pay off in the long run when raising and training dogs—and yes, that includes littermate puppies if you're up for the challenge!

Carefully Consider the Pros and Cons of Littermates

In a nutshell, most owners do not have the time and patience to successfully raise littermates. This is why those who give it a try often end up rehoming one puppy.

However, those who are determined enough and have lots of patience, experience, and time to raise each pup individually may be able to raise two well-behaved puppies who will ultimately grow to their full potential—or at least very close to it.

This content is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge and is not meant to substitute for formal and individualized advice from a qualified professional.

Comments

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on July 04, 2020:

There is no easy answer for this. There are cases of two females getting along fine for all their lives, some getting into some minor squabble, and cases of females hating each other at some point in their lives to the point of serious injury. There are too many variables to draw a conclusion.

Q on July 04, 2020:

Is it wise to have 2 females from the same litter?

Adrienne Farricelli CPDT-KA, Dip.CBST (author) from USA on February 15, 2020:

With dogs, things are always hit and miss, there is no way to guarantee how things will work out, but there are several things in your favor, like the fact he loves other dogs and the fact your new addition is female. Another advantage is that he has been with you so all this time so you he got to develop his personality and so did she.

Another advantage if she is at the rescue is that you can perhaps offer to foster her for a bit and see how things go.

Even though they were litter mates and one may assume there is some element of familiarity, it would be best to work with them as if they are not and take all the precautions. Here are some tips to help on introducing dogs;

https://discover.hubpages.com/animals/Introducing-...

Good luck!

Kel on February 14, 2020:

I have an 8 month old pit/lab mix, we got him when he was 3 months old and he has been the only dog in the house since, but he LOVES other dogs. Recently his sister has been returned to the rescue because the people who adopted her don't have time for her anymore (longer work hours).

I have been thinking about adopting her, thoughts? The two dogs haven't seen each other since they were at least 3 months old but I am worried about them competing and becoming aggressive. I would obviously have them meet first and see how it goes.