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Original poster

Why do you have a dog?

83 replies

pinkglitter12 · 04/07/2025 11:05

Ok this might seem strange but it's a genuine question. I've been wondering for a long time why people choose to have dogs.
I understand there's dogs that support disabilities but wouldnt another human be better instead?

The cons

Picking up smelly poop.
Being tied to the house.
Vet appointments and fees
Dog smell
Extra cleaning
Commiting to walk daily, I personally dont think this is a bad thing but I'm sure it would become an inconvenience now and then.
Unpredictable behaviour
Fleas/worms/mites
Smelly dog food

I'm struggling to find the pros

Encouragment to exercise

I grew up on a cat street and the only dog on the road was a bull mastiff that barked at me and tried to jump the fence every day as I was walking to primary school. All my experience with dogs have been awful, standing in poop, getting dog diarrhea splashed all over me whilst pushing a pram, being chased and bit.

Genuinely curious why people have dogs?

OP posts:
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BigDahliaFan · 04/07/2025 11:11

Because she's absolutely adorable and you get complete unconditional love and she's huge amounts of fun. Having a dog gets you out in nature on days you might otherwise not - and that's good for me. You can have a crap day and a small nose will boop your leg with a toy in it's mouth and suggest you have a play instead...with the dog like...

We got ours just before Covid - the first dog either of us had had as adults. Though we'd dogsat and been around dogs a lot.

She got my husband through a horrendous bereavement.

She's a tie but having her more than makes up for the wet towels, sandy floors, a couple of poos to pick up a day and vet fees.

bilbodog · 04/07/2025 11:11

I love my dog - shes part of the family, as was my first dog too. A good dog is funny, clever, so pleased to see you and their favourite thing is going for walks and smelling every blade of grass. My dog gets me out of the house every day (otherwise im a lazy bastard). I talk to my dog all the time.

i feel sorry for people who dont have a dogs love in their lives.

vodkaredbullgirl · 04/07/2025 11:12

Because we do and have 2.

Melsy88 · 04/07/2025 11:14

Unconditional love and happiness!

Mybeautifuldogs · 04/07/2025 11:14

Why wouldn't I want to wake up to these faces every morning?

That's reason enough.

Why do you have a dog?
GidgetGirl · 04/07/2025 11:18

I have a dog because the close emotional bond you build with your dog is a beautiful, life-affirming thing. It's a relationship - I love him and he loves me. I love caring for him, I love making him happy, and I love giving him a secure, joy-filled existence. I love the individuality of dogs and I love their varying personalities and inclinations.

So, I have a dog because he brings me joy, and half of the bad stuff you mentioned isn't even an issue. Vet fees aren't much of an issue because he's insured, there's little or any extra cleaning needed, he's never had fleas or worms because they have simple treatment to prevent those things, and picking up poop is a tiny price to pay for all of the good stuff.

BalladOfBarryAndFreda · 04/07/2025 11:18

Nothing and no one loves you like a dog does. You are their universe. I say that as a much loved mum, wife and owner of other cherished pets.

My dog is full of personality, genuinely hilarious. A bit of a tit sometimes, but aren't we all? He is intelligent and well trained. Loves the bones of us but is disinterested and utterly neutral with strangers. In fact, that can be a bit embarrassing sometimes when aloof with the little ones who ask to stroke him.

The poo, food, healthcare & grooming stuff is just par for the course of looking after a living thing. You get out way more than you put in.

DinoLil · 04/07/2025 11:20

Because I live alone and I can't cope with other humans who leave skid marks in the loo, complain about meals cooked for them, leave dirty clothes on the floor, wet towels on the bed, want sex, who come with vile family members.

Just why??

A dog is unconditional love. Has no expectations, gets you out of bed even on your worst days with a nose boop. Never complains, is just the best companion ever.

I've been divorced twice, happily single for many years and would never consider having another relationship. DC long since left home. My dog is the best.

Ezesonfire · 04/07/2025 11:21

Why do people have children?
you could add most of the pros to that list for kids….

I have one of both, a child and a dog, and they both bring immense joy in their own ways.

I’ve had my pup almost 2 years, child 12.

I had a difficult childhood and longed for a companion. My child is an only, has everything I did not (and I’m not taking materially)
Part of our decision to get a dog was to give my child a companion, and they are the very best of friends. Plus, I’d always wanted one! He is my shadow, and I adore him. I love going out, rain or shine, he’s helped me through a quite difficult period just by being here, and having to take him for exercise.
My heart is truly full with them both.

Thecatspjymas · 04/07/2025 11:21

My dog absolutely adores all of us in the family, including he children. He’s always happy to see us and doesn’t sulk, hold a grudge. You know exactly what you are going to get and it’s just pure love!

