New Sofa

[KAHLUA]

Need some feedback, please.  We currently have a couch that has a red microfiber material on it.  We bought it before the dogs.  Since the dogs sit on the couch and lick themselves, bring their bones up there, drool when they sleep extra, it leave spots on the material.  I have the couch professionally cleaned every 4 months or so, but it still shows the spots.   We are thinking about replacing the couch with a leather sofa.  My husband thinks their nails will tear up the leather.  My opinion is that other than the wet spots on the couch, the material of the current couch isn't torn or scratched or marred up in any way (could it be the material?)  I love looking at the PHOTO section of DK and there are a lot of pictures of Doodles on couches so I know most people will not comment and say to keep the dogs off the couch.  So any ideas on a replacement couch?  Leather?  Different material?  Color?  THANKS!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

Unless you have some extra cash laying around and are looking to redecorate anyway, maybe you could try a sofa slip cover of some sort that you could easily remove and toss in the washer when needed.  I've got the same question about the leather though?  When we got our girls we had a car with leather interior and I kept a quilt on the seat when ever they were in the car because I wasn't sure if they would damage the seats or not.  So I'll be watching to see what folks say.

[KAHLUA]

Hi!  I did think about that, but we have recliners on both ends of the couch, my husband's "side" gets used ALOT and my "side" gets used when Kahlua is between us.  Now in the event that Kahula decides that she doesn't want to sit between me and the hubby, she will sit on my "side" and I'll put the recliner out so she can lay comfortably.  What we do for our Doodles!!!!

 

[Adina P]

From what I've heard leather works great with dogs.

[Tina, Clover, Plus 5 More]

Okay, here's my two cents worth.  Our niece had a microfiber couch, no dogs or kids and it showed everything.  She always kept it covers with throws. 

Leather is nice but it all depends upon the quality of leather and type. 

Full-Grain leather, made from the finest raw material, are clean natural hides which have not been sanded to remove imperfections. Only the hair has been removed. The grain remains in its natural state which will allow the best fiber strength, resulting in greater durability. The natural grain also has natural breathability, resulting in greater comfort for clothing. The natural Full-Grain surface will wear better than other leather. Rather than wearing out, it will develop a natural 'Patina' and grow more beautiful over time. The finest leather furniture and footwear are made from Full-Grain leather. Full grain leathers can mainly be bought as two finish types: aniline and semi-aniline.

vs.

Corrected-Grain leather, also known as Top-Grain leather, is fuzzy on one side and smooth on the other. The smooth side is the side where the hair and natural grain used to be. The hides, which are made from inferior quality raw materials, have all of the natural grain sanded off and an artificial grain applied. Top grain leather generally must be heavily painted to cover up the sanding and stamping operation. Corrected grain leathers can mainly be bought as two finish types: semi-aniline and pigmented.

Full grain leather holds up the best but needs to be conditioned regularly to avoid becoming dry and brittle.  If you clip Kahlua' nails regularly I think it would hold up.  I have a leather recliner/ottoman in our bedroom and the dogs are always on it.  It is 11 years old and has no rips, but shows signs of aging which is normal.

 

[F, Calla & Luca]

Great info!

[KAHLUA]

Great information!!!!!!  Thanks, Tina!!!!

 

 

[Barbara B., Sasha & Oliver]

I also have micro fiber couch in a medium coco color.  I have spilt red wine, Oliver peeded on it when he was a baby, there have been all kinds of doggie things going on on that couch.  I vacuum it with a good bristle brush once a week, steam clean it and freshen up with Frebreeze.  I do not have one mark or stain on that couch AND it does not smell either !!!  I found a receipe on-line that mixed baking soda, vinegar, peroxide and dish detergent (I have the measurments written down at home) that works like a charm.  After Olliver peed on the couch I freaked !!!!  I am a bit of a clean freak.  I did the best I could with cleaning it up then went on line and found the receipe.  I did exactly as the directions said and NO SMELL, NO STAIN - NOTHING !!!  I have also used it on carpet too.   Even though I have no problems with my couch I was thinking my next couch would be leater as well but worried about the nail scratch marks.  Sometimes Sasha digs on the couch and never has left a mark... I'm afraid if it were leather it would be scratched !!!  I'm curious as to what the answers will be.

[Melody & Bruin]

Can you please share the recipe from home?  Thanks

[Laurie, Fudge, and Vern]

We just got a new leather sofa. I wish I knew what color it is because I keep it covered with blankets at all times, because Vern thinks it is his new dog bed. I never allowed any pets on the furniture until Vern and Fudge. I am going to invest in some couch covers soon. I will tell you that this sofa is the most comfortable sofa we have ever had....part of the problem, because I can't keep Vern or my DD off of it :)

 

OMD...I just checked...our couch is cranberry...LOL!

[Jane, Rooney & Stuart]

Right before we got Rooney I had a custom leather sectional made (not because I'm snotty but because in FL there is NO wall space - makes it hard to decorate).  My biggest fear was spending that kind of money and having it get chewed up or scratched.  Rooney never chewed it thank goodness and jumping up and down, chewing bones on it - it has never scratched.  Stuart now is getting on and off and it still is without a blemish!!  We do have their nails trimmed once a month.  Now . . . . . if I can just get Stuart through puppy hood without him chewing it, I'll be able to relax?!

[Ronna, Murphy & Wilson]

We just replaced our bonus room sofas with two leather ones. I think they are going to be great.  Little Wilson doesn't get to go up there for awhile...he has to stay in rooms with no carpet.  Our furniture in our family room is really old and it is leather. Murphy is always on it and has never damaged it.  Cat claws are a different story.  It has cat claw holes all over it however it is a really soft leather. 

[Deanna & Desi & Cori]

Here's my solution - get a couch with a very busy (ugly?) pattern; that way nothing shows and if it does, you really don't care.  In my defense, the pattern looked great on the sample swatch, but didn't translate too well on the couch itself!