Without seeing the quality and testing for comfort, I would be nervous about buying any couch. We purchased an inexpensive couch years ago and the fabric and springs lasted no time at all. I believe with couches and mattresses, you really get what you pay for. What about a couch that is slip covered that you could wash or one that has removal cushion covers that can be dry cleaned. Either way, I would select a dark color. We have brown velvet in our den and it has really withstood a lot and we just dry clean 2/year, as well our cat could care less about scratching it.

I have a slipcovered velvet sofa that is 14 years old. 3 moves including storage. 6 dogs, including puppies, 3 extensive house fixings. several nieces and nephews. They get wash, they look like new.

Thanks guys!! Making my dog stay off the furniture is not an option. Laying around with our giant boy is part of why we want a bigger couch but thanks for the advice on keeping him off, in case that ever changes :). We aren't worried about the couch lasting for years and years, just that we don't waste money. Basically, I don't want to buy a less expensive, bonded leather just to have it get ripped to shreds= money wasted. I'm ok with buying a less expensive real leather, like ikea quality, if it serves it's purpose for about 3 years. I'm not worried about scratched leather since I like the look of worn leather. I need a place to sit and watch tv, that looks cute in my living room, and that Leo can't destroy if we take the proper precautions. Is that too much to ask? :).

My friend has a canine couch potato, too, and she bought C & B slip covered furniture in white. Then she bought a white matelasse bedspread to cover tuck under the seat cushions. The spread goes in the washer/dryer often and the slipcovers just once in awhile.

Hey looks like my house. our animals love our furniture too. That's why we bought leather. Easy to keep up. We didn't go cheap but also not the highest quality and it's great. Good luck

A man THAT handsome deserves real leather!

I totally agree with OldGrayMare. :)

With that pose and look !! he wants leather :)

Dane drool=requires leather.

get furniture in top leather, not bonded. you will be fine. your puppy will be fine.I have leather and 6 boxers have been in it al the time

that is one cute big puppy

Keep the old couch for him and get a grouping of four chairs for you that are too small for him!

Love Leo! My friend bought a tight chenille sofa set and loves how it stands up to her four cats and 2 dogs. Granted, she doesn't have a huge magnificent beastie such as yours, but still. I have two medium dogs and a mix of velvet, chenille and leather. The leather holds up the best and doesn't seem to absorb their smells.

old dog. I second you

@sacapuntaslapioz- Just who fills the dog dish, anyway? Scooby must run the place? ;-)

River, for some of us, our dogs give us so much love and fun, that giving them a couch is small potatoes.

That's what I said, "Give him the couch!"

Do tell! My kids are sometimes fun and affectionate but I try not to let them run roughshod over me.

River, I do not expect all people to understand. kelspena is just asking for help in choosing a couch that can withstand dogs. Actually my dogs have not broken or destroy any couch. the kids in my family plenty of them!!

Omg just love it, I'm a doggy fan, go for good leather, you can throw a thick blanket on it. Leather is meant to have scratches and Cracks, they even look better worn. All leather couches tell a story. From the pics it's three against one lol

blenheimnewzealand,

Oh my. I love those pictures. Are they all yours, blenheimnewzealand? Love especially the black lab (puppy?) with his head leaning on the armrest. They are so sweet.

OH. And I love the bow-tied boxers.

So here's my little border collie -- this is HIS couch . . . but now I'm thinking leather, based on this thread. :)

@sacapuntaslapioz- Oh, I understand in a vicarious sort of way.

What I should do is ditch the cabinet business and start a niche market "pet friendly" furniture line since this is not the first time I have encountered a post like this. Any designers out there want to give me some pointers on fabrics?

Uh . . . leather??

Yeah...maybe distressed with the barbed wire scratches.

River Valley: I've had dogs all my life. Golden retriever, Australian Shepherd, border collies. Even as puppies, they never destroyed anything-- least of all a couch. Now cats-- and I've had those, too-- can seriously destroy some furniture with their clawing. But dogs? Not mine. If they're kept happy and active, they don't get bored and, hence, destructive. And they really are our family.

Crypton fabric!!! I LOVE our new Crypton couch/chairs. First heard about it in The Bark Magazine. :) We had leather for 15 years, and the dogs' nails weren't the only thing. One of our dearly beloved ole dogs liked to lick the leather. That was what did it in. The dog knew the leather was an animal product, and try as we did, we still could not prevent that dog from licking and licking it. It took the dye out of it. We finally got rid of it. (the couch, not the dog!)
Anyhow, with our two different, much less neurotic, dogs, and a new place, it was time for new furniture. After extensive research, we went with Crypton a year ago. It is amazing! Get a swatch, and they send you a "wreck it kit". I did the tests. Flying colors! It just does not stain! The animals' nails don't hurt it, it is antimicrobial, and water resistant, all without feeling funny at all. And it's beautiful.

Sorry everyone, there is something weird to walk into a house and see a large dog claiming the sofa as his / her own. I would feel the same frustration walking into my home in broad daylight seeing my husband splayed out every which way with his crotch bared on the sofa the way dogs seem to do. The closest my medium size dog gets to the sofa is when he sits or lays upon our comfy ottoman that matches the sofa. I lay a sheep skin rug type pad over it, and we can lay on the sofa and pet the dog at the same time. If your carpet has a carpet pad, and your dog has a comfy cushiony bed, I don't see why they would be taking over the sofa any more than they would be given a seat at the dinner table, or lying next to you in bed. I don't think you would see that anywhere else in the world except the USA.

