Do I want a dog?? Do you regret having one?

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I love dogs so much! But I am very aware that they are a huge commitment that is years and years long and I don’t want to commit to having one unless I am absolutely certain I can be a good dog owner.

I can and do work from home most of the time, although there are days when I go in to my office - it’s very flexible.
I love getting out for long walks.
I have a 7 year old daughter who is very calm and loves animals
I have a small garden
I like to go for breaks away when I can fit them in
Weekends can be changed to fit around having a dog but I don’t always go to dog friendly places with my DD
The hair shedding and potentially being woken up early doors would bother me
I earn well and could afford to pay a dog walker if needs be - would get pet insurance obviously and vet bills wouldn’t be an issue
I wouldn’t get a puppy. I prefer medium to large breeds - would like to get a rescue if I can but don’t know if it would be better to get a dog whose background I am aware of if that makes sense?

Or should I just get a cat?!!

Talk me out of it please!!

Eh?
Ive had lots of rescue dogs, including foster dogs and never had a dog with ‘bad’ behaviour. Some that needed more training or were a bit nervous, yes. Clearly she’d know the behaviour of a dog she knew of (& a rescue wouldn’t rehome a dog with aggression history to a home with a child, if OP did end up down that route) so even if you did have a point, it would be mute in these circumstance.
Also, OPs lifestyle actually sounds perfectly suited to a dog.

OP, I’ve got more dogs than I probably should. I adore them. The difficulty for me is probably the quantity. Having 1 dog, in a suitable set up like you describe, is lovely. Spend some time considering what you want from a dog and go from there. Perhaps ask a friend if you could dog sit when they next go away to give you a chance to have a good go?

I would never not have a dog, a dog makes a home in my opinion <3 I have a staffy and there's no slobber, no mess, nothing, he's the best boy. We take him with us when we go on holiday, there's lots of dog friendly holiday places now and he really enjoys it. I couldn't be without a dog.

Or should I just get a cat?!!

Yes. If a cat is an option, then you don't really want a dog.

If you rescue and you've never seen a problem dog you've been lucky. Its not good management, its luck.

I adore my little dog and couldn't imagine what life would be like without her (now, after having her for two years), but my life has changed significantly since I had her, I now have a toddler and another child on the way and my little dog is extremely clingy and needy and it's sometimes really difficult looking after her alongside everything else (I also work full time). If I could've foreseen what life would be like I possibly wouldn't have got her, but having said that she means the world to me and I know it's going to be a very very sad day when the time comes that she's no longer here

I have been looking after a good friends dog for just over 2 weeks , sweet little thing whose company I’ve enjoyed. I will however be handing her back with glee and silently saying never again, and I truly love dogs . The responsibility is immense,

We had two Siamese cats pre-kids and they were the best pets ever. I still think about them daily.
I know they're not dogs but they were really intelligent, loyal and affectionate in the way that a dog is but without a lot of the hassle.
Maybe consider one of the Asian cat breeds.

Make a list of all the reasons why you shouldn't get a dog, and then come up with a solution to each of those reasons. If you can't, don't get a dog.
I was a bit like you, did a lot of research into training, breeds etc but in the end decided that I like my freedom too much, so have settled for watching a daily reel of dog videos on Youtube instead.
I still dream that maybe early retirement will be a good time to get one though....

Well that's bollocks. Most dogs that end up in rescues are abandoned by owners who didn't anticipate their needs or decided they didn't match the colour of the carpet or who dumped them after Covid returned their lives to normal.

Or have behavioural issues that are the result of being abused by children or adults.

I love dogs and my family always had them growing up (and my parents and siblings still do), but we don't because its just such a lot of work that I can't handle right now with young kids.
Also, we've always adopted dogs, and there's always something that makes things challenging, but I also know multiple people with purchased dogs and again, there's always something! We had one dog rescued from a puppy and she was so difficult, even more so than most of our older rescues.
But my sibling has a dog currently that is so food orientated and its such hard work to be around, will snatch food out of your hand, jump on counters etc. No training is working. So that's reminding me at the moment how difficult it can be!

I've had dogs most of my life, but at almost retirement, I no longer want the responsibility for animals I love.

I want to travel the world without thinking about the well-being of my faithful companions.

As you know, dogs are very hard work, especially when they're learning how to behave in their new environment etc and with my Border Collies, with the male one, I found him more exhausting as a puppy than my own baby lol, but I really don't regret having any of my dogs at all - not even when they're causing me worry with their health etc.
If you do your research properly and ensure you understand and can meet the dogs needs, then it can be extremely rewarding.

