Multiple Maltese

We have a two year old male maltese and he's a wonderful pet. The problem is that our family is large (7 kids) and everyone wants to hold him, play with him, sleep with him, etc. There just isn't enough dog to go around.

If I were to buy another maltese, does anyone know how the two dogs would get along? Should I buy another male, a female, or am I better off with just one dog?
Richard Scoville

• We brought home a second Maltese in January. KoKo is 15 1/2 months older than Shayna (both female), KoKo decided immediately she was Shayna's Mom and spoiled her from the start. They get along great, only thing is I think their play gets too wild some times. Shayna is the agressive one and KoKo always wins. We usually let them have fun for a while and tell them "No fight". Shayna also like to remove KoKo's top knot several times a day. None of the above are problems, but we like to supervise their play. Shayna is put in her crate when we are not home. This also helps with house breaking. We do not have children only grandchildren that visit from another State twice a year, but now there's enough dog for us to go around in our house. Everything I read suggested we get the same sex for a second dog. We just prefer females anyway. Good luck and enjoy your new baby.
  Shelley

• I have three Maltese dogs. I lost the sister to the oldest a year and a half ago. So, I bought a puppy for the older one, and then another puppy for the puppy!! The oldest has a "New Lease on Life" with these younger two. They are so much company for each other and all get along fine. I LOVE MALTESE !! P.S. The youngest, Mimsy, was spayed yesterday.
  Bel and the M & M girls

• But is it true that when you have 2 dogs, you only have 1/2 dog? Because the two are more devoted to each other than to you?
  Jan

• Whether they become totally devoted to each other, to the exclusion of you, the owner, I think would depend on when one got the dogs BUT much more so on how much the owner bonded with them individually.

  I have three dogs, my 16 year old Maltese, a 5 1/2 yr old rottie/sheperd mix and a 4 year old Yorkie mix. They all came at different times and bonded with me first. While they snuggle/sleep and play together and watchout for each other each other and everything. I am the alpha in the house and my biggest problem when I come home from work is that I don't have enough hands because everyone wants to be first with the pets -- though the queen of the house -- the Maltese, of course -- is first mainly on account of her age.

  I can imagine you might have somewhat of a problem is you got two dogs that were litter mates, but again; I believe the effort one puts into bonding with the dogs is what counts. I have never had the experience of littermates for dogs -- only cats, and then, though they were close -- I was the favorite.
  RAKSAB

• It should be no problem to get more than one Maltese. I have six myself. However, since you have a male, I suggest you get a female to keep him company. This will also not encourage him to mark in competition. If you do not plan to breed, please spay your little girl at about six months; otherwise, when she goes into heat, he will mark. My six all get along find, and it's real interesting how their relationships are in a "pack" situation. Good Luck
  Aimee