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The doghouse

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Original poster

Can I learn to love dogs instead of cats?

64 replies

yellowDahlia · 13/02/2018 17:21

I think I'm really a cat person at heart, and have grown up with cats although I have always been fond of dogs.

Unfortunately for me DH is NOT a cat person at all and refuses to entertain the idea. And so it looks like if we're ever to have a household pet, I will need to get my head around the dog idea.

I've read enough threads on here to know about the realities of getting any dog, and I'm aware of all the things to consider and prepare for if we finally make the decision to have one. But it helps me to have an idea of how this could work - so are there breeds out there which are sort of like having a cat?? ie small-ish, fairly cuddly, clean, will play but also sleep? Or is it mad to make the comparison?!

Also remind me of the benefits of having a dog in your home? The reason I'd like a household pet - cat or dog - is because I do believe in the health benefits - mental and physical - for us and the DDs and I suppose I'm concerned if we don't do this fairly soon the kids might miss out on the joy of having a pet as they grow up. (They're currently 11 and 7) We have chickens but they're not exactly cuddly and rubbish at chasing a ball...Grin

We're a way off doing this btw - but it's been going round and round my head all day and DH is crap at hypothetical planning - so I feel like I need some help from the MN massive!

OP posts:
RickOShay · 16/02/2018 22:33

I love them both. I thought I was always a dog person until i got my cats. They are Burmese, I adore them. I think you could love a dog, perhaps a smaller cuddley one, but if there is any chance you could persuade your dh, I would absolutely recommend Burmese, they are so lovely.

nooka · 16/02/2018 22:39

We have two cats and a dog. They all leave their hair everywhere. They are all pretty much the same colour so it's hard to say who sheds most! Cat or dog and he'll have hair to clear up. As for damage I think that's probably about equal too. Dog has chewed things, cats have scratched stuff (but only fairly specific things). They all occasionally have accidents, the difference is that the dog generally only pees/poos/pukes on the floor where the cats favour beds. Right now they are all sleeping which is typical for all three for the vast majority of the time.

BettyBooJustDoinTheDoo · 16/02/2018 22:44

Unless you DH is allergic I cannot for the life of me understand why he won’t ‘let’ you have a cat, it’s not as if it would impact on his life at all, they are hardly a needy animal who would demand his time and attention, but hey so long as he gets what he wants all is well with world hmm

SuperBeagle · 16/02/2018 22:49

I'm not a cat person at all, but we have one.

Unless he's allergic, I don't see why he shouldn't be willing to move from his position. Cats are far less demanding (in every way) than dogs.

I'd choose a dog any day over a cat, and I certainly have more affection for my dogs than I do my cat, but I'd be lying if I said the dogs weren't a lot more work.

I have a beagle and a border collie. Both are pure dogs, nothing catlike about them. Grin But I have heard whippets and greyhounds are more catlike.

Original poster
yellowDahlia · 16/02/2018 23:02

It's great to hear from the cat and dog lovers - and nooka I do like your realistic view of both - it's true to say there are pros and cons to both cats and dogs.

We're going for a dog walk with some friends tomorrow - I can see myself quizzing them on doggy life to get a better idea of things.

OP posts:
sweatylemon · 16/02/2018 23:07

I would suggest changing your DH Grinmy DH has always been a dog person. We now have 5 cats and no dogs. He is quite a tolerant DH Halo

bluetongue · 17/02/2018 03:32

Yellow I have a whippet which is one of the more cat like dogs, but still a dog. He does have separation anxiety though so is pretty high maintenance. It’s been a pretty expensive exercise which isn’t his fault. He’s also caused WAY more damage than any of my cats.

LittleFeileFooFoo · 17/02/2018 03:49

My cat was very dog like. She jumped on every guest, puked on the floor, chewed up my son's underwear... But still purred like a diesel engine and buried her poo. The best of both worlds!

She was just a grey Moggie, but she shed a lot less than the dogs!

noitsnotteatimeyet · 17/02/2018 07:58

We have a dog and two cats - the dog is very much a dog (and I love him for it) but one of the cats is virtually a dog in cat’s clothing. He’s an ex-street cat who was brought back from Dubai by dh a few years ago - he’s an oriental type (lean, rangy, big ears, long nose, talks all the time) and he is ridiculously dog-like. When he’s awake he follows me around the house - if I go upstairs he runs up the stairs too, if I go out into the garden he’s right there. And he talks, and talks, and talks .... his poos are bigger than the dog’s which is weird as the dog is many times his size. He’s ruined a sofa and chairs - the dog only chewed a couple of things when he was a puppy - and he’s been paws down the most expensive animal we’ve ever had - it cost a fortune to get him over from Dubai then three months after he arrived he got hit by a car and needed eye-wateringly expensive surgery to put him back together (v successful, you wouldn’t know now he’d ever had anything wrong), it was so expensive his insurance was maxed out halfway through treatment... and he has a dental condition which is apparently common in cats of Abyssinian descent which needs ongoing treatment which isn’t covered by insurance. He is a real character and I love him dearly but the dog is easier to have around despite being technically more work

booksandwool · 17/02/2018 08:07

I was in your position and we now have a dog - a rescue lurcher, as nice and easy going as a dog could be, but still a dog, with all the smell and neediness and never being able to be left alone. I'm glad my husband loves her but I feel great regret about not having a cat, which of course we now really can't do because lurchers and small furries don't mix.

FogCutter · 17/02/2018 08:08

Maine coon and Bengal cats have some dog like traits.

If you're not a dog lover I think you're going to find all the walking and training a PITA unless your husband does it all.

And why are you considering coming home at lunchtime to attend to a dog you don't even want? Surely your husband should be doing that?

