I just wanted to post a quick message to let people know despite what they may have heard or read, it is very possible to raise 2 siblings together successfully. I'm sure certain breeds may need more precautions and raising any dog or dogs needs to be a commitment to spend time and work with them, but if you do so, it is very possible to raise siblings. FYI - mine are female chocolate labs. I picked them up when they were 7 weeks and they are now 1 1/2 yrs. old. One is more dominant and the other excepts it.

Oh yes, it is entirely possible. It just takes about 3 times the work as raising one puppy and most people are not prepared to deal with it. Which is why it is usually strongly recommended against. Kind of like taking 18 hours worth of classes or working full time and doing school full time. A few people can pull it off, but it sure isn't for everyone.

At 1 1/2 years old I'd hardly call it a success yet. These dogs are still mentally puppies still, and beyond that what have these dogs been trained to do in their 1 1/2 years compared to those raised in a home where they were the only puppy?

I guess it also depends on what you need to call it success. Around here it is rather common that people raise two laikas (or some type of dogs) of similar age and raise them together to hunt together. I am sure they consider it a success when the dogs cooperate on the hunt- they are supposed to do that. Wanting a dog for sport this tactic would most likely be a road to failure.

 Quote: scott halbleib

One is more dominant and the other excepts it.

and why do you think THAT means that have been raised as siblings successfully?

I've never seen it said that it's impossible, it's just not recommended.

And as someone pointed out, it also depends on what your opinion of success is.


Are these dogs more interested in you when you're in the room or more interested in being with each other?

 Quote: Wendy Lefebvre

Are these dogs more interested in you when you're in the room or more interested in being with each other?

I'm interested in this question too.

And of course it has been done, but what is the definition of success, as others have mentioned?

So just how have they been "successful"?

Have they just gotten some impressive new titles? Exactly what standard are you using to measure your concept of "success"? Did they just get some spiffy new hunting title? An AKC obedience title? A SchH title?

Because just making a single post stating that you're "successful" without any evidence to back up your claim doesn't make a dog "successful" in anybody's book......

My first thoughts too were, what does the OP mean by success? That the two dogs haven't engaged in a bitch fight yet? That they've both gotten at least a CGC or basic CD obedience title? Exactly what is his definition of success? So far he hasn't chosen to post again and clarify what he means.

I also raised two siblings together. A brother, sister pair. They were sled dogs but even training them for that was extremely difficult with two, i had to take them out seperately for training. They were attached to me but at best noticeably more attached to eachother. It can be done but i think its not for most people and depends on what your purpose for the dogs are. Best of luck.

Ok, OP here. there's no notification option here so I had no idea there were replies. And based on the replies, I guess I need to explain. I lost my last dog and decided i wanted to get 2 siblings. Probably wasn't thinking clearly but got 2 chocolate lab sisters. 4-5 months later I was doing some training tips research online and came across this site, and an article from Leerburg stating that you should NEVER purchase siblings and that they will ultimately end up fighting one another and can do serious harm. Furthermore, he stated that if you had already made this "mistake" that you should immediately look to get rid of one of the siblings! I was fairly distraught at the thought i may need to get rid of one of my pups, but took some serious consideration based on this "professional" advice. Gladly I did not follow it and now have two happy and healthy 2 1/2 year old DOGS.

The success I speak of, is that they have not killed each other, or even harmed one another at all. I could care less about CG-OB-DC-CGI_whatever training. I wanted to have 2 happy, healthy dogs and that is exactly what I have. Yes, they are probably more unruly, harder to walk, etc. but that's a fine trade off for me knowing they run and play together when I'm not around, and are probably much happier and healthy for it!

And as to one of the other poster's questions, the dogs are more interested in me than one another when I am around.