I love dogs, i really really do.
We have a lovely little terrier who is about a year old. He is pretty much my dog, and adores me. He is fantastic with our very OTT two year old. I honestly believe he is the most tolerant dog in the world. He is knee high to a grass hopper and is really no trouble. Even if i am crap and dont take him out every day, he just fits in with us.
We have always had rotweillers in the past, our last one was a rescue and was a bit of a challenge, but he was lovely. I absolutely put my foot down when he died that we wont be having any more rotties until DD is at least 10, she is 2.5. DP would dearly like to have another one, but he knows i will not be persuaded. I love rotties, we are not thugs that want a big tough dog, we just love the breed. I think it is very much the case of once you have owned one, you are hooked. They are amazing dogs. But they also weigh anything between 6-10 stone and they are pushy, dominant dogs that require a LOT of training. I just dont have the time.
Now DP keeps on at me to get a second dog, something like a springer (he has aspirations of having a gun dog) or a pointer. I just will not have another dog now. Ive always only had one dog, apart from when i lived with my parents when i had a labrador sized mongrel and a chihuahua (interesting). What he doesnt realise is, even though he SAYS he will look after it, he will take it out (a bigger dog is not going to be so forgiving and a play in the garden isnt going to cut it) etc etc, I will be the one with the extra work and I will be the one who will have to find the time to train the thing. I have pretty much done the bare minimum with our little terrier, but he fits in with what we want him to be (good with the lo!) and its ok. A bigger dog will require more training, produce even more poo (that i will have to pick up!) and we were extremely lucky with bob, he is mega tolerant and i'm no dog whisperer i just think we found a pup with a great temprement. I was very particular about this when we got him. I even bought a cross breed when what i wanted was a border terrier but none of the ones we could find at the time had been raised in the home, with children so i went for what i thought would fit with us the best, and i love him to peices. He is the epitome of a family dog. In fact, he is cuddled up to DD watching telly just now.
Why can't my DP see that i just dont want to rock the boat, i don't WANT another dog, i dont want the work and i dont want the worry. And it doesnt matter how many cute puppy pictures he waves under my face, you would have thought that after 15 years together he would realise, i dont do cute!!