What's the worst thing about having a dog?

[Blankiefan]

I've never been a pet person but recently have been toying with the idea of a dog. DD is an only and is 7. She could do with a bit of companionship but it'd be my dog I think. I'd expect to do the looking after/ training/ walking. I'd only consider a smallish dog but ideally a rescue dog and not a puppy. I don't know if this is an idealistic view (Do rescue dogs always come with emotional baggage?)

My plan is to wait another year or so to consider it and also to see how life pans out. Currently both DH and I are at home all day and anticipate this continuing (each 2-3 days per week) but I'd like to see that play out.

I'm only at the start of thinking this through but thought you all might be able to give me some stuff to consider over the next year.

@demelzalala

When they die, they break your heart.

This.

I would say the poo and the hair/smell

We have a big garden with lots of nooks and crannies which is great for our dog to mooch around but it means muddy paws several times a day which are a pain to clean.

Rethinking sofa/carpet colours so marks aren't as visible.

Somehow, grass manages to be brought into the house which means sweeping up a couple of times a day.

Oh and a new thing of pulling out of the stuffing from toys and leaving all over the kitchen so lately I seem to be gathering up bits of stuffing.

Definitely agree with PPs about the joy and affection outweighing the dirt/mess/hair/rainy walks etc. The love and loyalty they give is beyond measure! They literally get into your heart and soul and we couldn't imagine life without our little dog now!! We do plenty of days out, most are dog friendly but for the ones that aren't, my parents love to have her for the day. Dogs are such a great companion and it's lovely to return home from work and see a happy waggy tail as a welcome!

NotExactlyHappytoHelp
When ours got to that stage we decided it was time to say goodbye 😕 It had gone on for several weeks with increasing frequency. He was 17.

Dogs are living longer and longer, and you should factor in to your deliberations the likelihood that your pet will live to 15 years old.

@FatimaMunchy This was our biggest worry but the vet has said they would not in good conscience put her down. She is happy, not in pain and enjoys life very much. She’s 13 but a large cross breed so we know these are her golden years. We’ll be keeping a very close eye on her quality of life as will the vet.

Ours was a Springer, so was very old for his breed.

I loved our two dogs to bits but when they died, I really didn't want to get any more. Apart from what everyone else has mentioned - the hair, the poo picking, the wet and cold walks, the nighttime wanderings, the hair, the horrendously difficult decision about PTS, the hair, - my life has changed hugely since we had them. When we had them, the kids were at school so home by 3.30/4pm, H worked shifts so usually in the house for part of every day and when he wasn't the dogs went to my parents and I worked part time.. Now I'm divorced, kids all grown up, working full time and more, and parents too old to have a dog for the day. Sometimes I would love one especially during the lockdown chaos but I know that if things ever return to a time where spontaneity is allowed, I wouldn't want to be tied to 'getting home for the dog' or looking for dog friendly hotels etc when going away, or limiting going away to UK only.

Definitely when the pass away.
They are very expensive, just like children they need day care, toys, good food. Then there’s the pet insurance, vets, etc. Some puppies can be prone to chewing, some aren’t.