Pros & Cons of owning a Dog.....

[hertsnessex]

I have owned dogs, and my parents did when i was a child - we are seriously contemplating another - someone please remind me of the pros and cons.........

thnks

cx

What are you thinking of getting?

The dds keep on about a dog and we had decided on a cocker spaniel then someone put me off saying they were a lot of hard work and needed tons of exercise

The biggest plus for me was that, come rain or shine, I was out walking in the outdoors, keeping fit and keeping the colour in my cheeks. Sometimes I used to think, 'Oh no. It's pissing down with rain. I can't believe I have to walk the dog' but when I got out there I always appreciated and enjoyed it.

I'm very tempted to get a dog. In theory I'm allergic to them but I can't help thinking I'd be healthier on balance.

You needc to make sure you have someone who can look after him/her/them from time to time if you want to go away. Otherwise they can be included in many family holidays as plenty of places welcome dogs and they love camping.

I so want a dog.

Better than children and dont answer you back!

the shit
the chewing
the barking
the arse licking of other dogs
the weeing and the burning of your lawn
the eating of dead animals
the digging of your garden
the having to walk twice a day
aside from that they're bloody gorgeous

I love dogs but separated this year and mine went with DP.

Although I loved him to bits (the dog that is ) I don't miss the smell and the fur at all - they really are quite hard work.

We've had a cocker spaniel for a year. She is very loving, and reasonably obedient. She did go through a chewing phase, and took a few months to get house trained.

As for work, she loves being with people, and I will take her with me whenever I can. She gets walked in the morning and evening, with proper walks at weekends. We've not been able to exercise her properly because of foot & mouth (we are within the 3km protection zone), but she hasn't seemed to suffer for it. This weekend is the first time we have been able to take her out properly.

Sounds good to me

Pros:

• Unconditional love and adoration
• Friendly greeting whenever you come home
• Make you exercise every day
• Nice to snuggle up to on the sofa (if they'll let you have some sofa space)
• Teach children about caring for others, feelings, responsibility
• Good for immune system, disease resistance
• Good for clearing up any food that falls on the floor

Cons:

• Walks in wet weather
• Can limit how long you can stay out of the house (don't leave mine for more than 4 hours at a time)
• Clearing up poo (but not as bad as baby poo imo)
• Muddy footprints
• The smell when they roll in poo and on dead animals

Not hugely different in behaviour and habits to toddlers, but much easier.
They can be a bind at times, but I think the pros far outweigh the cons. My house feels far too still and quiet if the dog is away in kennels.

If you get a small, shorthaired dog and feed it on a good dry dog food, many of the cons
vanish:
You don't have to walk in bad weather
not much hair loss
poops solid and very easy to pick up.
You can easily transport in saloon car.

And they can sit on your lap and keep you warm so you save money on the heating bill.