I must be crazy!

[Shazza]

I really want a 3rd Cairn!! lol

I keep telling myself it's no different than having 2. What am I setting myself up for..lol

[carolinaila09]

im still trying to convince my fiance i need another one to make 2!!

[Hawkeye]

I'm feeling the same way. I have a cairn and westie and would like to add another cairn. My excuse is the westie is a senior dog and Bailey is only 2 yrs. He wants a playmate

[Idaho Cairns]

I don't think you are crazy in the least--my own nose is always pressed up against that same window of Cairn opportunity!

[bradl]

I think 3 is a whole different kettle of fish than 2. Two is less than twice the work of one. Three is more than twice the work of two. In the case of a couple with three-plus dogs, for instance, you move from a man-to-man defense to a zone defense when trying to corral the wild things.

Once you get past two, you also get deeper into pack hierarchy artifacts. It can be a stark reminder of the nature of Nature when you first see two healthier dogs turn on a weaker pack member, for instance. You haven't lived until you've lifted up one dog by its tail with another dog dangling from THAT one, still attached to its face, with a third dog attacking the loser.

That said, obviously many, many people have 3 or more dogs and get along just fine. Just be aware that it's not *necessarily* all beer and skittles.

[Tracy A.]

Once you get past two, you also get deeper into pack hierarchy artifacts. It can be a stark reminder of the nature of Nature when you first see two healthier dogs turn on a weaker pack member, for instance. You haven't lived until you've lifted up one dog by its tail with another dog dangling from THAT one, still attached to its face, with a third dog attacking the loser.

That said, obviously many, many people have 3 or more dogs and get along just fine. Just be aware that it's not *necessarily* all beer and skittles.

And that is the reality of what keeps me with 2 dogs- Even though i'd love a 3rd...

[kf6ybl]

I don't blame you for wanting a 3rd. We have 2 Cairns, and an older, much larger dog (Bentley), who luckily is very gentle with the little guys. We toyed with the idea, but in the

end, I think our pack is just right. But, if you have the room (Cairns are small), the means, and are willing - go for it!

[lindasue]

Oh go for it; we have Pegi - 6 months, 4 cats (3 very old seniors) and twin 16 year old daughters. 3 dogs sounds easier!

[Shazza]

lol Brad

After your comment, I may just stick with the 2 I have!

[Zekey's Mom]

I'm tempted to work my way up to 2 Cairns, but I think it's too much to ask of the cats. Two of them will turn 17 this year, and have finally adjusted to having their butts sniffed several times a day.

*sigh* I still "window" shop on Petfinder and Cairn rescue sites.

[bradl]

Having three now and four most of the time (not counting guests, transients, or puppies), I'm obviously a sucker myself. Cairns in glass houses and all that. But in the interest of discussion I think it's only fair to point out some of the potential downsides as well as the upsides.

[Shazza]

Having three now and four most of the time (not counting guests, transients, or puppies), I'm obviously a sucker myself. Cairns in glass houses and all that. But in the interest of discussion I think it's only fair to point out some of the potential downsides as well as the upsides.

Oh, I definitely agree with you brad.

That's why I've been thinking about this for 6+ months. It's not something I'm taking lightly. I have the opportunity to get a 7 year old wheaton female. She's not spayed, but she's never been bred either. She's UTD on her shots and just needs a new forever home. I guess my biggest fear is that it will upset the pack we have now, but I know that it's something that can be fixed.

I've asked the owner if we can stop by and see her today. We'll see how it goes!

[Hawkeye]

Once you get past two, you also get deeper into pack hierarchy artifacts. It can be a stark reminder of the nature of Nature when you first see two healthier dogs turn on a weaker pack member, for instance. You haven't lived until you've lifted up one dog by its tail with another dog dangling from THAT one, still attached to its face, with a third dog attacking the loser.

Brad, you bring up a very good point with the pack hierarchy. That was a very big concern even when I we brought Bailey into the house a year ago with having a senior dog. Things worked out great in our case, but cannot say that it would again. Especially when you have two youngsters (partners in crime). We have been weighing the odds for several months and will continue to. Thank you for pointing this out!

[tlwtheq]

We had a tense first few months, but once Mommy Beas

and Daddy Beas were properly trained the three

of us got on just fine. And playtime is extremely

interesting!

Miss Sweet Pea, Alpha to Olie and Teddy Bear

[tlwtheq]

We had a tense first few months, but once Mommy Beas

and Daddy Beas were properly trained the three

of us got on just fine. And playtime is extremely

interesting!

Miss Sweet Pea, Alpha to Olie and Teddy Bear

Now wait just a cotton pickin' minute! I thought we all agreed this

is a triumvirate, all equal, all-for-one, one-for all!

Teddy Bear Grrrrrrrrrrrr

[tlwtheq]

We had a tense first few months, but once Mommy Beas

and Daddy Beas were properly trained the three

of us got on just fine. And playtime is extremely

interesting!

