His and her dogs
- Thread starter Elrohwen
- Start date
Any dog in our house is definitely a joint dog. My husband has zero interest in having a dog of his own for sports or training, but he requires that any dog I get also fits into what he wants in a dog. Luckily his list is simple - he just wants a dog who will cuddle with him and be his buddy. There's no way it would fly for me to bring a dog home without planning it out extensively with him. We are both planners and we both do basic dog care, so any dog is a joint decision.
On the other hand, he is excited to work on basic manners and training, and attend puppy classes, but beyond that I haven't had any luck getting him interested in dog sports. So choosing activities, training, and ultimately choosing the most appropriate dog (once we've agreed on breed) is left up to me.
On the other hand, he is excited to work on basic manners and training, and attend puppy classes, but beyond that I haven't had any luck getting him interested in dog sports. So choosing activities, training, and ultimately choosing the most appropriate dog (once we've agreed on breed) is left up to me.
Last edited:
I don't have an SO yet, but I do live with my family so the questions still kind of apply! And I like threads that answer questions lol.
I consider Dance and Journ to be mine, and Ripley might as well be also. I am their main caretaker, always buy anything the girls need and usually buy all of Ripley's needs too, they all sleep in my room, etc. That said, I consider Rip to be more of the 'family dog' now. Although if you asked him, he's been mine since he was like 7 weeks old.
I'm kind of a control freak with the dogs. I worry if my mom wants to take them for a walk or something. Not so much the girls, but Ripley can be leash reactive, so I needlessly worry when my mom takes him places without me... eventhough I know logically that she's a competent dog owner lol. I just can't help it.
My mom prefers a much different dog than I do. She likes sleek, elegant looking dogs. To live with, she likes a laid back, lower activity level dog that she can just take on a walk once in a while and go for car rides with. Something friendly or reserved and just generally what you think of as a nice, easy pet dog. She's dreamed of owning a Great Dane her entire life. Perhaps one day she'll find the right individual of a Dane for her needs. She can live with a more demanding dog, but in general prefers easy. She raised our Rottweiler, Echo, who matured into one of the most nice tempered dogs I've ever known, so I know she's capable. It's just easy for her now to let me do everything, but once I leave, she definitely knows how to raise a good dog.
I prefer medium-high activity level dogs that are quiet in the house, athletic, take anywhere, try anything, easily trained and eager learners. I also don't mind medium-long coats (like Tollers, BCs, Aussies, etc.), whereas my mom prefers smooth coats.
One day if/when I have an SO, I'll probably still have "my" dogs, just because I can be kind of posessive over my dogs lol. I don't want anyone to ruin them somehow haha. I spend a ton of time with my dogs and put a lot of (fun) work into them. But I hope that he likes similar breeds to me, because I don't care to live with breeds that I don't find enjoyable. Or, better yet, it would be nice to find someone who let me have whatever dogs I want and enjoys them, but isn't quite as into dog stuff as I am.
I consider Dance and Journ to be mine, and Ripley might as well be also. I am their main caretaker, always buy anything the girls need and usually buy all of Ripley's needs too, they all sleep in my room, etc. That said, I consider Rip to be more of the 'family dog' now. Although if you asked him, he's been mine since he was like 7 weeks old.
I'm kind of a control freak with the dogs. I worry if my mom wants to take them for a walk or something. Not so much the girls, but Ripley can be leash reactive, so I needlessly worry when my mom takes him places without me... eventhough I know logically that she's a competent dog owner lol. I just can't help it.
My mom prefers a much different dog than I do. She likes sleek, elegant looking dogs. To live with, she likes a laid back, lower activity level dog that she can just take on a walk once in a while and go for car rides with. Something friendly or reserved and just generally what you think of as a nice, easy pet dog. She's dreamed of owning a Great Dane her entire life. Perhaps one day she'll find the right individual of a Dane for her needs. She can live with a more demanding dog, but in general prefers easy. She raised our Rottweiler, Echo, who matured into one of the most nice tempered dogs I've ever known, so I know she's capable. It's just easy for her now to let me do everything, but once I leave, she definitely knows how to raise a good dog.
I prefer medium-high activity level dogs that are quiet in the house, athletic, take anywhere, try anything, easily trained and eager learners. I also don't mind medium-long coats (like Tollers, BCs, Aussies, etc.), whereas my mom prefers smooth coats.
One day if/when I have an SO, I'll probably still have "my" dogs, just because I can be kind of posessive over my dogs lol. I don't want anyone to ruin them somehow haha. I spend a ton of time with my dogs and put a lot of (fun) work into them. But I hope that he likes similar breeds to me, because I don't care to live with breeds that I don't find enjoyable. Or, better yet, it would be nice to find someone who let me have whatever dogs I want and enjoys them, but isn't quite as into dog stuff as I am.
Last edited:
Family totally counts! I'm old now and forgot about living with family and having family dogs. Kind of ironic since I'm actually living with my parents temporarily, but they are happy with having a grand-dog now and don't make any demands on what I get.
Omg, now I know what Watson is. He's a brodog. That is a perfect description.
