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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[likealaugh]

Our family was changing , my son off to university and my daughter was becoming a teenager , spending more and more time with her friends. As a family we discussed getting a dog , we found ourselves with more reasons to get one rather than reasons not to! After a lot of research we decided on a breed and finally founder a friendly , informative breeder with puppies ready at a suitable time. A year later and we all agree it was the best decision we made ! Oscar is now a part of our family , my son comes home from uni regularly to visit us , although I believe he misses the dog more. My daughter walks the dog and also arranges family group walks so we are spending more time together.
Weekends have become a time to visit new country parks and dog friendly venues . We've met some lovely dog walking friends and even strangers stop and say hello when we are with the dog .
Overall getting Oscar the pup has bought us all together and given us a common bond .
Jackie .

[tammytwigg]

It's the welcome each one of us gets when we come home ,the look of adoration he shows us all ,the sloppy kisses, he makes our family ,a family .

[NoMudNoLotus]

We got our dog because our daughter really desperately wanted one.

We are a family of animal lovers anyway.

Our dog undoubtedly helps us to lead healthier lifestyles.

We all go out walking more. And as a nurse I know the overwhelming evidence that stroking and grooming a dog can lower BP, and stimulate the release of serotonin.

[a1poshpaws]

I longed for a dog as a child, and used to walk neighbour's dogs. They always loved me unconditionally which meant a lot as I was the odd one out at school and never really had friends I could trust. When I was 8 I was given a Cairn Terrier puppy, and I taught him to be a "show jumper" (over tin cans and washing poles!) and pushed him around under a cover in my doll's pram. He was my confidante during a very traumatic incident when I was 12, and cemented my love of dogs for all time.

Later in life, I fell in love with Border Terriers and rescued a brother & sister who were to be drowned by a gamekeeper due to accidental in-breeding. They died within a couple of months of one another at the grand old age of 18+ years.

In the meantime, my husband and I had begun to run a mixed species rescue, and we've had all sorts of dogs both breed and temperament wise.

We got our first Chinese Crested Hairless Dog as a rescue, and are now slaves to the breed - can't imagine life without one. They are so loving, full of Joie de vivre, and totally loyal.

Ditto Jack Russell Terriers: our first was killed by a greyhound and I cried for 3 months. It was only when I was presented with a badly treated Jack Russell that I began to recover, as our new little lady needed me so much.

To summarise - dogs give unconditional love, listen to your deepest fears and secrets and make you smile even when the world seems really bleak.

[billybear]

a dog gives so much love , cuddles you when your down , gets you taking exercise when you walk them, when my sister lay dying of cancer our old dog used to get gentley on her bed and snuggle up to her ,he knew not to be rough with her, that wagging tail when you get home, that look when that cooked chicken comes out of the oven knowing they will get a bit, that 8pm time watching tv when they snuggle up to you and know its treat time.,just pure love ,they are part of the family when they die it kills you but you know they have had the best of everything from you and I get another one to love

[DrEllie]

DD1 was around 7 years old and had wanted a little sister for years. I thought we should get a dog - DH was working at home a lot and I thought it would be good for DD - we always had dogs when I was a kid. Only a month after we got puppy I found I was pregnant with DD2! The girls and the dog have grown up together, it's so lovely to see.

[iminshock]

If you do get one please clean up its shit , don't let it slobber on guests , and train it not to bark and keep the neighbours awake.
Thank you

[AprilShowers16]

Both me and my husband had grown up with dogs and always imagined one as part of our family. We went for it as soon as I moved to working part time and we're both in a position to be at home with him a lot. We love having a dog - it's wonderful to be greeted by someone who is always so happy to see you, he makes our house feel more like a home and I am so much fitter since we got him

[WhoTheFuckIsSimon]

Company for only dd was reason for our first dog.

After that dog suddenly died I realised how empty the house felt without a dog and we got another.

Great exercise for me. It's also boosted my social life as a group of dog mums meet every morning and walk together.

[bloodypassword]

We had always promised the kids that we'd get a dog when we had a garden. They wanted a dog to play with and as a kid I always had pets so it was a question of when not if. I also thought it important for kids to learn to care and have responsibility for animals.

Our dog is now very much a part of the family. It gives us a reason to go out as a family and it's made us a lot fitter, with all the walking & running. My DS, previously a bit cautious, loves her to bits. It's given him confidence which is wonderful.

I've turned into a dog bore. Friends laugh at how I've changed and how they reckon I love the dog more than the kids. They're not wrong

[owlingabout]

For companionship after bereavement. Also a great running partner. Cuddly, soft and realxing in front of the fire.

[Hopezibah]

A dog is great company for all in the family. It promotes wellbeing by getting outdoors everyday. Primary reason would be for kids though - with ASD child helps to bring out the best in him - Cares for dog and wants to take for walk and just sits and stays calm by stroking dog. A lot of my friends have got dog once their kids are in older years of primary as they feel they need something to look after and care for now their own kids are getting more independent.

[ashleykuch]

There are never any awkward silences when you have a dog!

"Gross she's eating her sick..."
"Guess who came back with a deers leg in his mouth today..."
"Isn't she lovely. I love how she sleeps on my feet..."
"It's your turn to..."

We couldn't imagine life without our dogs. They offer cuddles, companionship, get you out of the house and into the great outdoors. They make me feel safe in my house - I never worry that there's someone hiding in my loft if I have my dog with me!

[ashleykuch]

Not to mention the "quick, google how much chocolate a dog can eat before its a problem. How much does she weigh? Where's the scales?! How much chocolate was left in the bag? What, you mean you ate all that yourself!!!!?"

[DebCee]

We encouraged my mum to get a dog about a year after she lost my dad three years ago. He has literally saved her life. She had put on a huge amount of weight, blood pressure was off the scale, and understandably she was finding it hard to motivate herself or feel at all positive.

