Are dogs dirty?

Question

I want to get my son a puppy but my partner says they spread diseases. Is this true?

Answer 1

Not if they are looked after properly and treated as part of the family

Answer 2

No. There are diseases/parasites/infections that you can catch from dogs, but most of them you can catch from other animals just as easily. And generally you don't catch them from well-cared for pet dogs. The most common concern is intestinal parasites such as worms and bacteria which are transmitted via fecal-oral transmittance (meaning you have to eat the infected feces in order to be infected). As long as you keep the yard picked up, keep the dog wormed (this is easy as most heartworm preventatives also deworm against the most common intestinal parasites), and wash your hands after picking up the yard or handling the dog's feet you really have nothing to worry about. The next major concern is infection from a bite or scratch...which is not a major concern if your dog is well socialized, has an appropriate temperament, and is well trained.

I think you and your partner have more to discuss than whether dogs really spread diseases or not. Dogs are not pets for children. When you get a dog (unless you adopt a senior dog from rescue) you should expect at LEAST a 10 year commitment. Any child old enough to take on the majority of the responsibility of the dog is going to move out on their own into a situation where they can not take the dog with them before the dog is likely to die. This means that the sole responsibility of the dog lies with YOU (and your partner). Dogs are great companions...otherwise we would never put up with all of the negative side effects of owning a dog. You can't go off on spur-of-the-moment trips, you can't stay out of the house for too long, they shed, they track in dirt, they enjoy rolling in stinky things (garbage, manure, dead things, etc), they need annual vet visits, they can bring unexpected medical expenses, they require a lot of time to properly train and raise. There may be a lot of reasons that your partner doesn't want a dog...the idea that they are "dirty" and "spread diseases" may just be the most convenient excuse for them.

Answer 3

As long as you get the dog vaccinated and yearly booster injextions then they do not spread diseases. The do spread mud around but obviously not so much on short haired breeds. I think your partner may be making excuses or has been badly informed.

Answer 4

Like all things in life. There is a good and a bad. Your son has to be old enough to take care of a dog or you will be the one stuck taking care of it. I think if you are not home and are busy all the time don't get a dog. Every animal needs to have a chance at a good life, not saying that you aren't a good person to animals.

Answer 5

Your partner must be a germophobe. They do not spread diseases! If you let them roll in the mud, then they will become 'dirty' but dogs are actually very clean animals.

Don't listen to the lies.

Answer 6

if that is how your partners feels about dogs then you really shouldn't get a puppy. a puppy needs to be wanted and loved by all members of your family. i would first start by educating him or her about dogs and keeping them up to date on health checks, vaccinations and so on. but in my experience people who think dogs are dirty seldom change their minds. do they spread disease? rarely- i am in my thirties and i have never known anyone to get a disease from their dog, so i think the chances are pretty slim.

Answer 7

Get on google and search on dog diseases. You should also google about owning a dog. There are a few diseases that they can transmit to humans however if you keep them current on their shots and medications then there's not much to worry about.

Answer 8

They certainly can. All animals can, but more likely to each other. Few canine diseases can affect humans. But they are not exactly clean. They leave hair everywhere, pawprints, make carpets dirty, and make the house smell of dog.

Answer 9

1. Dogs are dirty
2. Your clothes you've put outside on the close line are dirty
3. Your tooth brush you've left on the bathroom sink is dirty
4. The handshake you give is dirty
5. Your keyboard is dirty
6. The can of peas you've opened is dirty
7. Your mouth contains thousands of bacteria and germs, yet you kiss your love ones every day.
8. Your hands are filthy and you're not aware of it.

You have more chances of being sink by being in contact with a 2 year old child then by being in contact with a dog.

Answer 10

if you don't get their shots, or never bathe them or care for them, then that is a possibility. however, humans spread far more diseases than dogs... seek the advice of a vet, or visit a dog shelter for a better answer.

Answer 11

Dogs are only dirty if u dont pay out for inoculation injections and you dont keep them well bred...otherwise dogs are lovely creatures and they only spread diseases reali if they are street dogs and they aint inoculated because that way they pick up diseases off other dog poo from other street dogs.....i would say if u can afford to keep ur dog fully up to date with innoculations and feed him/her well then get ur son a dog...all the best for 2008...kizza...xox