Get the right dog.

We were looking for a dog mostly to deter other canids from going after our cats and wound up with a Swiss Mountain Dog.

This was not a dog that I enjoyed going for walks with because the dog could not keep up with me and my experience was mostly drag, drag, dragging it on a leash. Jack had a fascination for feces like the the way some people are fascinated with the internet and living on the farm it can't go six inches without finding another turd it could sniff for hours. This was another thing that eroded my feeling of connection with the dog.

The 130 pound dog would have been happy to crawl into our bed and would have wanted to be close to us but we were never going to be able to keep it clean enough for that to happen.

It didn't help that Jack's prior owner was somebody who just couldn't handle a dog that big so that Jack wasn't well trained. He had a good temperament and wasn't that hard to handle but we just didn't connect. We found Jack another owner who really loves swissies.

I ran with a pack of dogs as a kid so I have a lot of understanding of their body language but training a puppy is something that takes a lot of commitment and consistency and would be a learning challenge for me and my wife. (who teaches people to ride horses but relates to dogs less well than I do.) I am a big fan of German Shepherds, for instance, but early upbringing can make the difference between an intelligent and obedient companion and a sniveling nervous wreck that is always biting people.

I have a pet chihuahua the size of a rat. She does not behave like in the stereotypes, she's a very good dog. I love her to pieces.

Unfortunately she is plagued by seizures, but so far we are managing it. The people breeding these dogs are stupid. She is awesome, but she was like the size of an egg when we got her, and running around a lot makes it hard for her to breathe.

The benefits are obvious, the brain activity involved in the practice of unconditional love is rewarding, and contributes to your well-being. Dogs have an abnormal willingness to form strong emotional bonds. They can't help but love you. We breed them for friendliness, and cuteness too unfortunately.

you only asked for the benefits that list is way to long :p Here is a brain dump instead...

- I got one 3/4 months into lockdowns after deciding i would never spend that much time in an office again. Don't get one if everyone in the house spends the majority of they're time out of the house, it's not fair on the dog, they are the definition of social. i take him to day care when i do need to go to the office. - I also wasn't comfortable getting a shelter dog as we already have cat and my previous dogs didn't like cats, so we played it safe with a pup. - Walking is only fun if you teach them how to walk nicely, having them act out makes the walk infuriating. - Make sure you and your partner are on the same page in terms of training technique and the "rules, boundaries and limitations" of the household, we weren't and thats why he walks poorly. - get them socializing with every other creature possible and in the right way, mine wouldn't bat an eye at a cat or a chicken but will pull your arm off to say hi to other dogs. - similar to the first, having a night out and staying at a friends is more complicated than without a dog this isn't a big deal but is not something i ever considered when i was a kid (obv). - they are not cats, they are toddlers if not more intelligent but it means they need the same kind of attention as one.

pros - it's nice having someone to talk to when i'm the only one home plus it gets me do excercise in various forms throughout the day. i no longer need to pedal my bike. - Just having them around is much less lonely/very comforting.

overall me and my partner have benefitted for having a dog

We got a puppy a few months into the pandemic from a local shelter, and with young kids, it's been really great for the whole family. When the weather is nice, I take her on walks of a few miles, and it's completely different from going on walks alone. It means there's someone to talk to and teach about how to behave, how to leave other people and animals alone, and just generally how to be a good walking companion that keeps you company. A dog will also motivate you to walk (sometimes physically, by nudging you to the door or bringing you their leash).

Makes you walk every day. The negative is that it makes you walk every day, no matter the weather. Extremely lovely creatures, but if you are getting one, invest in training it either personally or by a dog trainer. Chasing the dog around shouting at it is comical only if you are not the chaser. Finally, consider the hairs. Some breeds are not changing their pelt, but others are hair bombs, so both you and your wife should find your tolerance level beforehand.

"Every child should have a dog. It teaches them about responsibility, fidelity, unconditional love and also to turn around three times before you lie down".

Yes having a dog was beneficial. I'm not sure I can put "benefits" into words, but having my dog was awesome. Until I had to get rid of him after 6 years. It was like losing a child or best friend and was solely my fault because I was unable to properly train him. Get a great dog, train him well early.

I miss you Brinley.

Well, I didn't have to sweep the kitchen as often...

Your dog must not shed very much ;) My floor scraps were more than replaced with tumbleweeds of fur.

Data shows people with dogs are happier in general

Could it be mostly correlation ?

I'd advise you to adopt an adult dog, unless you have a lot of time, energy and a high tolerance to all kind of annoying stuff

the first few months with my puppy were HARD, really HARD but since he got a bit older he's the best part of my life