NBR - question for dog owners/lovers

meg_2006

DH badly wants a dog, but I am NOT a dog person.  Mainly because they smell and I think their fur is oily unless you wash it every night.  Are there any types of dogs that are "cleaner?"  Especially any medium or large dogs?  I have a super sensitive nose and I feel that if I had a dog I would have to wash it every day for my sanity's sake.  I know any beagles or breeds similar are def. out (my dad has those. sweet dogs, but stinky!)

Tatiana191084

Maltese are very sweet and most importantly hypoallergenic breed - no shedding!! They are very easy to train as well We also have Siberian Husky - but you dont want that Good luck picking your puppy!!

megaloo27

I had a golden retriever that was very clean and soft. She didn't like being outside and I called her my "inside" dog. So that may be why she stayed cleaner. They are also awesome with kids. You could pull her ears or tail and she wouldn't even flinch. Plus they don't bark much. Any kind of sheparding dog will bark a lot! 

SoonToBeMsP

Our boxers are really low maintenance and never feel oily. We only have to bathe them once every 6 months (and that's better for them anyway). They are high energy though, so if you don't want to take walks and entertain them, they may not be right for you. They are amazing with DD!

raefre

meg_2006:

DH badly wants a dog, but I am NOT a dog person.  Mainly because they smell and I think their fur is oily unless you wash it every night.  Are there any types of dogs that are "cleaner?"  Especially any medium or large dogs?  I have a super sensitive nose and I feel that if I had a dog I would have to wash it every day for my sanity's sake.  I know any beagles or breeds similar are def. out (my dad has those. sweet dogs, but stinky!)

I think a lot of it is in the perception. I always think other people's dogs/cats are oily/disgusting but mine are perfect.  

I will say our german shepherd is smelly and sheds a ton. I need to brush her and give her a bath this weekend.

The dobermans in my life have always felt oily, but never smelly.  Maybe it is the short hair, because I feel like boxers are similar.

All the labradors I've ever known have felt oily and shed a ton. 

We had a mutt that never smelled, never needed a bath, and her fur was always soft.  I want another one just like her.

elsINlb

meg_2006:

DH badly wants a dog, but I am NOT a dog person.  Mainly because they smell and I think their fur is oily unless you wash it every night.  Are there any types of dogs that are "cleaner?"  Especially any medium or large dogs?  I have a super sensitive nose and I feel that if I had a dog I would have to wash it every day for my sanity's sake.  I know any beagles or breeds similar are def. out (my dad has those. sweet dogs, but stinky!)

Honestly? If you don't really want a dog, don't get one. You and your H should both be completely on board, otherwise it's not really fair to the dog. It's going to be so much work, on top of taking care of your baby, which will probably make you even less of a dog person. It wouldn't be fair to the dog if for some reason down the road you decide you can't deal with it anymore. I see too many "owner surrenders" because families signed on for more than what they could handle, and the poor animals end up in shelters, put down, or even abandoned on the street. Sorry to be a Negative Nellie :-/

lp0

I'm a big fan of mutts. They generally have less health problems and there are so many out there in need of a home. Both of my fur babies are lab mixes. Their fur is super soft and they don't shed much. The only time they smell is if they run around outside all day other than that they usually smell pretty good. They sell bath wipes that you can use to freshen it up rather than giving it a bath all the time. My dogs are 40 and 60 lbs so they are manageable to bathe. Though I agree with pp that unless you are 100% on board and willing to commit then don't get one.

AMbaby

elsINlb:

meg_2006:

DH badly wants a dog, but I am NOT a dog person.  Mainly because they smell and I think their fur is oily unless you wash it every night.  Are there any types of dogs that are "cleaner?"  Especially any medium or large dogs?  I have a super sensitive nose and I feel that if I had a dog I would have to wash it every day for my sanity's sake.  I know any beagles or breeds similar are def. out (my dad has those. sweet dogs, but stinky!)