I should mention that my husband does have some cute standards too; he won't let me get a dog that he doesn't think is cute. It's funny because some guys want a macho or tough looking dog, but DH is a fan of floppy earred adorable spaniels and similar breeds. For someone who let me get two lop earred bunnies I guess that's not surprising,
Rick and I call these "brodogs" 
I should mention that my husband does have some cute standards too; he won't let me get a dog that he doesn't think is cute. It's funny because some guys want a macho or tough looking dog, but DH is a fan of floppy earred adorable spaniels and similar breeds. For someone who let me get two lop earred bunnies I guess that's not surprising,
The SO likes the dogs and plays and wrestles with them, but they're *my* dogs. When I walk away-they walk away. When I'm out of sight, they want to know where I went. Even if the SO is with them.
He's mentioned a few times he'd like his own dog-one that will follow him like mine follow me. He also recently said he'd like to trial a dog when I trial mine. So we may end up with his & hers dogs...
He's mentioned a few times he'd like his own dog-one that will follow him like mine follow me. He also recently said he'd like to trial a dog when I trial mine. So we may end up with his & hers dogs...
Pretty much agree with Toller.
I don't have an SO yet but I live with my family. My dad and step-mom each kind of have their 'own' dog, sort of. Buddy is more of my step-moms dog, but still loves my dad, but step-mom does all of the bathing, feeding, walking, car rides, etc. Lilly is closer to my dad but I guess more of a 'family dog' than anything.
When I am there, I usually feed all 3, and I also tend to buy their food, etc, otherwise my step-mom will just go get Beneful or Iams from the grocery store and I hate having it around because then Jackson wants to eat it, etc, it's just annoying and easier to keep what Jax is eating around.
When it's bath time, I will often bathe Lilly and Jackson. She always bathes Buddy. Buddy is 95% her dog. Lilly is like 50/50. When I'm there, I tend to take care of her, but when I'm not, it's kind of just... whoever is around. If stepmom is in her office, Buddy is likely with her, and Lilly is laying in the bedroom with my dad.
Jackson is 100% mine. I don't really trust anyone else to do anything with him lol - feeding, bathing, walking, car rides, etc. I just prefer to be in control. Plus he's so weird without me. When I go away, obviously they feed him and take him outside in the yard, but other than that, I never ask them to take him anywhere publicly or do much of anything else.
I don't have an SO yet but I live with my family. My dad and step-mom each kind of have their 'own' dog, sort of. Buddy is more of my step-moms dog, but still loves my dad, but step-mom does all of the bathing, feeding, walking, car rides, etc. Lilly is closer to my dad but I guess more of a 'family dog' than anything.
When I am there, I usually feed all 3, and I also tend to buy their food, etc, otherwise my step-mom will just go get Beneful or Iams from the grocery store and I hate having it around because then Jackson wants to eat it, etc, it's just annoying and easier to keep what Jax is eating around.
When it's bath time, I will often bathe Lilly and Jackson. She always bathes Buddy. Buddy is 95% her dog. Lilly is like 50/50. When I'm there, I tend to take care of her, but when I'm not, it's kind of just... whoever is around. If stepmom is in her office, Buddy is likely with her, and Lilly is laying in the bedroom with my dad.
Jackson is 100% mine. I don't really trust anyone else to do anything with him lol - feeding, bathing, walking, car rides, etc. I just prefer to be in control. Plus he's so weird without me. When I go away, obviously they feed him and take him outside in the yard, but other than that, I never ask them to take him anywhere publicly or do much of anything else.
Same here. My SO loves Smiley, but he would never have a dog on his own, and is extremely against owning multiple dogs at a time. He did, however, agree to fostering, and didn't seem to mind having two dogs in the house.
He has a few "requirements" for future dogs, which is fine as they match what I am wanting as well. They must be low/non-shedding, under 40 lbs, not barky. If the dog is an adult, it must be house trained.
Sometimes I wish he was dog crazy like me, but I'm also really glad that I have a voice of reason to keep me from becoming a crazy dog lady.
He has a few "requirements" for future dogs, which is fine as they match what I am wanting as well. They must be low/non-shedding, under 40 lbs, not barky. If the dog is an adult, it must be house trained.
Sometimes I wish he was dog crazy like me, but I'm also really glad that I have a voice of reason to keep me from becoming a crazy dog lady.
Jeromy and I have an overlap of dogs that we like, but then we also have dogs on the opposite ends of the spectrum, if that makes sense.
We both like GSDs, Dobes, fluffy Belgians, Aussies, and some random dogs like Golden Retrievers and Papillons.
For him personally, he likes strong willed, independent dogs. His dream dog is a Shiba and he likes Airedales as well, although I don't know that he'd want one.
He thinks that my dogs are annoyingly clingy and high maintenance. He thinks that spaniels look dumb - the term "floppy moron skin" gets thrown around as almost a term of affection now toward Rowan, who has the same look I love a Velcro dog, but they drive him crazy. I imagine that when he gets his Shiba, I'll have the opposite problem. "WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME, DOG?"
