To not understand the appeal of dogs as pets?

[Gardentiger]

I just don't get it and would love to understand! As much as I like certain dogs I meet and think they are cute, the list of downsides is massive

• they smell and make your house and car and clothes smell bad

-they can't be left alone for a length of a working day -behavioural problems and agression -if you get a barky one it can ruin your relationship with neighbours -the amount of time you have to spend training them -some seem to need constant supervision -chewing things and generally wrecking the housr -having to pick up warm freshly baked turds

I walked a friend of mines dog the other day and it was awful! He pulled on the lead the entire way, and kept trying to pee on people's doorsteps / flowerpots.

So what is the appeal!? I say this as an animal lover who has had pet rabbits, cats and hamsters in the past.

Not all breeds of dog smell. All those that insist they do have you actually been to homes of ALL the breeds in the world?

I have a good sense of smell and although quite a lot of my friends' houses smell of dog they certainly all don't. Most of my friends whose houses don't smell have the same breed of dog.

The breed I have does not moult. It has different sort of fur/hair to most dogs. They do not smell.

As I said before, if my house smelt my mother in law would tell me. She would love to be able to say it does smell. In fact she tells me it doesn't which must kill her. She certainly told me it smelt when I had a cat.

I get that not everyone likes dogs but to keep spouting the same old rubbish about all houses with dogs smelling is just pathetic

The breed I have does not moult. It has different sort of fur/hair to most dogs. They do not smell

My friend has a poodle which sounds like your dog. I'll be honest, I can tell when I walk in to her house she has a dog.

I bet when our dog’s ancestors started hanging around with our human ancestors about 15,000 years ago, a few people shook their heads and thought it’d never catch on

It’s probably people that don’t want to associate with dogs who are the aberration, historically speaking.

Yanbu not to mention issues going on holiday. And loads of dogs aren’t even cute to make it worthwhile! Like Jack Russells, Bichon frise, pugs/any with a shrivelled face, chihuahuas, Alsatians, westies, terriers, greyhounds etc all not even cute confused

How can you not like Alsatians? Rr a little border terrier face?

You still don’t need to understand it even if you’re surrounded by them 24/7

Go and get a life and think about something more interesting

@lynsey91

Not all breeds of dog smell. All those that insist they do have you actually been to homes of ALL the breeds in the world?

I have a good sense of smell and although quite a lot of my friends' houses smell of dog they certainly all don't. Most of my friends whose houses don't smell have the same breed of dog.

The breed I have does not moult. It has different sort of fur/hair to most dogs. They do not smell.

As I said before, if my house smelt my mother in law would tell me. She would love to be able to say it does smell. In fact she tells me it doesn't which must kill her. She certainly told me it smelt when I had a cat.

I get that not everyone likes dogs but to keep spouting the same old rubbish about all houses with dogs smelling is just pathetic

What breed so you have?

I'm a dog lover, you're not. That's OK. I don't know why you need validation for that.

To be honest, dogs do smell. Not necessarily bad, but like every single animal in the world, they have a smell.

I can see the appeal, they don’t judge you at all and they’re always there and happy to see you. After our dog died I wouldn’t get another though. It can be so restrictive in terms of holidays, spontaneous days out etc.

I don’t understand the ‘that’s how I feel about children’ responses. The OP didn’t mention children.

Why are people making an equivalence between children and dogs?

Do you just mean you don’t like people in general? Or that you prefer dogs to people? That would be fair enough if that’s your conclusion, but I don’t understand the particular focus on children.

I love my dogs for all the reasons already given. Between them I have an annoying barker, a frantic licker, a jumper-upper, and an "afraid of bigger dogs so growls at them" (not the best move I'd have thought). They make my house stink and have destroyed my sofas, but I don't mind, I still love them!

It really is pure unconditional love and it's priceless.

@Sparkl

I don’t understand the ‘that’s how I feel about children’ responses. The OP didn’t mention children.

Why are people making an equivalence between children and dogs?

Do you just mean you don’t like people in general? Or that you prefer dogs to people? That would be fair enough if that’s your conclusion, but I don’t understand the particular focus on children.

