To think whatever I do, getting a dog will make my house stink?

[nicas]

We fancy getting a dog next year. I'm just slightly concerned that the house will smell like a dog lives there regardless of the amount of hoovering and cleaning I do.

Are there any breeds that don't shed as much?

Former dog owner here (still miss my little pal every day). Yes, they do make the house smell - as pp said, you go 'noseblind' but you'll notice it when you come back from a holiday, for instance. Some dogs are smellier than others and obviously regular cleaning helps, but there is an innate 'doggy' smell that stays.

If you don’t like the smell of dogs, please don’t get one and then bath it constantly. Non shedding breeds have grooming needs. Dogs absolutely shouldn’t be bathed and shampooed, it completely destroys their coat and natural oils. Regular brushing is all they need.

This is extreme and you certainly shouldn't shampoo any dog that often, unless you want it to get skin disease. Once ot twice a year is enough for most breeds.

Most people I know who have dogs don't have houses that smell doggy. The dogs get plenty of walks, they get dried when they get wet, they get the mud wiped off them, they get brushed regularly. It shouldn't be a problem.

And I'd rather have a house that smelled a bit of dog than one that smelled of Febreeze, or where the air was full of toxic chemicals.

Another vote for whippet. No one has ever smelt my dog and I have regular visitors to my home for work.

Tbh you don’t sound like a dog person. Never ever occurred to me to think about the house smelling when we got our darlings.

Do you ask everybody who comes to your house if they can smell that you have a dog? People are not going to tell you!

I think ofsted and environmental health might mention it 😜

@Skogrammy sorry I can't quote a quote on app

Houses do smell. People think they don't or maybe some of us have more of a scent of smell, so maybe you /others cane smell dog - but dog owners houses do smell

As @twinmum2022 said earlier

i Don’t think dog owners can be the judge of whether their house smells doggy. My friends give their dog the dried meat treats (horse hooves etc) and they smell absolutely vile to me. I have to breath through my mouth when I’m the room with them

I agree with this, I have a basset hound and she regularly gets really really smelly but it turns out it is her ears rather than her body. Because they have long droopy ears that do not stick up and get air into them they tend to suffer from lots of brown stinky ear wax, it really is quite foul smelling. We clean this out about every two weeks and you can tell when she needs it doing as she gets smellier and smellier. I have never washed her in the bath or at a groomers (apart from rinsing mud off and if she had rolled in something foul) but do not need to as her body does not smell.

We have a close coated small terrier and he has access to most of the house and our house def doesn't smell - he has a very mild doggy smell himself, but we put throws on sofas, wash them regularly and he has a bath every few weeks.

You are not being unreasonable. It definitely will.

All dog homes reek. Those who say they don't might have bad senses of smell, but to anyone with an average nose, yes, your house will smell of dog.

i Don’t think dog owners can be the judge of whether their house smells doggy

This.

Same here, the ears get smelly but the rest of her doesn’t have a strong smell

I don't understand the posters saying every house with a dog smells. I have one relative whose house stinks so strongly of dog that I can hardly get my breath when I visit.
But then I can think of 2 other households which never smell of dog. I know that one of those owners is fastidious about cleanliness so I suppose that is the reason (hoovers multiple times a day, washes dog's bedding frequently). The other is definitely not a clean freak but perhaps it's just the fact she has wooden floors and sends the dog often to the groomer.
I wouldn't let the worry of smells put me off getting a dog.

I have a white Westie who goes out daily often swims and plays in the mud
Dog Walker washed him off and his paws are washed( with Epsom salts in water) so he's clean but he probably smells
Throws and bedding are washed regularly and he is groomed every 2 months
But the joy he brings outweighs the downside beyond measure.

Three things:

1 - Consult a dog expert about what type of dog would suit you, one that sheds less, one that needs lots or little exercise, one that sleeps all dya or doesnt etc... don't go on looks alone else you'll be a bad fit an dit will end in tears.

2 - There will be smell and mess. If any of your family are OCD about cleanliness or allergies or asthma etc then a dog will cause issues.

3 - Dogs cost a lot to be fed well and to cover vet bills/insurance etc. If you are struggling financially then again don't.

Otherwise enjoy!

Previous dog owner and I have to on say you go noseblind. Nobody was ever rude/honest enough to say my house smelt of dog but honestly coming back off holiday after the dogs had been home with the dog sitter omg the smell would hit you like a ton of bricks. Just dog not poop or anything just pure dog smell.

We had German shepherds.

😂 so true. Many deluded dog owners on this thread

I am always asking dogless friends and family if my house smells of dog, I have three all different breeds so do worry, I'm always told no, though I can smell dog if I've been out for a few hours or if they have been out in the rain. I wash their bedding regularly, also my cushions as they are all allowed on the sofa (leather) I also keep them well groomed and hoover daily ( wooden floor) open windows each morning for some fresh air. I will, add that all of my dogs shed constantly so if you are precious about dog hairs in your crockery or pan cupboard don't get one.

Yes it will. I don't know a single person with a dog whose house doesn't stink like dog. I know people who think their house doesn't smell like dog but it definitely does 😅

Pets smell.

Your dog is banned from the living room? Why even have a dog if its not part of the daily life of the family? 🤷🏻‍♀️

Sorry, previous comment was meant for @beaniebutter

I think houses always smell of the occupants. I don't mind dog smells but some other smells in houses I find more unpleasant, like if they keep rodents as pets. So it might always smell like a dog lives there but that doesn't necessarily mean it smells bad. Our dog smells of biscuits, I love having a good sniff of her tummy And at the end of the day, we are the only ones who live there so as long as it's not bothering us I can't say I care if someone else thinks it smells of dog. Just care less, that's my suggestion!