If we lived together, I guarantee we'd have his & her dogs. We have very different expectations of a companion.
We both like GSDs, Dobes, fluffy Belgians, Aussies, and some random dogs like Golden Retrievers and Papillons.
For him personally, he likes strong willed, independent dogs. His dream dog is a Shiba and he likes Airedales as well, although I don't know that he'd want one.
He thinks that my dogs are annoyingly clingy and high maintenance. He thinks that spaniels look dumb - the term "floppy moron skin" gets thrown around as almost a term of affection now toward Rowan, who has the same look
I love a Velcro dog, but they drive him crazy. I imagine that when he gets his Shiba, I'll have the opposite problem. "WHY DON'T YOU LOVE ME, DOG?"If we lived together, I guarantee we'd have his & her dogs. We have very different expectations of a companion.
We have separate dogs. Elsie's mine, Zobby's his. I love Zobby but I don't like him a lot of the time, if that makes sense. He's too independent and needy. :rofl1: My boyfriend adores Elsie, but she really is MY dog; she loves him, but she doesn't respect him too much. He's thinking of looking at shelties and fluffy Belgians for his next dog, which is peachy with me. This future dog will be his dog though; not mine.
We still share in the care, though.
We still share in the care, though.
The hubster had Keena before I met him (actually the first time I saw him he was leaving our then-vet's office with her as I was coming in with an SPCA dog...), and she is HIS dog. She doesn't respect me like she does him. He's always had dobes and pit bulls, but Keena may be the last. I'm sick of dogfights. 99% of the time they're fine, but the hounds can be jerks and Keena takes a small slight and just latches onto my dogs' legs, and I'm tired of it. So he's going to have to change what he likes in dogs
I brought Daisy, Liz, and Rage to the relationship. My husband loves Daisy (everyone does) and thinks the Plotts are idiotic. When asked, he'll say he loves them and wouldn't wish ill on them, but they're not his kind of dog. He likes a dog that listens for the sake of listening, they are not that dog. Sometimes I wonder if it's a respect thing as well - Rage loves him, and does a lot of attention-seeking, but for all that he takes care of her (a LOT now that I'm in school), she's still 100% more likely to listen to me.
The Pom, if he stays, absolutely prefers my husband. He is spoiled and doesn't like rules, so that doesn't surprise me. My rules for Pomeranians include if you look nasty you don't get to stay, so there will be daily brushing and combing. Also, nails are not optional - they will be trimmed. Pom says this is not what he bargained for. The other day my husband was in the kitchen, and the Pom was sitting and staring up at him with a big grin, and my husband said, "I really like him. He just follows me around with this look on his face that says, 'wow, I am so lucky that this guy is my friend!'" ((the Pom is definitely a bro-dog, even though he is small in stature..)
I brought Daisy, Liz, and Rage to the relationship. My husband loves Daisy (everyone does) and thinks the Plotts are idiotic. When asked, he'll say he loves them and wouldn't wish ill on them, but they're not his kind of dog. He likes a dog that listens for the sake of listening, they are not that dog. Sometimes I wonder if it's a respect thing as well - Rage loves him, and does a lot of attention-seeking, but for all that he takes care of her (a LOT now that I'm in school), she's still 100% more likely to listen to me.
The Pom, if he stays, absolutely prefers my husband. He is spoiled and doesn't like rules, so that doesn't surprise me. My rules for Pomeranians include if you look nasty you don't get to stay, so there will be daily brushing and combing. Also, nails are not optional - they will be trimmed. Pom says this is not what he bargained for. The other day my husband was in the kitchen, and the Pom was sitting and staring up at him with a big grin, and my husband said, "I really like him. He just follows me around with this look on his face that says, 'wow, I am so lucky that this guy is my friend!'" ((the Pom is definitely a bro-dog, even though he is small in stature..)
The dogs are ours in name... but really, they're mine. I do everything for them. He occasionally comes on a walk with us. The only time he takes over as primary caregiver is if I'm out of town and can't bring them.
I do check in with him if I'm bringing home a dog but I don't really give him a choice. I make sure he's fine with another dog and then I just do whatever I want.
I do check in with him if I'm bringing home a dog but I don't really give him a choice. I make sure he's fine with another dog and then I just do whatever I want.
Now that I think about it, I'm not sure DH would have any pets if I weren't there. I think he would want a dog, because he grew up with dogs and loves them, but he wouldn't want the responsibility. He does help with Watson's care and can be the primary care giver if I'm away, but he likes that I'm ultimately responsible for vet care and ordering more food and going home early to walk him if someone has to go home early.
All 4 of them are ours but mine if that makes sense. I'm the one that wanted them. I'm the one that pays for their needs. I'm the one that mainly takes care of them. Josh can take it or leave it with owning dogs. He really likes dogs but he doesn't care to have the responsibility that comes with owning dogs so he would be fine with us not having any. Bamm was mine before we even met. Cricket I got shortly after we married because I really wanted a second dog. Joey came along and again it was me that wanted to keep him. Itztli we bought specifically for me.