Her loopy but lovable Labradoodle has got her out of the house and helped her lose a ton of weight and regain the fitness of a much younger woman just by walking him. He gives her something to talk about when we ring up - there is always another hairbrained escapade to recount - and is fantastic company for her around the house.

She has met a great circle of dog walking friends and seems to know everyone in all the local parks and open spaces.


He truly has given her new lease of live - so good to see.

[Magpie18]

We always had big dogs when our children were growing up, in connection with DH work. I was never really involved with them other than tagging along on walks (and cleaning up after them). We had a gap of about 5 years when DH retired and I still worked, but I promised myself a little dog once I retired too.
I've had her just three years and love her to bits! I got her for company but she is so much more - she senses my mood or health changes and acts accordingly. She insists on going out when I want to be lazy, but I'm always glad she did!
She even gets DH up to make my coffee - then comes back to bed with me for a cuddle....... Can't remember life without my fluff.

[Cambam2010]

My DS6 would love a dog. He is an only child and would love a brother or a sister but that is not physically possible. He adores dogs and I know that he would love one as a best friend - someone to share his troubles with and to snuggle up with. Unfortunately I work full time so at the moment it is not possible for us to have a dog.

[readingrainbow]

We just moved into our first home and we can't wait to get a dog! We have children on the autism spectrum, and dogs have been shown to help calm children with special needs. Additionally, I am looking forward to a running companion, a reason to get outdoors more often, and someone to clear up under the table. ;)

Although we don't have a dog yet, we are very excited to become a doggy family.

[ExConstance]

Because I felt so sorry for older dogs who needed a home, we have had two now both Staffies aged 8 when we got them. Our first had given up on life because he had been waiting in kennels for so long. He was an old street dog, warty and threadbare but he turned into the most loving and special pet. Unbeknown to us when we got him he may already have been ill with Leukaemia and we only had him a few months before he needed treatment and sadly died after being with us 18 months.

Our current rescue is anther old dog, a bit arthritic but the love we feel for him cannot be measured. Both of these dogs could have lived out their days without knowing a family home again, but they have given us far more than any designer cross breed puppy.

[feralcat19]

We had spoken about getting a dog but it took us over 9 years to finally get one and getting one has totally changed our lives - for the better.
We took our dog-owning responsibilities very seriously and the whole family were diligent attendees of the puppy socialising classes, which then led to training classes where she achieved all 3 levels including Gold in the Kennel club scheme. Training definitely paid off and 7 years later, she is still very well-behaved - totally chilled, whose best day ever consists of constant cuddles, interspersed with food and walks. Timing was crap great as DD was on study leave for GSCEs, so there was the puppy to play with/cuddle when it all got too much.
We walk far more than we ever did (rain and shine) and if a family member is ever away from home, the first question is always asking after the dog, and then the humans. No empty nest syndrome as the dog was well established by that stage!

She's always delighted to see us, her love is unconditional, she is very much part of the family and we always try to choose our holidays including her.

Downsides are the cost of insurance (it costs less to insure 2 cars), her food bills and not being able to go out for long days without her but I wouldn't be without her.

[Lonecatwithkitten]

Why do I have a dog?
Mindfulness - walking my dog gives me wonderful quiet head space.
Makes DD and I appreciate our surroundings we talk about flowers, trees and birds. Last week we saw a young male greater spotted woodpecker.
Exercise for DD and myself
Company for a only child - DD describes him as her brother
Teaches responsibility to DD
Helps DD to appreciate non-verbal communication
Health benefits beyond exercise, studies show children with dogs suffer from less atopic disease in particular asthma due to exposure to mycobacterium in mud. Children who live with pets tend to have more robust immune systems.

[Carriecakes80]

We got our pup just to be another loved member of our family, to love us and for us to love, to help me get off my bum and take her for walks, and to save a pup from a shelter, and lastly, so I could parp and pretend its the dog. This has helped me in many a situation. x

Blackie is as important a member of our family as anyone. x

[Givepeasachance]

Our house after a divorce just had a tinge of sadness and emptiness.
We got a shih tzu and he has been the best thing ever. His unending enthusiasm and happiness in life is contagious.

He brought the unique joy only a dog can into our house. You simply can't be down when he's around. He is wholly loved by my dcs and me ❤️

[RubySparks]

Teenage DD used to randomly text me, 'we NEED a dog'. She is very persuasive so we did get a dog! Who is now my dog... I love going out and about with her, love walking in the woods and the little conversations with strangers/other dog walkers that she creates. There is also the lovely welcome home, I like the quote about 'in a house with teenagers you need to have a dog so someone is pleased to see you when you get home'!

[chickenanbeanz]

I've always had dogs all my life so when I had kids not having a dog was never going to be an option. I see it as incredibly important for all children to grow up with animals in their lives. I was raised in a home where our dog was treated more as a sibling than a family pet and this is how my girls are being raised as well, Tinker is included in all family activities wherever possible, accompanies me on the school run morning and evening. My children are involved in her care, we celebrate her birthdays with a cake made by the kids and she has Christmas presents under the tree just like the rest of us. Children can learn so much from having dogs in their lives they learn love, kindness, how to be gentle, how to make friends, how to appreciate the simple things in life, how to care for another being and put another's needs ahead of their own, and most importantly how to love unconditionally. There comes a time also when every dog has to cross the rainbow bridge and this tragic event teaches children about loss. Loss is something very hard to comprehend as a child and not something I'd ever choose for my children to experience in a perfect world but the world is not perfect and the years of joy brought to the family by a dog ultimately outweigh the grief of their loss, the loss happens hearts are broken but life continues, we learn capacity for love is endless as we still love all those we've lost yet theirs room in our hearts to love another dog