Please don't use dryer sheets or bleach as deterents. They are both toxic and there is a reason why they are avoided. I love your dog! Craigslist for leather sofas.

http://healthylivinghowto.com/1/post/2013/04/healthy-body-7-toxic-reasons-to-ditch-dryer-sheets.html

http://www.educatingwellness.com/natural-health/dangers-of-bleach/

Oh my geez peoples! Please, don't turn this into an argument of dog on or off the couch :). That's how discussion board wars start lol. Both sides are respected and fine. I completely understand the decision to not allow pets on furniture, believe me. We did it for 6 months with Leonidas. We just gave in and I'm okay with that. I actually did not know that outside of the US this is a weird thing. Interesting. For a little additional info for those that might wonder why we gave in: my dog weighs 145 lbs now. Once he became REALLY BIG he started getting those swollen pockets on his joints from our hardwood. He had beds (destroyed them, even if they were made of "indestructible" material), blankets, etc. to lay on, but the joint swelling didn't go away. This can be very problematic if you ignore it over time. We just decided it would be easier to let him on the furniture (that he makes no effort to damage) to prevent future health issues. Also, he is super cuddly and makes for a great movie watching partner.

Also, my husband made it to IKEA for the first time to see the furniture we are considering in person. It's looking like the most promising option. Also, he was in total awe of the place. He sounded like a kid in a toy shoppe while he was Facetiming me shopping. Thanks for the help!!!!

IKEA has some great couches at reasonable prices so I'm sure you'll find something you love :) good luck!

Oh he is so handsome. We currently have a leather couch and our cat has his spot. My two wiener nieces have theirs too when I dog sit them. We have a few small scratches but nothing has gouged and the couch wears well. I keep a fleece blanket for the dogs because the nails aren't always trimmed. The furry members are family, and family sits on the couch.

ikea stockhold is very handsome sofa. also look if you have Raymour and Flanigan near you. they have outlets with good prices.

A washable velvet slipcovered sofa also stands well. Pottery barn have some. or microfiber. cover it with a fake fur blanket, wash the blanket every 2 weeks and the sofa covers twice a year and you are good. the dogs will always go to the fake fur part of the sofa

We have a good quality supple leather sofa we love & have had for years, along with a family Lab.
Over time, the Lab did scratch one of the cushions (& since the sofa is also a hide-a-bed), I just had the cushions recovered! Will probably do it again in a few years until I give our beloved sofa to one of the kids, nieces or nephews.
Presto! Design dilemma, dog "aroma", & no wasting of money issue solved!

Your dog is so adorable. Isn't snuggling the best? Our dog is a couch dog too...and a bed dog. We love him like our children! Just wanted to say how cute he is:)

the dog stays.Of course!love em.Ikea is great.Get what you enjoy but totally agree,not forever heirloom quality.Needs and colors change but do get comfortable for all.Pup too....)

Love that dog!

Check out Flexsteel sofas. Soft. Comfy. Fluid rolls off. Wipe clean. It's amazing. My Boxer tossed his cookies overnight. Cleaned it up easily next morning! Woof!

We've had really good luck with Costco leather sofas--actually the most expensive leather show doggie scratches the worst! But your dog is part of the family-- adds character to the sofa!

My daughter has a large golden retriever and a husky mix and also a faux leather sofa from Ashley Furniture that has held up unbelievably great...and it was a really affordable option for her at the time.

i love my leather lovesac couch and chaise. they have a life time guarantee. i bought them because of my dogs. they would not have been my first choice in respect to style. however, they are comfortable and easy to keep.

We have a leather couch from raymour and Flanigan, it's held up very well and wasn't too expensive. They also have a type of insurance for any tips, tears etc. the dog could actually eat a cushion and they'd replace it. The cost was minimal, based on the cost of the couch. I also have a microfiber couch in the living room that I barely trust my husband not to ruin. Go leather!!

Love your dog pic :-) My 60lb dog scratched up a cheap leather sofa - forgiven instantly! - but not the one from Restoration Hardware. Good luck!

Look at that face! Precious. Leather sounds like a good option for you. I have 2 dogs that together = 1 Great Dane. My solution is to cover my sofas with blankets. They are easy to wash and can be taken off in a second when someone comes over. Pet catalogs have a lot of different options (colors and sizes) of covers for sofas. You might want to check them out. I use regular blankets/throws mostly because it's easier to find a color I like but I will probably be getting some made for pets. They fit better and are easier to put in place. It is amazing how doing this has kept my furniture in great condition.

Dogs will muss the blankets and still "touch the couch", no problem, the benefit is that the blankets carry a lot of the smell away and can be washed. But my dog would play with the blanket and it would end up on the floor.

River, Restoration hardware makes a fabulous sofa with distressed leather, that we and our pets have added to the patina for 10+ years. It still looks amazing!

Blenheimnewzealand, The black lab picture is priceless. I feel soooo much better about the wear on my red leather sofa. I will call the marks "character marks' and just love it.