Miss Sweet Pea, Alpha to Olie and Teddy Bear

Now wait just a cotton pickin' minute! I thought we all agreed this

is a triumvirate, all equal, all-for-one, one-for all!

Teddy Bear Grrrrrrrrrrrr

You tell her Teddy! All-for-one and one-for-all!

Big Brother Olie the Goalie

[bradl]

[MacFluff]

Three is my lucky number. I wouldn't ask for less. Had four -- wow, a bit much to deal. But, three, three is wonderful.

I got my first Cairn way back when, MacDuff, and a lady who helped me find a good breeder went to puppy class with me the first night -- with her three Cairns. On the way out, another lady said, "Look! A Gaggle of Cairns!" That was my undoing. Since I heard that phrase, I wanted my own gaggle of Cairns.

I grew up with three dogs, but usually Labs and a Basset for the house dog. So, it wasn't a shock.

I ended up having my first gaggle, MacDuff, Molly & Micki for almost 15 years. It was so great. Micki tried to be the alpha dog as she grew, but she was also spoiled. But, we 'discussed' it and Micki soon decided "I" was the alpha dog. No problems with them, though. Ever. They all got along great and played constantly.

After MacDuff died, I got Sully. There were some issues then, keep in mind Molly and Micki were 12. Molly didn't care. Micki wanted to be alpha, that and she was just really ticked off at me. We got Sarah -- thus four -- and Sully and Sarah played. I just lost Molly and Micki last year -- both 13 pushing 14.

I got Gracie in November, so back to three. My only probelems arose with Micki, so it depends on the dog. But, you can work through the problems. It just takes love, time and showing them who is alpha -- ME! Three I can take to the park by myself if I want. Four was too much. Even I have limites.

Go for it! A Gaggle of Cairns is a complete delight.

[MacFluff]

I really want a 3rd Cairn!! lol

I keep telling myself it's no different than having 2. What am I setting myself up for..lol

More grins, giggles and puppy kisses.

[Idaho Cairns]

All I can say is that it is probably a good thing that I don't have a house and some acreage! I like these little dogs so much, I'm afraid I would have a gaggle of Cairns myself. Our girls, we've usually had two around at once, have been such good companions and such fun, I am afraid I am simply addicted to Cairns. Ours have been real easy and healthy so, for us, they are no brainers. I know if I lived away from neighbors and had room for them to roam, I would have a pack.

[2crazycairns]

All I can say is that it is probably a good thing that I don't have a house and some acreage! I like these little dogs so much, I'm afraid I would have a gaggle of Cairns myself. Our girls, we've usually had two around at once, have been such good companions and such fun, I am afraid I am simply addicted to Cairns. Ours have been real easy and healthy so, for us, they are no brainers. I know if I lived away from neighbors and had room for them to roam, I would have a pack.

I know what you mean. I love my baby Gus SO much but having just turned one year old last week, he's still quite a handful and I have to watch him pretty closely. He's getting better about not getting into everything and chewing up everything in sight but still..... I keep thinking that another Cairn would make a wonderful buddy for him and keep him occupied so I can actually resume my life 'pre-Gus' and get a thing or two done around here. Alas, we live in a townhouse with two cats that are anything BUT amused at the presence of the dog. If we got another, (like we have room!) I think they'd flat our revolt!

Brad, I always look forward to your posts because you bring such wonderful humor to the table while at the same time putting all the cards out there in plain sight. So just when is beer and Skittles night? I'm in!

[Jessica H]

Hey everyone. I just want to add that 3 dogs are a lot more work than 2. It was easy adding one dog to make 2 but having 3 is differnt. Two is company and three is a crowd. I LUCKILY did not add a third Cairn b/c that would be ALOT of work, I lucked out and adding Dozer is all good now. He is so laid back and so easy to train it is as if he isn't there. In the beginning it was rough b/c as mentioned before you get more into a pack. If I had to do it again I would b/c Dozer is the best and so great to have around. He spoils me with his great calmness and then I snap back into the world of Carin MANIA and I am greatful I did not add another Cairn, I do not think I have the enrgy lol. I love those little ones but my goodness they do not stop EVER!

Having 3 dogs can be harder also because you only have 2 hands. Giving treats is harder, petting, kissing, feeding, walking, separating has become a whole new challenge.

If you want a third dog get one that is opposite of a Cairn lol.

[little feet zip]

I'm with you Idaho, a big place to keep them, plenty of time to play and train, and enough money so i didn't have to work. I would have one of every color and then some.Would have to get the Dw a GSD though she don't like the way Cairns have selective hearing. Yes I would be as happy as a cairn in a foxhole.

Rich

[Jessica H]

I would have one of every color and then some.Would have to get the Dw a GSD though she don't like the way Cairns have selective hearing. Yes I would be as happy as a cairn in a foxhole.

Rich

Before Dozer I would not have seen the truth in that statement but the difference is night and day LOL. Dozer thinks I give him commands even if I don't, The Cairns pretend I didn't give them commands even when I do, LOL.