Key reasons for getting a dog - share them here - chance to WIN £300 NOW CLOSED

[AnnMumsnet]

Calling all dog owners, or previous dog owners - please share your key reasons for getting a dog in the first place. What prompted you to get a four legged friend? Was it for you, for the kids or the family as a whole? How has having a dog improved your life? Does having one make you go out more? Has it taught your children to be more responsible? And are dogs something your family have always had or were you new to dog ownership when you got one?

The team at Pedigree would love to know all about why having a dog is brilliant! Pedigree® and the Waltham® Centre for Pet Nutrition have clear information on how to care for your dog – from information on diet and dental care to tips and tricks for training- over here: www.mumsnet.com/microsites/pedigree/feed-the-good

Whatever your advice, please add your comment below and you'll be entered into a prize draw, where one MNer will win a £300 voucher for the store of their choice.

Thanks
MNHQ

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For the unconditional love and loyalty that they provide us, and the love and loyalty we are able to give them in return.
We would be truly lost without them

Because I turned 40 & it was dog or party. I made the right choice - I work from home & he is wonderful company. Also great for getting out & about & meeting people.

I got a dog as I wanted company at home and to make us go for walks. I also wanted my child to grow up with a dog. I wanted to teach her about responsibility and how to care for a living thing. It was the best thing I could have done. We have learnt so much from the experience, he really is the second child I couldnt have.

My dog is my best friend, he loves me more than he loves life itself always happy to see you and I'm greeted like I have been away weeks even if I just pop to the shop.
He has changed holidays we go away all year no matter how bad the weather and walk on the beach in wind , rain , gales or sun I wouldn't be without a dog now they make you realise how great life can be and no point in waiting for a nice day dance in the rain as they say x

We adopted our boy from the Dogs Trust. I'd always wanted a dog, and my husband had grown up with dogs - for him, a house wasn't a home without a four legged friend.

Our dog is an amazing, friendly lad who performs many duties:

1. Personal trainer: He encourages us to do regular exercise in the form of twice daily walks and ball throwing. Sometimes he'll be particularly encouraging, and won't fetch the ball that has been thrown, so you have to run and get it yourself.

2. Life coach: He finds joy in the little things. Walks. Snoozing on the bed. Dinner. Cuddles. He doesn't care where he is, as long as he's with his family. He's also taught us to be less selfish and more responsible.

3. Therapist: He will listen without judgement, and let's you know that everything will be fine (normally via the medium of sitting next to you shoving his head under your arm so that you're hugging him).

4. Style icon: Being a long haired breed, he has to be washed, groomed and trimmed on a regular basis. He has many versatile looks between haircuts... well, OK, he looks like various members of Black Sabbath through the 1970s, but that's still pretty cool. He also looks good in a bow tie.

5. Jester: He's a ridiculous, silly creature who makes us laugh on a daily basis through his habits and antics. He also brings a smile to the faces of our friends and neighbours whenever they see him.

They save you money!
We don't go to expensive hotels or on many holidays abroad as no one wants to leave the dog. It is now camping all the way for us!
Theme parks are out, walks on the beach/forest are definitely in! and they of course are free.

My exh walked out on ds and I one morning after 16 years as he was bored of 'domesticity'. So he got up, packed )in front of ds and I) and walked out. He has subsequently had ds about 20 nights in two years.
What followed was ds having a complete breakdown, attempting suicide (he was 10 at the time), self harming and losing all self confidence.
So I got a dog. A rescue pug. He has brought ds back to life.

The DC and I spend a LOT more time outside since we adopted a boxer. I think we all laugh a lot more too!

We are looking to get a dog next year. Our son may have an ASD, he's only 4 and he absolutely loves dogs. We need to pet any we come across (we ask first) and he enjoys being jumped on, knocked over sniffed and licked. He tore a page out of the pets at home magazine because he loved the dog in a superhero mask playing with his owner.

Our cats can't abide being fussed, and we won't have any more children. How can I deny my boy the happiness he craves from having a dog friend. Fortunately husband grew up with dogs so knows a bit about active family friendly breeds. I might even lose weight with all the walking and poop pick up bending

We got our beloved dog as a child substitute, and he is spoiled rotten. Getting him meant we met so many people and got more exercise.

And when DD arrived some years later, he adapted amazingly. They are now the best of friends. She has learnt to care for him, walk him, feed him, and love him.

He has seen me through bereavements, infertility and depression. He is great for cuddles - 5 stone of furry hound sitting on you can't fail to raise a smile!

My Parsons Jack Russell boy I did not want.. I had always owned female dogs before, two Springer spaniels then a Golden Retriever.... Following a very acrimonious divorce this little dog did everything to inveigle himself into my and my childrens' lives... I did not want a male Jack Russell. I thought he would be yappy and nippy.... How wrong I was. . Nearly 14 years on, he is still with me and of course I love him to bits. He has diced death down badger sets, has fooled with foxes, pelted around point to point courses, (shame on me), fallen out of the top floor of a three storey building, criss crossed main roads... I have joked that he has been the only male I shared a bed with for years. Last year he got pancreatitis, he nearly died...many dogs do with this hideous illness. I am convinced that this was linked to flea and tick chemicals...(our children stroke our cats and dogs, our cats and dogs have been sprayed or bathed in such stuff). I came across an amazing product which will last for four years, costs about £50 for that whole time, will keep off midges as well. My sister wears one as she has to keep herself free from tick and mosquito bites. She has rheumatoid arthritis and her medication has awarded her a very low immune system. The link is www.petprotector.org/products?ID=71299

