Well, here is one thing, if you have now, one dog, and possibly it does not make too much noise, well, throw another one in the mix and suddenly they each have a playmate and the barking escalates considerably. Something to think about:)

do you want a 5 th kid

On the pro side: it might result in a fun playmate for your existing young dog or...Your existing dog may not APPRECIATE another dog entering the family mix! It depends upon the social temperament of the existing dog and the one you bring into the home...either may be a "me only" temperament. If you have not bothered to train your existing dog to have good, reliable behaviors...adding a second dog to the mix will simply provide you with MORE chaos than you might already have. How is the health of your bank account these days? You'll be providing food for two big dogs, and also should assume that your Vet bills have the potential to double for general care...and how about emergency needs that you can't fully prepare for in terms of knowing if or when, but must none the less... ideally be prepared for, should they arise! Unless your dog's are RAW Fed (Species Appropriate diet) you can count on doubling the amount of YARD DUTY FOR THE DOG DOOKEY too! What goes in, must come out and will come out in double digits, unless your dogs are eating Raw, which results in less waste, because more of the food is digested and USED by the dog's body in a correct manner! How many hours in your day to train, play with and interact with your DOGS, CHILDREN, SCHOOL WORK, DRIVING, HOUSE WORK, CHILDREN'S HOMEWORK, COOKING, LAUNDRY, SHOPPING, YARD WORK, and all the other joyful and needed things we all must do each... DO YOU HAVE?? Do the children help with caring for the dog (s), do you have another adult in your life, or in the home that will also lend a positive and willing hand? This could be a fantastic opportunity for every one evolved...or take you right over the edge! These are but things to consider...ultimately, you will have the strongest chance of choosing correctly based upon all of the information we don't have! Good heart...and if not now, maybe later, when you don't have so much on your plate! Wags