RickOShay · 17/02/2018 08:13

Hope you enjoy your walk Dahlia.
I think if you are an animal kind of person, you could find a dog to love.
Even though my cats make me so happy, my dog is my true love Grin
What kind of dog are you walking today?

MaidenMotherCrone · 17/02/2018 08:22

Whippet. If you want a dog. Mine is very cat like.

Oriental/Siamese are more dog like than any other breed. Mine are far more intelligent than any dog I've known. No hair issues and have never damaged anything. They do rule the house though and have a great deal to say about anything and everything.

chewiecat · 17/02/2018 08:23

We have a rag doll cat who has a very dog like personality
He follows me everywhere, is super friendly and we even trained him to do simple tricks like fetch, paw, sit, etc

I'm a total dog person but I work full time and can't justify having a dog with walks etc. So having a cat is a good compromise

Though he does shed a lot

Original poster
yellowDahlia · 17/02/2018 09:58

Interesting to hear about these dog-like cats! We had moggies growing up so I've no experience of Maine coons or the oriental breeds. Ironically I think they're the sort of cats DH would hate as it would be noisy, in your face - if I have any hope of convincing him it would have to be a fairly quiet and calm cat who would win him over by being cute and cuddling up on his lap without trying to eat his arm off!

Rick and other pps - I think I am an animal person as you say and if I had the time and resources I think i could be a good and happy dog owner - the problem is that time is not now and I'm worried that might never happen before the kids are too old to enjoy/benefit from a household pet. We're walking with a cockapoo today, she's still quite young but a very sweet wee thing. Being around her always starts me off thinking 'could we??' because she's such a lovely dog!

OP posts:
JohnThomas69 · 17/02/2018 15:47

Whippets are great and I'm pretty sure mines thinks she's a cat. Constant cuddles and will squeeze into the smallest of space to sit next to me.
A real handful when she was younger though.
Nearly under the wheels of a lorry on one occasion as a result of a half hour chase due to escaping out the garden.
Didn't think I could take much more due to her stubborn streak but she's finally starting to listen at 3 years old.
Whatever breed you get make sure you do your homework first.
Sighthounds in general can be a handful

WeAllHaveWings · 17/02/2018 18:25

It’s completely unfair for your DH to put his foot down, especially as it would mean a lot to you.

Disagree, if DH really wanted a cat I would have to say no. Sorry to the cat lovers but I really dislike cats, they give me the creeps.

But, I also wouldn't get a dog unless I really wanted a dog. Not just because I wanted a pet and a dog was the only thing on offer. Dogs are a huge commitment practically and financially for 10+ years and if you are not 100% sure you are in it for the long haul don't do it.

OneOfTheGrundys · 17/02/2018 19:16

Greyhound. The most cat like dog I ever met.
We have one chicken chaser and one who is terrified of chickens, particularly one big scary red one.
They both have a penchant for small furries and cats though.

Original poster
yellowDahlia · 17/02/2018 23:59

weallhavewings I totally hear you - that's where my head is tonight, even after hanging out with our friends' lovely cockapoo this evening.

Looks like I'm back to square one with the household pet issue. What can we have that's not a cat or a dog but will provide a similar kind of benefit to our home?? Does this even exist?! Can I train the chickens to sit on my lap without pooping?? I'm going to have to start another thread in Pets, aren't I...

OP posts:
ScreamingValenta · 18/02/2018 00:02

What can we have that's not a cat or a dog but will provide a similar kind of benefit to our home??

Would a house rabbit be an option?

Original poster
yellowDahlia · 18/02/2018 00:24

I would need to hear a convincing argument for a house rabbit...to my mind if you're going to have a rabbit you might as well have a cat - more personality and less poo surely?!

OP posts:
BertieBotts · 18/02/2018 00:27

Can't you get both? DH is a dog person whereas I am a cat person. It's taken me a while to get my head around having a dog but I am on board now (although now pregnant so it won't be for a few years).

I think we will get a dog and a cat at some point in the future. For a dog I like them when they are quiet and chilled out, not barky and mad and jumpy, I like the wiry terrier kind of fur or short hair like a jack russell, I'm not keen on longer haired dogs. I know that's shallow - but I think you get less of the "doggy smell" and drooling etc, which is some of what else puts me off a dog. (I'm not overly keen on long haired cats either just to be fair! Would definitely prefer a shorthaired moggy.)

I do think that any animal lover will find a relationship with any animal and so I think once we get a cat DH will start to have a relationship with them too and likewise I'd also get to know and love a dog.

I would rather get an animal who acts like the animal they are though rather than looking for a cat with doglike traits or a dog with catlike traits. I feel like I'd rather get to know and love them for what they are rather than their similarity to something else. Does that sound weird? It makes sense in my head.

BertieBotts · 18/02/2018 00:28

If you want a low maintenance but high personality pet I do think guinea pigs are ace! But might not be right if what you really want is a dog or cat.

ScreamingValenta · 18/02/2018 00:31

I agree, OP - I like rabbits but prefer cats and dogs. However, I believe rabbit pellets are less smelly than cat and dog poo and apparently it's possible to train a rabbit to use a litter tray.

BertieBotts · 18/02/2018 00:31

I should add that I used to be scared of dogs but it's been spending time with dogs which has changed my mind on that. I imagine it would be similar for someone who is a bit creeped out by cats. It's simply unfamiliarity. I didn't know dog behaviour (I am still not 100% comfortable) and so I find them unpredictable because I don't know what will make them react in certain ways. Whereas cats, I know cats, I know what will upset them, what is likely to make them feel calm, and so I don't worry about accidentally frightening them into attacking me. (And if I did, I'd know what to do - whereas if a dog suddenly became aggressive towards me, I wouldn't - which is probably what makes me wary.)