Hi and welcome to the forum. Although I've not raised two goldens at once, I have helped to raise and train two sheep dogs (kelpies), but I'd never do it again. They were always so busy watching each other, they forgot to watch us, which is not a good idea if you have two dogs racing each other through a mob of a thousand sheep. This old thread may give you some ideas. Good luck!
http://www.goldenretrieverforum.com/what-did-you-do/367-raising-multiple-puppies.html

 

I think of it like raising twin infants. Do people do it and survive, yes. Is it easy, most definitely not. I don't think it's fair to the puppy either. A puppy needs sooo much of your free time and energy, they will likely be lacking for training time and one on one attention.

 

We have littermates, Cavalier King Charles Spaniels, that are now 11 years old. We had no problems raising them from pups. Yes, it was at times challenging, but has fine overall. Now that we have added a Golden Pup to the mix, it can get a bit crazy at times but with two of the three being older, it's not too bad. If you are ready to give both the attention they need, it is doable.

 

I wouldn't recommend it, and I will not sell littermates to families. I recommend getting a puppy, getting it through housebreaking and basic socialization, and then, at 6-9 months, decide if you want to bring another puppy home or if you would prefer to wait a bit.

Adopting Littermates? (Don?t)

https://www.whole-dog-journal.com/i...nal.com/issues/13_1/features/Problems-Adopting-Two-Puppies-At-Once_16190-1.html

I did sell a puppy to a retired couple, who were getting a puppy from a different breeder a week before mine were going home. I did it only after talking to them at length. Both are retired and home virtually all the time, each had different interests and separate training classes planned for the pups, and they were very experienced dog owners, and they had an older Golden at home. It worked for them, but, as the boys have matured, there have been issues with spats. Not fights yet but both boys have been neutered in hopes of toning down the testosterone.

 

Look up littermate syndrome.

I would personally never do it unless I was retired and lived on 50 acre fenced farm where I basically just wanted to watch the dogs be dogs day in and day out and didn't have to really worry about training or space. Kind of old school country living, I suppose. I would never have littermates, or two puppies for that matter, living in a home where they had to be trained to be good house pets and neighbors. It would be a huge amount of work and logistically challenging.

If you do get littermates, you'll need to potty train x2, train x2 (separately), socialize x2 (separately), walk x2 (separately), food x2, boarding and/or daycare x2 and pay for vet care x2. And, because you'll have to pay vet bills x2 you'll want to go with a great breeder to try to limit the chances of genetic health issues, but the problem there is that no great breeder will sell you littermates because they know the success rate is low and they would not put their puppies at risk like that.

Why not get one puppy, give him all of your attention, time and effort, and then when he is a well-adjusted adult who doesn't need so much of your attention, get a second puppy? It would be better for the puppies and better for your family in the long run.

 

I wouldn't.... so far one pup a year has been working out really well for me. Probably one every two years would be easier, but there are so many amazing pedigrees out there I want to own (lol)....

Raising a puppy right is just so much work I wouldn't want to have two at once.

 

I also wouldn't do it, and agree with the poster that advised you to wait until pup #1 is 6-9 months old (or even older) before bringing home pup #2. I think the best bet is to get one puppy, give him or her all your time, energy and attention and then bring the second puppy into your home once the first is a bit more independent and well trained. Then pup #2 can learn from pup 1, pup 1 has a little buddy and you aren't frazzled from having 2 baby puppies at the same time.

 

I wouldn't do it, nor would I sell you two puppies from the same litter. Puppies each require a great deal of time and effort to get started properly. Most homes simply do not have enough free time in their day to dedicate the needed hours for two puppies.

 

I've never sold people littermates either. I have sold a puppy to someone w a 6 mo old, and I have placed an older dog w a puppy buyer as well... I've raised littermates, 3 once from a frozen breeding I could not let go- BUT I parceled the 3 out in a rotating way w two other people who could give different experiences to them and it was not easy but I did do it successfully. Most pet people probably don't have the connections or experience to pull 3 off.
Two, maybe ,but it would take a real commitment to giving puppies different experiences, training classes, etc. I'm not personally willing to take the chance my two puppies will become neurotically attached to each other so that's why I would not sell two to one home.

 

My breeder will often times keep two or three, and this is exactly what she does. The puppies take little vacations separately at other people's homes - sometimes weekends, sometimes weeks. That is how we got our Kennedy, he just fit in and stayed.

 

Having run a daycare/boarding facility for almost 2 decades I could handle 2 but would never do it for all the reasons everyone else is telling you.

While it would be cute to watch them play and grow up together they don't stay small for long. You can scroll through all the post of people having issues during the 1st year, you would be doubling your problems. Six month old goldens move furniture when they play Two will sort of tag team the destruction process.

Then there is the expense. Double the food to begin with.. average bag is close to $50 or more, heart worm preventative, flea/tick prevention & yearly vaccinations, spay/neuter cost... and heaven forbid anyone gets sick. If one gets it the other will too. Worming yearly, fecal checks every six month, heart worm check yearly. Training classes for two dogs so each would have to be involved. Training is a must or this pair will destroy your house and yard.

Puppies might keep each other company but house breaking 2 at the same time is beyond exhausting. Teething! Read through the post about land sharks and don't think because they have each other they won't include you in the bites.

Taking on one puppy is a huge commitment for time and money. Shoot the cost of buying two could buy you a used car! Good luck if you choose to do it.

 

Along with everything everyone has posted above, you have to work really hard at making sure they do not bond more with each other than with you. I am totally in the boat of, raise one to at least a year old and then get another one. Even when we did that the first set we had, we kept the puppy with the adult most of the day. We ultimately found the puppy had a stronger bond with our adult dog than with us. After the first time, we then made sure when we added another puppy to give it more separate time with just us humans. Fortunately, we have our own business, so my husband could take the puppy to work, which guaranteed separate time away from our adult dog. But it is definitely something to keep in mind with 2 puppies. Good luck!