Would you date someone with large dogs?

[Alpacalia]

23 hours ago, Calmandfocused said:

Hi All

I’ve just been reading the threads about dating people with kids and it’s triggered me to ask this question as I’m curious: 

Would it put you off dating someone If they had large dogs? 
 

Personally I love dogs, cats and anything cute and fluffy. As a general rule I’m more than happy to date men with pets. 
 

However I’ve just let a potential dating prospect go due to my conclusion that we’re incompatible because of his dogs. Sounds ridiculous doesn’t it? I’ll explain: 

He has 2 very large dogs (one of each sex) that weigh about 125lb each. They are absolutely enormous! Temperament wise you couldn’t ask for nicer dogs; they’re friendly, playful and don’t have an aggressive bone in their body. 

But they are huge! And very very strong. Due to the sheer size of them, one of them accidentally injured me whilst on a date/ walk. My date asked me to hold the lead whilst he picked up poop, dog went running and I went flying. Aside from the embarrassment of landing face down on hard ground in front of my date , I could barely walk I was that battered and bruised. It took a week before the swelling on my knees went down. Painful ! (by the way I don’t weigh as much as one of these dogs). 
 

The thought of having these two enormous animals in my life full time was too much to bear. I also have 2 young children and I naturally had a lot of concerns about my children’s safety around animals this size (the dogs jump up a lot, knock furniture over all the time,  and they like to sit on each other’s heads etc). 

 

Added into the mix is that these dogs are exceptionally messy, they Poop for Britain (about 4 times a day each) and they are both sexually mature - meaning potentially pups in the way 😱... All in all I concluded that it just wouldn’t work. 
 

My date thought it was a ridiculous reason to not continue dating, and whilst I appreciate it sounds ridiculous, I think it’s a valid reason. 
 

What’s everyone’s opinion? Would you not date someone because of their dog(s)? 

 

 

 

 

I walked big dogs at animal shelters and the sheer strength is intimidating for sure. I've also been attacked by a German Shepherd and a pack of Dobermans so I can totally understand the fearfulness of big dogs. Chihuahuas are considered one of the most aggressive dog breeds but how much damage can they inflict versus getting mauled by a larger, more powerful dog breed?

Can you foresee yourself warming up to the idea? If not, don't bother.

Edited February 27, 2021 by Alpaca

[smackie9]

 Dogs especially large dog breeds are a huge responsibility (hence why I have a cat), and yes this falls on the owner and how they take care of them . Double the dogs, Double the size, double the responsibility, mess, costs, cleanup, etc. I feel this guy is in way over his head. IMO the dogs deserve better.

[Alpacalia]

5 minutes ago, smackie9 said:

 Dogs especially large dog breeds are a huge responsibility (hence why I have a cat), and yes this falls on the owner and how they take care of them . Double the dogs, Double the size, double the responsibility, mess, costs, cleanup, etc. I feel this guy is in way over his head. IMO the dogs deserve better.

Indeed.

You don't know what type of dog owner the person is, if he's trained them adequately, no signs of dog aggression, etc.

[Ollie180]

I think if anything I find it more attractive! My fiancée had a huge dog when we met and I thought that was cute, more so than if she had a  Chihuahua or something little like that

[MsJayne]

Dogs are the same as kids,  if they're even slightly out of control they'll be a cause of conflict.  The moment he handed you the lead the dog sensed/saw an opportunity to misbehave and you were injured as a result.  I would see this as the dog being badly trained as far as handling goes, as in it sensed that you were third down the hierarchy rung in your pack of three that day.  I'm a big believer that dogs read their owners, (pack leader), perception of another person and then react accordingly.  With that in mind you'd better hope Mr Dog Lover likes your kids.....😬.  Aside from that, could you ever see yourself living with two animals that potentially turn the backyard into a minefield of behemoth turds? 

[Trail Blazer]

I would definitely date someone with large dogs but I wouldn't date someone who cannot control their large dogs.  It's all about the owner, not the dogs.

This dude obviously has no handle on his pooches and lacks the requisite awareness to understand how his lack of ability to control/train these dogs affects others.

His response indicates that he is someone to shift blame, rather than to take responsibility and enact change.

You also have small children.  That's a huge issue with dogs that are out of control.  Even if they are placid and wouldn't attack, their clearly boisterous behavior is a recipe for disaster!  

You, a grown woman, suffered not insignificant injuries as a result of these dogs.  If this clown can't understand how you'd be concerned for your children's welfare afted that experience then he needs his head read.

[Lorenza]

I wouldn't date someone with large dogs, even if they were well trained. Small ones I would consider, but the large ones are scary, stinky and incredibly clumsy to have around the house, imo. Besides, cat people are cooler to me 😎

[mortensorchid]

I am allergic to dogs, cats and everything with hair (I can only have fish and birds as pets).  So it would be with me for allergy reasons. 

[Highndry]

For most of my adult life I have had one very large dog, save for a few years here and there after they pass of old age. My current female was 120 lbs in her prime, though she's very old and down to about 105 now (going to be 14 in a few weeks). My last male was 150 lbs. I wouldn't want two at a time because it can become a bit much walking/in the house, etc., and I prefer to just have one dog at a time. I can give them more attention.

I have to be honest in that a lot of behaviors I see from dog owners makes me realize why a lot of people don't like dogs and their owners. I have stepped in more dog s*** from other peoples' dogs than I care to remember. My dog was also attacked by two aggressive off leash dogs many years back while we were walking. Unfortunately for them, it didn't end well, but I digress.

