Don’t get a dog

There’s pros and cons though…
Cons:
They need to be looked after like a toddler
They take up your time
They’re a big responsibility
Vets bills can be high

Pros:
They’re just like a toddler, totally reliant on you, they repay you with so much affection
They make your life better; by training them, you are gaining a skill
They are so adorable and loving that you’d do anything for them
Unless they have underlying health problems, if you care for them well, there is a lot you can do yourself to keep them healthy

Save for vets bills (we put aside the insurance premium cost we were quoted plus a bit each month, and didn’t bother with insurance)
Enjoy them - they won’t be with you forever!

We have a household budget spreadsheet and added potential costs to it of having a dog, so knew what we were getting into.

It is expensive and time consuming, but saying ‘I have money so poor people don’t deserve a dog’ is quite harsh. The love and joy we get from ours is amazing.

But I agree about some people not considering every day costs, especially when they get unhealthy breeds that need surgery later in life then can’t afford the vet bills.

If you don’t want a dog don’t get one quite simple. Advising others not to get one is a bit strange. I mean I don’t like strawberry ice cream but I wouldn’t start a thread ‘ don’t buy strawberrry ice cream’
btw I have two dogs and love them and they are worth every penny.

So sorry I can't help out, but I definitely know it's possible. There's a dog topic here on mumsnet "the doghouse". Somebody there will know about toy breeds. I've just never had one so would hate to give you the wrong advice. Good luck and enjoy! Dogs are the best ( apologies to the cat people)

Oh he's a dear! I am such a big dog person! I think people are either big dog or little dog people. And that's all good. Little one's are sure a lot easier to walk, cheaper to feed etc. And they can truly sit on your lap. Not like big dogs that try but fail miserably!

Gorgeous dog and your other dogs too. 😍

Lovely photo of your arm, very nice of Stanley to let you get a limb in the photo I think. 🤣

Dogs roll in fox shit.
That's all you need to know 🤢

There’s hatred on mumsnet but IRL I don’t see it. I often walk our dogs alone, the main ‘problem’ is everyone wanting to fuss them. If I want to do a quick 20 minute walk, I have to allow double that.

I wouldn't get a dog solely for the amount of hatred and hysteria around them now. now. Walking a dog alone seems to have become very complicated.
I agree it's a huge commitment and responsibility, people don't put enough thought in beforehand, don't realise You have to train them, and looking after the dog just becomes another chore.

@marmaduke12 here’s Stanley, my Kangal. He’s 2 so just about finished growing. In the first picture, I’m actually sat behind him 😂 Plus a puppy picture from when we got him at 10 weeks - when I was able to pick him up without giving myself a hernia!!

Kangals are a Turkish flock guardian breed that protect the livestock in the mountains from wolves and bears. Extremely protective (particularly with the more vulnerable like kids and the elderly), they have the most powerful bite force of any dog breed (stronger than a lions). Whilst they can be a bit stubborn and independent/flighty, Stanley thankfully is a snuggle bug and the only thing that needs to worry about his bite force are the aforementioned chicken nuggets 😂

I agree there are so many dogs who really would make perfect companions or family dogs. It breaks my heart how full rescues are.

I also agree that you’ve got to be prepared for the costs. Mine eat A LOT! Insurance isn’t cheap, plus vet plans for each. Then the treats, toys etc on top, hiring secure dog fields so they can get good off lead exercise, not to mention boarding fees when we go on holidays - it all really adds up. Obviously I think the expenditure is worth it, but I’m lucky that we have a very good household income, no kids and relatively low bills/outgoings. Not everyone is in the same position.

I really miss having a dog.

I've been thinking for the last month whether I should get another one or not but I'm not quite sure how that would work when I live in a high-rise.

It just seemed easier when I lived in a house with a big garden to train a puppy.

Lots of people in my building have dogs, and the breed I'm interested in is a toy breed.

So it is possible to do. I guess I just don't know how to do it. I also worry about if I'm sick and I can't take the dog out. Who would take it out?

