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!!

Well, you can guess my answer from my user name! I adore our dog, he has helped me through some very tough times and I wouldn’t be without him. Yes, they can be restrictive but I think you have to weigh up what you could potentially loose in ‘freedoms’ with what you gain in loyalty and love.

Thank you, they are amazing, they barely leave my side when I’m home. I couldn’t be without them.

@And you might love long walks but what about the short, round the block walks in every weather, at least twice a day, every day ? That you'll have to drag the kids out on ?

I actually enjoyed walking every day even in the pouring rain as long as I had waterproofs on. Not so keen on snow but luckily we don't get that much of that. The enjoyment dogs get from their walk made it worthwhile to me.

Having volunteered with rescues for a very long time, the dog's behaviour isn't even the top reason that they end up in rescue. At the moment, it seems to be people who just don't have the time or money to care for them.

I was in the same frame of mind as you OP, and have ended up setting up as a dog walker! I work in another role PT but now have a few dogs I take out each week - I get exercise, doggy company, and I use the money I'm paid to overpay the mortgage a little bit.

It was the holiday logistics that got me in the end.

Now I get to have other people's dogs instead!

Cats are the easiest option. If I could go back in time I would have another cat rather than getting a dog.

The difference for me is that a cat can use a litter tray, they are more independent. If it’s raining the cat likes to stay inside, they can be left alone easily with a timer feeder. But they also have lovely personalities and can be quite affectionate snuggled on your lap. They also don’t make lots of loud vocal noise.

The part I dislike about having a dog is having to go out whatever the weather, I find my dog smellier than my cat was, and you can’t be spontaneous or have long days out. It changes your life in a more extreme way than a cat.

Also, mine has cost thousands in vets bills, literally ate the kitchen/ table/ skirting boards as a puppy, dug a hole in my lawn, and is still up once or twice a night wanting let out 🙄

Although a slight caveat based on PPs comment above around rescues and people not being able to afford them, they are expensive. Factor in:

• dog food
• vet bills
• worming and fleeing
• Insurance
• Holiday cover
• dog walking

We are going away for two weeks in August and it is £900 for two dogs. Vet bills are really expensive and insurance is going up because of it. Dog walking is a premium where we are and it is £35 for two dogs for an hour. So just do due diligence before you do it. We have a camper van and do a lot of holidays with the dogs which helps.

Whenever I get wistful about getting a dog, I remind myself on the many posts on here from owners whose dogs eat other dogs poo… I find that it’s sorts me out quick sharpish. How anyone could cuddle or share a personal space with a poo eating dog is beyond me 😁

I've always had dogs, I wouldn't be without them. The things that bother other people don't fuss me - if we are away for a long day I get someone to let them out or take us. I hoover a couple of times a day and we do not have a hairy house. No sign of slobber, vomit, upset stomachs! Dog toys occasionally underfoot but nothing worse than a child! We currently have a spaniel and a lab - ours are working dogs, but these two are in the house.
They are a joy, I love training them, the spaniel particularly is a small friend to take to the pub etc and we run together too. I have nothing bad to say about them at all and if you are having a tough time there is always a hairy, bouncy individual who thinks you are the very BEST person in the world, and that cannot be overestimated!

Because he's handsome 😂

I love our dog more than anything. I can’t imagine being without him. However, it has changed our lives way more than we expected. I knew we would have less holidays abroad but I actually don’t want to go without him so we rarely go abroad. The costs are huge, we easily spend 500 a month. Last month alone we had a 1000 vet bill just for teeth cleaning and removing an extra tooth he had that was impacting his bite.

My alarm is set for 5.30 every week day. I was out walking at sparrows fart today. I'm either planning to walk them, walking them, or clearing up after having walked them. As a single parent who works full time it's a bloody scheduling nightmare. I've just had a quote for £480 to descale teeth. On top of the fortune I spent at christmas after one ate Christmas pudding. The other one needs joint supplements. That's on top of the normal food, boosters, flea treatment, worm treatment, insurance etc. I love them but its a massive commitment. Not to mention the logistics around trying to do anything without them.

This. @Chiseltip 's comments made my blood boil. She doesn't have the faintest idea what she's talking about and is doing a huge amount of damage by spouting this utter crap. Rescue centres are full of dogs because of thick, shallow, feckless bloody humans. Especially those who thought they were buying a cuddly toy during lockdown, instead of a living creature.

I’ve always been a multi dog owner. The only reason I have one at the moment is because she’s dog aggressive and wouldn’t accept another in the home. On reflection, I wont be rushing to get another when she goes. I adore her but equally realise how much my life has to revolve entirely around her; work has to revolve around her, anything social revolves around her, holidays or work being done on the house for longer than a day means expensive trips to kennels.

Being dog aggressive means I can’t just walk her anywhere. It’s like a military operation with balls, treats, and the route including escape routes all mapped out. I could never take her for a spontaneous walk somewhere new. I’ve never had a dog like this; all my previous dogs have been social with other dogs and could be taken anywhere so I find this really hard.

She sheds profusely and I have to hoover daily. Despite this the hair gets everywhere and I hate it.

I am expecting my first baby and I’m in my third trimester. I am struggling to walk her at the moment but I’m the only one who can deal with her “issues” so I have to suck it up. I absolutely won’t be walking her with the baby so that’s going to be fun juggling a newborn and trying to get her exercised. The only saving grace is that she’s nearly double figures in age so isnt as demanding as she once was.

Would I get another in the future? Yes, but it would be a small one. And anything dog aggressive would be a deal breaker for me. I 100% would not own another dog aggressive dog.

