Can you get non licky dogs?

[TeenPlusTwenties]

DD, 15, really wants a dog. Really, really wants one.
I am a SAHP. In theory we could get one. We live in an area with good places to walk dogs.
But:
I don't want a dog. I especially don't like licky dogs.
But:
Having a dog might well be very good for DD's mental well being, and she wants to do animal care at college so it would probably help that too.

If I wanted it to work, then could it, even if I am not a 'dog' person?

I defy you not to love a Lurcher...
No barking.
No shedding.
Kiss to order only.
Fold up small.
Love everyone.
Even dcats.
Don't eat much!!

My friend has a lurcher and it's only just occurred to me that she's a non-licker. I don't think I've ever seen her lick anyone. They're lovely quiet placid dogs.

Maybe it's greyhound genes!

My DH was always telling anyone who would listen that he was 'not a dog person'. Fast forward 18 months and he totally adores our rescue dog. He literally talks about her achievements like she's one of the children! So I think they can get under your skin even if you aren't naturally a dog lover.

She's also made a big difference to the anxiety levels in my exam age children. I do genuinely feel total love in my heart for her.

The kids do help out BUT I do the majority of the care and that has involved some pretty gag-inducing moments a few times! It is different when it's your own dog but at the end of the day shit is still shit!

Sorry, to also actually answer the question she licks everyone but not DH as he doesn't like it. So she's learned not to do it with him!

Dont get a dog for a child. If you really want a dog too, do your research on the commitment required, costs and find a reputable breeder/rescue.

Only get a dog if YOU are prepared to walk it in the dark mornings and nights come rain, wind and snow, picking up shit as you go along. And that is the fun bit of dog ownership!!!!. The novelty of walks will wear off for your dd very quickly.

I don't really know any dogs that are 'licky'
Mine isn't, the dogs we used to dog sit for weren't and my friends labrador isn't

Never get any kind of pet because your child persuades and pesters for one unless you are happy to take over the care of it, because having got the animal the chances are that the parents, generally the mother, will be the one to end up taking on the vast majority of the animal's care.

Having said that, only you know how much you would be able rely on your DD to take care of a dog.

You say you can take or leave dogs, but what happens if your DD moves out or loses interest in the animal? Are you happy with the prospect of walking a dog in all weathers, picking up its poo, caring for it if it's ill, having your life restricted because the dog can't be left for long periods?

If you get a dog you are committing yourself for the lifetime of that dog. If you get a puppy that could be as long as 16 years, maybe more. it's not fair to the dog to take it into your home and then decide after a few months or so that actually you don't really want to do this any more.

It really isn't something to go into in with a 'hopefully it'll be all right' attitude.

I have two retired greyhounds who are no trouble at all, they are affectionate in their own way but never lick, jump up etc. They tend to "lean" on you to show affection. Very low maintenance dogs, require only short walks and are happy being left for a few hours. They barely shed too as long as I brush them every few days.

Oh, forgot to say, my dog isn't licky, but she small and doesn't jump on people either.

I have never allowed her to lick my face, although she's never shown much interest in licking faces. Occasionally she'll lick my hand when I'm stroking her, almost in a reciprocal way.

My whippet doesn't pick expect for when she cleans her self, doesn't molt or bark just super chill who.loves to cuddle and sitting in warm spots. And of course the odd run in a field couldn't recommend the breed enough!

Tell your DD to offer dog walking services or volunteer at dog rescue to get some experience, I think you could get to dog fostering too... don't commit to a dog for its lifetime just because your DD thinks she wants it!

Don't get a dog if you don't really want one. It's a 12-15 year commitment and they have to be trained, kept company, fed and walked 365 days a year come sun, snow or pissing rain. Your daughter is likely to be leaving home and/or pursuing further study and work in the next few years and you'll be left with the dog. If you work, what will you do with it? Dogs are incredible but they are a huge commitment, extremely demanding and a massive tie so only do it if you really want to - even people who really want a dog often find it extremely tough if they've never had one before.

You could consider a cat/pair of cats instead, there are some very 'dog like' breeds such as Burmese or Tonkinese. They're great pets and much less work and less of a tie than a dog.

What about rescuing a Sr dog?

Then you can meet them and see how licky-plus good karma and not as big a commitment for you and a dog for DD?

Thank you all.
We are not getting a dog unless I am happy with it, but we are used to leaps of faith and forever commitment as my DC are adopted themselves.
If I think we could make it work I'd do it, because this really isn't a passing fancy for DD. She's also highly unlikely to go to university and I expect her to be living at home for at least the next 5 years.
(It would be good for my weight too.)

Do you realize why they do it? When adult wolves return from a hunting trip the ones that remain behind - mostly the cubs - lick their faces and insert their tongues in their mouths. This elicits a vomiting reflex. They vomit up meat and fat and the cubs with their carers get fed.

So if you think your dog licks your face to show that it loves you, you could say that, but it would love you even more if you vomited up meat and fat. I should think you could easily train your dog not to lick your face, and I would because of disease.

Our dog knows I don't like her licking me, but DH and DD are fair game. You just have to teach the dog.

Dogs are really hard work and quite needy. I say this as someone who loves dogs and wouldn’t be without them.

Perhaps you and DD could join the charities which allow you to dog sit for people who need help, or maybe help out at a rescue?

It would be brilliant experience for her and you’d get a better idea if you could really cope with one 24/7.

If you don't want a dog, don't get a dog.

They are a HUGE commitment, and you're quite right that you'll end up doing all the work. Even if she stays living at home while she's at university, do you really think she's going to get up at 6/7am to walk the dog when she's been out until 3am? Or come home to walk the dog instead of going out with friends or to the pub?

You need to think about whether YOU can commit to dog ownership, and that involves:

• vet care. Vaccinations, flea/worming medications, check-ups. You need to be involved in that as your DD is a minor. So you'll need to sign up to the vets and be in charge of medication and tablets for at least the first three years.

• insurance. Again, your DD is a minor so you need to be the one who takes out the insurance policy, pays it, and deals with any claims that might occur.

• training classes. At 15 your DD won't have the money to pay for training classes so you'll need to fund that. Ours were £70 for six weeks and we went for about six months in total. I'd definitely recommend as you're both new to dog ownership.

• walks - once or twice a day for at least the next ten years. That means walks in all weathers, no matter how tired or ill you feel and no matter how awful the wind and rain is.

• toilet training. If your DD is at school you'll be responsible for that. Mine had to be taken out every 20-30 minutes as a puppy.

They're also very restrictive. What would you do with the dog if you went on holiday? What about if you wanted to go away to somewhere that doesn't allow you to take the dog? You can't leave a dog alone all day so you need to think about kennels or daycare or boarding - it's not expensive. I'm a pet-sitter in other people's homes and I charge £25 per night, so for a week you're looking at nearly £300 just for dog care at the absolute minimum.

Could she volunteer with a local charity and get some experience dog walking or in kennels? Or you could try "borrow my doggy" and see what the reality of having a dog actually entails?

Mine is two now and I love him to bits but he was really hard work as a puppy. Luckily I'm self-employed and I can take him to work with me if necessary but he's still very tying.

Came across this and thought I'd share

www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle/2016/oct/31/should-i-let-my-dog-lick-my-face