I suppose it is different for each person so it is a personal thing. Our township only allows four dogs in a household. They don't need to worry about me because I would never go beyond the two I have. To me it is not just the money, etc. but the time that you have to spend *one-on-one* with them. I also have two cats so I feel that I am at my upper limit now. I only have two hands and one lap, and sometimes it is a bit crowded.