I grew up with dogs and my husband didn't - he was adamant that he never wanted a dog as that was how he'd been raised but then we took in an emergency rescue who needed a foster home instantly - we ended up keeping her (much to my delight) and now he's as mad on dogs as I am.

If they're introduced into the home correctly and are trained with patience, rewards and genuine love, it can be the most wonderful thing ever.

Dog was great when kids were small. Once they got more independent/moved out. Then dog for me was bigger commitment and did not like to be alone. Could be more care commitment than a child.

Impact on me:

1. when I went back to work, dog care was a priority annoyance. Walker & access to home a stress when they would not be available or when walker got “friend” to help
2. lack of spontaneity, I could go away til I got someone or kennel to take dog which sometimes cost as much as my flights
3. You get issues if fog is a barker or destroyer when left alone

if you have friends or family that can help when you want freedom, get a dog. if you don’t … and want to go away on popular term holidays …. Then it’s booking care in advance & £££

I would never get another one. Mine has issues. I never regretted having cats, get a cat.

A dog doesn't even need to be abused to have behavioural issues the owners can't cope with, they might have lacked any socialisation or training, or be trying to act out the drives associated with their breed and be developing neurotic behaviours.

Get a dog! You sound like you'd be a perfect, responsible owner to me. If you want a trial, you could always sign up with 'Borrow My Doggy' and get used to taking other people's dogs for walks or for a few days to see how you get on.

They are hairy creatures, and they make a mess and they are a tie, but if you can put up with that, dogs are the funniest, most loving of creatures and so rewarding. I lost my collie almost two years ago and haven't got another one, firstly because he was irreplaceable, but now just because I'm single and they are such a tie, although I used Borrow My Doggy and friends and a dog walker. I started boarding dogs in my house to bridge the gap between no dog of my own and still having dog loves and my boarders are so rewarding.
As soon as I retire or I'm in a better position, I'll be getting multiple dogs again!

Most dogs I know have been owned by the owners since puppies and the majority have some sort of behavioural issue. Theres very few perfect dogs. Most dogs I know, rescued or not, could benefit from further training. Not all that dissimilar to how neither biological nor adopted children are perfect, really.

It’s all about weighing up the pros and cons isn’t it? We have a four year old dog and I love her to bits, but she does clip our wings. If we take her on holiday we can forget going to restaurants, although pubs are generally ok. We took her all over south of France last year and we had to take it in turns going on the beach because no dogs allowed. This year we’re leaving her with a dog sitter at £50 a day!!!
Also, if national trust places are your thing, you can forget going in and visiting the houses - you are destined to stay outside / in the cafe.

I have two dogs and I love them to bits. I think they're great company but they're definitely a big commitment.

Lots of extra cleaning, every day walks are a must and they are expensive when you factor in food, vets, toys, grooming and training costs (not to mention the damage that they can cause to your house, especially as puppies)

Mine are getting on now at 13 and 15 and I wouldn't be without them. With that said I don't think I'll have another for a long time after they pass. Mainly because having dogs makes going out for the day or going on holiday a lot more difficult.

I think if you're realistic about the pros and cons then getting a dog could be great for you.

I desperately wanted a dog and love him to bits, but it is hard work. He's pretty much taken over my entire life and I definitely feel like I've lost a lot of my freedom. It's not even like with a child where you know they'll get older and more independent at some point. My dog has an amazing life, but he will be our first and last dog.

One thing I would say is, if you go abroad someone has to look after your dog in person or it has to go in kennels. My cat is ok to be fed twice a day (with cuddles) but a dog needs company.

I’m not sure that’s true. My rescue was a stray in Ireland and the absolute best girl. She was 6 months old and behaved well very quickly. When we had the adoption talk at dogs trust they gave us a list of reasons people take their dog there, it was all sorts (many pathetic!) like dog has muddy paws or smells. They no longer have time, they are moving house, they are separating and no one wants the dog. It’s not because the digs are badly behaved. A goid charity will not re home a dog without testing their behaviour in various situations. Please don’t misinform people about rescues.

I never ever have regretted getting any of my pets. My 21 year old daughter died suddenly 3 months ago, and the two dogs and cat have been my saviour. Never underestimate the power of animals to help you through grief or trauma.

I'm so sorry for your loss 💐 it's nice to hear how much comfort your dogs and cat have brought you.