To think dogs are unhygienic

Having a dog is a massive life changing commitment ( if you are a caring loving owner that is ) you will find hair in places the dog doesn't even go which can be frustrating but you just have to crack on with it . A puppy is really really hard work and everyone in the house has to be 100% on board .

One thing you can do to make having a dog less unhygienic is to not allow them upstairs, and then have hard flooring downstairs that can be bleached/steam cleaned etc.

Then it's shoes on in the "contaminated" zone downstairs, shoes off upstairs in the clean zone.

Also, it used to be the case that dogs were mainly not allowed on sofas, that's changed more recently with the trend towards treating them more like humans. If you train them to keep off the sofa it does make your life easier hygiene/cleaning wise, though it's hard to resist allowing them if they're very cute!

Pretty sure my dog is more hygienic than my child.

That said no household should get a dog unless everyone is on board. Get him to sign up as a volunteer dog walker for the Cinnamon Trust or something so he can get his canine fix

No, you’re totally right! I grew up with dogs and have had a few as an adult but am much happier without them. No matter how often dogs and their beds are washed, if you have a dog your house will smell bad. Your garden will stink of dog pee, especially in the summer. My mum gets a special garden cleaning service out because it gets so bad 🤢 My friends and family members who have dogs are so constrained because of them as well. Can’t have proper days out without bringing them because they’ll pee or poo in the house if they’re left.

I’m also one of those who thinks dogs aren’t safe around babies or small children, no matter the breed. Too many stories out there about the ‘sweet family dog’ snapping and harming a child.

Don’t trust him. He won’t - not because he’s an arse necessarily but because it’s the nature of having a dog. And they do generate mess - we’ve got a lab and he sheds and gets muddy etc. I love him to bits and the positives are huge (incl health benefits to kids immune systems). My DH (who is the SAHP) is lumbered with the bulk of it and it was hard going for him especially in the first few months. Luckily he’s very outdoorsy so having a dog was a positive in that regard.

I love dogs, they’re great creatures, but for all the reasons listed in your OP, I wouldn’t have one.

I don’t want to have to deal with poo.
I don’t want animal smells in my house.
I don’t want dog bum on my furniture.
I really can’t deal with dog hair everywhere.

The burdens outweigh the joys for me.

Please don’t get a dog. It’s not fair on the dog.

A lot of things in life are unhygienic, unless you live in a bubble you're coming into contact with bacteria constantly.

If you don't want a dog don't get a dog.

Dogs are meant to be having a nice home with a big yard where they can run as much they want and bark without anyone complaining. I would not have a dog in a tiny English terrace

He won't do everything, he will want to go away with friends or indulge in hobbies and you will be left with dog and made to feel incredibly unreasonable if you don't help 'now and again' .

Basically, don't get a dog. Put your foot down. You will resent it and how it compromises every aspect of your life.

It's not that bad at all. I thought the same as you but..

1. picking up dog poo isn't that bad at all and there's usually a bin nearby.
2. your house will get as messy as you let it, we hoover often, and have hard floors downstairs so easy to clean up.
3. the house doesn't really smell - we have candles on, or pet friendly fragrance, windows open.
4. yes our dog gets muddy but gets cleaned up easily

I think, if you don't want one then fine. Perhaps you should offer to look after one first to see how you get on first though.
Life is too short to worry about all the things you have mentioned, in my case, we just got on with and and found a way and we have a busy life.
Puppy life was stressful but it's short lived. Good training and routines in place ensure you'll have a good dog as they grow up.
I think you should consider it, especially if your husband would like one. Perhaps find a way that would work and ensure everyone chips on to keep the dog clean and the home clean.
Perhaps look at breeds that don't shed, that make good family dogs. It's really not bad plus the cuddles are wonderful.

The overall tone of your post suggests you have a very odd idea about 'germs' verging on OCD territory. This would make you unsuitable for dog ownership. It is proven that children brought up in homes with pets have less allergies. People care too much about obsessive hygiene these days to a silly extent.

Hair and poo in the garden fair enough. You pick up and you hoover. Smell the same wash yeh dog sometimes and it's bedding often

The dog walks outside on dirty streets and also walks indoors? You dry their paws, get rugs and throws for the sofa or train them not to get up on it. There may be some muddy paw prints but this is not a disease risk

Dogs do not lick random stuff in your house. They lick foodstuffs, themselves and sometimes people.