He’s my best friend 😆

vodkaredbullgirl · 04/07/2025 11:22

1 of mine

Why do you have a dog?
vodkaredbullgirl · 04/07/2025 11:24

Older one

Why do you have a dog?
DifferentChoicesTooLate · 04/07/2025 11:24

His ears

His cuddles

I walk 10000 steps a day and keep fit and cannot miss this

His ears

He is hilarious

My kids love him and he brings them joy

His ears

I hate not having a dog for company, he’s sat next to me as I work

tedgran · 04/07/2025 11:28

Too old now to have dogs. We had three, one after t'other, Great Danes, whi as others have said gave unconditional love, great with my GCs when they arrived. I really miss having a dog, but get the love from my DDs dog

LuckyNumberFive · 04/07/2025 11:30

My old boy passed away at 15 earlier this year, so I no longer have a dog but the pros were fantastic.

Unconditional love, from the minute he woke up he was so happy just to be around us. I work from home full time (international company, WFH long before covid, so not something likely to change) and when the kids are in school and my partner is in the office it was very quiet at home. I loved having a bit of company at my desk. He was walked (until he became too old to manage it) in the morning and evening plus the two of us walked at lunch together, making sure I had a break from work every day.

There really is something very comforting about having a dog, he was by my side through some extremely hard times. Always there for a cuddle. He saw us through having kids, moving house, stressful periods at work.. he was that constant bundle of joy in my life right up until the end.

OneNewLeader · 04/07/2025 11:35

My dog makes me go out into the world. It’s taught my kids the value of thinking about something else. I’ve met lifelong friends (dog walkers). I’m more outdoors than I would be and I’ve loved them all and I’ve been loved back. They’ve all been rescues and have had a second or third chance at having a life filled with love and on occasion, mayhem. To see a toddler babbling away to another animal is a pure, simple delight.

The cons you cite are fair, and important to you. But for most dog owners (if ownership is the right word) aren’t so important.

I’ve had cats too,

bugalugs45 · 04/07/2025 11:38

Melsy88 · 04/07/2025 11:14

Unconditional love and happiness!

This ! Wouldn’t change my dog for the world ! I sometimes think how much he costs me ( food , insurance , dog walker ) but would I change it ? Not a chance , he’s my best boy 💙

Dearg · 04/07/2025 11:39

I had two, sadly only 1 now. Yes , there’s a smell, yes the poo stinks and yes they are a tie.

But my dogs have opened up a world outside work for me.
I know all my neighbours for the first time in my life, I know lots of other dog owners and many have become close friends. Dog walks take me to new places which I would be unlikely to visit on my own.

My older dog was a Therapet and we visited the nearby care home, where he was charmed by everyone and happily allowed himself to be patted and fed by those who wished to, many of whom told stories of their own pets.

okydokethen · 04/07/2025 11:43

I got mine for the wrong reason but it worked out great. DS then 6 desperately wanted one, specifically a sausage dog, it was the height of lockdown, I wanted to bring some joy, cost a fortune ‘lockdown pup’. DD then 8 was terrified of dogs, she couldn’t walk through a park without panic, she cried when I told her. Our dog literally fixed her, she is so confident around dogs of all sizes, both kids absolutely dote on them (we got another one!) they play with them and always go to them for snuggles when they are tired or sad or just chilling. Dogs are calming, they are like therapy. It’s taught kids a lot.

Personally, they are lucky they are adorable as they bark like mad and the mess is tiresome.

CoubousAndTourmalet · 04/07/2025 11:45

I don't actually recognise this list of cons as relating to my dog. I think only an avowed dog hater would think about this and then add that they cannot think of a single pro. That was not subtle.
It's just another goady thread.
What I will say is how much I pity you.

FiveShelties · 04/07/2025 11:47

Genuinely curious why people have dogs?

Of course you are🙄

vodkaredbullgirl · 04/07/2025 11:51

CoubousAndTourmalet · 04/07/2025 11:45

I don't actually recognise this list of cons as relating to my dog. I think only an avowed dog hater would think about this and then add that they cannot think of a single pro. That was not subtle.
It's just another goady thread.
What I will say is how much I pity you.

Exactly what I thought and in pets section.

saywhatdidhesay · 04/07/2025 11:55

She’s the glue in our family, with the children becoming teens she brings us together. There is a shared purpose in taking her somewhere nice for a walk.

my dd was scared of dogs and now we have a small dog I have seen her confidence grow so much, it has been really good for her.

I do not regret getting one.

vodkaredbullgirl · 04/07/2025 11:58

They greet me in the morning when I come back from work, while everyone else is at work.

ginasevern · 04/07/2025 11:59

Sorry, had to laugh at the "wouldn't another human be better" comment. Imagine having a "guide human" - a trained individual to lead the blind around all day long, live in their house etc. Who's going to do that job and who's paying for it!