My OH wants another dog

Think about your future health before you get another dog. We both love dogs and would love another one but DH said he doesn't want one because of the work involved and leaving it if we go away. He wouldn't stop me, but I would have to take full responsibility for it. He was right ... he has arthritis in knees and hips, and now I have hurt my back gardening (doing jobs DH can't do). So I'm glad I don't have to pick up poo and clean floors as often as I would. I get my 'dog fix' when I visit my daughter and her gorgeous spaniel. But I have to say, I'm glad my lawn doesn't look like hers, burned by dog urine, and my clothes and shoes always have muddy paw prints on them when the dog has fussed around me in the garden. Much as I love dogs, I don't miss the work they cause.

I've a friend who walks a GSD and the dog is huge. She's young and physically fit. I couldn't manage a GSD. Obviously you know how much work walking would be, but will you two be up to it in 5 years time?

You have offered a compromise. Your husband wants the easy part of the dog ownership. That is not on. Stick to your guns

Sorry, posted too soon. Can you not discuss a smaller less hairy dog?

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GraneeChrissy

Hi. We lost our two huge rescue German Shepherds over last 18months. Hubby misses them terribly. I do too sometimes but quite frankly after 12 years I dont miss the mass of hair everywhere, (and constant hoovering) the mud/muck/wet hair that has to be cleaned everytime they come back inside the house and picking up dog poo from our large garden. He wants another GSD but I cant face it again. One of them had fear aggression, was a lot of work and constant worry when anyone came to our gate, but at home with us, he was a gentle giant. I've tried to compromise and suggest a medium sized dog which doesn't cast but he isnt interested. I'm the one who ends up doing the cleaning, the training and grooming etc and I just dont want to start it again. Its starting to cause rows....if I give in I will end up resenting the dog and him...

Have you considered a more affection dog such as a Labrador. Our one gives us daily joy and pleasure. We could not have weathered the lock down without her.

Having had highly trained GSD,s for 30 years I can understand where you are coming from, difference is our dogs are working dogs so my husband takes full responsibility for ours, I don’t go poo picking, training is done on very regular basis, so I’m not really involved with ours, but I can totally understand where you are coming from, I think I’d suggest a mini schnauzer be a lot easier and they don’t shed

read these posts, can`t see that GraneeChrissy has come back to us..

My beloved Sheltie died 4 years ago! I still miss her terribly, but decided that I was too old to really look after a dog properly, and then, we never know when we are going to die, nothing to do with age, that that does need to be taken into account

I managed to convince my DH to let us have a dog 13 years ago and for the first 6 years of his life, I regretted it. I caught him at a weak moment and moved quickly but it soon became obvious it wasn't something he really wanted. He wouldn't get involved in feeding, training, walking, etc. I don't quite know what happened but DH had a complete change of heart and as the dog gets to his twilight years, he is talking about how much he will be missed when the dog goes! He is even talking about when we get another dog. He wants a Doberman, if I wanted another dog, it would be a smaller breed. If we can't agree, we probably won't get another dog but if he really wants a Doberman, it will be on the understanding that he does all the work. I'll happily help out but the buck will stop with him.

If you are considering a medium sized dog, you’re not averse to getting another dog, offering a reasonable compromise. Either your DH agrees to a medium dog or it’s no dog.

We are a dog obsessed family:-) During covid all 4 of my adult kids adopted a dog. All but one now have 2 dogs. My dog was 10 and we adopted another about 7 months ago. I prefer mutts and feel better about rescuing then getting from a breeder. My main criteria was that he got along with kids and dogs, was crate trained and walked well on a leash. He is all these things but sheds worse than any dog I've had. However he has added so much happiness to our lives during this difficult time. I talked to my husband before hand about wanting the dogs training and care to be shared My husband is still working so I walk both dogs more and vacuum the hair more. My husband feeds them and does most of bathing as they are big- mixed labs and I have a bad back.
I honestly can't imagine life without a dog. I think some folks are just like that. Cody our new addition was about to a year and a half when we got him and still very much a puppy. If I had it to do over again I would adopt a 3-5 year old as his exuberance and size are a bit much for my 76 year old self:-)

Sorry 66 years !