Not even comparable. As long as the food bowl is regularly replenished, 95% of cat ownership is like having an extra cushion on the sofa. As long as you can handle the occasional death stare or demand for attention when said cushion awakes, cat ownership is pretty low intensity.

Def velcro. I know nothing about Kangal's. Not sure they have them where I live.
I do think some of these threads ( not you ) do sort of put people off getting a dog. I mean only us idiot dog adorers put up with puppies ,or high energy /working breeds. But after Covid I think pretty much worldwide there are a lot of lovely easy dogs sitting in shelters that would be great for a lot of people; a fabulous new member of the family .
Dogs over about 2yo that have no behavioural problems are just a wonderful addition to most households. If you don't like long walks get a little, lazy dog. They definitely exist ( my sister has 2 - not sure they've walked further than the letter box ). Obviously, don't get a dog if you can't afford to look after it or want to care for it.
Just a thought.

I agree, don’t get a dog.

Yep, all of mine are Velcro dogs too 😂

Fi is completely obsessed with playing fetch and would do it all day until she collapsed if she had her way, where as Dave prefers wrestling with our other dog Stanley (a Kangal). Thankfully they all have a good off switch (something we trained into them early), so they will chill when you tell them to.

They all adore my Mum and Dad who look after them one day a week and whilst they love my DH, they are all without doubt Mummy’s boys/girl (expected I suppose as I WFH so am the one who spends more time with them and provides most of the care).

That said, I can also know with 100% certainty that each one of the little gits wouldn’t think twice about selling me out for a portion of chicken nuggets 😂😂

Edited to add Fi came with her name, as did Dave (and Logan our Cyprus Mali rescue who died 2 years ago). Only Stanley got a chosen name, but I am partial to human names for dogs.

Confession time is all of them have some connection to Everton football club in their names as I’m a huge blue, season ticket holder etc. Fi is Fiona Goodison (name of the ground), Logan was Logan Blue, Dave is Dave Rhino (nickname of a former player called Dave) and Stanley is Stanley Kendall after Howard Kendall our most successful manager and Stanley park which is the park between the Everton and Liverpool grounds (DH is a red)!

Taat.

I was going to say the same thing

42 dogs, yes please! only in my wildest dreams or when I win the lottery though

Dutchies are a bit more chill, well ours is anyway. He's quite a lazy sod, but he can stand next to a 4 foot fence and just decide to jump it. No runup needed. Just straight up and over! He is also an excellent guard dog when you need the bathroom. If you manage to close the door before he gets his head in the room , he lies directly outside so you almost trip over him trying to get out! 😂BTW - Excellent name for the girl 😉

Ponies are worse. NEVER get a pony.
(Most) dogs are really not as hard as people make out, as long as someone is around most of the day ( even off and on). Depends on the breed of course,. A lot don't need the enormous amount of walks people think either. ( disclaimer - puppies are utterly horrendous for at least 12-18 months - they wee and poop everywhere and eat your furniture and walls).

Because they know the work involved. Dogs are fantastic. It’s not don’t have a dog full stop. It’s don’t have a dog unless you can happily meet their needs.

You need money, time, space, a strong stomach, not to mind mess or noise, realistic expectations and back up plans for reasonable changes of circumstance amongst other things.

What a gorgeous doggie!

Both Fiona and Dave are Malis. An exceptional breed, but lots of work!

I walk and look after other people's dogs, and then give them back when I've had enough 👍

It's all the good bits, but with out the vet bills, food bills, commitment, smelly house and chewed up stuff 👍

It's always people with dogs or multiple dogs telling other people not to get dogs?

If having a dog was so expensive and awful, why does nearly every household have one?

I don't have a dog btw.

Well said OP.

Also, have a back up plans where possible for changes of circumstances! If you keeping your dog rest on WFH, if that isn’t guaranteed, don’t get a dog or have a watertight back up plan! Family, friends, daycare, walkers, willing to change job, whatever. If you don’t know what you’d do, don’t get a dog!