Why do you have a dog?

[pinkglitter12]

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?

My kitchen floor was cleaner when we had a dog. She was like a hoover for any little bits of food that fell. She'd often catch it before it reached the floor.

Picking up smelly poop. - give them decent food, and it’s not smelly

Being tied to the house.- can be annoying at times, but not a major problem

Vet appointments and fees - insurance is an added cost

Dog smell - doesn’t smell

Extra cleaning - yes

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. - saves going to the gym

Unpredictable behaviour - not really

Fleas/worms/mites - never had a problem

Smelly dog food - decent food doesn’t really smell

I haven't read the thread as I'm a lifelong dog lover and thought it was probably goady but I've just seen this and thought I'd share 'https://www.theguardian.com/science/2025/jul/05/dog-cat-ownership-could-preserve-specific-brain-functions-as-we-age-cognitive-decline. It seems like a big pro to me.

I adore my dogs. As so many other people have said, they love you unconditionally, they want to be near you and seem to know what you need. They also force me to take a break during the working day - they have a sixth sense for when it his midday and then I’m pestered for walks.

I grew up with cats and like you, nobody really had dogs in our circle of family and friends but I’ve always wanted them so now my DC are teens, I do!

There is no other being on the planet that is mind-bendingly thrilled to see me 100% of the time, even if I've only been out of the room for 3 seconds.

The feeling of having a deep emotional connection with a being of a different species counters all my cynicism and doubt about the cold indifference of the universe.

He's goofy and hilarious and weird and I fully bend-over belly-laugh at least 3 times a day.

When I'm sad or having a hard time, he's a warm, quiet, breathing, reassuring presence by my side. He leans his body against me and puts his head on my shoulder, and he says absolutely nothing, and I immediately feel better.

He brings a grounding rhythm and structure to my day, and the warm feeling of caring for something that needs me.

He's absolutely overflowing with personality and funny idiosyncrasies, and despite being a bit of a scaredy-cat, he'll do absolutely anything if he thinks I need him to. His willingness and bravery and trust in me breaks my heart in the best possible way. I've learned so much about what I'm capable of through caring for him.

I've met a good chunk of my friends through him, especially as I've recently moved to a new place. People come over to say hello to him and we get chatting so easily – he's a brilliant wingman.

He smells like digestive biscuits.

He's my absolute best friend in the world, and I am going to be completely lost when he goes.

I just love dogs, always have. DH too, I guess we both come from “dog families”
Also DH hikes and walks a lot (we live rurally) so likes having a dog as company and so he doesn’t “look like a weirdo” (his words) out walking alone!

Yesterday my dog was lying beside me fast asleep and her little tail was wagging slowly and her back feet twitching. It wasn't an exciting, whimpering, all legs running dream just a nice pleasant one. I love that.

Sorry, haven’t RTFT

Because dogs are ace. I don’t view that list of cons as cons really. I’m neutral about most of them. In the same way I don’t see caring for my DS as being a long list of cons even though there are things you do for your kids that you wouldn’t always choose to do if you didn’t have them.

I’ve always loved dogs but wasn’t prepared for how much I would love my own