Honestly? If you don't really want a dog, don't get one. You and your H should both be completely on board, otherwise it's not really fair to the dog. It's going to be so much work, on top of taking care of your baby, which will probably make you even less of a dog person. It wouldn't be fair to the dog if for some reason down the road you decide you can't deal with it anymore. I see too many "owner surrenders" because families signed on for more than what they could handle, and the poor animals end up in shelters, put down, or even abandoned on the street. Sorry to be a Negative Nellie :-/

AMEN. 

raefre

LibraryChica:

I have a corgi -- she has a great temperament, is clean and soft, rarely needs a bath. She sheds a lot, though. I love her dearly but there is no way I would get a dog now if I didn't already have one. Training a dog takes a lot of time! I would never have been able to teach my girl the kind of behavior I expect from her if DD had been around then. frankly, with a young baby and only one partner on board you're setting yourself up for heartbreak. I say give it a year. 

I'll agree with this except I think they are b!tches when it comes to personality.  All the ones I've known seem pretty bossy.  

Katie31759

elsINlb:

meg_2006:

DH badly wants a dog, but I am NOT a dog person.  Mainly because they smell and I think their fur is oily unless you wash it every night.  Are there any types of dogs that are "cleaner?"  Especially any medium or large dogs?  I have a super sensitive nose and I feel that if I had a dog I would have to wash it every day for my sanity's sake.  I know any beagles or breeds similar are def. out (my dad has those. sweet dogs, but stinky!)

Honestly? If you don't really want a dog, don't get one. You and your H should both be completely on board, otherwise it's not really fair to the dog. It's going to be so much work, on top of taking care of your baby, which will probably make you even less of a dog person. It wouldn't be fair to the dog if for some reason down the road you decide you can't deal with it anymore. I see too many "owner surrenders" because families signed on for more than what they could handle, and the poor animals end up in shelters, put down, or even abandoned on the street. Sorry to be a Negative Nellie :-/

 This, for sure. But if you decide to get one, definitely go with one that doesn't shed. I would NOT get a golden lol they are double coated and you'll have hairballs all over your house if you don't brush them every day, and most love being outside and in every puddle of water you can find. I agree with the corgis are bitches haha every one we have that comes in is a major biter. Only problem, I'm not really a huge fan of most the dogs that don't shed. Maybe shih tzus. They're cute, but not medium sized. I would DEFINITELY stay away from wheatons. They have massive allergy problems and are usually SOBs. Mini poodle? lol I really think if you're not totally on board, don't get one. I work with dogs and love my dog, but after having a baby thrown into the mix, it's way too much work. And if you're talking about a puppy? Forget it. It'll be like having another newborn lol

eklanger

LibraryChica:

I have a corgi -- she has a great temperament, is clean and soft, rarely needs a bath. She sheds a lot, though. I love her dearly but there is no way I would get a dog now if I didn't already have one. Training a dog takes a lot of time! I would never have been able to teach my girl the kind of behavior I expect from her if DD had been around then. frankly, with a young baby and only one partner on board you're setting yourself up for heartbreak. I say give it a year. 

I agree about training.  I put so much energy into training our dog and could never have done that with a baby already.  Unless your DH is totally willing to do all that work, I wouldn't take it on  right now. The first month or so with a dog (and longer with a puppy) is a huge adjustment

Tatiana191084

AGREE!!

palmbreeze

Oh my...my career is an Adoption Manager at a shelter. If you wash a dog daily you are going to destroy their skin leading you to a nice vet bill. The mutts are where it's at. Usually the dogs in a shelter are pretty dirty. If you can find one that your nose can tolerate there, you probably found your dog. I can't tell you how amazing dogs are! Stay away from Goldens, Labs and any Hound are going to want to play outside and get stinky. A nice short coat like a Boston, Dane, Pittie, etc might work. I have a Collie/Shepherd/Setter mix and she has a long coat, but she never stinks. My Golden on the other hand, is an oily stinky mess lol Dogs' coats are meant to be oily, that's the way they are designed. Perhaps a Bishon or Poodle might be your speed too. Good luck! Oh and temperment and training should be more important if you have a wee one. Research the breeds before you make a decision. Getting a dog is a big commitment.