I guess my point in all of this is that, even as a dog owner, I can understand your not wanting to enter that relationship. I might not even want to date a woman who had two large, unruly dogs. I am super particular about how people care for animals, and how animals are trained. I was over at a friend's house the other day, and noticed his backyard had like 30+ piles of crap. To me that's unacceptable. I clean up all my dog's business right after she does it.

I've really gone off on a tangent, but you were well within your right to move on.

[Starswillshine]

I love dogs and the bigger the better. I have 2 dogs, one large one and another medium sized one. I have a mistrust of people who don't love dogs (not exactly, some people have good reason...). 

That being said, I would have a hard time dating someone with large dogs who do not behave properly. Especially with my children. 

[Miss Spider]

22 hours ago, mortensorchid said:

I am allergic to dogs, cats and everything with hair (I can only have fish and birds as pets).  . 

This is the saddest thing I’ve ever heard in my life . 😢

Edited March 2, 2021 by Shortskirtslonglashes

[Blind-Sided]

On 2/27/2021 at 8:05 AM, Calmandfocused said:

Thank you. 
 

Can I ask how you navigate this though? Presumably your gf cannot leave all those pets alone whilst she stays overnight at your house? Do you have to stay at hers all the time then? 
 

I’m also presuming that you do not see each other when you have your girls? 
 

Sorry to be nosey I’m just curious. 
 

I had awful visions of the dogs getting on my children’s beds when me and him were asleep and the consequences of that (don’t forget these dogs like to  sit on heads) These visions terrified me and I knew that I could never put me or my children in that situation. My maternal instincts say No Way! 

From what everyone is saying I made the right decision not to pursue this any further. 

I'm happy to answer, and you aren't being nosey.

My GF is at my place most of the time.  As (I think) I said... her dog is now at her mom's house, because she is here so much.  When the weather is better... she will bring her dog home for the week/weekend because my oldest daughter loves dogs.  We wind up going on walks at the local park together.  When her dog is with her... she doesn't spend the night.  Her cats are a little more self sufficient. She will go to her house daily to take care of them.  Just as an FYI... her house is literally 6 min away from mine.  So, she can go back and forth without an issue. 

She is here when my kids are here.  Both of my girls love her.  BUT... she generally doesn't spend the night when they are here, and her dog doesn't come to my house.

The thing is... she feels the same as me.  The hair of the animals drives her nutz, and she doesn't like it.  She even has 2 Roomba's to help at her house. So, she fully understands my position. But... she has a kind heart, and she falls in love with a cute animal. All 3 of them are rescues from a shelter. 

I also think you made the right choice. "BIG" dogs aren't for everyone.  And when they aren't for you... then you have to move on. 

[expos4ever]

Wow, to me this is a no-brainer - I would think that if dog challenges are enough to sunder a relationship, then what hope is there for the rest of us. Full disclosure: I love dogs so perhaps my judgment is clouded accordingly. 

[SaraSays]

10 minutes ago, expos4ever said:

Wow, to me this is a no-brainer - I would think that if dog challenges are enough to sunder a relationship, then what hope is there for the rest of us. Full disclosure: I love dogs so perhaps my judgment is clouded accordingly. 

There are problems with the owner of the dogs, not the dogs. The owner isn't behaving as a responsible pet owner should.

[Calmandfocused]

Thanks everyone for all your responses. I’m glad I’m not on my own here in terms of how I feel. 
 

Might be a bizarre question but Im curious why some posters here would consider dating someone with large large dogs, but not children (as in another thread). 
 

Both kids and dogs need attention, care, medical assistance from time to time, feeding, bathing, exercising, taking out for a run, cleaning up after etc. Both create demands on time and finances etc. There are many more comparisons but I won’t list them all. 
 

So in that respect why is having dogs ok from a dating perspective but having children is a no no for some? Am I missing something? 

[Trail Blazer]

3 hours ago, Calmandfocused said:

Thanks everyone for all your responses. I’m glad I’m not on my own here in terms of how I feel. 
 

Might be a bizarre question but Im curious why some posters here would consider dating someone with large large dogs, but not children (as in another thread). 
 

Both kids and dogs need attention, care, medical assistance from time to time, feeding, bathing, exercising, taking out for a run, cleaning up after etc. Both create demands on time and finances etc. There are many more comparisons but I won’t list them all. 
 

So in that respect why is having dogs ok from a dating perspective but having children is a no no for some? Am I missing something? 

This one is pretty simple.  My ex had a medium-large dog (Labrador) and a five-year-old boy.  The little boy took up a lot more of her time, money and emotional investment.  Apples and oranges.

[Ollie180]

On 3/3/2021 at 5:40 PM, Calmandfocused said:

Thanks everyone for all your responses. I’m glad I’m not on my own here in terms of how I feel. 
 

Might be a bizarre question but Im curious why some posters here would consider dating someone with large large dogs, but not children (as in another thread). 
 

Both kids and dogs need attention, care, medical assistance from time to time, feeding, bathing, exercising, taking out for a run, cleaning up after etc. Both create demands on time and finances etc. There are many more comparisons but I won’t list them all. 
 

So in that respect why is having dogs ok from a dating perspective but having children is a no no for some? Am I missing something? 

50% of the time we don’t know we have the dog, he’s laying by a window sunning himself

....definitely not true for kids!!!

I mean, I love kids but that comparison isn’t even in the same ball park! My car also takes up my time, attention and money, but i wouldn’t compare that to my 16 year old!!

[Fletch Lives]

Those are not dogs, we call them horses  😄