Why do people have a dog or dog(s)? (eat, difference)

[Regina14]

Though my last dog passed away three months ago, I've had dogs for most of adult life and before that, my youth and childhood. I may have occasionally called a dog of mine "baby" or other rather gooey nicknames, but I have always known they are not my children; they are my beloved canine companions. I have had dogs for companionship and because I love dogs. Some of them have been show dogs, but all have been pets. And I miss all of them...

[gizmo980]

Originally Posted by hiero2

I picked other, as child/baby is not a good description in my thinking. I think if you added another answer: "To be a companion/friend" you'd knock out a lot of "other". A companion/friend is not the same as child/baby.

Ditto. I don't have children (by choice), but my dogs/cats are NOT a replacement for children - they are their own species, and provide a type of companionship that's unique to them. They also keep me active, or at least more so than I'd be without them! On my days off, I would probably just laze around the house all day if I didn't have dogs wanting to go explore.

[dav51lin]

my dog my very best friend

[2mares]

Originally Posted by pathrunner

While letting YouTube go on autoplay, Judge Judy came up. Now I rarely listen to that show but the case that came up was because of a dog that bit a 6 yr old child. It occurred to me that the defendant in question has the dog for protection (she stated the dog was trying to protect her and her baby in the stroller). Well, Judge Judy ruled against her.

Anyway, I started thinking, what are the reasons that people have a dog or dogs? I myself have puppy dogs. They are big. They are very sweet-looking. They are now 12 and about 13, but they are my babies/puppies and always will be They are definitely not guard dogs! The only time they get their panties in a bunch is over the squirrels in the yard. I think they hate the squirrels because they have never been able to catch one They both have a strong prey drive but they are docile as all heck otherwise. I always tell people "they will lick you to death."

So, why do people have a dog, and why do you have a dog? (multiple reasons are of course, a given)

To me it seems more like they have us.
I have always been an animal lover and we did not have pets growing up so when I moved out on my own I went a little overboard. My dogs are companions. Companions that alert me if anyone is nearby, keep the unwanted critters from my door and make me feel safer. Whether or not they would actually protect me from harm has yet to be tested.
Most of them have found their way to me after being abandoned by someone else so I guess I also have dogs because they need me.

[JONOV]

Many of the above.

First and foremost, I like having a dog as a companion. I guess "it's my baby" counts there.

Second, I like hunting with dogs. My dogs are my hunting dogs. They point game, retrieve, and if needed can bloodtrail deer.

Third, I like having a dog that barks at things that go bump in the night. A watchdog, if not much of a guard dog.

[DubbleT]

I would never consider a pet my 'baby' or 'child', but they do make pretty good companions most of the time. They are definitely cheaper and easier than kids and not nearly as demanding as an SO.

[AnywhereElse]

I chose "Other". I have been around dogs my whole life. I have had dogs as an adult, grandma and grandpa had a dog, neighbors had dogs, cousins had dogs, friends had dog.............. The presence of dogs is my "normal".

[Teacher Terry]

After my kids grew up I ended up rescuing older Maltese. I love the breed and have had 9 dogs in the past 18 years. I chose baby but they are also companions. Much less work than kids).

[Wartrace]

Companionship. I enjoy having them around to hang out with and take walks with.

[oregonwoodsmoke]

Companionship, security, and they work for me. Hunting, herding livestock, vermin control..