This is where we got our sweet dog from last year- no behavioural issues.... https://www.barkingmaddogrescue.co.uk/

If you can't deal with hair shedding, you'll find a cat does that too. Poodles and doodle crosses - you could find a doodle cross that is known not to shed as an adult - won't drop hair but they will need regular clipping and grooming.

I know people always try to put you off having a dog, but ours is amazing 😍

We can take him anywhere (a road trip to Europe, horse shows, to central London etc) or leave him at home. He loves going out but can also spend the day snoozing on the sofa cuddled up to anyone who’s lazing about. When he’s on his own, he just sleeps on my daughter’s bed. He loves kids, other dogs, is super affectionate and easy going. He’s just an absolute sweetheart and everyone who meets him adores him. No trouble at all (but we also have an amazing dog walker who can board him at short notice and takes him over holidays if needed). He’s also not a morning person and loves sleeping in 😂

I absolutely love my dog, she trained herself as an assistance dog, but there are still place where it's unsuitable to take her so she doesn't come everywhere. She does hospitals and outings regularly but we keep up with her training. The best thing that I've found is to have a dog buddy (she has a best dog buddy down the road) who is similar in energy and size and we do day out swaps so I know that she and I have an extra pair of hands if I need to go out.

The other thing is find a really good kennels or dog sitter.

We walk several hours a day, our garden is quite small but she has activities in there (sand pit, water pit, a pull bungee, scent stuff, and we put other bits in and out that she brings home from walks). Several hours of walking each day can get frustrating when it's continuous days of rain - this is the only time I get a bit down about owning a dog.

I didn't realise how much it would impact me when she was unwell or injured - turns out I get really stupidly anxious in these situations. We have a great vet for her but the vet is also exceptional with me. I have good insurance that covers most things but there is alway excess of course.

Lots of people do not like dogs so I try to not force her on people, but equally lots of people who dont like dogs also have a bad case of "I will force my views on you" - I do get shouted at a lot when taking her on public transport. Did I mention she is huge and so it's like being accompanied by a black bear.

I don't let her interact with everyone only people who I know really love her - this helps her manage her expectations.

I have two cats and a dog.

If you love dogs a cat is not going to cut it. They're rubbish.

Our dog is medium sized. Doesn't really shed, can be left up to 4 hours on occasion, doesn't wake up early.

Our house is muddy though, mainly because he is off lead on walks and I can't be arsed to clean him after every walk.

He eats things he shouldn't which is a pain, although has never chewed furniture etc. you just can't trust him with a sausage roll.

He does need an hour's walk every day and I have a friend whose dog needs 3 a day!

I really do wish that people would not peddle this rubbish about all rescue dogs having "issues". 40+ rescue dogs in, I can assure you that that is simply not true.
I have never for one minute regretted any of mine. Obviously, sometimes, they can be a bit irritating (usually when I have just sat down and they decide they want to go out, having refused to go out 2 minutes previously!) but then I look at their faces and waggy tails and all is forgiven 😍I will never not have multiple dogs.

Don't have a rescue as your first dog and with a 7-year-old. I'd never trust what a rescue place tells me about a dog - they say what they need to get the dogs homed, in my experience, with no care for how it will f up the new owners' lives. We have a rescue that we love but he has curtailed my life and isolated me from friends in ways that I regret hugely. I wouldn't repeat that. A puppy, maybe ...

I don't think we'd get another dog, she is beautiful and great company now that I wfh but also restricts our choices to travel or do day visits out like we used to. Our holidays are now based around her, we travel in the UK to pet friendly places instead of flying abroad. Also, pooper scooping the garden is the worst job in the world.

Also mine is crate trained, we open her crate at 7am and sometimes she doesn't get up until 11am, I've never known such a lazy dog.

I find this so sad to read the amount of posts from people who have dogs but are almost wishing their time away. These people definitely should have done their research better and maybe not had them.

If you have a partner or children, you have to make sacrifices and change to accommodate them. You do so because they’re part of your family and you love them. I can’t imagine waiting for a family member to die so you can have your freedom again, yet so many seem to suggest they’re doing that with their dog and mostly for trivial things.

Lots of dogs shed a lot. We’ve had retrievers and labradors which are the worst but we clean up and they’re less messy than my kids sometimes. Don’t underestimate the hair but if you’re a reasonable person who can keep hoovering, this isn’t insurmountable.

Dogs don’t have to ruin your grass (sounds like a ridiculous thing to blame a dog for anyway). Mine are always taken out for toileting so never go on my lawn. This is about being a decent owner, it’s not the dog’s fault if they go where they’re sent.

Holidays do need to be booked in advance to get a sitter but that’s do-able. Ideally you need to like UK breaks too - ours have been in touring caravans, statics and tenting with us. They’ve loved it. There are lots of hotels which accept them too.

Regardless of any of the above, a dog gives so much more back than they ever take. Most dogs are amazing and if you’re the right kind of owner, you will feel privileged to care for them and accept their quirks, just like we accept them of humans.

My elderly dog now needs £200 of tablets per month, he has had multiple teeth removed at a cost and now drools a lot, which often drips on my wooden flooring or gets shook up walls/kitchen cabinets. He has hair all over the floor and furnishings which I have to clean regularly and he smells like an old lad (musty and a bit fishy) 😂 I love him to pieces though and he is the most amazing companion our family have ever had and could ever wish to have. I would lay down my life for him and he is just as important as any other close family member. It makes my life infinitely better to see him happy and to continue to do what we can to give him experiences and make memories with him.

You need patience, money and a great deal of love to be a dog owner. If you’re realistic and laid back, I would wholeheartedly recommend having a dog. This is one of the best decisions I have ever made (twice) and despite being the most awful thing to lose a pet, I will have dogs again in future. They make me a better person, they have made my children better people and we owe them so much.