Thanks for all the responses - this has been extremely helpful and I feel like I can make a better decision now.

Two dogs and at least 1500 feet of carpet, most of white and no problems. There have been a few accidents because they were adult strays, but enzyme cleaners took care of it. Now Lily and Moira can go 14 hours or so in an emergency. Lily has gone longer in stormy weather by her choice. The smaller dog is Border Collie/Lab, so she sheds long silky hair like a Lab. I do have to vacuum often, but it isn't any harder than sweeping. As far as mud goes, they know how to wipe their feet. If anything does get on the carpet, I let it dry and vacuum it up. I do like the white for ease in cleaning without worrying about fading. There is no dog odor on my carpet - a little on their beds, but I wash the beds weekly to keep ahead of it.

Will your sewing machine be in this room? I'd rather have no carpet in my sewing room, but what is, is.

Even if you never have a dog you will be shocked when how much dust you find under the carpet and padding. I was shocked, because I had a very good vacum and used it almost every day of the week; this was before I discovered quilting. :lol: :lol: :lol:

if housebroken dogs and cats do fine on carpet I have a german shepard and 3 large cats and lots of carpet and no problems with it :)

I have 3 dogs. My chihuahua is male and constantly pees on the carpet. He will go into the bathroom to poo. He first asks to go outside, but if we are not quick, then, well, it is too late. He is 11.

My poodle is male and completely housebroken, will not ever go in the house, carpet or not. He is 2.

My lab is female and has never gone in the house. She was housebroken on her first day! she is 3.

I have heard male chihuahuas are the worst about housebreaking. The two I have had were awful.

I have had a female chihuahua that never went inside.

We had carpeting all over, except for kitchen and bathrooms. We also took in rescue Dobermans, who wound up almost living in the house with us and the kids. With regular vacuuming, it worked quite well, the kids and dogs could lie around on the floor to watch TV, eat bushels of pop corn and trays of snacks.

Just be sure to get a very good carpet, this will be a long term way of life.

Do some online research, don't just rely on what the salesman tells you.

NEVER rely just on what any salesman tells you!!

carpet shouldn't be a problem if the dog is housetrained properly - just bear in mind some dogs find hardwood floors difficult as they can't get a purchase properly!!

Agree! Even if they're housebroken accidents happen. Plus some dogs just never catch on to the housebreaking thing. I have a 10 year old Min Pin who just refused to learn. The first 5 years we would spend hours a day out with him and every time he would hold it until he was back inside! The only dog we ever had a problem with, now he lives outside in the fence.

When they run in and out they track in mud dirt ect, when bad weather...but I hate carpet any way...less alergies! I love tile better, and now they make a tile that looks like a wooden floor and can't wait to put it down...but its a little expensive!

Our male Yorkie wouldnt exactly pee, but he would wittle just a bit marking his home...I couldnt break him no matter how hard I tried...I have another male dog that goes outside all the time no accidents...