The thing about dogs butts being in contact with furniture and the floor. So what? They are very rarely obviously dirty unless the dog is ill and if it was you would wipe. If you are worried about microscopic poo particles then I am going to put this in the box of bizarre made up things that people inexplicably worry about.

a dog isn't for you really all you would do is stress about everything.

I absolutely agree that dogs are a lot of work and sometimes smell, especially as they age. I have one and love him dearly, but he does create a lot of housework.

I just wanted to say that it’s not a good idea to start washing a non-smelly, clean dog though as you can actually irritate their skin, induce itching due to allergies and fungal infections and might actually cause them to smell when they didn’t to begin with.

My children never caught anything from our dogs, cats, Guinea pigs, or horses. But yes you have to be aware of hygiene.
We’ve always washed our hands when we come into the house, after cuddling an animal, after feeding them. Their bowls are washed separately etc…
Once you get the basics in place it’s just habit but if you’re not committed to caring for a dog until it’s 15-16 years old, don’t get one.

Our dogs (when we had them) never smelt and their poo was always picked up immediately. They were clipped and brushed so no hair everywhere either. If it was wet outside, their feet were washed before they came into the house after their walks. These were mud-magnet spaniels.

However, it is a lot of extra work and consideration that you need to structure your life around, so if you're not on board you should definitely not be getting a dog. They also cost a lot of money; vet bills have gone up enormously in the last few years.

OP, I have 4 dogs and I can’t really disagree with anything you’ve said 😄

Well, apart from them being smelly. They really are disgusting creatures and I long ago resigned myself to never being free of dog hair or poo bags in the pocket of every article of clothing I own that has pockets.

It’s all about constantly cleaning my house to ensure it doesn’t descend into complete dog related chaos but ultimately, our lives (mine and my husband’s) are immeasurably better for having our wonderful dogs.

Yes, there’s a hell of a lot of poo picking up and if you’re concerned about overall cleanliness then a dog isn’t for you! But they give so much back and we really wouldn’t be without our noisy, excitable pack!

Dogs are dirty but a bit of dirt is great for immune systems

Dogs are not hygienic in many ways, but then a lot of people flush the loo without shutting the lid, wear shoes in their homes and have long fake nails that are a breeding ground for germs. If you find mud and hair more important to you than the responsibility and love that comes with a dog then that is your choice made.

<looks around in despair at all the muddy pawprints all over the kitchen floor, and considers how many throws I've washed this weekend>. Yep they can be a bit grim, but they give so much more, such a joy and noone is ever as pleased to see me, ever!

If you don't want a dog, you don"t want a dog though.

Every point expect the last one has been spot on in my own personal experience.

My small/medium size dog does loads of poo and if he's been a bit unsettled by something they are occasionally runny and it's grim. The other week I had to bathe him and get dried poo out of his bum hole. He licks anyone and everyone including the kids and loves a muddy puddle. I'm constantly wiping his paws and wiping up muddy paws prints. He loves a muddy puddle and rain and is generally a grubby boy. I'm not a dog person and was reluctant to get one for all those reasons. We've had him nearly a year now and other than removing the dried poo nuts I couldn't care less about the other stuff as what he brings to every member of our family is amazing. He's so full of love and just wants to be with his people. They become part of the family and it just isn't a thing anymore for me

I don’t think you should get a dog as I’d worry about the dog.
🐶
they are all the things you say (you can have rules about going on sofas/upstairs etc and lots of baths but you have stated facts) so if you can’t reconcile yourself to that then don’t get one as it’s won’t be the right home for a dog.

if you want to try you will need rules from the start. We’ve got a dog and she’s lovely. We don’t let her on the sofas or upstairs: I’ve got friends who have their dogs on their beds and I can’t get my head around that at all and never will.

I’m with you OP

i like dogs but don’t want the responsibility or a smelly house/muddy car

So we don’t have one

I feel the same about many of your points! Occasionally I think the walking everyday with a dog looks great - and then I remember that I would probably be going for that walk carrying a bag of dog excrement.
I think many PPs are right in saying don’t get a dog. I think both people have to want the hound. In my own family I have seen the tension caused when they didn’t agree and went ahead with dogs.