It also doesn’t make much sense when you consider that demanding, sticky toddlers grow into more independent (and less sticky) children/teens/adults.

A dog that needs kennelling, grooming, doggy daycare, walks etc will always need that from its owners- it’s not going to turn round one day during doggy adolesence and say “You know what, I can take myself to the vet from now on”

It also doesn’t make much sense when you consider that demanding, sticky toddlers grow into more independent (and less sticky) children/teens/adults.

A dog that needs kennelling, grooming, doggy daycare, walks etc will always need that from its owners- it’s not going to turn round one day during doggy adolesence and say “You know what, I can take myself to the vet from now on”

A dog only lives for less than 20 years. Kids are a life sentence. 😉

A dog only lives for less than 20 years. Kids are a life sentence. 😉

True. OTOH, with dogs you’re cleaning up poop right through their lives. Children learn how to use the toilet independently from the age of around 3 years old!

A dog that needs kennelling, grooming, doggy daycare, walks etc will always need that from its owners- it’s not going to turn round one day during doggy adolesence and say “You know what, I can take myself to the vet from now on”

My dog doesn't need kennelling, grooming or daycare. She's actually been fine when I've been isolating and only able to let her out for a pee so as much as she loves walks they can occasionally be missed and I like walks too. By the time dc can take themselves to the doctors she won't be far off going to the vets for the last time sadly so the input is similar

True. OTOH, with dogs you’re cleaning up poop right through their lives. Children learn how to use the toilet independently from the age of around 3 years old!

They also learn how to pick up dog shit in a bag too so eases the load 😆

@LizzieW1969

*A dog only lives for less than 20 years. Kids are a life sentence. 😉*

True. OTOH, with dogs you’re cleaning up poop right through their lives. Children learn how to use the toilet independently from the age of around 3 years old!

There’s a period of cleanliness then it all goes to ratshit. I’d rather pick up my dog’s turds than clean a teenager’s bedroom!

Prefer my cat , loving, getting on and far less trouble than dog, esp with chip reading cat flap

They love you, unconditionally.

OP I can get where your coming from if you are surrounded by them at work. I like dogs and cats and most animals however I do get cheesed off when owners expect you to love their dogs as much as they do and foist this upon you dominating entire conversations and exchanges with all things dog - but that’s more about the owners with no self awareness than the dogs themselves.

We didn't have any of the problems you list, except picking up poo obviously, until our dog was 16 plus and he did turn a bit smelly - but we loved him too much to care by then.

Thank goodness you are not a dog owner!!

When I see how much he loves us and how protective he is with my dd8 I just melt.

He's tiny so I only have to pick up small warm turds helps. That's why I chose a small dog. Easier to clean up after.

But, he's got his own little personality. He is a funny dog. He jumps out at you from behind doors etc because we do it to him.

When he wakes up he comes in and puts his paws on your face really gently and will pat you till you wake up.

When he's excited if we have been out without him and come home, his whole arse shakes he's wagging his tail so much.

If I take my dd the park on her scooter he runs after her, he won't let her out of his sight. It's lovely to see.

He is a pain in the arse also but we got him for my dd to give her some responsibility.

Dogs just seem to love you unconditionally .

For all those points you make; which indeed can be annoying, dogs are without question the most loyal creatures on earth.

They're excellent friends and company to have around. They show lots of affection.

I also find them to be amazing empaths. My dogs have helped me more with my mental health and wellbeing than anything else I've tried.

Dogs are basically selfless. They don't treat you like shit. It makes them happy to see you happy.

I prefer dogs to humans on many occasions to be honest

When he's excited if we have been out without him and come home, his whole arse shakes he's wagging his tail so much.

The whole bum wag is one of the cutest things. Each and every family member is greeted with this each morning even if she's slept in their bed therefore been with them 5 minutes previously 😆

I could never really understand how people could be so soppy over their dogs until i got a puppy 🤣

I honestly love him almost the same amount as my dd.

He is a small dog so not very smelly or messy, he doesn't bark much, he can be left 5-6 hours without issue. He has been well trained and socialised so can take him anywhere without any issues.

The benefits of owning a dog far far outweigh any cons for me.