LOL... I've got two dogs, a cat and a bird....so I might not be one to ask about having too "many" animals... we'd have more but DH has put his foot down... oh we do have the occasional orphans we raise for wildlife.... possoms & such...

but we got the puppy last year so that when Matilda came we would have a mate for our dog who was used to being our "baby". She still sleeps in our bed, but she is happy outside for longer periods now that she has a mate to play with and she doesn't need as much exercise when she plays with the puppy... I find it impossible to walk both dogs & the pram, but I can do one dog...so thats the other thought...when you want to start walking post birth, one dog is possible but two is a bit hard...

BUT...if you get a puppy now and get it used to being on its own outside etc and get it used to things like off lead parks, it should be fine! Dogs adapt... at first its hard for them because the family becomes their new "pack" and they learn how to fit into their new family (once they are told how to ) I just have some advice is before you get your pup, check out the book "Before" by Ian Dunbar, it can help you decide what to do and how to do it! Which is always helpful because that way your new furbaby can come into the family easier!!