I am a long term dog owner who has been blessed with a dog or dogs in our family for as long as I can remember
Usually they are rescue dogs and they have all over the years bought great joy to us, making my children and grandchildren more rounded people knowing how to care for and appreciate animals.
Now the children have moved on and I have a yip (sorry a name made up by me for a large number of Yorkies) to keep me and my partner company
We walk everyday which def keeps us both fit and they are part of the family

I got a dog to keep me company while walking, I have a chronic pain condition and keeping mobile is important - she makes that so much more fun. However she has since given me a whole host of reasons, like picking things up for me or bringing things to me when I'm stiff, and just waking up in the morning happy and excited for whatever the day brings. She lives in the moment, to her every small thing in life is great and that kind of an upbeat personality is a joy to live with. except at five am

We got a dog when my husbandabd I were 19 abd dating, his parents were amazing and let us keep it at their house. He's such a huge part of our family, we work opposite shifts and he's lovely company, he also helps me to feel safe when I run and makes sure I get exercise. My toddler dates on him and he has taught her kindness and empathy, she really cares about him. I would recommend a dog to anyone as long as you're willing to make time for them, they can really bring put the best in people!

Joanna, when we were hunting for a dog, I swore:

No puppy
No terrier, especially
NO JACK RUSSELL

I thought, horrid yippy, nippy, snappy dogs. Digging up my flower beds.

So....He was brought up with Great Danes so has a voice several tones deeper than many.

He rarely nips and only the family, to try to keep us in order, and only our noses gently. Similarly he only pretend snaps at us. And he buries his bones not in the flower beds but in our beds. (So we've had to go on to antlers. )

Otherwise, he loves most people, save for
Postmen
People in fluorescent jackets
Poodles ( too intelligent)
Large black dogs.

As I write this, he is being the hot water bottle that grows not cold ( ok, you have to fill it up occasionally and sometimes take it out so that it doesn't leak).

I love him. And he is of course a jack Russell.

I will start by saying honestly I DID NOT WANT A DOG PARTICULARLY A STAFFIE anyway after 13 years dp wore me down and the kids were 7 & 9 so I relented and we looked at getting a Staffie pup but after a bit of research decided to get a rescue Staffie and adopted an overbred, dumped, starved, just plucked from the pts list!

She is honestly the best thing to ever happen to us, she's great for my anxiety, makes me get out the house each day, gives me comfort if I'm struggling, she's so so loyal. She loves the kids they eat a lot she likes to eat our house would be so empty with out her.

We got a dog for many reasons, we like the unconditional love and companionship a dog brings, the DC's love having a dog and it has bought us all closer together as a family

It's great for encouraging us to go out for walks and spending sunny (and even not so sunny) weekends in places like local parks and beaches. I also think having pets is really important for developing empathy, nurturing skills and responsibility.

A great excuse to go walking everyday and visit some lovely areas you may not normally

I got one to try and help my autistic son communicate but it hasn't been too successful as of yet, to be honest!

When the kids have flown the best....
Who else is standing there waiting at the front door when you come back home? Probably lain there since you left?
Who else is so delighted at greeting you, panting and screaming with excitement as they bounce up to give you licks everywhere?
Who else jumps up to sit beside you then surrounds you with such incredible warmth, which instantly melts your heart?
Who else follows you to the loo, just to check if you are okay?
Who else is so happy when you put food on their plate?
Who else just adores to walk, and walk, and walk, and undoubted beats all personal trainers in a flash?
Who else follows you around the house, just to make sure you aren't getting ready to go out again?
Who else responds to an usual noise, that they hear, but you don't?
Who else instantly runs to the door barking "get lost" when you don't want visitors?
Who else defends you until their dying day?
Who else leaves an unbearable loss that is so hard to mend?
Who else is totally irreplaceable, that their love lasts with you forever,?
Who else brings tears to your eyes and pain to your heart, whose loss is so unbearable you will never throw out anything that reminds you of them.

A dog is for life, not just for his or her life, but for your life too. Will you ever bring another precious life in your home? Will you ever want another dog to followed in your darling dogs footsteps? Will time heal??????

I know my girls would adore a dog and it's a pet we will consider in future when my DDs are old enough to understand how to care for a dog properly! I think dogs make amazing pets because they give love and affection unconditionally!

Love!

I never imagined how rewarding a loving having a dog would be.. In all of my "growing up 20s" as people came and went as they do my four legged friend was the constant, is the constant...

Dogs cure loneliness, provide a deep feeling of satisfaction for taking care of them well and it's also comical to see the influence you've had on the personality traits. You can actually see a lot about yourself by your dogs behaviours.

Yup I've raised a diva - if looks could kill - and dare anyone apart from me try to move him from HIS sofa he turns into a statue! I've had so many belly laughs, refreshing and revitalising walks, moments of being in total sync with him... He's like my shadow and I love it, cherish every second as I know he won't be here forever!

Dogs are beyond cool...

They are great additions to any family, you get unconditional love, amazing friendship and a lovely companion :)