OMG just saw picture of 2 labs and they remind me of ours. Mixed labs my favorite too!

Gosh what a lot of dog-lovers you are. I can sort of understand that if you live alone, a dog would be a companion (but so is a cat). And of course I can respect working dogs.
Too many dogs are allowed to run riot, mess other people's gardens, frighten small children, bark uncontrollably, smell horrible, never mind about all the hair they drop in the house. And some are downright dangerous.
The meat they consume contributes to global warming. There are far too many dogs about and even more have been bought during the lockdown. I expect they will be filling up the dogs homes once people are allowed to lead more "normal" lives and their owners realise what a time they are.

AND the law has changed now meaning it is the owner commits an offence if a dog is dangerously out of control. How would he ensure that GSH is under control?

Sorry, but too many dogs on the planet already.

So, I would definitely say No!

Am with most of the OP’s on here re your OH taking on the care of any dog he gets.
But after reading 2 recommendations for getting a greyhound I’d like to add a note of caution. A friends daughter took on a rescue greyhound from a REscue place. Firstly she discovered they had lied about the dogs age, there are serious toileting issues after the kennel regimes she endured. Messes inside the house and frequent attempts to toilet when outdoors. She was vet checked by her new owner and he advised it was the kennel regime that brought on this behaviour. When out once on her lead a small dog, unattended, ran up to her and she promptly grabbed it in her jaws.
Yes she is loving and otherwise gentle, but I just had to point out that not all rescue greyhounds are the laid back dogs that don’t need much exercise. Oh, and she was also advised to get her a particular dog bed. I can’t remember the reason for that one.
I’m a cat person so have no real doggie experience of my own.

How about fostering for many tears or someone similar?

Six years ago our 14 year old GSD was put to sleep. It was our third dog of the breed and we decided not to get another as we were in our mid sixties and couldn’t go through the heartache of the loss again.

Almost immediately my husband wanted another GSD. I eventually relented and against my better judgment we got a GSD bitch pup. She is now 40kg, 5 years old and has been a challenge. Not in the least like our other dogs. I would not part with her and love her dearly but if I could go back I would have stuck to my guns and said no to another dog.

I too suggested a smaller breed or older dog but it was a GSD or nothing. Best of luck with whatever you decide to do GraneeChrissy. I know how persuasive and persistent GSD loving partners can be.

Stand your ground

The longest time in my whole life without a dog was a month! Currently we have 3 rescues who came on foster via local charities and one via my vet. They will be staying. We’ve had over 30foster dogs since “retiring” and not a bad one amongst them. Some had been abused, some starved, some dumped, some owners had died. Why not offer to foster if you don’t want to be tied. Just this week my Vet was looking for someone to take on a lovely natured Yorkie as the owner was going into residential care. Can recommend greyhounds as pet dogs - clean, don’t shed much, don’t smell doggie, don’t need lots of exercise.

OldBat1 - great, positive post. I fostered 3, rescued four (not the fosters). Same experience as you, not a bad bone amongst them

have you thought about getting a cat, not half the trouble

DH breeds and trains dogs, most are outside (except when they have pups) I’ve decided if anymore youngsters join the herd or he keeps a pup then I go!

I have had GSDs and found them easy to train, one from puppyhood, and the other a rescue at 10 months old. They do need a lot of grooming even the smooth coated ones. They certainly need training including to walk politely on the lead. Puppy classes are fun but take a lot of time and energy you may not have. I sympathise with GranneeChrissy but I know some husbands are what they are.

I am resigned to the mess and training needs of dogs as I live alone and I need the company more than I need a clean house. So I did get anther one a JRT who is fiercely energetic and brainy but at least is small and clean.

My son will take on the dog if I cannot look after the dog in the future. Without this assurance from my son I'd not have got the new dog after my last dog died.

Good luck with your JR Alexa they are wonderful little dogs so full of character, but boy are they bossy